Nanaimo handles more than its share of planes, trains, automobiles and ocean-going ferries.
Two main highways service the city. The traditional route through the centre of town is via the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), which winds north from Victoria and ends at the Departure Bay ferry terminal. The Island Highway (#19A) continues onward from here, past the shopping malls and business parks in north Nanaimo. Taking a scenic driving route is also a great option for exploring Nanaimo's surrounding area.
A high-speed bypass is the Nanaimo Parkway (#19). It begins off the Trans Canada at Nanaimo's south end just past the Duke Point turnoff and skirts the western edge of the city on its way up-island. Several car rental companies can be found in Nanaimo for those wishing to pick up a car on arrival.
Ferry Travel
Nanaimo is the major arrival and departure point for nearly two million cars and 5 million passengers annually via BC Ferries.
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It is home to two of the island's three major ferry terminals – one at the northwestern edge of downtown (Departure Bay) and the other at Nanaimo's south end (Duke Point). Island visitors from the US often arrive via the Black Ball Ferry (Port Angeles, WA to Victoria) or Washington State Ferries (Anacortes, WA to Sidney, BC).
Bus Travel and Public Transportation
Greyhound offers regular bus service to Nananimo. The bus station (1 Terminal Avenue North) is adjacent to the Howard Johnson Hotel and is 15 minutes from downtown via the harbourfront walkway.
The Nanaimo Regional Transit System provides regularly scheduled morning, afternoon and early evening service. Pick up a schedule at a Visitor Centre or call the customer information line (250-390-4531) for routing tips.
Air Travel
Harbour Air, the largest all-seaplane company in the world with a fleet of 30 aircraft, offers frequent daily service from Vancouver to Nanaimo's inner harbour. The flat-out thrilling 20-minute flight shaves hours of commuting time off the trip between downtown cores. The company also offers a quick puddle-jump between Nanaimo Harbour and Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Nanaimo Airport is 18km/11mi south of the city off the Trans-Canada Highway. Air Canada offers a schedule of daily flights to and from Vancouver International Airport – earliest departure from Nanaimo is 6:10am, while flights return as late as 11pm. Sea-to-Sky Air, meanwhile, offer flights to Whistler and other spots on Vancouver Island and coastal BC.
Maps
The centrespread of Tourism Nanaimo's annual Visitor's Guide features a colorful big-picture map of the city along with a detailed downtown street guide. Also available at the city's Visitor Centre is a large-format, one-sheet map produced by the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce as well as Skycorpmaps' handy, pocket-sized look at the region.
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Transportation Service Providers