Sidney is ideally located on the Saanich Peninsula, at the southern end of Vancouver Island, approximately 20km/12mi north of Victoria, the BC capital.
As gateway to the Island, the community is minutes away from the Victoria International Airport, the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal and the Sidney-Anacortes Ferry Terminal. Its status as transportation hub enhances its seaside setting and tourism potential.
Scheduled vehicle and passenger services operate between Tsawwassen just south of Vancouver and Swartz Bay. Service to the Southern Gulf Islands is frequent. Washington State Ferries also operates daily ferry service among Sidney, the San Juan Islands and Anacortes in Washington State.
Car Travel
The Patricia Bay Hwy 17 – Pat Bay to locals – links the Swartz Bay terminal to Sidney (6.4km/4mi), via the Beacon Avenue exit. From Sidney, it's an easy drive via the Pat Bay Highway to Victoria (26.6km/16.5mi). The Pat Bay Highway provides access to many Sidney excursions and also Hwy 1 North, the road to the rest of Vancouver Island.
Car Rentals
Avis, Budget, Hertz and National car rental services maintain kiosks at Victoria International Airport (less than 10 minutes from Sidney), while Thrifty, Discount and Enterprise locate between the airport and Sidney. GSA Auto Rentals in Sidney provides longer term car rental services and offers free pickup and delivery to the airport and ferry terminal.
Air Travel
Victoria International Airport (YYJ) is the 9th busiest airport in Canada with over 1.5 million passengers yearly. With more than 60 daily departures and convenient non-stop or one-stop service to every major Canadian city and many US destinations, it's surprising that the airport maintains its friendly, small-town atmosphere.
Airlines
The airport is served by Air Canada, WestJet and United Airlines, as well as a number of regional airlines including Horizon Air, Orca, Island Express and Pacific Coastal Airlines.
Yellow Cab and Akal Airporter provide taxi and shuttle services.
Public Transportation
Public transportation for Sidney and the Saanich Peninsula is provided by BC Transit via the Victoria Regional Transit System. Multiple bus routes link Sidney to Swartz Bay, Victoria International Airport, Victoria and Sooke. Pacific Coach Lines provides bus service between Victoria, Vancouver, and Whistler via the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal.
Marine Travel
The Port Sidney Marina is located minutes by foot from downtown Sidney and its shops, restaurants and attractions. This full service marina provides 320 slips, accommodating vessels up to 130ft/39.6m and is the location of a 24-hour Canada Customs office.
More Marinas
Just out of town at Sidney's north end are half a dozen additional marinas: The Van Isle Marina – a Canada Customs Port of Entry – is one of the largest marinas in BC and has 528 berths. The Westport Marina is the first eco-rated marina in BC under the Clean Marine BC program promoted by the Georgia Strait Alliance.
Maps
Maps of the Saanich Peninsula and Sidney are available on all BC Ferries as well as the Victoria International Airport and the Sidney Visitor Centre.
For more information on transportation around Sidney, drop into the Visitor Centre at 10382 Pat Bay Highway, just two minutes from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal.
Read Less