Getting Here Campbell River
Campbell River is the gateway to the north-central Vancouver Island region. Travel information to that community is provided here.
The north-central island region is within easy reach of Vancouver and Victoria on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada. It's also accessible by regular air service from Seattle, USA, by Kenmore Air and Calgary etc through Westjet at the Comox Valley Airport.
Travelling by Land
Campbell River is approximately 1.5 hours (153 kilometres / 95 miles) drive north of Nanaimo on Highway 19, and 3 hours (264 kilometres / 165 miles) north of Victoria. See the most of Campbell River by exiting Highway 19 at the Miracle Beach exit, then continue north along Oceanside Route Highway 19A.
If you prefer a fully serviced highway route, follow the starfish along the scenic Oceanside Route, Highway 19A. Look for the official "starfish" signs south of Parksville and at other exits along Highway 19. Try both routes - north to Campbell River on the scenic Oceanside Route 19A, then home via the Inland Island Highway 19!
Motorcoach
Island Coach Lines (Laidlaw) serves Victoria to Port Hardy, and points in between, including Campbell River. Connect to Island Coach Lines from Vancouver on Greyhound or Pacific Coach Lines.
Island Coach Lines
Toll-free: 1 800 318-0818
Tel: (250) 385-4411
Web: www.victoriatours.com
Greyhound
travels (by ferry) between Vancouver and Nanaimo
Toll-free: 1 800 661-8747
Tel: (604) 482-8747
Web: www.greyhound.ca
Pacific Coach Lines
travels (by ferry) between Vancouver and Victoria.
Toll-free: 1 800 661-1725
Tel: (250) 385-4411
Web: www.pacificcoach.com
Ferry service
Bringing a vehicle to Vancouver Island means an easy journey by ferry from either British Columbia's Mainland or Washington State. Victoria Clipper (passengers only), MV Coho, and Washington State Ferries-operate from Washington. In British Columbia, BC Ferries runs scheduled trips between the following ports and many others on the British Columbia coast. Crossing times are approximate.
BC Ferries
Web: www.bcferries.ca
Route & Fare Information
Toll-free: 1 888 223-3779
Tel: (250) 386-3431
Web: www.bcferries.ca Reservations
Toll-free: 1 888 724-5223
Tel: (604) 444-2890
Reservations are recommended, on select Mainland - Vancouver Island routes. You'll need a credit card handy when you call.
BC Ferry Travel Times
North to Campbell River
Tsawwassen (Vancouver) and Swartz Bay (Victoria) -1 hour 35 minutes
Tsawwassen (Vancouver) and Duke Point (Nanaimo) -2 hours
Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) and Departure Bay (Nanaimo) - 1 hour 35 minutes
Powell River-Westview (Sunshine Coast) and Little River (Comox) - 1 hour 15 minutes
South to Campbell River
Prince Rupert and Port Hardy (Inside Passage route) - approximately 15 hours
Bella Coola and Port Hardy (Discovery Coast Passage route) - approximately 12 hours
Travel tip: fare discounts!
Plan to travel on more than one ferry route between Vancouver Island and the Mainland? Visit http://www.bcferries.bc.ca/news/circlepac.html to find out more about BC Ferries' CirclePac route and fare discounts.
Ferry service between Washington State and Vancouver Island
Victoria Clipper
Passenger-only high-speed catamaran ferry service between Seattle WA and Victoria BC.
Toll-free: 1 800 888-2535
Tel: (206) 448-5000
Web: www.victoriaclipper.com
MV Coho
The MV Coho ferry carries vehicles and passengers between Port Angeles WA and Victoria BC.
Tel: (360) 457-4491
Web: www.northolympic.com/coho/
Washington State Ferries
Washington State Ferries operates service for vehicles and passengers between Anacortes WA and Sidney (Victoria) BC.
Toll-free: 1 888 808-7977
Tel: (206) 464-6400
Web: www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/
Travelling by Sea
Campbell River is a boaters' haven with a range of services and facilities, including moorage, for you and your craft. Before heading to sea, consult up-to-date tide tables and marine charts (such as Canadian Hydrographic Service chart #3540 Approaches to Campbell River) to familiarize yourself with the waterways around Campbell River.
Travelling by Air
The north-central island region is within easy reach of Vancouver and Victoria on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada. It's also accessible by regular air service from Seattle, USA, by Kenmore Air and Calgary etc through Westjet at the Comox Valley Airport. (YQQ)
YBL Campbell River is just minutes away from some of Vancouver Island's finest attractions and resorts. YBL is the gateway of choice for visitors traveling by commercial airlines and general aviation aircraft.
Our airport's friendly terminal is simple and stress free with a variety of services, including auto rentals and 'home cooked' meals.
Air Canada (service from Canada and international points), Central Mountain Air (service from within B.C.), kenmore Air (service from Seattle, Washington) and Pacific Coastal Airlines (service from within B.C.) operate at YBL.
General aviation visitors will find all of the necessary services, with on-site Canada Customs & Immigration, jet fuel and avgas.
For further details regarding YBL, please visit www.CRAirport.ca
Air Canada
(including Air BC and Canadian Airlines)
Toll-free: 1 888 247-2262
Tel: (604) 688-5515
Web: www.aircanada.ca Pacific Coastal Airlines
Toll-free: 1 800 663-2872
Tel: (604) 273-8666
Web: www.pacific-coastal.com
Kenmore Air Express
Toll-free: 1-866-435-9524
Web: www.kenmoreair.com
Non-stop 1 hour and 20 minute minute flights to Campbell River from Seattle 's convenient Boeing Field with easy connections to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Kenmore 's complimentary ground shuttle. Kenmore Air Express operates the safe and comfortable Cessna Caravan turboprop. Seasonal service from June 16–September 30.
Kenmore Air Seaplane
Toll-free: 1-866-435-9524
Web: www.kenmoreair.com
Kenmore Air, "The Seaplane Airline," offers several scheduled flights daily from Lake Union in downtown Seattle to the City of Campbell River (Tyee Spit Float Plane facility) and several surrounding lodges and resorts. Complimentary shuttle connection to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is included in every fare. Seasonal service from May 12–September 30.
WestJet
Toll-free: 1-888-937-8538
Web: www.westjet.com
Direct flights from Calgary, Alberta, to Comox, just a short 45 minute drive from Campbell River. Rent a car, or choose from a number of tour packages which will meet you at the airport.