There are a number of ways to reach Victoria, the most popular transport being ferries. Year-round, daily sailings are available from five companies, most of which increase their runs during summer. (Unless otherwise noted, the ferries arrive at Victoria`s inner harbor.)
B.C. Stena Line`s Crown Princess Victoria runs a 4 3/4-hour trip between Seattle`s Pier 48 and Ogden Point, minutes from Victoria`s inner harbor. The ship carries 1,300 passengers and more than 250 vehicles. Call 800-962-5984.
The Victoria Clipper line operates two high-speed catamarans-Victoria Clipper I and II-which carry about 300 passengers on the 2 1/2-hour trip. The ships leave from Seattle`s Pier 69. The company also has ferry/hotel packages in Victoria. Call 800-888-2535.
Besides the 4 3/4-hour car ferry between Seattle and Victoria, there`s also a car ferry (a 1 hour, 35-minute crossing) from Port Angeles at the tip of the Olympic Peninsula. Operated by Black Ball Transport, the number is 206-457-4491.
Between Anacortes, Wash., and Sidney, B.C., Washington State Ferries`
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trips include ports of call in Washington`s San Juan Islands. Bus service is available from Sidney, 17 miles north of Victoria. Call 206-464-6400.
Victoria and Vancouver are 1 hour, 35 minutes from each other by B.C. Ferries ships that travel year-round between Tsawwassen, south of Vancouver, and Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island`s Saanich Peninsula, about a half-hour by car or bus from the capital. The ferries carry cars, buses, RV trailers, campers and trucks. Call 604-656-0757.
Vancouver also can be reached via a harbor-to-harbor float plane taxi or regular city-to-city airport service between Victoria (the airport is 20 minutes away in Sidney) and Vancouver. There`s also helicopter service into downtown Victoria from the Vancouver International Airport and downtown Vancouver.
For air service between Seattle and Victoria, Lake Union Air flies into Victoria`s harbor. AirBC travels to Victoria`s harbor or Victoria
International Airport. Victoria is connected to major airlines via Horizon Airlines at Seattle-Tacoma Airport.
For more information about air and ferry rates and schedules, contact Tourism Victoria.