How to get here
How To Get Here
The Alberni Valley is on the central west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The majority of visitors to our island arrive by car using BC Ferries, one of the largest ferry systems in the world.It’s also easy to fly into Victoria International Airport, or Nanaimo Airport.Geographically, the closest mainland cities are Vancouver, B.C., and Seattle, Washington.
By Car
From Southern Vancouver Island: Victoria (about 2 ½ Hours), Sidney, Duncan, Nanaimo.
- Take theTransCanada Highway 1 north out of Victoria, over the Malahat, and continue through Duncan, Ladysmith, and Nanaimo.
- Highway 1 North turns into Highway 19, which you take until just past Parskville.
- At Parksville, follow the signs indicating Highway 4, West, to Port Alberni.
- Highway 4 takes you directly across the island to the Alberni Valley.
From Vancouver(about 4 Hours)
- Take BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal in West Vancouver, to Nanaimo.
- When you drive off the ferry, just follow the signs to Route #19 North, driving right through the town of Parksville.
- At Parksville, follow the signs indicating Highway 4, West, to Port Alberni.
- Highway 4 takes you directly across the island, to the Alberni Valley.
From Northern Vancouver Island: Campbell River, Comox, Courtenay, Sayward
- Drive south along Highway 19.
- Just before you reach Parksville, follow the signs indicating Highway 4 West, to Port Alberni.
- Highway 4 takes you directly across the island to the Alberni Valley.
By Ferry
It’s easy and convenient to take your car from the U.S. (Washington State) or Mainland B.C. (BC Ferries from Vancouver) to Vancouver Island. Whichever route you choose, you’re sure to enjoy the ride – this is truly one of the most beautiful ocean passages in the world.
BC Ferries Information
Vehicle and foot passenger service between Vancouver and Victoria or Nanaimo.
Route and fare information.
Toll-free: 1 888 223-3779
Tel: (250) 386-3431
Web: www.bcferries.com
Reservations:
Toll-free: 1 888 724-5223
Tel: (604) 444-2890
Web: www.bcferries.com
Ferries From Washington State
Washington State Ferries
Vehicle and foot passenger service between Anacortes WA and Sidney (Victoria) BC.
Toll-free: 1 888 808-7977
Tel: (206) 464-6400
Web: www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/
Victoria Clipper
Downtown to downtown passenger-only high-speed catamaran ferry service between Seattle WA and Victoria BC.
Toll-free: 1 800 888-2535
Tel: (206) 448-5000
MV Coho
Vehicles and passengers between Port Angeles WA and Victoria BC.
Tel: (360) 457-4491
Web: www.northolympic.com/coho/
Daily scheduled flights arrive at Victoria, Nanaimo, and Campbell River and District Regional Airport from Vancouver International Airport, Seattle, Calgary, Toronto, and other areas. There are also a number of private operators offering charter flights to remote and coastal areas from Port Alberni.
http://www.victoriaairport.com/index.php?pageid=1
Regional Airlines
WestJet
Toll-free: 1-888-937-8538
Kenmore Air Express
Toll-free: 1-866-435-9524
Web: www.kenmoreair.com
Complimentary shuttle service for connecting passengers between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Boeing Field (BFI) in downtown Seattle.
Central Mountain Air Ltd.
Toll-free: 1-888-865-8585
Web: www.flycma.com
Pacific Coastal Airlines
Toll-free: 1-800-663-2872
Tel: (604) 273-8666
Car Rental
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Budget Rent a Car |
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Hertz |
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National Car Rental |
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Thrifty Car Rental |
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Discount Car & Truck Rental |
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Enterprise rent-a-car |
Island Coach Lines has a full Coach travel service to take you from Victoria, on the southern tip of the island, or Port Hardy in the North, to Port Alberni. From Vancouver, you can connect to Island Coach lines through Greyhound or Pacific Coach lines:
Island Coach Lines
Toll-free: 1 800 318-0818
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
