Getting Around British Columbia

Within cities, travel can be simple. Bike and foot paths are aplenty; the Skytrain in Vancouver is quick and efficient; most cities contain elaborate bus systems which are worth every penny; and in coastal towns like Victoria, Vancouver, and Nanaimo, water taxis ferry back and forth across the harbors, providing a break from the street and a view of the city. But in this province, getting out of town is half the fun.

Experiencing the landscape is a must while enjoying BC: exploring diverse territory, and seeing three coastlines in one day. In order to do this you need to be flexible, and what better way to be flexible than to be your own guide?

An ideal way to explore British Columbia is by car. Pull over when you like and picnic by a rushing river, or take your foot off the gas and dip it into the Pacific. And with rental rates beginning at 35 dollars a day plus gas, driving the highways and back roads on your own schedule is not only easy and alluring, it's also efficient.

There are endless places to venture for day trips and a number of distant gems that can become realistic destinations. Drive four hours northwest of Victoria and feel the wild coastal spray in Ucluelet and Tofino, or head two hours north of Vancouver and have a truly mountainous experience in Whistler. Or better yet, do both.

If self-sufficiency sounds like your style, consider road-tripping in an RV. Recreational Vehicles are great for long, leisurely drives--in addition to alternative hotel accommodation--and visiting BC's campgrounds are worth a visit.

There are some simple things to remember before you drive in Canada, however: Speed limits will be posted in kilometers instead of miles, vehicles keep to the right side of the road, and it is unwise (read: illegal) to use cell phones while driving. Your itinerary, however, is entirely up to you.

Now, unless you plan to get around BC entirely by air, BC Ferries will be a realistic part of your travels. These vessels, which pass between the mainland, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and the Sunshine Coast, are in ways more like cruise ships than a necessary means of transport.  Short trips take place on small, utilitarian vessels while the longer sailings take place on larger ships, which are generally outfitted with gift shops, cafeteria-style restaurants and coffee shops, not to mention a myriad of comfortable seating areas. You may wait in line for food on these large ships, but you'll never be without a seat and a refreshing view. If the weather is anything less than stormy, spend  time outside on deck and revel in the calmness of the Strait of Georgia. If you're on a small ship, there's little place to go but outside, and that's what we like about them. Plan ahead and drive your car on, or walk on for a reduced fare. 

And let us not forget trains, one of the steadiest and most leisurely means of transport available. Train travel may be inflexible by nature, but if you have the time and the funds, then going by rail can be a truly pleasant experience.
    
Most trains in Canada are clean and uncrowded, and for long distance routes offer sleeper cabins and on-board meals. Other trains, however, such as that which passes between Victoria and Courtenay in less than five hours, offer little more than a quaint experience and a view.

Consider as well the West Coast Express. This modern commuter train is less formal and travels between Vancouver and Mission, stopping in cities like Port Moody, Port Coquitlam and Pitt Meadows along the way. It features an on-board cappuccino bar, turning a two-and-a-half hour return trip into a cozy outing. Not a bad way to see a region that many people miss.

If you're looking to travel in style and want to access specific corners of the province, a seaplane excursion might be for you. These small aircrafts usually hold between three and 14 passengers and use the rippling waves as their runway. They are a fraction of the size of a traditional airliner (so baggage space is limited), but offer exponentially more adventure. Tours are available to regions like the Okanagan or the Olympic Mountain range, but so are direct routes so you can disembark in a new place and stay awhile. The zippy flights are all about scenery, and you won't forget the aerial view of BC's jagged shorelines, vivid mountain ranges or metropolitan lights. It doesn't take much imagination to know that your heart will pitter-patter for the province after a trip like this.

Each mode of transportation provides a diverse travel experience as well as a truly unique perspective of the province. So go ahead and choose your own adventure. Take advantage of the options and turn your visit into an exploration. Remember, when it comes to getting around BC, the sky really is the limit.

Additional Information:

• Airports & Airlines
• Bus & Coach
• Driving & Car Rentals
• Ferries
• Houseboats
• RV (Recreational Vehicle)
• Sightseeing
• Taxi & Limousine
• Trains
• Tansportation Service

Articles of Interest:

• RV and Houseboat Vacations in BC: Experience BC from the comfort of your own rolling or floating home
• An Expanse Enhanced: Just how big is British Columbia?
• Road Tripping on Highway 1: Explore BC's hidden gems on the Trans-Canada from points A & B
• Venturing Out - Vancouver Day Trips: BC makes it easy to take a vacation within a vacation

By Robyn Cadamia

Photo credits: Robson Street at night in downtown Vancouver courtesy Tourism BC/Cathy Lukovich; Motorhome driving on the Trans Canada Highway near Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park courtesy Tourism BC/David Gluns; BC Ferries boat in Howe Sound near Vancouver courtesy Tourism BC/Tom Ryan; Via Rail's Skeena train traveling over a trestle bridge courtesy Tourism BC/Tom Ryan; Close-up of a float plane in Coal Harbour in front of the snowy North Shore mountains in Vancouver courtesy Tourism BC/Kevin Arnold