Transportation: Travel to and around Victoria
Downtown to UVic
The University of Victoria is located about 9 km from Victoria's downtown. Options for travel are taxis and buses. Note that we will be providing a bus from the downtown hotels and the University on Monday morning, and back downtown on Monday evening (see below), but on other days you will be responsible for making your own way to the University. See below for more details on buses. Buses cost $2.50 for a single trip and $5.00 for a day pass, so it makes sense to get a day pass. You can buy that on the bus, but please note that drivers do not carry change, so you'll need a $5 bill.
The schedule for the bus to campus on Monday is as follows:
- 7:20am: Arrive Parkside Victoria Hotel.
- 7:30am: Depart Parkside for Marriott Hotel.
- 7:45am: Depart Marriott for the UVic University Club
Saturday and Sunday workshops
If you're attending workshops, you are responsible for getting yourself to and from the University. The options are taxis and buses. The workshops are taking place on a holiday weekend, when there will be fewer buses than usual, and a parade on the morning of Saturday 11th will cause some disruption in downtown Victoria, so give yourself plenty of time. Full details of routes and stops are below.
Bus Routes
There are several buses from downtown to UVic:
#11, #14, #15: Fastest route
If you are downtown, it is best to make your way to the Fort Street stop (ID 100033) and board, in order of preference, the 15 Express, 14, or 11 (most scenic, but slow) buses. All of these buses end their respective routes at UVic.
#7: Closest stop to the hotels
Make your way to the #7 stop on Fairfield Road (ID 100024).
#4: Close to hotels, but slow
You can board the #4 at its stop on Fairfield Road (ID 100025). This bus takes a little longer to get to the University.
Getting to Victoria
Victoria is the capital of British Columbia, Canada, and is located on Vancouver Island, 44km (27 miles) off the coast of mainland British Columbia. The conference will take place on the University of Victoria campus, with conference hotel(s) and a dinner event in downtown Victoria.
Getting Here: By Air
Victoria International Airport (YYJ) is located approximately 30 minutes from the University of Victoria. Flights arrive daily from across Canada, the US, and Europe. In general, it is most cost efficient and convenient to fly into Victoria (rather than Vancouver or Seattle), unless you are coming from those areas or have other reasons to stop there during your trip.
For getting to and from the airport, we recommend the YYJ Airport Shuttle; you may need to call and confirm a shuttle spot or time. The cost is $25 CAD for one adult; less if you are traveling in a group of two or more. Specific fares and schedules can be found on their website. A taxi to downtown Victoria hotels from the airport will cost approximately 54CAD.
Float plane service is available from Vancouver (Harbour Air) and Seattle (Kenmore Air) to Victoria's Inner Harbour. Helicopter service between Vancouver and Victoria's downtown Inner Harbour is also available (HeliJet).
Getting Here: By Ground
From Vancouver: Pacific Coach offers a bus service between downtown Vancouver, Vancouver Airport and downtown Victoria 3 times/day. This trip involves taking the ferry from Tsawwassen on the mainland to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island. Once your bus has driven on to the ferry, you are free to wander the ship, get a snack and relax.
BC Transit provides affordable and convenient bus transportation throughout Victoria.
Getting Here: By Sea
There are regular ferries from Vancouver and Seattle to Victoria. For more information, visit BC Ferries or Clipper Ferry. The ferry from Vancouver docks in Swartz Bay, approximately 40 minutes by ground travel from the University or downtown. The Clipper Ferry from Seattle arrives at the Inner Harbour downtown, about 20 minutes by ground from the University.
