Victoria, Bc: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, is served by the Victoria International Airport, also known as the Victoria (Patricia Bay) Airport or the Pat Bay Airport. The airport is located 22km from downtown Victoria and is run by the Victoria Airport Authority. In 2024, the airport served 1,872,033 passengers, making it the 11th busiest airport in Canada and the third busiest in British Columbia. The airport offers nonstop daily flights to Vancouver and Seattle, as well as seasonal services to Mexico and several cities in Canada and the United States.

Victoria International Airport is 22km from downtown Victoria

Victoria International Airport, also known as YYJ, is located 22km from downtown Victoria. The airport is situated on the Saanich Peninsula, with the majority of it, including the passenger terminal, in North Saanich. A small portion of the airfield extends into Sidney. The airport is easily accessible from downtown Victoria, with various transportation options available.

By car, the airport is a 20-minute drive from downtown Victoria via Highway 17 when there is little to no traffic. However, the travel time can increase to 40 minutes during peak traffic hours. The airport provides convenient parking options, including short-term, long-term, and daily parking lots adjacent to the terminal, along with an additional overflow lot and a rental lot to the southwest of the terminal building.

For those seeking a more direct mode of transportation, taxi services, such as Yellow Cab, are available 24/7 and offer seamless transfers to and from the airport. The taxi fare from downtown Victoria to the airport typically ranges from €40.80 to €48.60 (CAD 59.40 to 69.90), and the trip duration is approximately 25 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. It is customary to tip taxi drivers between 10% and 20% of the total fare for their services.

Public transportation is also an option for travellers on a budget. The bus ride from Victoria International Airport to downtown Victoria costs €3.40 (CAD 5) per person. However, it is important to note that the exact cash amount is required as bus drivers do not accept card payments or provide change. The total travel time by bus is estimated at 62 minutes, excluding waiting times. To get to downtown Victoria, passengers need to take bus service 88 from the airport to McTavish Transit Exchange and then transfer to bus service 72.

Victoria International Airport is a significant transportation hub, serving approximately 1,872,033 passengers and accommodating 95,615 aircraft movements in 2024. It offers nonstop daily flights to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), as well as direct service to Seattle (SEA) and several cities within British Columbia and Yukon. The airport has been recognised for its excellence, receiving accolades such as being rated one of the top ten most-loved airports in the world by CNN Travel.

The airport is served by taxi and bus services

Victoria International Airport, also known as YYJ, is located 22 kilometres (14 miles) north-northwest of Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula. The airport is served by taxi and bus services, providing convenient transportation options for travellers arriving at or departing from the airport.

Taxi services, such as Yellow Cab, offer a direct and comfortable way to travel to and from the airport. Taxis are readily available outside the terminal, providing a hassle-free option for passengers with luggage or those who prefer a private ride.

For bus travellers, the BC Transit system offers convenient connections to the airport. Routes 87 and 88 of the BC Transit network make it easy for passengers to access the airport from various locations in Victoria. These bus routes also enable connections to intercity bus services, providing extended travel options for those arriving by bus.

The airport's proximity to downtown Victoria further enhances its accessibility. By car, the airport is typically a 20-minute drive from the city centre via Highway 17 when there is little or no traffic. However, during peak hours or congested periods, the travel time can extend to around 40 minutes.

In addition to taxi and bus services, Victoria International Airport also provides parking options for those who prefer to drive their own vehicles. The airport offers both short-term and long-term parking lots conveniently located next to the terminal, ensuring easy access for passengers and their companions.

In 2024, the airport served 1,872,033 passengers

Victoria International Airport (IATA: YYJ, ICAO: CYYJ) serves Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It is located 22 kilometres from downtown Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula, with the bulk of the airport in North Saanich and a small portion extending into Sidney. The airport is run by the Victoria Airport Authority, which operates on the homeland of the WSÁNEĆ people and works closely with several First Nations.

YYJ is classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). CBSA officers can handle aircraft with no more than 450 passengers when unloaded in stages, or 120 normally. The airport does not have United States customs and border preclearance, so many passengers first fly to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) for US preclearance.

In 2024, YYJ served 1,872,033 passengers and recorded 95,615 aircraft movements. This made it Canada's 11th busiest airport in terms of passengers and British Columbia's third busiest in terms of both passengers and aircraft movements. YYJ's passenger numbers reflect its numerous nonstop daily flights to Vancouver International Airport, which takes approximately 15 minutes, as well as its direct service to Seattle and several cities within British Columbia and Yukon. The airport also offers seasonal nonstop service to several Mexican resort destinations.

YYJ has been recognised as one of the top ten most-loved airports in the world by CNN Travel and the Best Regional Airport (North America) by Airports Council International (ACI). It is also rated as the Most Efficient Airport with under 5 Million Passengers in North America.

The airport is home to Arundel Castle, the base for 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, is served by the Victoria International Airport, located 22 kilometres from downtown Victoria. The airport is classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

In 2015, the 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron moved into a new $155 million heliport at the airport, which the RCAF titled Arundel Castle. The new 215,000-square-foot facility houses five Sea King helicopters, which are expected to be replaced by Canada's new Cyclone helicopters in the coming years. The new hangar allows for enhanced operational capabilities and provides the space and technology to accommodate the new CH-148 Cyclone helicopters.

The 443 Squadron is a front-line combat unit and anti-submarine unit that primarily supports the Royal Canadian Navy. It also provides support to other government agencies and Canada's allies and occasionally performs search-and-rescue operations. The main mission of the 443 Squadron in the 21st century is to provide ASW (ship-borne anti-submarine warfare) and logistical support for the Royal Canadian Navy.

The Victoria Airport Authority runs the airport

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, is served by the Victoria International Airport, which is located 22 kilometres (14 miles) north-northwest of the city on the Saanich Peninsula. The airport is run by the Victoria Airport Authority, which took over operations in 1997 as part of a broad-scale restructuring of airports across Canada.

The Victoria Airport Authority has made significant investments in the airport's infrastructure. In 2000, they began renovating and expanding the terminal to better meet passenger needs. Over the next few years, the airside hold room, the arrivals rotunda, and the departures area were all rebuilt and improved. The federal government, which owns the land, also reduced the rent for the Victoria Airport Authority in 2005, resulting in significant savings over the 50-year lease.

The airport has a variety of transportation options for passengers. It is accessible by taxi, BC Transit routes 87 and 88, intercity bus service, and car via Highway 17. The airport provides short-term, long-term, and daily parking lots, as well as an overflow lot.

YYJ, as the airport is also known, has been recognised as one of the top ten most-loved airports in the world by CNN Travel and has received awards from Airports Council International (ACI) and for efficiency. It is classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The airport served approximately 1.8 million passengers in 2024, making it Canada's 11th busiest airport and British Columbia's third busiest.

The Victoria Airport Authority acknowledges that the airport operates from the traditional homeland of the WSÁNEĆ people, and they are committed to strengthening relationships with the Tseycum First Nation, Tsartlip First Nation, Tsawout First Nation, and Pauquachin First Nation.

Frequently asked questions