island transport solutions

	Travelling between Vancouver International Airport and Gabriola Island without a car

Your travel options from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Gabriola Island
YVR to Gabriola Island (Silva Bay) by floatplane from Richmond/YVR Cost - around $70-75 one-way to Gabriola	From Vancouver International Airport, take the free shuttle bus to the South Terminal, then cross the road to the Seair Floatplane Terminal on Inglis Drive. Alternatively, taxis are available outside the Arrivals building to take you directly to the Floatplane terminal.   Tofino Air fly direct from the Seair terminal to Silva Bay on Gabriola Island.   On your return flight, staff at the Floatplane terminal will assist in arranging your transfer back to Vancouver International Airport
YVR to Nanaimo by floatplane from Richmond/YVR Cost - around $80-90 one-way to Gabriola (including ferry from Nanaimo)	From Vancouver International Airport, take the airport shuttle bus to the South Terminal, then cross the road to the Floatplane Terminals on Inglis Drive. Alternatively, taxis are available outside the Arrivals building to take you directly to the Floatplane terminals.   Harbour Air  flies from the Harbour Air terminal to Nanaimo Harbour, which is a 5 minute walk to the Gabriola ferry. Seair Seaplanes fly from the Seair terminal (100 metres from the Harbour Air terminal) to Nanaimo (Departure Bay) which is about 3km from the Gabriola ferry. Staff at the Seair terminal in Nanaimo can assist in arranging your transfer to the Gabriola ferry. On your return flight, courtesy buses are provided for your transfer back to Vancouver International Airport
YVR to Nanaimo by floatplane from Vancouver Harbour Cost - around $100-110 one-way to Gabriola (including ferry from Nanaimo)	From Vancouver International Airport, take the Canada Line to Waterfront station. Typical journey time is 26 minutes.  Leave the station by the Canada Place exit and walk to the floatplane terminal on West Waterfront Road (adjacent to the 'Easy Park' lot located at 1095 West Waterfront) which is approximately two blocks west of Canada Place.  Harbour Air flies from this terminal direct to Nanaimo Harbour, close to the Gabriola ferry. A two-zone ticket ($3.75 adult; $2.50 concession) is valid for 90 minutes and covers the journey as far as Waterfront. Passengers boarding at YVR-Airport Station on the Canada Line are required to pay a supplement fare of $5, making the cost of a two-zone ticket $8.75. Alternatively, for just an extra $0.25, a Day Pass ($9 adult; $7 concession) provides all-day travel on Canada Line, SkyTrain, SeaBus and all bus routes. Day Passes are not available from the ticket machines at YVR station. They can be purchased from either Pharmasave or the 7-eleven convenience store, both located on the first floor of the domestic terminal (before security) No supplement applies if you purchase a Day Pass at YVR. On your return to Vancouver, tickets to YVR can be purchased at the Canada Line station ($3.75 adult; $2.50 concession). Cash, Debit and Credit Cards are accepted.
YVR to Nanaimo by Greyhound coach from downtown Vancouver   Cost - around $60 one-way to Gabriola (including ferries)	Greyhound Canada  operates a coach service between downtown Vancouver and Nanaimo via the Horseshoe Bay ferry. Coaches depart at 0730 and 1130 daily from Pacific Central Station, adjacent to Main Street/Science World SkyTrain station.   From Vancouver International Airport, take the Canada Line to Waterfront station, then transfer to the Expo Line or Millennium Line (eastbound) to Main Street/Science World. A two-zone ticket ($3.75 adult; $2.50 concession) is valid for 90 minutes and covers the journey to Main Street/Science World. Passengers boarding at YVR-Airport Station on the Canada Line are required to pay a supplement fare of $5, making the cost of a two-zone ticket $8.75. Alternatively, for just an extra $0.25, a Day Pass ($9 adult; $7 concession) provides all-day travel on Canada Line, SkyTrain, SeaBus and all bus routes. Day Passes are not available from the ticket machines at YVR station. They can be purchased from either Pharmasave or the 7-eleven convenience store, both located on the first floor of the domestic terminal (before security). No supplement applies if you purchase a Day Pass at YVR. Greyhound coaches terminate at the Nanaimo Bus Terminal (behind the Howard Johnson hotel) which is a 10-15 minute walk to the Gabriola ferry. On your return to Vancouver, tickets to YVR can be purchased at the SkyTrain Line station ($3.75 adult; $2.50 concession). Cash, Debit and Credit Cards are accepted.  Passengers travelling to/from Nanaimo on this service may leave their luggage on the coach during the ferry crossing
YVR to Nanaimo by bus and ferry via downtown Vancouver Cost - around $35-40 one-way to Gabriola (including ferries)	From Vancouver International Airport, take the Canada Line to Vancouver City Centre. Typical journey time is 24 minutes. Cross over West Georgia Street to catch the Horseshoe Bay Express bus (route 257) to Horseshoe Bay Ferry terminal. Typical journey time is 43 minutes. A two-zone ticket ($3.75 adult; $2.50 concession) is valid for 90 minutes and covers the whole journey to Horseshoe Bay. Passengers boarding at YVR-Airport Station on the Canada Line are required to pay a supplement fare of $5, making the cost of a two-zone ticket $8.75. Alternatively, for just an extra $0.25, a Day Pass ($9 adult; $7 concession) provides all-day travel on Canada Line, SkyTrain, SeaBus and all bus routes. Day Passes are not available from the ticket machines at YVR station. They can be purchased from either Pharmasave or the 7-eleven convenience store, both located on the first floor of the domestic terminal (before security).  No supplement applies if you purchase a Day Pass at YVR. From Horseshoe Bay, BC Ferries operate approximately every 2 hours to Departure Bay in Nanaimo, approximately 2.5 km from downtown Nanaimo. Nanaimo Regional Transit routes 2/2A provide a regular link between Departure Bay and the Gabriola ferry terminal. On your return journey to Vancouver, a two-zone ticket to YVR can be purchased on the bus at Horseshoe Bay ($3.75 adult; $2.50 concession). Exact fare (coins only) is required on the bus.