How to Get from BC Ferries Swartz Bay to Victoria
The BC Ferries Terminal in Victoria is located in an area called Swartz Bay. BC Ferries offers routes to Vancouver’s Tsawassen terminal, and to many Southern Gulf Islands like Mayne Island, Saltspring Island, and Pender Island. Passengers can choose to walk-on or drive vehicles on the ferry. If you walk-on the ferry, sorting out transportation is necessary to get to Victoria as the ferry terminal is pretty far from town.
The closest town to Swartz Bay is Sidney. It approximately a 30-45 minute drive to the downtown core of Victoria. There are a few ways to get to Downtown Victoria from the BC Ferries terminal. Through the bus, taxi or ride-sharing or through a rental car. For more information about the BC Ferries Swartz Bay Terminal visit the BC Ferries Website.
Our National Car & Truck Rental office in Sidney offers free pick-ups at Swartz Bay during business hours (8 am to 5 pm Mondays to Saturday, closed on Sundays). To reserve a car, visit our booking site and to arrange a free pick-up call 250-654-0068.
*Please note the free-pick up service depends on availability. Please call to confirm if pick-up is available.
Public Transit
To get to Downtown Victoria via public transit from Swartz Bay, BC Transit offers service directly from the terminal. The 70x or 72 bus will take you directly to Downtown Victoria. The 70x is an express bus and it takes approximately 50 minutes, and the 72 bus takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes as it has more stops along the way. For more information on bus routes visit the BC Transit Website.
Free Pick-Up Service from Swartz Bay with Car Rental
Renting a car can be an affordable and flexible option for transportation on Vancouver Island. If you plan on exploring areas outside of Downtown Victoria such as Sooke, Butchart Gardens, or Northern Vancouver Island, or Tofino, it can be especially beneficial to have a rental car. Public transit options are especially limited for traveling to Northern Vancouver Island and Tofino.
National Car & Truck Rental offers a free pick-up service during business hours from our Sidney location on 2104 Malaview Ave, Sidney. It is approximately an 8 minute drive from BC Ferries. The location is open from 8 am to 5 pm Mondays through Saturday (closed on Sundays). To reserve a car and check pricing please visit our booking site. To request a free pick-up call 250-654-0068. If your return is during business hours, National will also offer a ride back to the terminal. Returns after business hours are possible as well, just leave the keys in the key drop and arrange a taxi or Uber back to the BC Ferries Swartz Bay terminal.
*Tip: Depending on the season, car rentals can be very affordable during slower winter months. On Vancouver Island, National Car & Truck Rental rates in the winter months are typically around $30-$50 per day with a minimum 24 hour rental. During peak season summer months rates can be $60-$90 per day occasionally higher depending on availability.
Taxi or Ride-Sharing
Taxi and Ride-sharing from Uber are available at the BC Ferries Swartz Bay Terminal. It is approximately a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic to get to Downtown Victoria. It can cost from $60-$75 for an Uber or Taxi from Swartz Bay to Downtown Victoria.