Nestled on the east coast of central Vancouver Island, Campbell River is easily accessible by land, sea, or air. No matter how you get here, British Columbia's island, sea, and snow-capped mountain scenery will highlight your journey.

Land
Travelling north on Highway 19 takes approximately 2 hours (153 kilometres / 95 miles) from Nanaimo or 3.5 hours (264 kilometres / 165 miles) from Victoria. When the Inland Island Highway is completed in 2001, it will reduce driving time to Campbell River by an hour. See the most of Campbell River by exiting Highway 19 at the Miracle Beach exit, then continue north along Oceanside Route Highway 19A. (Motorcoach travel to Campbell River is available through Island Coach Lines.)

If you prefer a fully serviced highway route, follow the starfish along the scenic Oceanside Route, Highway 19A. Look for the official "starfish" signs south of Parksville and at other exits along Highway 19. Why not travel north to Campbell River on the scenic Oceanside Route 19A, then head home via the Inland Island Highway 19?

Motorcoach
You can get to Campbell River by motorcoach, too. Island Coach Lines (Laidlaw) serves Victoria to Port Hardy, and points in between, including Campbell River. Connect to Island Coach Lines from Vancouver aboard Greyhound or Pacific Coach Lines.

Island Coach Lines

Toll-free: 1 800 318-0818

Tel: (250) 385-4411

 

Greyhound travels (by ferry) between Vancouver and Nanaimo

Toll-free: 1 800 661-8747

Tel: (604) 482-8747

Web: www.greyhound.ca

 

Pacific Coach Lines travels (by ferry) between Vancouver and Victoria.

Toll-free: 1 800 661-1725

Tel: (250) 385-4411

Web: www.pacificcoach.com

Ferry service
Bringing a vehicle to Vancouver Island means an easy journey by ferry from either British Columbia's Mainland or Washington State. Victoria Clipper (passengers only), MV Coho, and Washington State Ferries-operate from Washington. In British Columbia, BC Ferries runs scheduled trips between the following ports and many others on the British Columbia coast. Crossing times are approximate.

BC Ferries Information

Route and fare information

Toll-free: 1 888 223-3779

Tel: (250) 386-3431

Web: www.bcferries.com

 

Reservations are available, and recommended, on select Mainland - Vancouver Island routes. You'll need a credit card handy when you call.

Toll-free: 1 888 724-5223

Tel: (604) 444-2890

Web: www.bcferries.com

If you're heading north toward Campbell River

• Tsawwassen (Vancouver) and Swartz Bay (Victoria) -
  1 hour 35 minutes
• Tsawwassen (Vancouver) and Duke Point (Nanaimo) -
  2 hours
• Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) and Departure Bay (Nanaimo) - 1 hour 35 minutes
• Powell River-Westview (Sunshine Coast) and Little River (Comox) - 1 hour 15 minutes

If you're heading south toward Campbell River

• Prince Rupert and Port Hardy (Inside Passage route) - approximately 15 hours
• Bella Coola and Port Hardy (Discovery Coast Passage route) - approximately 12 hours

Travel tip: Plan to travel on more than one ferry route between Vancouver Island and the Mainland? Visit http://www.bcferries.bc.ca/news/circlepac.html to find out more about BC Ferries' CirclePac route and fare discounts.

Ferry service between Washington State and Vancouver Island

Victoria Clipper

Passenger-only high-speed catamaran ferry service between Seattle WA and Victoria BC.

Toll-free: 1 800 888-2535

Tel: (206) 448-5000

Web: www.victoriaclipper.com

 

MV Coho

The MV Coho ferry carries vehicles and passengers between Port Angeles WA and Victoria BC.

Tel: (360) 457-4491

Web: www.northolympic.com/coho/

 

Washington State Ferries

Washington State Ferries operates service for vehicles and passengers between Anacortes WA and Sidney (Victoria) BC.

Toll-free: 1 888 808-7977

Tel: (206) 464-6400

Web: www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/

Sea
Campbell River is a boaters' haven with a range of services and facilities, including moorage, for you and your craft. Before heading to sea, consult up-to-date tide tables and marine charts (such as Canadian Hydrographic Service chart #3540 Approaches to Campbell River) to familiarize yourself with the waterways around Campbell River. For a list of marinas and marine charter companies, telephone the Campbell River Visitor Information Centre at (250) 287-4636, or toll-free 1-800-463-4386.

Air
Soar over islands, sea, and mountains en route to Campbell River. Daily scheduled flights arrive at Campbell River and District Regional Airport (YBL) from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and other areas. (Car rentals are available.)

Central Mountain Air Ltd.

Toll-free: 1-888-865-8585

Web: www.flycma.com

 

Pacific Coastal Airlines

Toll-free: 1-800-663-2872

Tel: (604) 273-8666

Web: www.pacific-coastal.com

 

Kenmore Air Express

Toll-free: 1-866-435-9524

Web: www.kenmoreair.com

Complimentary shuttle service for connecting passengers between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Boeing Field (BFI) in downtown Seattle.

 

WestJet

Toll-free: 1-888-937-8538

Web: www.westjet.com

Direct flights are now available with WestJet from Calgary, Alberta, to Comox, just a short 45 minute drive from Campbell River. Rent a car, or alternatively choose from a number of tour packages which will meet you at the airport.

Heading to a remote lodge? Kenmore Air also has a floatplane fleet which flies seasonally to Campbell River and other popular summer destinations in our region. For information, call toll-free 1-800-543-9595 or visit www.kenmoreair.com.

Several private helicopter and small plane operators fly out of Campbell River. Why not charter a spectacular sightseeing flight? For details, telephone the Campbell River Visitors' Information Centre at (250) 287-4636, or toll-free 1-800-463-4386.

Packages are also available on the Oceanside Route website at www.oceansideroute.com.

Local Maps and Information

Population 31,000 Trading Area 40,000 Average household income $49,223 Average home price $150,000 Average Summer high temperature 23.0 Celsius (76 Fahrenheit) Average Summer low temperature 12.3 Celsius (55 Fahrenheit) Major Employers Forestry/Silviculture, Tourism, Mining, Aquaculture, Commercial Fishing