How to get to Ocean Island Backpackers Inn

You can find us at the corner of Blanshard and Pandora, in downtown Victoria BC Canada.
For parking information click here.

Google Map of main location

Please note that if you are staying at Ocean Island Suites, you must come to our main Pandora Avenue location to check in.

Google Map of directions from main location to suites

 

Call Toll Free: 1-888-888-4180 In Victoria: 385-1788

791 Pandora Avenue Victoria, British Columbia Canada

 

How to Get Here From Vancouver:

Option 1: The PCL Bus. Costs about $30 - $40, takes about 4hrs.

• Takes you from the bus station in downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria via the Tsawwassen - Swartz Bay BC Ferries route, or you can get on and off at various stages along the way.
• The whole trip takes about 4 hours.
• Cost is $30 - $40 (which includes your ferry ticket, they take care of that for you)
• They've got lots of room for luggage on the bus (though you should probably call the company if you have more than four pieces of luggage)
• check out their schedule here
• phone numbers: (604) 662-7575 or 1-800-661-1725, call center is open 7:00am – 7:00pm Daily. e-mail: info@pacificcoach.com

Option 2: City Buses. Costs about $18, takes about 4 - 5 hrs (four to five hours)

• You take a city bus from Vancouver to the Ladner Exchange OR the 98 B-Line to the Airport Station, transfer to a bus #620 which takes you to the ferry terminal.
  • Refer to the BC Transit Vancouver web site or call TransLink at 604-953-3333 for directions from your specific location to the Tsawwassen terminal
  • It can cost from $2.25 to $4.50 to get from Vancouver to the Tsawwassen terminal, depending on day of the week and time of the day.
  • It takes about 1hr 30min to get to the ferry from downtown.
• BC Ferries Tsawwassen - Swartz Bay route takes passengers and vehicles several times a day. Ferries leave at least every odd hour on the hour.
  • Check the BC Ferries web site for schedules and extra sailings
  • The ferry ticket costs about $12 for a walk-on passenger, average-sized vehicles cost about $40
  • The ferry takes about 1hr 35min to cross
• Get the "#70 Swartz Bay/Downtown/Airport" city bus from the Swartz Bay ferry terminal to downtown Victoria
  • Schedules are available on the BC Transit Victoria web site
  • The fare is $3
  • It takes about 1hr - 1hr 30min to get downtown from the terminal.

From Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal:

1. Take the #70 city bus into Victoria (the fare is $3)
2. Get off at the Pandora and Douglas St intersection
3. Walk one block east on Pandora Ave towards Blanshard St.
4. Google Driving Directions

From the Victoria Travel Info center:

1. Walk north on Government St to Pandora Ave
2. Turn right and go two blocks east to Blanshard St. It's about a 15-20 minute walk.
3. Google Driving Directions

From the Bus Station:

1. Walk north on Douglas St to Pandora Ave
2. Turn right and walk one block east to Blanshard St. It's about a 15-20 minute walk.

From the Inner Harbour Ferries (Port Angeles, Bellingham and Seattle):

1. Walk three blocks east on Belleville St (towards the Legislative Buildings)
2. Turn left on Douglas St
3. Walk north to Pandora Ave
4. Turn right and walk east to Blanshard St. It's about a 25 minute walk.
5. Google Driving Directions

From Ogden Point (Helijet/Cruiseship terminal):

1. Take the #30 or #31 bus to Pandora Ave (About a 15 minute ride)
2. Walk one block east on Pandora Ave to Blanshard St.

From the Airport:

1. Take the Akal airport bus directly to the hostel ($15 one way), OR

1. Take the shuttle bus ($2) to the #70 city bus stop at McTavish and Canora Ave and take the #70 from there OR take the #75 bus directly from the airport to the Pandora and Douglas Street intersection (Bus takes about an hour and 20 minutes).
2. Walk one block east on Pandora Ave to Blanshard St.

Driving from Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal and Airport:

1. Take Highway 17 (Blanshard St) to Pandora Ave. (About a 45 minute drive, depending on traffic)

Driving from Nanaimo:

1. Take Highway 1 (Douglas St) to Caledonia Ave
2. Turn left on Caledonia and go east one block to Blanshard St.
3. Turn right on Blanshard, and Pandora Ave is two blocks more. (About 2 hours driving in total)

From Sooke and Port Renfrew:

1. Take Highway 14 to Highway 1 (Douglas St).
2. Follow Highway 1 to Pandora Ave
3. Turn left and go east one block to Blanshard St. (About 50 minutes from Sooke; 2 hours from Port Renfrew), OR

1. From Sooke you can take the #61 city bus to downtown (Bus takes about an hour and 10 minutes)
2. Get off at the Pandora and Douglas St intersection
3. Walk one block east on Pandora Ave to Blanshard St.

 

If you get at all confused, don't hesitate to call us! For answers to some of your Frequently Asked Questions, click here.