Local Information

Getting to Victoria
Getting from the Victoria airport to downtown
Getting to the University of Victoria from downtown
Parking at UVic
Navigating campus
Navigating Victoria
Local attractions
Places to eat

Getting to Victoria:

Those of you traveling from outside the lower mainland of British Columbia:

Those of you traveling from within the lower mainland of British Columbia, you could:

Getting from the Victoria airport to downtown:

Three options for traveling between the Victoria International Airport and downtown Victoria:

YYJ Airport Shuttle:

  • $25 one way. $44 round trip.
  • Shuttle tickets can be purchased either in advance or at the ticket counter next to YYJ baggage claim.
  • Shuttles leave the airport approximately every 30 minutes. There is no need to book ahead. If you are planning to take the shuttle back to airport, though, you should contact the company to arrange pick-up.

Taxi:

  • Fares from the airport to downtown Victoria are $55 to $65.

Public transit:

Victoria International Airport is on the # 83 bus route. Buses go by the airport in two directions every two hours. You can check the schedule here to see if it aligns with your flight. The better of the two directions is to go towards the town of Sidney and switch buses at the McTavish Exchange where you can catch either a 70, 71, or 72.  The #83 towards Brentwood/Royal Oak option is much slower, though if you are in the mood for a drive down a rural back road who am I to dissuade you?  If you do choose this route, though, make sure switch buses at Royal Oak Exchange and catch the #72 into town.

A one-way trip on Victoria Transit is $2.50 but the buses do not issue transfers. You need a ticket for each bus. We recommend you buy a $5 day pass for unlimited rides. Day passes are available for purchase on the bus, but make sure to have correct change as bus drivers will not make change for you.

Getting to the University of Victoria from downtown:

University of Victoria is outside the downtown core. Here is a map so you can visualize that.You can take a cab to campus, but the University is well served by public transit with several routes ending at the campus bus loop.
A one-way trip on Victoria Transit is $2.50 but the buses do not issue transfers. You need a ticket for each bus. We recommend you buy a $5 day pass for unlimited rides. Day passes are available for purchase on the bus, but make sure to have correct change as bus drivers will not make change for you.

If you are staying at either the Best Western or Rialto hotel:

  • The #11 bus and the #14 bus both pick up right in front of City Hall (Pandora and Douglas) and run every 10 or 15 minutes in the morning. Note that these buses travel through the city centre.
  • The #4 bus picks up across the street from The Rialto and runs every 10 or 15 minutes in the morning. Note that this bus travels away from the city centre.

If you are staying at the Sandman Victoria

  • The #11 bus picks up near the corner of Douglas and Government, in front of the Midas shop. Note that this bus travels through the city centre.
  • The #4 bus picks up on Douglas, in front of the Times Colonist Building. Note that this bus travels away from the city centre.
 Parking at UVic:
Campus parking costs $8.00 a day. Parking ticket dispensers accept quarters, $1 coins, $2 coins, Visa and Mastercard. Day permit holders may park in any General Parking stall, marked in blue on the campus parking map available here. For more parking information, click here.

Navigating campus:

Here is a handy map of campus. If you need more detail, there are more maps and a directory of buildings are listed here.

Getting around Victoria:

Victoria has a small and walkable downtown core. Unless you want to visit somewhere specific, out of town, you should be able to walk where you want to go from either of the downtown hotels.Should you want to venture farther afield on your own, you can either look into city bus options or you can take a cab.

Local Attractions:

Tourism Victoria has lists of lists of local attractions

For listings for shows and events, check out Monday Magazine’s events listings

If you want to go shopping:

  • Johnson Street, between Douglas and the bridge offers local flavour.
  • Government street has more shopping options.
  • The Bay Centre is the downtown mall.
  • The Mayfair Mall is a bigger mall than The Bay Centre, though you would likely want/need to take a bus or taxi to get there.

Places to eat:

Pubs

Victoria is land of the pub. Here are just a few of your pub options:

Bard and Banker

Irish Times

  • 1200 Government Street
  • https://irishtimespub.ca/
  • Similar to Bard and the Banker; lots of booths corners to tuck yourself away

Canoe Brewpub

Spinnakers Brewpub

  • 308 Catherine Street
  • http://www.spinnakers.com/
  • A good choice if you want a walk before and after dinner. You can walk along the ocean, or in a straighter line.

Milestones

  • 812 Warf Street
  • Website
  • Overlooking the harbour, across from The Empress Hotel

Vegetarian options:

Rebar

Mole (breakfast and lunch)

Other restaurants:

Pagliacci’s

  • On Broad Street, between Fort and Broughton
  • http://www.pagliaccis.ca/
  • Bustling pasta joint. Read their home page to get a sense of the place

10 Acres

  • 611 Courtney St
  • 10acresbistro.ca
  • Local, sustainable harvest from Vancouver Island and its waters

Brasserie L’ecole.

  • 1715 Government Street
  • http://www.lecole.ca/
  • Among the best– and more expensive – restaurants in town