Locating in Victoria > Infrastructure
Victoria is located at the southern tip of Vancouver Island and within short travel distance of Vancouver and Seattle. Direct flights on a daily basis to key destinations in North America make Victoria easily accessible. In addition to our strong transportation network we have an established and reliable telecommunications network with a wide variety of service providers to choose from.
Telecommunications
Victoria has an advanced, competitive and comprehensive telecommunications infrastructure to meet the ever demanding needs of the information economy and e-business applications. Fibre-optic infrastructure can be accessed in every part of the city, through a wide variety of service providers.
- Fibre Optic Infrastructure
- Fibre Sonet ring
- Redundant capabilities exist
- Services Available
- Digital, ISDN, ADSL, Frame Relay, T1, T3, E10, E100
- 800/Toll Free services
- Telco Carriers
- Telus is the primary carrier
- Competitors: AT&T, Sprint, Group Telecom, Shaw, Rogers
- Internet Access
- Victoria has a full range of internet and network services including security, network management, Web-hosting, e-business and e-banking companies.
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Utilities
Victoria's network of utilities provide reasonable and reliable services to both businesses and residents. For more information about local utility service click on the following links.
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Transportation
Vancouver Island and the Victoria region are served by an excellent transportation network. Ferries carrying passengers, automobiles, trucks and trailers make more than 100 crossings to and from the mainland daily, linking motorists to Vancouver to the east, Seattle to the south and Prince Rupert and Alaska to the north. The network also includes an airport, helicopter and seaplane services, buses, and passenger train service. For an overview of regional transportation, please click here [PDF 2.9MB]
Air
Air travel is an important component of island life. One of the world's largest concentrations of float planes (private, charter and scheduled) transport tens of thousands of people annually from harbour to harbour and to and from lakes and inlets. More than 60 scheduled daily flights connect Vancouver Island with mainland destinations. Flights originate from Victoria International Airport (30 km or 19 mi north of Victoria) and from the downtown area.
Air Canada, Air BC Connector
1-888-247-2262 16 daily flights linking Vancouver and Victoria airports and Seattle and Victoria airports.
Helijet Airways
Victoria (250) 382-6222 Vancouver (604) 273-1414 Toll Free 1-800-665-4354
22 jet helicopter flights daily between Vancouver and Victoria - Downtown to Downtown.
Harbour Air
Victoria (250) 385-2203
8-10 daily seaplane flights between Victoria and Vancouver harbours.
Horizon Air
1-800-547-9308
7 flights daily between Seattle and Victoria Airports.
Kenmore Air
1-800-543-9595 or (206) 486-1257
8 seaplane flights daily between Seattle and Victoria Harbour.
Pacific Coastal Air
1-800-663-2872 or (250) 655-6411
6 daily fights between Victoria and Vancouver airports as well as service to the West Coast of BC and other Vancouver Island Communities.
Vancouver International Airport - YVR
Vancouver International is a major hub for travellers from all around the globe. From Vancouver, you can connect to all transportation services operating to the Island and in and out of the Province. Visit the new web site for more information.
Victoria International Airport - YYJ
Several airlines operate daily connector flights to/from Victoria international Airport. The airport is approximately 10 miles north of the city proper so expect a $35 - $40 taxi fare. There is a hotel shuttle bus that leaves periodically throughout the day that will drop you at selected sites within the downtown area for around $13 CA. Limousine service is also available.
West Coast Air
1-800-347-2222 or (604) 688-9115
12 daily seaplane flights between Victoria and Vancouver harbours.
WestJet Airlines
1-800-538-5696 2-3 flights daily between Victoria and other Western Canada airports.
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Buses
B.C. Transit
Telephone (250) 382-6161
Facsimile (250) 384-5412
Local bus service is provided by B.C. Transit. You can pick up the Rider's Guide with schedules and routes free from merchants and information booths, or $.25 on the bus.
Pacific Coach Lines
1-800-661-1725
Operating a daily scheduled service onboard all scheduled BC Ferries' sailings between Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia.
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Ferry
Regular, frequent ferry and high-speed catamaran service connects the island to mainland B.C. and Washington state. The trip itself is a holiday as the ships weave a path past myriad forested islands. Marine life, including orca (killer whales) and seals, are often spotted. Victoria's arrival points are the Inner Harbour, the town of Sidney, and Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal (30 minutes from Victoria near Sidney).
B.C. Ferry Corporation
Victoria (250) 386-3431
Extensive passenger/vehicle ferry system linking the B.C. Mainland with Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
Hourly sailings in summer months; 7 am - 10 pm, odd hours in the winter months 7 am - 9 pm.
Travel time between Tsawwassen (Vancouver) and Swartz Bay (Victoria) is 1 hr. 35 mins.
Black Ball Transport - M.V. Coho
Victoria (250) 386-2202
Port Angeles (206) 457-4491
Passenger/vehicle ferry service.
4 daily sailings between Port Angeles and Victoria May to October.
Two sailings per day March to May & Oct. - Nov.
One sailing per day Nov. - Feb.
Travel time is 1.5 hrs.
Victoria Clipper
1-800-888-2535/ (206) 448-5000 or (250) 382-8100
4 daily summer sailings between Seattle & Victoria.
One daily sailing in winter. Passengers only.
Travel time between Seattle's Pier 69 and Victoria's Inner Harbour varies from 1.45 hrs. to 3hrs.
Victoria~San Juan Cruises
1-800-443-4552
One sailing daily, passenger service from Bellingham, WA. to Victoria's Inner Harbour, June through Oct. 1.
Travel time is 3 hrs.
Washington State Ferries
(250) 381-1551 or (206) 464-6400
Anacortes, WA. to Sidney, B.C. (17 miles N.E. of Vic)
One sailing daily, minimum of two during summer.
Travel time is 3 hrs.
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