Transportation in Parksville-Qualicum Beach

An extensive transportation network makes it easy to reach urban centres on Vancouver Island, elsewhere in B.C. and in Washington State. Vancouver is a two-hour ferry ride from Nanaimo or a 30-minute flight from the Qualicum Beach Airport. There are also airports in Nanaimo to the south and Comox to the north that offer direct flights to Vancouver, Calgary and Seattle. Ferry travel from downtown Victoria to downtown Seattle takes less than three hours.

Air Transportation

There are multiple options for air transportation in and near the Parksville - Qualicum Beach region:

  • Qualicum Beach Airport

Qualicum Beach Airport (XQU) has one runway that is 3,565 feet long. Iskwew Air offers passenger service between Qualicum Beach and YVR South Terminal at Vancouver Airport.

  • Comox Airport

Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) is located on CFB Comox and provides a 10,000-foot runway with full service airport facilities for commercial aviation. WestJet provides direct daily service to Edmonton and twice daily service to Calgary. Air Canada, Westjet and Pacific Coastal fly several times a day to Vancouver. In the winter months there is direct service to Puerta Vallarta and Cancun.

  • Nanaimo Airport

Nanaimo Airport (YCD) offers a broad range of airport facilities and services built around a 6600-foot runway and parallel taxiway system. Commercial aviation services and facilities include scheduled flights and air cargo, charter flights and freight-courier services. Current flight schedule to Vancouver is operated 7 days a week.

Nanaimo Harbour

  • Harbour Air offers flights from Nanaimo Harbour to downtown Vancouver and Richmond.
  • Seair Seaplanes offers flights from Nanaimo Harbour to downtown Vancouver and Richmond.

Bus Service

Passenger bus service is available on a limited basis throughout the Island with connections to Vancouver and the United States.

Freight and Courier Services

The Parksville and Qualicum Beach region is serviced by the major national freight and courier companies. Heavy trucking and reefer services are available from numerous sources and limited container service is available.

Marine Transportation

All commercial marine transportation is handled in Nanaimo. Two BC Ferries terminals service a fleet of regularly scheduled ferries between Vancouver Island, the mainland and the Gulf Islands.

Hullo Ferry gets you between downtown Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver in 70 minutes with up to 7 daily crossings, more for special events. 

The Port of Nanaimo operates a deep-sea shipping and container facility to various countries. These facilities are capable of handling any freight, cargo, rail and passenger services to Vancouver and points beyond.

The Clipper Ferry offers daily passenger-only ferry service year-round between Victoria and Seattle. The trip takes less than three hours.

The Black Ball Ferry Line offers passenger and vehicle ferry service between Victoria and Port Angeles, Washington, a 90-minute trip.

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