Travel Tips & Directions
The HI-Nanaimo Hostel is located on the corner of Commercial & Bastion Streets right in downtown Nanaimo.
Airport Directions: Nanaimo Airport (18km south of downtown): The Nanaimo Airport Shuttle Service will pick up & drop off at hostel front door, Cost: $17 (2nd person $5). Comox Airport (105km north of Nanaimo): Island Link Shuttle Service to Departure Bay, Nanaimo, $25.
Bus Directions: Take the Greyhound/Grayline from downtown Victoria ($20) or from Port Hardy ($75) to the downtown Nanaimo bus depot. Walk 5 blocks down Wallace Street (10 minutes, past the Tim Horton's), turn left on Bastion Street, cross over the bridge and we are on the corner of Bastion and Commercial Street.
Car Directions: From TransCanada Highway (Hwy #19), turn east at Jingle Pot Road intersection. Drive approx. 4km into downtown (Jingle Pot becomes "Bastion Street'), and guesthouse is on corner of Bastion & Commercial Street. Parking on Commercial Street or in carpark on corner of Bastion & Skinner. Parking on Commercial Street is free from 3pm to 10am while the carparks are $.50 an hour.
Train Directions: VIA Rail operates the Malahat E&N Passenger Railiner between Victoria and Courtney. Take the train from downtown Victoria to the downtown Nanaimo train station, $25. From the station, walk 5 minutes down Fitzwilliam Street (Fitzwiliam becomes Bastion St).
Nearby Places
1 Terminal Avenue Nanaimo
Locally owned Tofino Bus offers daily scheduled passenger service West to Port Alberni, Ucluelet and Tofino. For all other Vancouver Island town/city destinations, Greyhound will get you there.
Monday to Thursday: 7:30AM to 8:30PM
Friday & Sunday: 7:30AM to 9:30PM
Saturday: 7:30AM - 8:30PM
Station hours are subject to change without notice.
680 Trans Canada Highway Nanaimo
BC Ferries Departure Bay terminal connects visitors to Vancouver Mainland and Vancouver Island. Nanaimo Quay Markets feature seven stores and retail kiosks to enhance your ferry travel experience.
Please check ferry schedule on BC Ferries website.
90 Front Street Nanaimo
Tofino Air and Harbour Air offer daily scheduled float plane service between Nanaimo harbour to Downtown Vancouver harbour, Vancouver International Airport and the Sunshine Coast. Charters and scenic flights are also available.
Check Tofino Air and Harbour Air websites for flight schedules.
100 Museum Way Nanaimo
The Visitor Information Centre & Museum are located within the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. Museum visitors can engage in Nanaimo's history & celebration of contemporary lifestyles featuring exhibits from the Snunéymuxw First Nation, Coal Mining & Forestry, The Bastion & Sports Hall of Fame.
Summer (May 21 to Sept 3, 2012): Open daily 10:00AM to 5:00PM, except public holidays.
Rest of the year: Open Monday to Saturday from 10:00AM to 5:00PM. Closed Sundays and Holidays