title: "Getting to Nelson, Canada" description: "How to get to Nelson, Canada by road, rail, sea and air. Compare the best routes for different budgets" slug: "getting_there" content_type: html show_affiliate_disclaimer: true authors: [{"image": "/static/images/authors/Alexander Kopp.jpg", "name": "Alexander Kopp"}, {"image": "/static/images/authors/Hannah McKinsey.jpg", "name": "Hannah McKinsey"}, {"image": "/static/images/authors/Jake Evans.jpg", "name": "Jake Evans"}] parts: ["north-america", "canada", "british-columbia---interior", "nelson"] publication_date: "2025-08-01T11:40:04.264735" og_image: "https://images.tfaworldguide.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1024,format=auto,height=1024,fit=cover,gravity=auto/image_library/pexels/nelson/nelson_18204073.jpeg"

Getting There and Away

Written by Alexander Kopp, Hannah McKinsey, Jake Evans
01/08/2025
A picturesque waterfall flowing over moss-covered rocks in Nelson, BC, Canada.
Spencer Shellborn, Pexels
  <p>Nelson, British Columbia, does not have its own major airport or passenger train station; the nearest air travel hub is the West Kootenay Regional Airport (YCG) in Castlegar. The city is served by regional bus networks for inter-city travel and local transit for within Nelson and surrounding communities.</p>
                                      
         

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          <h3>By Air:</h3>
            <p>The closest airport is West Kootenay Regional Airport (YCG) in Castlegar, approximately 40.9 km from Nelson.  Air Canada offers direct flights to Castlegar from Vancouver (YVR), with a flight time of about 1 hour and 9-12 minutes.  Flight costs from Vancouver can range from CA$280 - CA$1,100 for a round trip.  WestJet also provides flights from Calgary (YYC) to Castlegar.  Upon arrival at Castlegar Airport, options to Nelson include:</p>
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                      <strong>Bus::</strong> BC Transit Route 99 connects the airport area to Nelson, taking approximately 38 minutes and costing around CA$3.
                                                          
         
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                      <strong>Shuttle Services::</strong> Companies like Kootenay Charters, Kootenay Gateway, and West Kootenay Adventure Tours offer airport shuttles.
                                                          
         
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                      <strong>Car Rental::</strong> Several car rental agencies, including National, Thrifty, Hertz, Budget, and Enterprise, operate at Castlegar Airport.
                                                          
         
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                      <strong>Taxi::</strong> Taxi services are available from the airport to Nelson.
                                                          
         
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          <h3>By Bus:</h3>
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                      <strong>From Vancouver::</strong> Mountain Man Mikes Bus Service offers direct routes twice a week, with a journey time of approximately 10 hours 40 minutes and costs ranging from CA$140 - CA$190.
                                                          
         
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                      <strong>From Calgary::</strong> Mountain Man Mikes Bus Service also operates a route once a week, taking about 9 hours (or 10 hours 28 minutes with transfers) and costing between CA$140 - CA$190.
                                                          
         
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                      <strong>Local/Regional::</strong> BC Transit provides bus services within Nelson and to nearby communities, including Castlegar (Route 99) and Kelowna (via Silver City Stage Lines).
                                                          
         
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          <h3>By Car:</h3>
            <p>Nelson is accessible by road, situated at the intersection of Highways 3 and 6.  Driving from Vancouver takes approximately 8 hours (658 km), and from Calgary, it takes about 7 hours (584 km).  For those traveling from the United States, Spokane, Washington, is roughly a 3-hour drive (239 km) to Nelson.  Winter driving conditions at higher elevations may require winter tires and caution.</p>
          
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          <h3>By Train:</h3>
            <p>Nelson does not have active passenger train service. The railway lines primarily transport cargo, and the historic Canadian Pacific Railway station now serves as a heritage site.</p>
          
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