title: "Getting to Salt Spring Island, Canada" description: "How to get to Salt Spring Island, 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---pacific-coast", "salt-spring-island"] publication_date: "2025-08-01T11:31:11.648114" og_image: "https://images.tfaworldguide.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1024,format=auto,height=1024,fit=cover,gravity=auto/image_library/wikimedia/salt_spring_island/salt_spring_island_fileview_from_baynes_peak_saltspring_island_british_columbia_canada_03.jpg"

Getting There and Away

Written by Alexander Kopp, Hannah McKinsey, Jake Evans
01/08/2025
View from Baynes Peak, Saltspring Island, British Columbia, Canada
Michal Klajban, Wikimedia Commons
  <p>Salt Spring Island has three ferry terminals: Fulford Harbour, Long Harbour, and Vesuvius. The main hub on the island is Ganges, which is connected to the ferry terminals by local bus routes.</p>
                                      
         

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          <h3>From Vancouver (YVR) or Victoria (YYJ) Airports:</h3>
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                      Fly into Victoria International Airport (YYJ) and take a 15-minute taxi (around $20 CAD) to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, then a 35-minute ferry to Fulford Harbour (around $12 CAD).
                                                          
         
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                      Fly into Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and take the SkyTrain to Bridgeport Station, then the 620 bus to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal (approximately 1 hour travel time, $5 CAD with Compass Card). A taxi or rideshare from YVR to Tsawwassen takes 35-45 minutes and costs $60-80 CAD.
                                                          
         
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                      From Tsawwassen, take a direct ferry to Long Harbour on Salt Spring Island. This route often includes brief stops at other Gulf Islands and typically operates twice daily, with more frequent non-stop sailings in July and August. Reservations are recommended, especially on long weekends or in summer.
                                                          
         
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                      Alternatively, from Tsawwassen, take a ferry to Swartz Bay, then transfer to the Fulford Harbour ferry. A 'Thru Fare' ticket can be purchased at Tsawwassen or onboard the vessel leaving the Gulf Islands to Swartz Bay to save money compared to separate fares.
                                                          
         
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          <h3>By Seaplane:</h3>
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                      Direct floatplane flights are available from downtown Vancouver or near Vancouver Airport to Ganges on Salt Spring Island. Travel time is approximately 15-20 minutes and costs between $100-180 CAD. Baggage restrictions apply.
                                                          
         
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          <h3>From Vancouver Island (Crofton):</h3>
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                      Take the ferry from Crofton to Vesuvius Bay on Salt Spring Island. This route is ideal for those traveling from northern Vancouver Island (e.g., Nanaimo). It has several daily sailings with a crossing time of 25 minutes.
                                                          
         
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          <h3>Getting Around Salt Spring Island:</h3>
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                      Salt Spring Island Transit operates six daily bus routes connecting the island's three ferry terminals with Ganges and other areas. Some areas do not have physical bus stops, and passengers can flag down a bus in designated safe locations.
                                                          
         
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                      Taxi services and car rentals are also available on the island.
                                                          
         
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Check out our other pages on Salt Spring Island

Things to Do icon Things to Do Restaurants icon Restaurants Bars and Entertainment icon Bars and Entertainment Hotels icon Hotels Budget Stays icon Budget Stays