title: "Getting to Ucluelet, Canada"
description: "How to get to Ucluelet, 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", "ucluelet"]
publication_date: "2025-08-01T11:24:14.043487"
og_image: "https://images.tfaworldguide.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1024,format=auto,height=1024,fit=cover,gravity=auto/image_library/pexels/ucluelet/ucluelet_13096108.jpeg"
Getting There and Away
Written by Alexander Kopp, Hannah McKinsey, Jake Evans
01/08/2025
Sophie Cambridge, Pexels
<p>Ucluelet, located on the west side of Vancouver Island, Canada, has the Long Beach Airport (YAZ) as its closest air hub, approximately a 25-minute drive away. Major transport connections on Vancouver Island include Nanaimo and Victoria, which are served by BC Ferries from mainland Vancouver. The primary road access is via Highway 4.</p>
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<h3>By Air:</h3>
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Fly to Long Beach Airport (YAZ), a 25-minute drive from Ucluelet. Daily scheduled flights are available from Vancouver (approximately 1 hour) and Victoria (approximately 45 minutes). One-way flights can start from CA $34, with round-trip options from CA $75.
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For international travelers, fly into Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or Victoria International Airport (YYJ), then connect to a Vancouver Island airport.
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<h3>By Ferry & Car:</h3>
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From mainland Vancouver, take a BC Ferries service from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (Nanaimo) or Tsawwassen to Duke Point (Nanaimo), or Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (Victoria). Reservations are highly recommended.
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Driving from Nanaimo to Ucluelet takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours (182 km). The total journey from Vancouver, including the ferry, is about 5 to 5.5 hours.
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Driving from Victoria to Ucluelet takes approximately 4 to 4.5 hours (290-292 km).
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Car rentals are available at Vancouver Island airports, with daily rates starting around $33. All-season or winter tires are required on Highway 4 from October 1st to March 31st.
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<h3>By Bus:</h3>
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The Vancouver Island Connector and Tofino Bus offer scheduled services to Ucluelet.
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Bus trips from downtown Vancouver to Ucluelet take about 7 to 7.5 hours.
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Bus trips from Victoria to Ucluelet take around 6 to 6.5 hours.
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Bus trips from Nanaimo to Ucluelet take approximately 3.5 hours.
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A new West Coast Transit bus service, launched in April 2024, connects Ucluelet with Tofino and nearby First Nation communities. A one-way fare is $5.50.
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Bus travel from Campbell River to Ucluelet takes about 5 hours 46 minutes and costs $75-$104.
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<h3>By Seasonal Ferry (Foot Passenger):</h3>
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The Lady Rose Marine Service (MV Frances Barkley) provides seasonal foot passenger and cargo service from Port Alberni to Ucluelet.
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<h3>By Taxi/Private Transfer:</h3>
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Taxis are available at Long Beach Airport (YAZ).
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A taxi from Tofino to Ucluelet costs approximately $85-$110 and takes 38 minutes.
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Private transfer services, such as Pacific Rim Navigators, offer SUV transportation, with rates starting at $130.00 per hour.
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