Make your stay even more sustainable—leave your car at home!
You've already chosen to stay in Canada's first LEED® Platinum-targeting resort hotel, so why not make your stay even more environmentally friendly?
Consider leaving your car at home (unless it's an alternate fuel vehicle, of course, because we've got electrical charging stations for you)!
Reduce your travel emissions and feel good about your vacation with Parkside's Green Transportation Guide to Victoria!
Getting Here
From BC Ferries - Did you leave your car at home and walk on the ferry? Good for you—not only are you reducing your carbon footprint, but also saving a ton of cash; bringing your vehicle adds an extra $45.50 to the cost of your travels!
The best (and most eco-friendly) transportation option from the ferries to town is by bus.
There are three buses that go to/from BC Ferries to downtown Victoria. Catch the 70 Swartz Bay-Downtown Express, 72 Swartz Bay-Downtown via Fifth South or 73 Swartz Bay-Downtown via Sidney South.
For fares and other information, please visit the BC Transit website.
From the airport - Forget paying an arm and a leg for a taxi—take transit! The 83 Royal Oak/Sidney via West Saanich picks up passengers at the Victoria International Airport. You'll save approximately $53.00 by taking the bus over a taxi!
Hop off at the McTavish Road Park & Ride and hop on one of the Swartz Bay-Downtown buses that will be passing by. Tell the driver as you board the 83 where you want to get off—and don't forget to ask for a transfer!
From the Clipper or Coho Ferries - Parkside is only a few blocks away from these downtown ferry terminals—so no vehicle necessary!
If you have a lot of luggage or are unable to walk the distance, consider hopping in a human-powered Kabuki Cab—no doubt one will be sitting outside the ferry terminal waiting to pick up tired travellers!
It only costs around five bucks for a ride to Parkside. Not only do you save on emissions, but also you get a friendly, pedal-powered tour of downtown Victoria!
Getting Around
On foot - Staying in a resort hotel in the heart of downtown Victoria definitely has it's perks—all the great attractions and activities are just steps away! Check out these great walking guides and neighbourhood maps from Tourism British Columbia to plan your route on foot.
By bus - Victoria has an excellent bus system. Most of the main bus routes leave from the downtown core on Douglas Street, just a few blocks from Parkside. Please visit the BC Transit website to plan your travels.
By bike - Victoria is a very bicycle-friendly city, with lots of designated bike lanes, bike-storage facilities (there's even one located at Parkside!) and great biking trails available.
Whether you decide to cruise around town and out along Dallas Road to Oak Bay or head down the Galloping Goose trail out towards Sooke, make sure you know the rules of the road and ride prepared.
Here are a few websites to get you started:
- The Galloping Goose Regional Trail
- General rules of Galloping Goose Trail
- Cycling with the Family in Victoria
- CycleTreks in Victoria BC
- BC BikeSense Manual
- Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition
- Online Bicycle Route Maps
- Bike Rentals
Other - Kabuki Cabs and Pedi Cabs operate year-round in Victoria. Head down to the Inner Harbour across from the Empress to hail down a Kabuki Cab, or book a tour by phone or email with the Victoria Pedi Cab Company.
Keeping in tune with it's old-world charm, Victoria has several horse-drawn carriage tour companies operating in the downtown core. Victoria Carriage Tours and Tally-Ho Tours both offer great sightseeing trips around town.
Curious? Check out our recent video about Victoria's horse-drawn carriage tours!
Renting a scooter is another low-emission (and super fun!) way to get around Victoria. Check out Cycle BC Tours and Rentals' (located on Wharf Street) website for more information.