About Victoria International Airport

Victoria International Airport (YYJ) serves British Columbia's capital and the south of Vancouver Island. It is a compact, easy airport to use, with a single terminal and short walks from check-in to the gate.

Flying began on the site in 1939, when it was a grass airfield. Today it handles a steady mix of short domestic hops, flights across Canada and cross-border services to the United States.

Location of the Airport Relative to Victoria

The airport is not in Victoria itself. It sits in North Saanich on the Saanich Peninsula, about 22 km north of downtown Victoria along Highway 17. The town of Sidney is close by, as is the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.

Victoria Airport Terminal and Facilities

One terminal building houses all check-in desks, security screening and gates. Because it is modest in size, most passengers move through quickly, though it still has places to eat, shops and car rental counters in arrivals.

Airlines and Routes from Victoria

Several carriers serve YYJ, including Air Canada, WestJet, Alaska Airlines, Pacific Coastal Airlines and Air North. Vancouver is the most frequent link, with frequent daily flights, and there are also services to Calgary, Toronto and Seattle.

WestJet adds seasonal winter flights to Mexican beach destinations. Seasonal routes change from year to year, so check the current schedule before you plan around one.

Getting from Victoria International Airport into the City

• Driving: Highway 17 runs straight to downtown, usually a 20 to 40 minute trip depending on traffic
• Taxi and shuttle: available outside the terminal
• Public transit: BC Transit buses connect the airport with the Saanich Peninsula and onward services to Victoria
• Car rental: desks inside the terminal, useful if you plan to explore the island

What to See Around Victoria and the Saanich Peninsula

Butchart Gardens is a short drive from the airport. In Victoria, the Inner Harbour, the Parliament Buildings and the Royal BC Museum are all within walking distance of each other, and whale-watching tours leave from the harbour.

Tips for Flying Through Victoria International Airport

If you are combining a flight with a ferry, the airport's location near Swartz Bay can save time. When catching a flight after a day in the city, allow for traffic on Highway 17 at rush hour.

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