Victoria Airport Bus Schedule, Routes, and Fares

By The BestFlightHotelDeals editors · Published 2026-09-25 · Updated 2026-09-26 · 3 sources

Public transit service between Victoria International Airport (YYJ) and the surrounding region is provided by BC Transit, operating up to 28 daily departures connecting the terminal with the McTavish Transit Exchange. Regular daily daytime service runs seven days a week on Route 87 and Route 88, which provide timed transfers to downtown Victoria, the Saanich Peninsula, and the Swartz Bay ferry terminal. During early morning and late night periods when those primary daytime lines do not operate, limited direct trips run between downtown and the airport on Route 72A.

Which BC Transit Routes Serve Victoria Airport?

Two regular daytime routes connect the airport terminal with nearby peninsula communities throughout the week:

• Route 87 (Tsawout / Sidney via Airport and Dean Park): Operates seven days a week between the airport and the McTavish transit exchange, connecting local neighbourhoods in Dean Park and Sidney.
• Route 88 (Airport / Sidney): Connects the passenger terminal with Sidney and the McTavish exchange, featuring variations that travel through the Sidney Industrial zone as well as trips that bypass the industrial park.

These public services are documented in the BC Transit regional bus route listings, providing routine transit links between the airport passenger terminal and regional transfer facilities.

How Do McTavish Transit Exchange Transfers Work?

The McTavish Transit Exchange functions as the main connection hub for travellers riding public transit to and from Victoria International Airport. Because standard airport lines focus on local peninsula corridors, passengers travelling between the airport and regional centres make a scheduled transfer at this exchange.

According to official airport ground transport schedules, BC Transit operates up to 28 departures each day between YYJ and the McTavish hub. Most trips on Route 87 and Route 88 are timed specifically to coordinate with Route 72 (Swartz Bay / Downtown). This connection gives riders smooth transfers when travelling to downtown Victoria, the Saanich Peninsula, or north toward the ferry terminal at Swartz Bay. In addition, Route 70 operates through this corridor, serving as another regional route listed in the trip planning network for peninsula connections.

What Bus Runs Early in the Morning and Late at Night?

Standard daytime operations on Route 87 and Route 88 do not run throughout the night. To support passengers with flights departing at dawn or landing late in the evening, BC Transit operates an alternate route during off-peak hours.

The early morning and late night direct route, designated as Route 72A (Swartz Bay / YYJ / Downtown), offers limited direct service between downtown Victoria and the airport terminal. Route 72A operates exclusively during the early morning and late evening windows when Routes 87 and 88 are out of service. This direct service allows early and late passengers to travel between the airport and downtown Victoria without needing to switch buses at the McTavish exchange.

How to Check Live Schedule Information and Stop Times

Bus timetables can change based on service periods, so checking current departure times before beginning your journey ensures you arrive well before flight check-in:

• Digital Trip Planner: Passengers can check schedules and map complete connections using the BC Transit Trip Planner tool, which coordinates itineraries across airport routes 87 and 88 as well as regional routes 70 and 72.
• Stop ID Search: Travellers waiting at any stop can identify upcoming bus arrivals by entering a street name or the six-digit Stop ID found on local bus stop signs into the online stop tracking tools.
• Phone Information: For telephone schedule assistance, travellers can contact the transit customer telephone line directly at (250) 382-6161 to confirm timetable details.

What Are the Luggage and Bicycle Rules on Airport Buses?

Carrying travel gear on public transit requires following specific safety regulations established by BC Transit for airport routes:

• Storing Personal Bags: Passengers must keep all suitcases, packs, sports gear, and travel bags on their laps or resting on the floor. Luggage must never block aisles or impede other riders from boarding and exiting.
• Oversized Baggage: Transit guidance indicates that oversized luggage and heavy backpacks can be difficult to manage inside standard buses, making careful packing important.
• Double-Decker Seating: When an airport journey takes place on a double-decker vehicle, riders with luggage are subject to a strict lower-deck luggage policy requiring them to remain seated on the lower level.
• Bike Transportation: Cyclists travelling with a bicycle can utilize the bus front bike racks, which are open for use at any time on regular transit vehicles.

How Much Does the Victoria Airport Bus Cost?

Travel to and from Victoria International Airport uses standard Victoria Regional Transit pricing rather than an inflated airport surcharge.

Standard one-bus fares for local journeys within Sidney and Saanichton have typically run around C$3. For riders journeying across most of Greater Victoria, including trips connecting between the airport terminal and downtown Victoria, fares have generally run around C$6 throughout the year.

How Does Airport Transit Connect to Ferries and Other Regions?

The bus network serving the airport connects directly into broader transport corridors across Vancouver Island and toward the British Columbia mainland:

• BC Ferries and TransLink: Passengers transferring at the McTavish exchange can ride directly north to Swartz Bay, enabling integrated journey planning with BC Ferries sailings and onward transit via TransLink in the Lower Mainland.
• Cowichan Valley Connections: Commuters can link from regional Victoria services into Cowichan Valley interregional transit.
• Central and North Island Routes: Travellers can access broader interregional transit connections that link Victoria to Campbell River across multiple regional transit zones.

What Alternative Ground Transport Exists at the Airport?

If your flight schedule does not align with scheduled bus departures on Route 87, Route 88, or Route 72A, several ground transportation alternatives operate at the airport terminal curb:

• Taxicabs: Taxis serve the airport with pickups located along the Short Term Lot curb directly across from the arrivals terminal exit. Passengers can book in advance with any taxi provider in Greater Victoria, including Yellow Cab of Victoria at (250) 381-2222 or 1-800-808-6881. Passengers requiring accessible transport for power wheelchairs or mobility scooters should reserve at least one hour in advance.
• Ride-Hailing: App-based rideshare vehicles pick up arriving riders at designated curb spaces in the Short Term Lot area across from the terminal arrivals doors, following airport curb pickup guidelines.
• Car Rentals: Five on-airport rental agencies have counters inside the arrivals building across from the Information Desk. Off-airport car rental companies require pre-arranged reservations and pick up arriving passengers across the pedestrian crosswalk at the arrivals end of the terminal. Accessible hand-control vehicles require advance notice (24 hours at Budget, 48 hours at Avis).

If you decide to park your own vehicle at the airport instead of relying on the bus schedule, check Victoria airport parking fees and lot regulations. You can also plan your flights using our guides to flights from Victoria BC to Seattle and flights from Victoria to Kelowna.