Victoria Airport to Swartz Bay: Route and Transit Guide

By The BestFlightHotelDeals editors · Published 2026-09-23 · 4 sources

Travel from the Victoria airport area to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal follows Highway 17 along the Patricia Bay Highway corridor in North Saanich. The marine terminal is located at 11300 Patricia Bay Highway in Sidney, positioned 32 kilometres (20 miles) north of Victoria on Vancouver Island. Arriving at the site connects passengers directly to regional bus lines, on-site parking facilities, and BC Ferries sailings across coastal British Columbia.

Driving Route and Highway 17 Access

Navigating by road to Swartz Bay relies on Highway 17, which forms the primary road corridor through the northern section of the Saanich Peninsula. A paved extension of the Patricia Bay Highway leads drivers directly into the ferry facility in North Saanich. The entrance is situated at 11300 Patricia Bay Highway in Sidney, approximately 32 kilometres (20 miles) north of downtown Victoria on Vancouver Island.

Motorists entering the terminal grounds transition from Highway 17 into designated approach lanes. These lanes feed directly into terminal ticketing gates, vehicle holding compounds, passenger drop-off zones, and parking areas. Travelers coordinating their driving schedule with incoming or outgoing flights on the peninsula can verify Victoria Airport opening hours and operating schedule to avoid unnecessary delays before heading north along Highway 17.

Regional Bus Transit Connections

Passengers traveling without a private vehicle can reach the ferry grounds using public transit provided by the Victoria Regional Transit System. Five distinct bus connections operate at the Swartz Bay ferry facility, providing scheduled transit links to communities across southern Vancouver Island:

• Route 70 Downtown Express: An express bus connection operating between downtown Victoria and the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.
• Route 71 Downtown via West Sidney: A regional service linking downtown Victoria and the terminal with local stops through West Sidney.
• Route 72 Downtown via Fifth: A transit route connecting downtown Victoria and Swartz Bay by way of Fifth Street.
• Route 76 UVic: A specialized direct route connecting the ferry terminal to the University of Victoria campus.
• Route 81 Brentwood: A cross-peninsula service connecting Swartz Bay with the community of Brentwood.

These bus connections pull directly into the terminal transit loop, allowing foot passengers to transfer between land transportation and departing ferries without leaving the property.

Bus Route Alignments and Transit Destinations

The regional transit routes serving Swartz Bay are structured to connect key residential, commercial, and educational hubs on Vancouver Island directly to ferry sailings.

Foot passengers arriving at the terminal can board these buses immediately outside the main passenger building. These connections offer convenient onward travel toward Sidney, western peninsula neighborhoods, the university district, and central Victoria.

Short-Term and Long-Term Parking at Swartz Bay

For travelers driving to the terminal who plan to walk aboard a ferry as foot passengers, the terminal property provides dedicated vehicle parking lots on site. Vehicle storage is divided into two separate parking areas based on length of stay:

• Short-term parking: The terminal contains 172 short-term parking spaces. These spaces are intended for passenger drop-offs, brief terminal visits, and travelers taking short round trips.
• Long-term parking: The facility features 544 long-term parking spaces designed for passengers leaving vehicles parked on Vancouver Island for multiple days or extended travel periods.

These parking facilities accommodate vehicle storage directly adjacent to the ticketing and passenger boarding areas. Drivers considering whether to park at the ferry terminal or leave a vehicle closer to aviation facilities can check Victoria Airport parking fees, lot rules, and rates to compare parking setups across the peninsula.

Terminal Facilities, Food Services, and Accessibility

• Main administration building: Serves as the central administrative hub and indoor waiting area for foot passengers.
• Dining and refreshments: Passengers have access to an indoor cafeteria and a coffee shop located within the main building, offering food and beverage service throughout operational hours.
• Seasonal artisan kiosks: During the warmer months, the terminal grounds host various kiosks operated by local artisans and independent vendors, providing shopping opportunities for waiting passengers.
• Accessibility features: The terminal is fully accessible, providing step-free routes and accommodation for travelers with reduced mobility across the boarding ramps, passenger walkways, and terminal facilities.