Travel and accommodations information

How to get to Victoria? Most of participants are flying in through Victoria International Airport (YYJ) located in Sidney. The map in the bottom of the page includes the route between the airport and downtown Victoria. The distance is approximately 28 km and takes ~35 minutes. A cab ride costs about $65 CAD. Riding the bus using the regular public BC Transit System (routes 70 and 72) takes 1 hour and 25 minutes, and costs $2.50 CAD (no change returned).

If you arranged your travel itinerary passing through Vancouver airport you can take the BC Ferry from the Tsawwassen Terminal into Swartz Bay Ferry terminal, also in Sidney. The route from the Swartz Bay to downtown Victoria is also shown in the map below.

Main accommodation options in downtown Victoria

The venue Inn at Laurel Point still has rooms available at a competative rate. For a quoted best rate, please call 1-800-663-7667 (or +1-250-386-8721 from outside Canada or the U.S.) or email reservations@laurelpoint.com and let them know you are with the IGCP640 symposium.

To ensure the best possible rate, we recommend to book early.

 

Other options

Hotels* (walking distance to venue)	Rates in CAD**
The Fairmont Empress Hotel (850 m, 10 min)	300-350/night
Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort (1.9 km, 25 min)	220-320/night
Hotel Grand Pacific (450 m, 5 min)	200-275/night
Marriott Victoria (1.2 km, 14 min)	239/night
Swans Hotel and Brewpub (1.6 km, 21 min)	200-250/night
Chateau Victoria Hotel (1.2 km, 14 min)	209/night
Harbour Towers (350 m, 5 min)	200-250/night
Victoria Regent Watrefornt Hotel & Suites (1.4 km, 17 min)	160-225/night
Quality Inn Victoria (several)	159/night
Days Inn - Victoria on the Harbour (350 m, 5 min)	150-200/night
Capital City Center Hotel (2.1 km, 26 min)	110-150/night
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub & Guesthouses (2.6 km, 33 min)	180-280/night
Here a link to a complete list of hotels near downtown Victoria

 

Bed and Breakfast/Hostels*	Rates in CAD**
Ocean Island Inn Backpacker Suites	30-60/night, shared and private rooms
HI-Victoria Hostel	30-60/night, shared and private rooms
Turtle Hostel	30-60/night, shared and private rooms
Vacation rentals by owner services such as VRBO and Airbnb are becoming a popular choice. It may be particularly suited if you plan to attend the workshop with a group of colleagues and wish to save on travel costs.

* participants are responsible for arranging their own accomodation reservations.
** price range may vary with seasons. We recommend you secure your accomodation as soon as you confirm your participation in the workshop. US to Canadian dollar exchange rate is 0.77 as of Mar 14 2018. Check a currency converter when you plan your trip.

 

Airport to downtown route

Please note that as of March 15, 2016, visa-exempt foreign nationals are required to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to or transit through Canada. Exceptions include U.S. citizens, and most but not all travellers with a valid Canadian visa. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, and Canadian permanent residents are not eligible to apply for an eTA.

Swartz Bay Ferry terminal to downtown route