Vancouver to Tofino: How to Get There by Ferry and Car
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Getting from Vancouver to Tofino looks fairly straightforward on a map, but there’s one very large island standing between the two. Unless you’re flying, getting there typically means taking a ferry to Vancouver Island and then driving across the island to Tofino.
My friend and I made the trip as part of a March weekend getaway to Tofino. We drove from Seattle and spent the night in Vancouver before taking our car on the ferry to Nanaimo the next morning and driving across Vancouver Island. We also detoured to Ucluelet before continuing to Tofino, turning what was already a substantial travel day into part of the trip itself.
If you’re thinking of planning a similar journey, I’d treat Vancouver to Tofino as an all-day transfer rather than something to squeeze in around other plans. In this guide, I’ll break down the ferry options, what the drive is actually like, how long to allow, and a few things I wish I’d known before making the trip myself.
How to Get From Vancouver to Tofino
The most straightforward way to get from Vancouver to Tofino is to bring a car with you on the ferry:
Vancouver → BC Ferries to Nanaimo → Drive across Vancouver Island → Tofino
Two BC Ferries routes connect the Vancouver area and Nanaimo: Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay and Tsawwassen to Duke Point. Which one makes the most sense depends on where you’re starting, but Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay is generally the more direct option if you’re already in Vancouver.
Once you arrive in Nanaimo, you’ll drive west across Vancouver Island toward Port Alberni, then continue along the coast to the junction for Ucluelet and Tofino.
We took our car onto the ferry and drove to Tofino after arriving in Nanaimo. Having a car also gave us the flexibility to make stops along the way and explore once we reached the coast. Plus, there’s not really a car-free option unless you fly into Tofino, and ride shares are limited.
I’d plan for this journey to take most of the day once you account for getting to the ferry terminal, the ferry crossing, and the drive from Nanaimo to Tofino. Rather than rushing through it, there are some worthwhile places to stop along the way if you have the time.
Need a Car for Your Tofino Trip?
If you're visiting Vancouver without a car, I'd rent one before taking the ferry to Vancouver Island. Having your own car makes it much easier to get to Tofino, make stops along the way, and explore once you arrive.
Compare Rental Cars in VancouverTaking the Ferry From Vancouver to Nanaimo
We took the Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay ferry, which brought us directly into Nanaimo with our car. If you’re staying in Vancouver before your trip, as we did, this is the route I’d look at first because Departure Bay puts you in the best position to start the drive toward Tofino.
The ferry crossing takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, so it’s a substantial part of the journey rather than a quick hop across the water. Once we parked our car on the ferry, we could head upstairs for the crossing and relax before the longer drive across Vancouver Island. I actually liked this part of the journey because it broke up what could otherwise feel like a very long driving day.
If you’re taking a vehicle from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay, you currently need to book and pay for your sailing in advance. BC Ferries no longer accepts drive-up vehicle fares in this direction, so this isn’t a reservation I’d wait on booking. You’ll also want to check the current arrival and check-in requirements before your trip.
After arriving at Departure Bay, we got back in the car and continued toward Tofino. This is where the trip starts to feel much more like a road trip than simply getting from Point A to Point B.
Driving From Nanaimo to Tofino
Once you leave Nanaimo, you’ll drive across Vancouver Island toward Port Alberni, then continue west to the coast. Without stops, the drive from Nanaimo to Tofino takes roughly three hours, but I would give yourself more time than that.
The farther west we drove, the more scenic the route became. As you get closer to the coast, the road winds, and depending on the time of year, weather and road conditions can add another variable as you cross a mountain pass.
Our Detour to Ucluelet
Eventually, the road forks with Tofino to the right and Ucluelet to the left. Instead of driving directly into Tofino, we decided to take a little detour and explore Ucluelet first. We walked part of the Wild Pacific Trail, including the Lighthouse Loop, and stopped at a brewery for drinks and dinner before making the final drive to Tofino.
That detour meant we didn’t arrive at our hotel until around 9 p.m., but I liked using our travel day to see another part of the coast since our time in the area was limited. If you have enough daylight and aren’t in a rush to reach Tofino, Ucluelet is an easy destination to pair with the drive, and it’s absolutely stunning.
One Thing I Wish I’d Known: Winter Tire Requirements
We made this drive in March and only learned afterward that winter tires are required on the route to Tofino during part of the year. Thankfully, we didn’t have any issues, but I would check before making the same trip again.
If you’re visiting Tofino outside of summer, don’t assume that mild conditions in Vancouver mean you’ll encounter the same road conditions while crossing Vancouver Island. Check current British Columbia winter tire requirements and road conditions before you leave, especially if you’re driving a rental car.
How Long Does It Take to Get From Vancouver to Tofino?
I would plan on spending most of the day getting from Vancouver to Tofino by ferry and car. The ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes, and the drive from Nanaimo to Tofino takes roughly three hours without stops. But those numbers don’t account for driving to the ferry terminal, arriving early enough to check in, unloading in Nanaimo, traffic, or stopping along the way.
Because of that, I wouldn’t plan anything in Tofino that you absolutely need to make on your arrival day. An early ferry can give you time to stop along the drive or arrive in Tofino with part of the afternoon or evening left, but I’d treat that as a bonus rather than building a tight itinerary around it.
We deliberately turned our journey into part of the trip by detouring to Ucluelet before checking into our hotel in Tofino that night. If you have the time, I think that’s a much better way to approach the drive than racing across Vancouver Island just to reach Tofino as quickly as possible.
This is also why I recommend spending at least three nights in Tofino if you’re coming from Vancouver. Getting there and back takes enough time that a one- or two-night stay can feel short compared with the travel involved.
Can You Get From Vancouver to Tofino Without a Car?
Yes. If you don’t want to rent a car and take it on the ferry, flying is the easiest way to get from Vancouver to Tofino.
Both Harbour Air and Pacific Coastal Airlines offer direct flights between Vancouver and Tofino, depending on your travel dates. Harbour Air’s flight takes around 45 minutes, which cuts a substantial travel day down to less than an hour in the air.
Flying can make a lot of sense if you’re already visiting Vancouver and only have a few days to add Tofino to your itinerary. You’ll give up the flexibility of having your own car and making stops across Vancouver Island, but you’ll gain several hours that you can actually spend in Tofino.
I personally liked having our car because it gave us more freedom and flexibility. We could detour to a nearby small town if we wanted to and explore once we reached the coast. But if I had limited time and were planning Tofino as a quick add-on trip to my Vancouver itinerary, I would definitely compare the cost of flying with the combined cost and time of a rental car and ferry.
Getting from Vancouver to Tofino definitely takes some planning, but it is one of the most fun and beautiful road trips I’ve been on in the Pacific Northwest.
If you’re planning a similar route, give yourself most of the day, book your ferry in advance, and resist the urge to rush across the island. If you need a car, you can compare rental cars in Vancouver before booking your ferry.
Once you have the transportation figured out, my Tofino in March guide walks through the long weekend we planned once we arrived, including where we stayed, what we ate, and what I’d change next time. And if getting out on the water is on your list, you can also read my Tofino whale-watching review for a firsthand look at the tour we took with Jamie’s Whaling Station.
Happy travels!
-Tess
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Tess Arnold
Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip! If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!