Budget Car Hire
Victoria

Victoria International Airport is compact, so navigating after a late flight is straightforward. After collecting your luggage from the baggage carousels, follow the signs for the car hire counters. These are conveniently located directly opposite the arrivals area within the main terminal building. The short, well-lit indoor walk ensures a smooth and secure transfer to the pickup desk, where you can complete the paperwork before heading to the adjacent car park to collect your vehicle.

For a simple and direct drive into downtown Victoria, take the Patricia Bay Highway (Highway 17 South). It’s the main route from the airport, well signed and easy to follow. You’ll remain on this highway for most of the journey, minimising complex interchanges and merges. As you approach the city, Highway 17 becomes Blanshard Street, which takes you straight into the heart of downtown. This route lets you acclimatise to local driving conditions on a major thoroughfare before tackling denser city streets.

After collecting your hire car, one of the most convenient places to stop for supplies is the town of Sidney, just a few minutes’ drive from the airport. A short detour off the Patricia Bay Highway brings you to several major supermarkets, pharmacies and coffee shops. This makes it easy to stock up on snacks, drinks and any forgotten travel essentials. Making this quick stop early ensures you are well prepared before continuing the roughly 30-minute drive into Victoria or on to other island destinations.

In peak summer season it’s sensible to allow extra time when returning your hire car for a morning flight at YYJ. Aim to arrive at the airport at least two to two-and-a-half hours before departure. This buffer accounts for potentially heavier traffic on the highway, longer queues at the car return and increased volume at airline check-in and security. Returning the vehicle is usually quick, but building in this additional time helps ensure a stress-free start to your journey home.

When driving in downtown Victoria, be patient and observant. Using a GPS navigation app is highly recommended to manage the network of one‑way streets. Pay close attention to signage and always be prepared to give way to pedestrians, who often have the right of way at both marked and unmarked crossings. Driving at a slower, deliberate pace gives you time to react to traffic lights, cyclists and people stepping into the road. Planning to a specific car park can also reduce the stress of circling busy blocks.

Driving near Victoria’s Inner Harbour requires heightened awareness, especially in peak season. Expect slow-moving traffic and be prepared for sudden stops from tour buses and taxis loading or unloading passengers. Give horse-drawn carriages a wide berth and be mindful of the many pedestrians and cyclists who share the road. Treat the area as a low-speed zone, focus on defensive driving and anticipate others’ movements. If possible, use a nearby multi-storey car park and explore the waterfront on foot for a more relaxed experience.

The most convenient approach for overnight parking in downtown Victoria is to book a hotel that offers dedicated guest parking. While this may carry a fee, it removes the hassle of searching for a space and worrying about time limits. If your hotel lacks parking, the next best option is one of the city’s public car parks, which often provide secure, 24‑hour access. Researching car park locations near your hotel in advance can save you from circling busy streets on arrival.

Victoria’s rush hours can significantly affect travel times between downtown and the airport (YYJ). Morning rush, typically 07:00–09:00, brings heavy traffic heading south into the city. Afternoon rush, roughly 15:00–18:00, is busiest heading north out of the city towards the Saanich Peninsula and the airport. During these periods a standard 30‑minute drive can easily extend to 45–60 minutes or more, so budget extra time to avoid delays.

Driving the Malahat section of Highway 1 is scenic but demanding. The winding, mountainous route features steep grades, sharp curves and beautiful viewpoints over the Saanich Inlet. Maintain a steady speed and stay focused, as conditions can change quickly. Use designated passing lanes to overtake slower vehicles and avoid staring at the view for too long while driving. In wet or foggy weather, reduce speed and increase following distance for added safety.

When the Malahat is delayed or closed, the main alternative is the Brentwood Bay–Mill Bay ferry. This scenic 25‑minute crossing bypasses the highway entirely and offers a relaxing option. Drive to the Brentwood Bay terminal on the Saanich Peninsula, board with your hire car and disembark at Mill Bay to continue north. Check the ferry schedule and current wait times online, as this route is popular during Malahat disruptions and can become busy.

For a hassle-free visit to Butchart Gardens, aim to arrive either early at opening time or later in the afternoon to avoid the midday crowds. This makes the drive from Victoria smoother and helps you secure a good space in their large, free car park. The drive is straightforward, about 30–40 minutes via the Patricia Bay Highway (Highway 17) and Keating Cross Road. Avoiding peak arrival times will give you a more relaxed experience on the road and in the gardens.

A simple loop is to drive from Victoria to Butchart Gardens, then continue a short distance to Brentwood Bay afterwards. Enjoy the waterfront, grab a coffee or visit a local cidery there. From Brentwood Bay, take West Saanich Road south, which runs parallel to the main highway. This offers a more relaxed, pastoral drive through the Saanich Peninsula’s farmland and wineries before reconnecting with routes back into Victoria.

The classic scenic coastal drive to Sooke is along Highway 14, the West Coast Road. It provides stunning views of the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains. Natural stopping points include Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park for a short beach walk and East Sooke Regional Park for rugged coastal trails. Further on, French Beach and China Beach are great spots to stop, stretch your legs and enjoy Vancouver Island’s coastline.

The drive to East Sooke’s trailheads involves narrower, more winding roads than the main highway. You’ll pass through residential areas with tight corners, blind spots and changing elevations. Drive slowly, stay well within your lane and be prepared for oncoming traffic or cyclists around sharp bends. The roads are paved and maintained but demand more attention than a typical urban street, so take your time and enjoy the forest scenery.

Goldstream Provincial Park is straightforward to visit by car; it’s just off the Malahat (Highway 1) north of Victoria. For a simple visit, park in the main day‑use area on the east side of the highway for easy access to the visitor centre and flat, accessible riverside trails. If you want a short hike with elevation, use the underpass tunnel to reach trails up Mount Finlayson. The drive is only about 20–25 minutes from downtown, making it an easy half‑day trip.

Reaching Mount Douglas (PKOLS) by car is straightforward. Drive through a residential area to Churchill Drive, the paved road that winds up the hill. The road is narrow and shared with cyclists and pedestrians, so maintain a slow, cautious speed. At the top there’s a small circular car park with limited spaces and superb 360‑degree views. The area is arranged as a one‑way loop, making it easy to turn around and head back down.

When staying in residential areas like James Bay or Fairfield, be very mindful of parking signage. Many streets have resident‑only permit zones or strict time limits, especially near the city centre and Beacon Hill Park. The most practical approach is to use your hire car for day trips and then find a designated spot on return. Look for paid public car parks or check with your accommodation about off‑street parking to avoid the complexity and potential fines of street parking.

Handling Victoria’s streets, where names can change unexpectedly, is best done with a reliable GPS app on your smartphone. These apps stay updated and can clearly announce lane changes and turns, even when a road like Blanshard Street becomes the Patricia Bay Highway. It also helps to have a passenger act as a co‑pilot to watch for street signs and confirm the GPS directions. Paying close attention to lane markings will also guide you correctly as streets fork or diverge.

Driving near the Swartz Bay ferry terminal, which is close to the airport, requires planning during peak times like weekends and holidays. The Patricia Bay Highway (Highway 17) can become heavily congested with vehicles lining up for the ferry, causing significant backups. When a major sailing unloads, expect a large wave of traffic southbound towards Victoria. It’s wise to check the ferry schedule and avoid the area immediately before a major departure or after a major arrival if your timing allows.

When taking a hire car on the ferry from Swartz Bay to Vancouver, allow ample time. With a reservation, BC Ferries suggests arriving 30–60 minutes before departure. However, during peak season or long weekends it’s safer to add a buffer. Arriving about 75–90 minutes ahead gives you plenty of time to handle potential traffic near the terminal, process at the ticket booth and queue in the vehicle lane without rushing.

Yes, you can generally take your hire car on the ferry from Swartz Bay to Salt Spring Island, which makes exploring much easier. On the island expect a different driving experience: roads are often narrow, winding and hilly with few shoulders, and you’ll share them with cyclists and pedestrians. Mobile coverage can be patchy in places, so download an offline map beforehand. Drive at a relaxed pace and enjoy the scenic, rural character of the island.

The drive from Victoria to the seaside town of Sidney is a pleasant 25–30 minute trip north on the Patricia Bay Highway (Highway 17). For a half‑day outing you can combine several attractions: explore the charming town centre and waterfront walkway, visit the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea to learn about local marine life, and stop at a nearby cidery or farm stand on the Saanich Peninsula for a taste of local produce before returning to Victoria.

To tour the Saanich Peninsula’s wineries and cideries efficiently, plan a loop route. Take Patricia Bay Highway (Highway 17) north from Victoria and exit onto Keating Cross Road. From there, use scenic country roads such as Old West Saanich Road or West Saanich Road to visit producers. After your last stop, continue south on one of these parallel routes instead of returning to the main highway, enjoying a more pastoral drive back towards the city.

To reach Esquimalt and View Royal while avoiding the busiest parts of downtown Victoria, use the Trans‑Canada Highway (Highway 1). From the north end of downtown or areas near the airport, connect to Highway 1 and head west. This route crosses the Portage Inlet and provides direct exits for View Royal and Esquimalt, avoiding the congestion, one‑way streets and numerous traffic lights that slow you down in the downtown core and James Bay areas.

During morning and evening rush hours both the Johnson Street Bridge and Bay Street Bridge can become significant bottlenecks for traffic entering and leaving downtown. To manage this, try to schedule crossings outside peak commute times (07:00–09:00 and 15:00–18:00). If you must cross during these periods, allow at least 15–20 minutes of extra travel time. Also be aware the Johnson Street Bridge is a lift bridge and occasional openings for marine traffic can cause brief but complete stops.

On weekends parking fills quickly in several key areas of Victoria. The Inner Harbour, streets around Market Square and Lower Johnson (LoJo), and Cook Street Village are particularly popular and fill early. Visitors often adapt by arriving before 10:00 to secure a space in a car park or on-street. Another effective strategy is to park slightly out of centre and enjoy a short, scenic walk to your destination, turning the search for parking into part of the exploration.

For families, several attractions are easier to access by car thanks to generous parking and location. The Victoria Bug Zoo and Miniature World, while downtown, are close to large car parks which simplifies access. Further afield, the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea in Sidney and Goldstream Provincial Park both provide large, convenient on‑site car parks. A car makes it simple to transport buggies, snacks and other family necessities without hassle.

When making a quick drop‑off at a downtown hotel, have a plan. Pull into the designated hotel loading zone if available, even if it means waiting briefly. If none exists, have one person stay with the vehicle while the other unloads luggage quickly onto the pavement. Always check mirrors and blind spots for cyclists before opening doors or pulling away. Being efficient and highly aware of your surroundings is key to a smooth and safe drop‑off.

Victoria has an excellent network of protected bike lanes, requiring extra driver awareness. When turning right, always look for cyclists approaching from behind in the bike lane, as they may have their own signal and the right of way. Before opening your car door after parking on the street, use the 'Dutch Reach' by using your far hand to open the door; this forces you to turn and check for approaching cyclists. Constant vigilance at junctions and alongside parked cars is essential for everyone’s safety.

Driving in Victoria at night feels different, particularly around the well‑lit Inner Harbour and Legislative Buildings. Traffic is generally lighter than daytime, but entertainment districts can be busy with pedestrians, taxis and ride‑shares. The mix of bright lights and dark shadows can reduce visibility, so drive at a moderate speed and be extra watchful for people crossing. In residential areas streets can be dimly lit, requiring more careful navigation.

During heavy rain, common on Vancouver Island, several roads around Victoria require extra caution. The Patricia Bay Highway (Highway 17) and the Trans‑Canada Highway (Highway 1) can develop slick surfaces from oil residue, increasing stopping distances. Low‑lying roads and routes with poor drainage, particularly some rural roads on the Saanich Peninsula, can have significant water pooling. Reduce speed, increase following distance and avoid sudden braking to maintain control in these conditions.

Foggy mornings are common in autumn and winter, especially in the agricultural areas of the Saanich Peninsula near the airport. Visibility can be severely reduced, sometimes to only a few car lengths. Locals adjust by reducing speed significantly, using low‑beam headlights (not high beams, which reflect off the fog) and increasing following distances. Be patient and allow extra time to reach your destination, as driving will be slower and require full concentration.

Missing the hire‑car return entrance at Victoria Airport is simple to fix safely. Do not stop or reverse. Continue following the main airport road as it loops around the terminal. The one‑way system is designed to bring you back to the main arrivals area where you can follow the signs for 'Rental Car Return' and try again. The loop is short and straightforward, allowing you to correct course without stress or dangerous manoeuvres.

A simple day trip starts by driving north from Victoria on Highway 1 over the Malahat. Your first stop could be Cowichan Bay, a charming seaside village known for its maritime character and artisan shops. After exploring the waterfront, continue a short distance north to Duncan, the 'City of Totems', to see the impressive collection of totem poles. This northbound progression prevents backtracking and allows a scenic, leisurely drive back to Victoria later in the day.

The most direct route to Chemainus from Victoria is to take the Trans‑Canada Highway (Highway 1) north for about an hour. The drive is scenic and straightforward, with clear signs for the Chemainus exit. The town centre is very walkable. Street parking by the murals can be limited, but there are several well‑marked public car parks a block or two away. Park in one of these and explore the murals on foot for the easiest experience.

For a drive from Victoria towards Nanaimo, which takes about two hours, planning breaks is key. A good first stop after the Malahat is Duncan for coffee and a short walk. Further north, Ladysmith offers a pleasant main street to stretch your legs. There are also highway rest areas and viewpoints along the route. Plan to stop every 45–60 minutes, even briefly, to break up the journey and arrive in Nanaimo feeling relaxed and alert.

Visitors should be aware that deer are common on and near roads across the Greater Victoria area, especially at dawn and dusk. They’re frequently seen along the Patricia Bay Highway near the airport, on rural roads of the Saanich Peninsula and in residential areas such as Oak Bay and Saanich. Be vigilant during low‑light hours, scan the roadside and be prepared to brake suddenly. If you see one deer, expect others may be nearby and about to cross.

While mobile service is generally reliable, it can become patchy on more remote roads, such as the coastal route past Sooke or in parts of the Cowichan Valley. The best approach is to download offline maps for the region on your navigation app before you leave. This allows your GPS to continue providing directions without a cellular connection. Carrying a paper map as a backup is also a sensible precaution for extensive rural exploration.

Coordinating two arrivals at YYJ is straightforward due to the airport’s small size. The designated driver should go to the hire‑car desk after their flight to complete the paperwork and collect the vehicle. They can then drive to the short‑term car park or the passenger pick‑up curb just outside arrivals. The second traveller, on arrival, can exit the terminal and meet the driver and car there, making for a simple and efficient rendezvous.

For early‑morning photography, several spots are ideal before the city wakes. The summit of Mount Tolmie offers panoramic sunrise views and has a small car park at the top, making it very accessible. Dallas Road along the waterfront provides stunning coastal scenes with ample street parking at that hour. Another excellent option is Cattle Point in Oak Bay, which features easy parking and dramatic rocky shorelines perfect for capturing first light over the water.