Payless Car Hire
Victoria

After collecting your luggage at Victoria International Airport, follow the prominent overhead signs to the car rental counters. The rental car facility is located on site, just a short walk directly across the road from the main arrivals terminal building. You will find the Payless desk within this dedicated rental car building. The whole process is designed to be straightforward, getting you from the baggage carousel to your vehicle with minimal hassle.

When you book your rental, it's good practice to check the location's opening hours to ensure they align with your travel plans. Including your flight number in your reservation is highly recommended, as this allows the rental staff to track your flight. If you know your flight will be significantly delayed, it's wise to call the local Payless office at YYJ directly. That simple communication helps the team prepare for your later arrival and ensures a smoother pick-up process.

The most straightforward route for a first-time driver is to take the Patricia Bay Highway (Highway 17) south directly from the airport. This is the main road connecting the airport and the Swartz Bay ferry terminal to the city. Stay on this road for about 25 kilometres and it will lead you right into the heart of Victoria. As you approach the city centre the highway becomes Blanshard Street, a major urban artery providing easy access to most hotels and attractions.

During a typical weekday rush hour, roughly from 3:00pm to 6:00pm, plan for the drive from YYJ to the Inner Harbour to take between 45 and 75 minutes. The main congestion points occur on the Patricia Bay Highway as you approach the McKenzie Avenue interchange and again on the surface streets nearer the city centre. Outside of these peak times the journey is usually much quicker — about 30 to 35 minutes — so adjusting your travel time can make a significant difference.

To reach James Bay from the airport, follow the Patricia Bay Highway (Hwy 17) south, which becomes Blanshard Street. As you enter the downtown core, continue south on Blanshard Street then turn right onto Belleville Street. This route takes you along the edge of the Inner Harbour directly into the James Bay neighbourhood. By using these main thoroughfares you can avoid many of the more complex one-way streets and intersections found deeper in the city centre.

Downtown Victoria uses a grid system with several key one-way streets that are important to note, especially around the Inner Harbour. Major east–west streets like Fort, Yates and Johnson often alternate as one-way. Using a GPS navigation app is highly recommended as it provides real-time guidance. Always pay close attention to street signs as you approach junctions to ensure you're heading in the correct direction for a stress-free drive.

For visiting the Royal BC Museum and the Parliament Buildings there are several convenient public parking options. You can use city-run parkades such as the Broughton Street or View Street parkades, which are only a few blocks away. There are also various surface pay lots in the immediate vicinity of the museum. While some on-street metered parking is available, those spots are often in high demand, making a parkade a more reliable choice.

The most practical places to park for a visit to Chinatown are the city-operated parkades. The Centennial Square Parkade, accessed from Fisgard Street, is an excellent option as it sits right on the edge of Chinatown. Alternatively, the Johnson Street Parkade is just a short two-block walk away. Using one of these multi-storey car parks ensures you won't have to worry about time limits on street meters while you explore the area's unique shops and historic alleys.

Fisherman's Wharf is a very popular weekend destination and its dedicated pay parking lot can fill up quickly. To improve your chances of finding a spot without a long wait, it's best to plan your arrival for before 10:30am. If you arrive later you may need to search for street parking in the adjacent James Bay residential neighbourhood. Be sure to check any posted signs for time limits or resident-only restrictions in those areas.

The most reliable way to access Beacon Hill Park is via Douglas Street, which runs along the park's entire western border. From Douglas Street you can turn onto several main park entrances such as Southgate Street or Avalon Road. This approach helps you avoid the maze of smaller residential streets on the park’s other sides. Once inside, follow the park's internal road network which leads to designated car parks near popular spots like the petting zoo and gardens.

For the most relaxed visit to Butchart Gardens, aim to arrive either early in the morning, around opening time, or later in the afternoon, typically after 3:00pm. These times help you avoid the peak mid-day rush of tourist coaches and general highway traffic. Arriving during these off-peak hours generally guarantees a smoother drive and an easier time finding a convenient spot in their large, well‑organised car park.

The most direct route is to take Blanshard Street north out of the city centre, which merges and becomes the Patricia Bay Highway (Highway 17). Continue north on Highway 17 until you see signs for Keating Cross Road (Exit 18). Take that exit and head west on Keating Cross Road, then follow the clear blue tourist signs that will guide you the rest of the way to the gardens' entrance. This route uses the main highway, minimising complex turns.

The primary traffic bottleneck on a trip to Sooke is the stretch of Highway 14 that passes through the Westshore communities of Colwood and Langford. This area, often referred to by locals as the 'Colwood Crawl', can become very congested, especially during the weekday afternoon commute starting around 2:30pm. To avoid the worst of the traffic it's best to begin your drive from Victoria before or after this peak period.

Driving Highway 14 to Sooke in the rain requires extra caution as the road is quite winding and has limited shoulders in many sections. Heavy rain can reduce visibility and make the road surface slippery, so it's important to drive at a reduced speed. Some of the forested stretches can feel particularly dark and narrow on an overcast day, making it essential to use your headlights both to see and to be seen by other road users.

Mobile signal can be spotty or non-existent in many parts of East Sooke Regional Park. To ensure you can navigate effectively, it's highly recommended to download an offline map of the Sooke area to your phone's GPS app before you leave Victoria. This allows you to find trailheads like Aylard Farm or Pike Road without needing a data connection. It's also good practice to inform someone of your hiking plans and expected return time.

For a first visit to Goldstream Provincial Park, the main day‑use area entrance is the most straightforward to access. It is located directly off the Trans‑Canada Highway (Highway 1) heading north from Victoria and is clearly signed. This entrance leads to a large car park with access to the visitor centre, picnic areas and the estuary trails. The separate parking for the waterfall trail is on the southbound side of the highway and requires driving past the park to a U‑turn route.

A half-day trip to Thetis Lake is very manageable. Plan to drive out in the late morning, as it's only about a 20-minute drive from downtown Victoria outside of rush hour. You can spend a pleasant two to three hours walking the scenic trails around the lake. This schedule allows you to be back in the city by mid-afternoon, giving you plenty of time to freshen up before heading out for dinner.

Cook Street Village is a vibrant neighbourhood where parking is primarily on-street. It can be quite competitive, especially on evenings and weekends when locals visit the shops and restaurants. If your Airbnb does not provide a dedicated parking spot, be prepared to look for parking on adjacent residential streets. Always read the signs carefully, as many areas have time limits or are designated for resident permits only.

To avoid the traffic congestion immediately following a show at the Royal Theatre, a good strategy is to park in a city parkade a few blocks away. The Broughton Street Parkade or the View Street Parkade are both excellent choices, offering a pleasant five-minute walk to the theatre. This slight distance means you can easily exit the parkade and be on your way while avoiding the bottleneck of cars trying to leave spots right next to the venue.

Craigdarroch Castle is situated in the residential Rockland neighbourhood and is easily reached by taking Fort Street east from the city centre. The castle has its own dedicated, free car park right on the grounds, which is the most convenient option. While this lot can be busy during peak hours, spaces tend to turn over fairly regularly. Using the on‑site car park is far simpler than trying to find limited and often restricted street parking in the surrounding area.

To ensure a smooth visit to Hatley Castle, it's best to avoid arriving during peak university class change times. Plan your visit for mid-morning, around 10:00am, or mid-afternoon on a weekday. The campus has clearly marked signs that direct visitors to designated public car parks, which are separate from the lots used by students and staff. Following these signs will lead you to the most convenient spots for accessing the castle and gardens.

The main traffic bottleneck between downtown Victoria and Esquimalt is the Johnson Street Bridge, often called the 'Blue Bridge.' Westbound traffic over the bridge can back up significantly during the afternoon rush. The Bay Street Bridge is an alternative crossing but it can also experience heavy congestion at peak commute times. For a quicker trip, try to schedule your drive outside the 7:30–9:00am and 3:00–5:30pm windows.

The drive to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal is very direct. From downtown, take Blanshard Street heading north. This major road seamlessly transitions into the Patricia Bay Highway (Highway 17). Stay on Highway 17 North for its entire length — it terminates directly at the ferry terminal entrance. The route is extremely well signed with large ferry symbols, making it easy to follow.

For an early‑morning ferry it's sensible to add an extra 30 minutes to your planned driving time from Victoria to Swartz Bay. While road traffic is usually light at that hour, this buffer accounts for any unforeseen delays and reduces travel stress. The extra time ensures you can comfortably navigate the ticket booths, get into your assigned lane and perhaps grab a coffee before boarding, especially if you have a reservation to claim.

Swartz Bay has a designated cell phone waiting lot where you can park for free while you wait for your party to arrive. This lot is located just before the main terminal area and keeps you out of the active traffic lanes. Once the person you are meeting has disembarked from the ferry and collected their bags, they can call you and you can then proceed to the well‑marked passenger pick‑up zone to meet them.

Driving onto a BC Ferries vessel is a highly organised process guided by the crew. You will be directed to line up in a specific, often narrow, lane, so it's important to drive slowly and be aware of your vehicle's position. The crew will guide you precisely where to park on the vehicle deck, often very close to other cars. Once parked, you must turn off your engine, set the handbrake, and you are free to leave your vehicle and enjoy the passenger facilities.

For a day trip to Salt Spring Island, start by checking the BC Ferries timetable for the Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour route. Once on the island, having a car is essential for exploring. A good plan is to drive from the Fulford Harbour terminal north towards the main town of Ganges for lunch and shopping. Afterwards you can explore the island's scenic roads — perhaps visit a winery or Ruckle Provincial Park — before heading back to the ferry terminal for your return trip.

Driving on Salt Spring Island is a more relaxed but attentive experience compared with the city. The roads are typically narrower, more winding and often lack a verge. You will share the road with many cyclists and pedestrians, so it's crucial to maintain a slower speed and be extra cautious around blind corners. The scenic beauty encourages a leisurely pace, which is the best way to enjoy the island's rural charm safely.

The drive from Victoria to Tofino takes about five hours without major stops, so it's best to dedicate a full day to the journey. Plan to leave Victoria early in the morning so you tackle the final winding stretch of Highway 4 in full daylight. Good places for a break include Duncan, Cathedral Grove to see the giant trees, and Port Alberni for lunch. This pacing makes the trip part of the holiday rather than a race to the destination.

The most comfortable and direct route to Nanaimo is the Trans‑Canada Highway (Highway 1) North. While it is the main highway, it is well maintained and multi‑lane for the majority of the trip. The most challenging section, the Malahat Drive, has undergone significant safety upgrades with added lanes and a central barrier. To reduce stress further, avoid travelling during peak long‑weekend traffic, such as Friday afternoons or Sunday evenings.

There are several family‑friendly stops along the highway between Victoria and Nanaimo. The town of Duncan has numerous fast‑food outlets and service stations with toilets right off the highway. For a more scenic break, Chemainus, famous for its murals, has public washrooms and parks a minute or two off the main route. Further north, Ladysmith's Transfer Beach Park is another great option for kids to stretch their legs.

Deer are extremely common along the roads of southern Vancouver Island, particularly on the Saanich Peninsula near the airport and on the Malahat Highway. They are most active at dawn and dusk, so it is crucial to be extra vigilant at these times. Scan the ditches and verges as you drive, and if you see one deer, slow down and assume others may follow it across the road.

In Victoria's roundabouts the key rule is to give way to all traffic already circulating within the circle, which will be approaching from your left. Once there's a safe gap you can enter. A common mistake visitors make is not yielding to circulating traffic or forgetting to use their right‑turn indicator to signal their intended exit. Taking a moment to observe the flow before entering and signalling your exit clearly will ensure a smooth experience.

For drivers coming from the airport, the McKenzie Avenue/Admirals Road interchange on Highway 17 can be the most challenging. It features multiple lanes and several exits in close proximity. The best way to prepare is to use a GPS navigation app on your phone, which will provide lane guidance and advance notice of which lane you need to be in. Listening to the turn‑by‑turn directions well ahead of the interchange will help you navigate it confidently.

The area around the Victoria Conference Centre is quite busy, but many of the major hotels connected to it, such as the Fairmont Empress and the DoubleTree, have designated passenger loading zones or covered entrances. These are the ideal places to pull in for a few minutes to unload your luggage. It's best to have one person stay with the car while the other takes the bags inside to ensure you are not blocking the flow of traffic.

When checking into a downtown hotel, the best approach is to use the hotel's official passenger loading zone, even if it's only for a few minutes. If your hotel doesn't have one, pull over at the nearest available short‑term metered spot to unload. It's wise to have your luggage ready for a quick drop‑off. Avoid double‑parking on busy streets like Douglas or Government, as this can disrupt traffic and is often ticketed.

During the peak summer months parking at popular local beaches like Willows Beach and Cadboro‑Gyro Park can be very challenging, especially on warm, sunny weekends. To secure a convenient parking spot in the main lots it is highly recommended that you arrive before 11:00am. If you arrive in the afternoon, be prepared to park on a residential side street several blocks away and enjoy a short walk to the beach.

To see a sunrise or sunset from the summit of Mount Douglas Park, first check the seasonal hours for the summit road gate, as it is often closed to vehicles during the middle of the day. The gate is typically open early in the morning and again in the evening to allow summit access. The car park at the top is small, so plan to arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before sunrise or sunset to increase your chances of getting a spot.

During stormy weather, be prepared for strong crosswinds, especially on open stretches of the Patricia Bay Highway near the airport and along coastal roads like Dallas Road. Heavy rain can also lead to water pooling on the roads, which increases the risk of aquaplaning, so reducing your speed is essential. In forested areas high winds can bring down small branches, so stay alert for debris on the roadway.

A great low‑stress plan is to refuel your hire car at one of the petrol stations in the town of Sidney, just a few minutes before you reach the airport. After fuelling, follow the well‑marked signs for Victoria International Airport and then look for the specific signs for 'Rental Car Return'. These will guide you directly to the dedicated return area, preventing any confusing loops around the terminal. Having your luggage organised beforehand will make for a quick key drop‑off and an easy walk to departures.