Whether you’ve just stepped off a ferry, landed at YYJ, or arrived by car, here is every way to get yourself — and everyone in your group — where you need to go in Sidney, British Columbia.

Sidney by the Sea sits at a curious geographic crossroads. It is eighteen miles north of downtown Victoria. It is minutes from Victoria International Airport. It is the departure point for the Washington State ferry to Anacortes (currently on hiatus until 2030). And the BC Ferries terminal at Swartz Bay is just ten kilometres up the road. All of which means people are constantly arriving in Sidney from somewhere, and needing to get somewhere else — without necessarily having a car to do it. The good news is that there are more options than most visitors realize. The less good news is that none of them are particularly obvious until someone explains them. Consider this that explanation.

BC Transit — The Bus Network (Your Most Affordable Option)

BC Transit is the public transit system serving Sidney and the broader Saanich Peninsula, and for visitors willing to plan around it, it is the most affordable way to move between Sidney, Victoria, and the ferry terminals. The adult fare across the Greater Victoria system is $5.00, and children under five travel free.

The routes most useful to visitors are as follows. Route 72 runs between downtown Victoria and Sidney, stopping at 5th and Beacon — the heart of town — and then continuing to the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. It runs every 30 minutes and is the simplest way to get between Sidney and Victoria without a car. Route 88 (and its variant, 88A) connects the airport to Sidney and West Sidney, making it the primary bus link between Victoria International Airport and town. Routes 70, 71, and 76 also serve Swartz Bay, providing additional connections between the ferry terminal and downtown Victoria.

Riders with mobility needs should know that BC Transit’s HandyDART service operates Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and HandyDART passes can be purchased at Sidney Town Hall.

Note for 2026: BC Transit is currently in public consultation on a proposed restructuring of Peninsula routes — including extending Route 72 to serve the airport directly and eliminating Route 88. Changes are expected no earlier than September 2026. Check bctransit.com for the latest schedules before you travel.

Hotel Shuttle Services (Free — If You’re a Guest)

Three hotels in the Sidney area operate airport and ferry shuttle services for their guests, which is worth knowing before you book accommodation — a free shuttle can meaningfully change the math of a trip.

The Best Western Plus Emerald Isle Hotel, the Days Inn by Wyndham Victoria Airport Sidney, and the Marriott all offer shuttle services for guests travelling to and from Victoria International Airport. These are not public services — you must be staying at the property to use them — but if you are already planning to stay at one of these hotels, it is well worth calling ahead to confirm the schedule and arrange a pickup. The Days Inn is particularly convenient for ferry travellers given its proximity to the airport and Swartz Bay terminal.

Tip: Always call the hotel directly to confirm shuttle availability, hours, and whether advance booking is required. Schedules can vary by season.

Sidney Taxi & BlueBird Cabs (On-Demand, Any Hour)

For door-to-door service at any hour, Sidney has two reliable taxi options. Sidney Taxi — reachable at 250-656-6666 — is the local operator and the number most Sidney residents have saved in their phones. BlueBird Cabs, at 250-382-2222, is a Victoria-based fleet that serves the Peninsula and is a good backup option, particularly for longer trips into downtown Victoria.

Taxis are metered, and a tip of 15-20% is customary. For a sense of distances: Sidney to Victoria International Airport is a short ride of just a few minutes; Sidney to downtown Victoria runs roughly 30–35 minutes depending on traffic on Highway 17.

Uber (Yes, It Works Here)

Uber is available in Sidney — a fact that surprises some visitors who assume ride-hailing hasn’t reached smaller BC communities. It has, and the app functions normally for pickups and drop-offs throughout town and to nearby destinations including the airport, Swartz Bay, and downtown Victoria. Popular Uber routes from Sidney to Victoria typically run in the CA$43–58 range depending on the destination.

Availability can be thinner than in a city, particularly late at night or during busy ferry arrival times, so if you have a firm departure to catch, a pre-booked taxi is the more reliable choice. That said, for spontaneous travel during normal hours, Uber is a perfectly solid option.

Good to know: Uber Eats also operates in Sidney, so if you’re in for the evening, delivery is available.

BC Ferries Connector — Wilson’s Transportation (Victoria to Vancouver, No Car Required)

If your journey takes you between Vancouver Island and the BC mainland, the BC Ferries Connector — operated by Wilson’s Transportation — is the most convenient car-free option. It runs year-round on a daily scheduled service, picking up passengers at Capital City Station in downtown Victoria, boarding the BC Ferry at Swartz Bay, and depositing travellers at Pacific Central Station or the Vancouver Cruise Ship Terminal. A connection to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is also available.

The crossing itself is a 95-minute sail across the Strait of Georgia — genuinely scenic on a clear day — and the coach handles the logistics of getting you to and from the terminal without a rental car. Book ahead at bcferriesconnector.com; fares vary by travel date and time.

Modo Carshare (For Members Who Want Wheels Without Ownership)

Modo is a member-owned carsharing co-operative — the oldest in North America — and it operates three vehicles in Sidney, located at Town Hall, the library, and the corner of Third Street and Bevan Avenue. If you’re already a Modo member, this is a convenient and affordable way to have access to a car for a few hours without the overhead of a full rental. Membership is required, but it is a one-time setup; once you’re a member, booking is done through the Modo app. More information at modo.coop.

Walking & Cycling (The Underrated Option)

It bears saying: Sidney’s town centre is compact and genuinely walkable. Beacon Avenue, the waterfront boardwalk, the marina, restaurants, shops, and most hotels are all within easy walking distance of each other. If you’re staying in town and not planning to venture far, you may not need transportation at all.

For cyclists, the town maintains walking and cycling routes throughout, and bike valet services are available on Thursday evenings throughout the summer during the Sidney Street Market. The Lochside Regional Trail, a popular multi-use path, connects Sidney to Victoria along a mostly flat, scenic route — a practical option for those travelling light.

Accessible Travel (Getting Around with a Disability or Mobility Aid)

Sidney and the broader Saanich Peninsula have a reasonable range of accessible transportation options, though some require advance registration or planning — so it’s worth knowing what’s available before you arrive.

BC Transit’s HandyDART service is the cornerstone of accessible transit in the region. It is a shared, door-to-door service for people with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities — permanent or temporary — who are unable to use conventional fixed-route buses without assistance. The driver comes to your door, assists you in boarding, and delivers you to the entrance of your destination. Service runs Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and HandyDART passes can be purchased at Sidney Town Hall. Registration is required before using the service; to apply, contact BC Transit at 250-727-7811 or visit bctransit.com. Note that visitors with a temporary disability are also eligible — it is not limited to permanent conditions.

For those who prefer a conventional taxi, both Sidney Taxi and BlueBird Cabs operate wheelchair and scooter accessible vehicles. Simply let the dispatcher know you need an accessible ride when you call, and they will arrange the appropriate vehicle. Registered HandyDART riders can also take advantage of the Taxi Saver program, which provides a 50% subsidy toward the cost of taxi fares — a meaningful discount for frequent travellers. Coupons are purchased in advance and used to offset the metered fare.

BC Transit’s regular fixed-route buses — including the Routes 72 and 88 that serve Sidney — are low-floor and ramp-equipped, with securements for wheelchairs and scooters at accessible stops, identified by a blue and white International Symbol of Access decal. Attendants travelling with a wheelchair or scooter user, or anyone with a CNIB pass, ride free and must board and exit at the same stop.

BC Ferries also offers a discounted disabled passenger fare for BC residents with a permanent disability. If you’re planning to travel on the ferry and have mobility requirements, it’s worth checking the BC Ferries website in advance for boarding procedures and accessible facilities at the Swartz Bay terminal.

For visitors unfamiliar with the system: HandyDART registration takes time, so if you are visiting and need accessible transit, contact BC Transit well before your trip. For immediate needs on arrival, Sidney Taxi and BlueBird Cabs are your most reliable same-day accessible options — no registration required, just call ahead.