Getting to Nanaimo .
There are several ways to get to Nanaimo, and there are a few events in Victoria as part of NCRC. Keep in mind the following:
- There is a pre-event in Victoria on June 16th and June 17th (See Below)
- Vicotira Airport is in Sidney, BC, which is 45 minutes from Victoria and 2 hours by drive to Nanaimo (no Ferry)
- Vancouver Airport (YVR) has many flights but requires travel to a ferry or a small flight to Nanaimo Airport (YCD)
- The welcome party starts on June 17th at 7 pm, and the Opening Ceremonies start at 9 am on June 18th at Victoriaa Island University
- The CRABO awards run Friday evening until about 9 pm
 Travel Support Available – Apply by April 23
Thanks to the generous support of the Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC), limited travel assistance is available for members to attend NCRC 2025.
This funding is designed to reduce financial barriers for stations that would not otherwise be able to send representatives. Depending on need and distance, support may cover a portion of travel and accommodation costs. Note that those offered funding may be asked to help volunteer with a few roles to keep our event running smoothly.
Deadline to apply:Â Tuesday, April 23, 2025
Decisions communicated by:Â Thursday, May 1, 2025Â [Early Bird will be available for those offered funding]
 The application form is here.
If you have questions in the meantime, feel free to reach out to barry@ncra.ca.
Direct to Nanaimo .
Direct Travel to Nanaimo:
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By Air:
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Nanaimo Airport (YCD): Located approximately 18 km south of downtown Nanaimo, the airport offers flights from major cities such as Vancouver (YVR), Calgary (YYC), and Toronto (YYZ). Upon arrival, transportation options include shuttles, taxis, and rental cars. ​tourismnanaimo.com
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By Ferry:
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BC Ferries: Operates vehicle and passenger ferries from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Departure Bay in Nanaimo. The crossing takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak travel times. ​islandlinkbus.com+4Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism+4Wikipedia+4
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Hullo Passenger Ferry: Offers a passenger-only ferry service between downtown Vancouver and downtown Nanaimo, with a travel time of approximately 75 minutes. This service is suitable for foot passengers without vehicles. ​tourismnanaimo.com+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2
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From Victoria .
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By Air to Victoria:
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Fly into Victoria International Airport (YYJ), which receives flights from various Canadian cities.​Tripadvisor+1tourismnanaimo.com+1
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From Victoria to Nanaimo:
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By Bus:
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Vancouver Island Connector: Provides bus services from Victoria to Nanaimo, with an average journey time of approximately 2 hours and 42 minutes. Tickets can be purchased online or at the terminal.
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Island Link Bus: Offers services between Victoria and Nanaimo with a travel time of about 2 hours. Buses depart several times daily.
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By Car:
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Drive approximately 111 km from Victoria to Nanaimo via the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), which takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes under normal traffic conditions.
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We are looking at a shuttle or ride-share from Victoria to Nanaimo. The tentative plan is to leave Victoria (CFUV at 2 pm Local) on Tuesday, June 17th, and return by leaving Nanaimo at 4:15 on Saturday, June 21st (after the NCRA/ANREC board meeting).
If you are interested, please sign up here to offer a ride or look for a ride.
From Vancouver
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By Air to Vancouver:
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Vancouver International Airport (YVR): Major airlines, including Air Canada and WestJet, offer multiple daily flights from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to YVR. The average flight duration is approximately 5 hours. ​Flights and vacation packages
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From Vancouver to Nanaimo:
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By Ferry:
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BC Ferries: Operates sailings from Tsawwassen Terminal to Duke Point Terminal in Nanaimo. The ferry ride takes about 2 hours. It’s advisable to check the current schedules and make reservations in advance, especially during peak travel times.
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By Air:
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Seaplane Services: Companies like Harbour Air offer seaplane flights from downtown Vancouver to Nanaimo Harbour. The flight duration is approximately 20 minutes.
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