Vancouver Island University does not have a campus in Parksville. VIU lists three campuses: Nanaimo, Cowichan and Powell River. The college with a campus in Parksville is North Island College, so the first step is to check which institution your class or appointment is with.
If you are heading to North Island College in Parksville
North Island College lists Parksville among its four campuses, along with Port Alberni, Campbell River and the Comox Valley. Look at the campus page on the NIC website for the street address, then enter it in a map app or the BC Transit trip planner for the Nanaimo Regional Transit System. If the campus is within town, a short taxi ride is easy to arrange from the Parksville taxi page.
If you need VIU in Nanaimo
VIU’s main campus is at 900 Fifth Street in Nanaimo. Parksville and Nanaimo are separate towns on the east coast of the island, so this is an intercity trip. Driving is the most flexible option. Use a navigation app for the current route and time, and expect busier roads at commuting hours.
Without a car, open the BC Transit trip planner and enter downtown Parksville and the campus address. Regional bus links between the two towns, their frequency and any transfer points are set by BC Transit and can change, so confirm them for the day you travel. Look at the last trip home as well as the first trip out.
Taxi for the longer ride
A taxi from Parksville to Nanaimo costs more than a local ride but saves transfers, which helps when you have books, equipment or a fixed start time. Book ahead for early mornings. The taxi fare estimator gives a rough idea of the fare, and the campus phone line, 250 753 3245, can confirm the building and entrance you need once you arrive.