There is no public bus from Duke Point Ferry Terminal, so a taxi, a ride from a friend or a rental car is how you get to Nanaimo. By road it is about 15 km and 20 minutes to downtown.
Why there is no bus
Duke Point is the only major terminal in the BC Ferries system without a public transit connection. It sits at the southern end of Highway 19, south of downtown Nanaimo, and was built to move commercial vehicle traffic away from the other Nanaimo terminal in the middle of the city. That is why it feels remote compared with Departure Bay. Older notes that mention a bus from Duke Point should be ignored. If you need transit, Departure Bay is the terminal with Nanaimo Regional Transit routes.
Taxi from Duke Point
For foot passengers, a taxi is the practical choice. Book ahead rather than hoping one is waiting when you walk off the ferry, especially on a late sailing. The Nanaimo taxi page lists local companies. To get a feel for the price, use the taxi fare estimator, and note that the final fare depends on the company, the time of day and where in Nanaimo you are headed.
Rideshare coverage changes, so confirm in your app that pickups work at the terminal before you rely on it.
Other ways to get to town
- Ask someone to meet you at the terminal. The drive is short enough to make that an easy favour.
- If you are bringing a vehicle on the ferry, drive off and follow the signs toward Nanaimo, using a map app for the current route.
- Rental cars: check with the rental company about where to collect the vehicle, since options at or near the terminal may be limited.
- Walking or cycling: the terminal is a highway setting on the edge of the city, so treat this as a plan to check on a map first rather than a casual stroll.
Before you sail
Check the BC Ferries sailing schedule for your arrival time, and decide on your onward ride before boarding. With no bus to fall back on, a missed arrangement means a longer wait at a quiet terminal.