A taxi or a pre-booked shuttle is the easiest way from Nanaimo Airport to downtown Nanaimo, about 18 km and 25 minutes by road. A BC Transit bus is the cheapest option, but service from the airport is limited, so check the timetable first.
Taxi and rideshare at the terminal
Taxi and rideshare pickup is outside the Arrivals entrance of the Air Terminal Building. AC Taxi and Yellow Cab serve the airport and the surrounding communities. Fares depend on traffic and time of day, and the taxi fare estimator gives a rough figure before you book. Local operators are listed on the Nanaimo taxi page.
A rideshare app will show its own estimate before you confirm. Prices can move with demand, so compare it with a taxi quote if the amount matters.
BC Transit routes 78 and 70
Two BC Transit routes serve the airport. Route 78 runs between the airport and downtown Nanaimo by way of South Parkway Plaza, South Wellington and Cassidy. It operates on weekdays only, with a small number of trips each day, so a late flight will not line up with it. Route 70, the Nanaimo to Cowichan Express, also stops at the airport and runs seven days a week.
The airport bus stop is just south of the terminal building. Look up current times and fares in the BC Transit trip planner, since schedules change between service periods.
Airporter shuttle and rental cars
The Nanaimo Airporter is a private shuttle that offers door to door service around the region, with online booking. Its service area stretches beyond Nanaimo to places such as Lantzville, Ladysmith, Duncan, Parksville and Qualicum Beach. Book ahead and give your flight details so the pickup matches your arrival.
A rental car works if you plan to see more of the island than the city centre. The airport website lists the agencies on site, and the drive into town follows the same 18 km route.
For flight arrival details and any change to ground transport, the airport’s own page is the place to confirm before you travel.