The easiest way from Nanaimo to North Nanaimo is by car or taxi, or by BC Transit if you are heading to the Northfield, Country Club or Woodgrove areas. North Nanaimo covers a lot of ground, so the best option depends on where you want to end up.
The Rapid Line and other BC Transit routes
Since January 2025, the Nanaimo Rapid Line, route 1, runs as an express along the Island Highway from downtown through Terminal Park and Country Club Exchange to Woodgrove Exchange. Route 30 serves downtown, Bowen Road, the hospital, Northfield, Country Club and Woodgrove. Route 25 links Woodgrove, Country Club, Northfield, the Departure Bay ferry terminal and downtown, and route 40 runs to Nanaimo North Town Centre by way of Uplands Road.
Frequency, travel time and fares vary. Enter your actual start and end points in the BC Transit trip planner and it will pick the right route and show the next departure.
Taxi, rideshare and driving
Driving gives the most freedom, especially for errands at several stops. Without a car, a taxi or a rideshare takes you door to door. The taxi fare estimator and the Uber estimate calculator give a rough figure for your exact trip, and local operators are on the Nanaimo taxi page.
Fares move with distance and demand. A trip to Woodgrove costs more than one to the Country Club area, so enter the specific address rather than guessing from the area name.
Cycling and traffic on the Island Highway
Parts of Nanaimo have bike lanes, but North Nanaimo is spread out and the Island Highway corridor is busy. Look at a cycling map before you commit to a longer ride.
Traffic builds along the highway and the main shopping areas at the end of the workday, and a live navigation app will show slowdowns and alternate streets. If the trip is flexible, leaving outside peak hours usually saves time.