Port Hardy Airport is roughly 10 kilometres from downtown, and a taxi usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. BC Transit also runs a bus to the airport, though only a few trips a day, so a flight time needs matching against the timetable.
Taking a taxi to the terminal
Port Hardy has two local taxi companies, Town Taxi and Waivin Flags Taxi. Call ahead for an early flight, because a small town has few cars on the road at dawn. Say you are heading to Port Hardy Airport and give your pickup address. Use the taxi fare estimator to get a rough idea of the fare, and the Campbell River taxi page is useful if your trip continues down island.
BC Transit Route 4 to the airport
Route 4, Fort Rupert and Port Hardy Airport, is part of the Mount Waddington regional transit network. It runs by way of Thunderbird Mall, the Coal Harbour junction turnoff and the Kwakiutl Health Clinic before reaching the airport. The published timetable shows a handful of departures from Thunderbird Mall across the day, including some early and some late afternoon.
Only some trips continue to the airport, which is why checking matters. Open the Route 4 page on the BC Transit Mount Waddington site, pick your date, and compare the arrival time at the airport with your check in time. Alerts for service changes are posted on the same site.
If the schedule does not fit
When no bus lines up with your flight, a taxi is the dependable choice. Some local accommodations arrange rides for guests, so ask at the front desk. Rental cars are also an option for visitors who want to explore the north island, though availability can be limited in summer, so reserve early.
Arriving in Port Hardy first
Visitors reaching Port Hardy by road from other parts of the island, or by air, can use any of the options above for the short trip between the town and the airport. Leave time for check in and security before departure.