From Victoria International Airport to the Fairmont Empress, the simplest ways are a taxi or an Uber, with BC Transit as the budget choice. The hotel is at 721 Government Street, facing the Inner Harbour in downtown Victoria.
Taxi from the terminal
Yellow Cab of Victoria picks up curbside at the terminal, according to the airport’s ground transportation page. For advance bookings, the airport lists the company’s phone numbers. A taxi is the easiest option when you land late, have heavy bags or are travelling as a group, since it takes you straight to the hotel door. Rates are metered, so the taxi fare estimator can give you a rough idea, and local cab options are on the Victoria taxi page.
Uber and rental cars
The airport says Uber pickups are at designated spots along the Short Term Lot curb, across from arrivals. Look for the signs there rather than waiting at the arrivals door.
On site rental counters in the arrivals area are Avis, Budget, Hertz, Thrifty and National. Alamo and Enterprise are off airport and need a pre-arranged pickup at a designated customer area near the terminal. A car is only worth it if you plan to travel beyond Victoria, because downtown parking costs extra. The hotel’s own site says it has indoor parking, with 305 spaces, for an additional fee.
BC Transit to downtown
BC Transit serves the airport, and the airport’s page names routes 70, 72, 87 and 88 among its services, with up to 28 departures to and from the airport and the McTavish Transit Exchange. It also lists fares from $3.00 for local routes to $6.00 for downtown Victoria, though those can change. Which route and transfer is best for the Empress depends on the day and time, so check the BC Transit trip planner for the current journey and its length. The airport’s transit contact line is (250) 382-6161.
Which to choose
With bags or a late flight, a taxi or Uber is the least effort. On a tight budget and with time to spare, the bus costs far less than either. A rental makes sense only if the airport is the start of a longer trip around the island.