How to get to the Painted Turtle

Getting to the Painted Turtle Guesthouse in Nanaimo BC Canada is easy, and whether you are coming by ocean, air, or land expect the journey here to be an incredible part of your trip.

Nanaimo is directly linked to the British Columbia mainland by two major BC Ferry routes, several float plane services and a direct major airline service from Vancouver. Refer to our links for transport options.

Location, location, location! The Painted Turtle Guesthouse is conveniently located on the corner of Commercial and Bastion Streets downtown Nanaimo BC, and is the closest hostel accommodation to the Greyhound, BC Ferries, Harbour Air seaplanes and West Coast Air seaplanes. We are the exclusive Guesthouse style accommodation downtown, and we are located next to the Vancouver Island Conference Centre, Coast Bastion Hotel and Best Western Dorchester Hotel.

Airport Directions: Nanaimo Airport (18km south of downtown): The Nanaimo Airport Shuttle Service will pick up & drop off at hostel front door, Cost: $17 (2nd person $5). Comox Airport (105km north of Nanaimo): Island Link Shuttle Service to Departure Bay, Nanaimo, $25.

Bus Directions: Take the Greyhound/Grayline from Vancouver ($26), Victoria ($20) or from Port Hardy ($75) to the downtown Nanaimo bus depot. Walk 5 blocks down Wallace Street (10 minutes, past the Tim Horton’s), turn left on Bastion Street, cross over the bridge and we are on the corner of Bastion and Commercial Street.

Car Directions: From TransCanada Highway (Hwy #19), turn east at Exit #9 (Jingle Pot Rd intersection). Drive approx. 4km into downtown (Jingle Pot becomes ‘Bastion Street’), and Guesthouse is on corner of Bastion & Commercial Street. Parking on Commercial Street or in carpark on corner of Bastion & Skinner. Parking on Commercial Street is free from 3pm to 10am while the carparks are approximately $.50 an hour.

Train Directions: VIA Rail operates the Malahat E&N Passenger Railiner between Victoria and Courtney. Take the train from downtown Victoria to the downtown Nanaimo train station, $25. From the station, walk 5 minutes down Fitzwilliam Street (Fitzwiliam becomes Bastion St).