Transit systems - getting around

No matter which school in BC you choose to attend you will definitely want to explore the areas around campus and around the province. You can walk or ride a bike almost all year round, and each city and most towns have an easy to use bus system. At night taxis are always a safe way to return home from your evening on the town.

General Rules of the Road: In Canada we drive on the right hand side of the road. It is legal to make a right hand turn on a red light and pedestrians have the right of way at an intersection. There are also "cross-walks" or pedestrian crossings on some streets so be careful when you are driving to notice these! Pedestrians have priority and it is illegal to drive through a cross-walk if someone is using it.

City Buses: Most cities have bus systems that are easy to use and are an inexpensive way to get around town. In fact some schools include bus passes as part of their tuition fees. Prices will vary between cities but bus information and maps are available from most school information desks or from the local city information centre. To learn more about the different city bus systems go to www.bctransit.com or www.translink.ca

HandyDART is a public transit service which uses specially equipped vehicles designed to carry passengers with physical or cognitive disabilities who are unable to use public transit without assistance. For more information about HandyDART, go to www.translink.bc.ca/Transportation_Services/Accessibility/handydart.asp

Province-wide Bus Systems: If you want to explore beyond the setting of the school you choose, there are several bus companies that operate across British Columbia and most offer student discount prices. To find out more about the different bus companies and the places you can visit by bus click here. The BC Ferries information pages also provides a list of bus companies and phone numbers here.

Trains: British Columbia is Canada's western most province and there are so many places to visit while you are here you will have a hard time choosing! Taking the train is a scenic way to see amazing landscapes while traveling between destinations. You can find out more about the different train routes here.

Ferries: Ferries operate between the Mainland, Vancouver Island and all of the Gulf Islands in the province. The ferries run year round and all routes have daily sailings. While you ride the ferry you will see some of British Columbia's most beautiful wildlife and scenery. If you are lucky you may also see Orca whales! You can find out more here.

Planes: If you are traveling within the province or to somewhere else in Canada or the world there are several air options available. Air Canada is the national airline with scheduled flights across the province, country and the world. Westjet is another airline which operates mainly in BC and Alberta but does have some flights to Eastern Canada, and Pacific Coastal operates within BC. A good source of information and for purchasing tickets is the Canadian student travel agency, Travel Cuts. You can also fly between Vancouver and Vancouver Island on a smaller float plane with Harbour Air and West Coast Air which operate several round trip flights a day. Both these airlines have a discounted stand-by student airfare. There is also a helicopter service from Victoria to Vancouver. For more information and schedules contact the airlines directly.

Cars and scooters: You can drive a car if you have an international driver's licence or a recognized licence from another country. Renting a car is fairly easy and there are several international car rental companies in BC. If you are planning on buying a car you will need to have insurance. More information about driving in BC can be found here. Scooters are not as popular in BC as in other parts of the world. However, some scooters may be driven without a motorcycle licence. Before driving a car, motorcycle or scooter make sure you have the appropriate license and insurance.

Bikes: Biking is a great way to get around BC during most months of the year and many cities and towns have special bike lanes and paths for increased safety. Please note that it is the law in British Columbia that you wear a bike helmet at any age. Most schools have bike racks where you can lock your bike while in class. Bikes are occasionally stolen so make sure you have a good lock for your bike.