Courtenay, Comox, and Cumberland are some of the best places to live and visit in all of British Columbia and are located within the traditional territories of the K’ómoks First Nation. Luckily, travelling to and from this unique and truly beautiful area is fairly simple, as there are two airports within driving distance. The local Comox AIrport offers flights across Vancouver Island along with direct flights to Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary. The Nanaimo airport, which is about one hour and 15 minutes away ( 115 km) provides direct flights across BC and also to Vancouver, Calgary and even Toronto.
Because the Comox Valley is located close to these expanding and growing airports, more and more people are finding their way to this Island paradise and locals are also booking more adventures off Vancouver Island to destinations across Canada and beyond.
Many small communities across BC do not have the access to multiple airports and due to their geographic constraints, such as mountains, it can be difficult to jet off without some pretty extensive planning.
Conveniently located on the East Coast of Vancouver Island, the Comox Valley offers locals and tourists amazing outdoor sporting activities including mountain biking, fishing, hiking and the best skiing on all of Vancouver Island at the Mt. Washington Resort.
There are 66,000 people currently living in the Comox Valley according to Census Canada (2016) and it is home to everything from world class golf courses to grizzly bear tours. The temperate weather and warm summers combined with an abundance of amazing marine life boat tours and outdoor recreation facilities attract tourists from around the world. Combine all this with extensive local arts, music, food and culture, and you have a destination like no other.
There are several options for transportation to and from the Comox and Nanaimo airports. Ambassador shuttle based in the Comox Valley will get you there, but it is best to check on their hours of service. There is also the newly created Coastal Rides, which offers a ride hailing service much like Uber, but specifically built for smaller communities like the Comox Valley. The Coastal Rides app offers the ability to order and pay for a ride through your smartphone, or from your computer. There are also the two local taxi options as well. Coastal Rides offers door service from the Comox Airport (YQQ), Little River Ferry Terminal, Departure Bay Ferry Terminal, and Duke Point Ferry Terminal. For the convenience of a taxi service, with the pricing of a shared ride shuttle, the Coastal Rides app is your best bet for transportation across the Island.
Whether you are planning a trip away from the Comox Valley or inviting guests into town for a visit, it’s nice to know that the transportation systems in the area are efficient and help make travel more enjoyable for everyone.