What's New
At Island Link, Island Express Bus, Tofino Express Bus, Port Hardy Express Bus and Victoria Express Bus
2024 Service
IslandLink is excited to announce the launch of its new bus service on May 16, 2024, connecting northern Vancouver Island communities including Port Hardy, Port McNeill, and Campbell River.
This service not only provides essential transportation for locals but also enhances connectivity for visitors using northern BC Ferries routes.
Featuring a 230-kilometer route, two buses will operate daily in both directions, with online reservations now open. This expansion underscores IslandLink's commitment to seamless, island-wide travel.
Current Schedule Summaries
* We apologize, but there is no space on any Islandlink bus to carry surfboards
Port Hardy/Port McNeill
Tofino/Ucluelet
Victoria
Campbell River/Courtenay/Buckley Bay
EXPRESS
Booking Information
As always, there is only one way to ensure you get a seat on the bus of your choice - book it online, on this website; Click Here to make an enquiry, and if you wish, a reservation
For those who can only make last minute travel plans on the day of travel, we can probably still accommodate you on a standby basis; just visit our Today's Travel page on your date of travel to get our schedule and to check availability and prices
Wifi on Our Bases
FREE Wi-FI is available on all buses
iPOINTS
Our reward program that enables everybody to save
Every time you book a seat on any IslandLink Express Bus you are awarded iPOINTS, which help you pay for your next ticket on one of our busses.
iPOINTS may also be purchased at a discount, enabling savings of up to 31% on all your ticket purchases.
Twenty five years ago, IslandLink started with bus service from Qualicum Beach, French Creek & Parksville to the Departure Bay ferry terminal. The service was designed to serve as a connector for Horseshoe Bay/Departure Bay foot passengers, and it still is today.
On our first day, June 23, 1998, we carried just one passenger from French Creek Marina to Departure Bay, Nanaimo for a fare of $12 one way. Today, IslandLink carries over 75,000 passengers a year, operates up to 16 buses all equipped with free wi-fi. Buses are clean and comfortable with seat belts on every seat. Baggage allowance is only limited by the amount you can carry!
Prior to COVID-19, the company was offering 6 round trip frequencies daily between Campbell River, Courtenay, Buckley Bay, Parksville and Departure Bay (Nanaimo), and 6 round trip daily frequencies between Victoria, Mill Bay, Duncan and Departure Bay (Nanaimo). We employed 14-20 drivers, fulltime.
With the onset of the COVID pandemic in early March 2020, we were forced to significantly cut back capacity as passenger demand evaporated. By mid-March we were the only inter-city bus service operating on Vancouver Island, but throughout the following three months we provided a skeleton service every day for those who relied on bus service to travel up and down the Island.
Today, the company serves four BC Ferries' terminals: Departure Bay, Little River, Buckley Bay and Campbell River providing connecting bus transportation for ferry foot passengers.
For the past 15 years we have offered an easy to use online booking system, which is used by 85% of our passengers to book their travel with us. We also provide a passenger loyalty program which rewards every booking with credits (iPOINTS). These credits can also be purchased at a discount, resulting in significant savings. Service is provided 364 days a year as on December 25 our drivers take a break.