Flying on our floatplane service is more than just the most scenic way to travel between Gabriola island and Vancouver International Airport – it’s also by far the most convenient and cost-effective.
Let’s say you need to go from Gabriola to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in order catch a flight there to another city – a common motive for many of our passengers on our flights. If you chose to take the ferry to get to YVR in time for a 1 p.m. flight, you would have to take the 6:20 a.m. ferry from Gabriola to Nanaimo Harbour, and from there take a taxi to the Duke Point ferry terminal (approx. $50 with tip).
Once at the terminal you would board the 7:45 a.m. sailing to Tsawwassen ($18 fare), arriving there two hours later at 9:45 a.m.. From there you would need to take a taxi/rideshare app (approx. $70 with tip) to the airport, finally arriving there no earlier than 10:15 a.m.
If you choose to bring your own vehicle for the duration of your journey to YVR you will save on paying for taxis/rideshares, but will have to pay at least $60 to take your vehicle with you on the Duke Point to Tsawwassen ferry. If you bring a larger vehicles you will have to pay even more. Another thing to consider is how much it will cost to park at YVR for the duration of your trip – if you’re gone for a week it will cost about $150 to keep your car at the airport.
Foot passengers looking to save money can take public transportation between Tsawwassen and the airport, but depending on scheduling and luck this can take much longer – meaning you could risk missing your flight.
Some locals on Gabriola choose to stay in a hotel at Vancouver International Airport the night before their flights to reduce the time spent travelling in a single day. This can add upwards of $100 to the cost of travelling via ferries.
Total time and cost for taking the ferry from Gabriola to YVR:
- 4 hours minimum, ~$140 as foot passenger
- 4 hours minimum, ~$210 travelling with vehicle ($60 for ferries + $150 for one week of parking at YVR)
By contrast, travellers looking to make the exact same journey via our regularly scheduled flights save plenty of time and money. We fly direct to and from Silva Bay on Gabriola Island to the floatplane terminal at Vancouver International Airport.
From taking off to touching down your flight will take just 20 minutes, and will provide you with a birds-eye view of some of the most spectacular scenery to be found anywhere on the West Coast. Upon arrival, a free courtesy shuttle takes you to the main terminal at YVR in just minutes. With one-way fares at just $114 for adults, you can save on both time and money by flying with us over taking the ferry.
Total time and cost for flying to/from Gabriola and YVR:
- 30 minutes and $114 for adults (seniors save 10%)
It’s rare that the most scenic way to travel is also the most convenient and affordable, but travelling with Gulf Island Seaplanes is. Situated on the eastern corner of Gabriola, beautiful and historic Silva Bay is the home of Gulf Island Seaplanes. From Silva Bay we offer year-round scheduled and chartered flights to a number of destinations along the Salish Sea.
For further information, get in touch with our team by emailing us at info@gulfislandseaplanes.com, calling 1-250-247-9992 or toll free at 1-800-665-2359. You can also follow us on Facebook at @GulfIslandSeaplanes. We hope to see you on board soon!
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