Introduction
What to do
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting a car

Nanaimo travel guide

Nanaimo Tourism | Nanaimo Guide

You're Going to Love Nanaimo

With a population of 84,905, Nanaimo is a must-see destination in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. Nanaimo deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

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Where to Eat in Nanaimo

If you’re looking for affordable options, Montana's BBQ & Bar - Nanaimo (4715 Rutherford Rd) and Bin 4 Burger Lounge - Nanaimo (102A-6750 Island Hwy N) are great picks.

When to visit Nanaimo

Nanaimo in January
Estimated hotel price
C$ 131
1 night at 3-star hotel
Nanaimo in January
Estimated hotel price
C$ 131
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Nanaimo in July, when the average temperature is 17 °C, and the highest can go up to 22 °C. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 0 °C, with an average temperature of 2 °C. You’re likely to see more rain in November, when precipitation is around 160 mm. In contrast, July is usually the driest month of the year in Nanaimo, with an average rainfall of 20 mm.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Nanaimo

Plane

Nanaimo is served by 2 airports: Nanaimo Harbour (ZNA) and Nanaimo Arpt (YCD). The closest to downtown Nanaimo is Nanaimo Harbour, which is located 0 km from the city centre. Further away is Nanaimo Arpt, 14 km from the centre of Nanaimo. Nanaimo Arpt is the most popular, with regular flights from WestJet, Delta, Pacific Coastal and other airlines departing from Canada.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Nanaimo, followed by VIA Rail Canada. The train journey from Nanaimo to Seattle takes 4h 00m and costs around C$ 77 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Vancouver, expect to pay about C$ 178 for a 7h 32m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Nanaimo is to pick up a car rental from Vancouver, which is about 60 km from Nanaimo. You’ll find branches of Turo and Routes Car & Truck Rentals, among others, in Vancouver.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Nanaimo, including Amtrak, Ebus and Rider Express. From Abbotsford, the bus ride to Nanaimo takes 89 km and will cost you around C$ 94. From Seattle, the ticket costs about C$ 180 for a journey of 266 km.

Plane

Nanaimo is served by 2 airports: Nanaimo Harbour (ZNA) and Nanaimo Arpt (YCD). The closest to downtown Nanaimo is Nanaimo Harbour, which is located 0 km from the city centre. Further away is Nanaimo Arpt, 14 km from the centre of Nanaimo. Nanaimo Arpt is the most popular, with regular flights from WestJet, Delta, Pacific Coastal and other airlines departing from Canada.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Nanaimo, followed by VIA Rail Canada. The train journey from Nanaimo to Seattle takes 4h 00m and costs around C$ 77 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Vancouver, expect to pay about C$ 178 for a 7h 32m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Nanaimo is to pick up a car rental from Vancouver, which is about 60 km from Nanaimo. You’ll find branches of Turo and Routes Car & Truck Rentals, among others, in Vancouver.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Nanaimo, including Amtrak, Ebus and Rider Express. From Abbotsford, the bus ride to Nanaimo takes 89 km and will cost you around C$ 94. From Seattle, the ticket costs about C$ 180 for a journey of 266 km.

Airports near Nanaimo

YVRVancouver Intl
YCDNanaimo Arpt
ZNANanaimo Harbour

Airlines serving Nanaimo

Lufthansa
Good (7,992 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,514 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,972 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,451 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,360 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,942 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,215 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,587 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (915 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,700 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,571 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,728 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,774 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (11,017 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,189 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,393 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (406 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,250 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,329 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Good (12,357 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Nanaimo

If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include The Waterfront Suites and Marina and Harbour Light Motel. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Nanaimo, with prices from C$ 85 to C$ 465 per night. Downtown is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Nanaimo are about 61% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Where to stay in popular areas of Nanaimo

Most booked hotels in Nanaimo

See all
Coast Bastion Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, Excellent reviews)
C$ 213+
View
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ladysmith Oyster Bay
2 stars
Excellent (8.6, Excellent reviews)
C$ 182+
View
Courtyard by Marriott Nanaimo
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, Excellent reviews)
C$ 183+
View
Best Western Dorchester Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
C$ 171+
View
Ramada by Wyndham Nanaimo
3 stars
Good (7.7, Good reviews)
C$ 170+
View
Travelodge by Wyndham Nanaimo
2 stars
Good (7.5, Good reviews)
C$ 120+
View

Renting a car in Nanaimo

Renting a car in Nanaimo costs C$ 73 per day, on average, or C$ 147 if you want to rent it for 2 days. Budget, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Nanaimo is the National branch at 1602 Northfield Rd, which is 4 km from the downtown.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 10% more expensive than at Vancouver Intl.

Expect to pay C$ 2.11 per litre in Nanaimo (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between C$ 25.27 and C$ 33.70. The most frequently booked car type in Nanaimo is Intermediate (Toyota Hilux or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Supplier choice rental cars (Class Special Car or similar) are, on average, 53% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Nanaimo costs C$ 73 per day, on average, or C$ 147 if you want to rent it for 2 days. Budget, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Nanaimo is the National branch at 1602 Northfield Rd, which is 4 km from the downtown.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 10% more expensive than at Vancouver Intl.

Expect to pay C$ 2.11 per litre in Nanaimo (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between C$ 25.27 and C$ 33.70. The most frequently booked car type in Nanaimo is Intermediate (Toyota Hilux or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Supplier choice rental cars (Class Special Car or similar) are, on average, 53% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Best car rental deals in Nanaimo

Supplier choice

5 adults, 5 Bags

C$ 42/day

Supplier choice

Compact

4 adults, 2 Bags

C$ 42/day

Compact
Find car rentals in Nanaimo