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, The Discovery Room (900 Fifth St) and Beach Fires Pacific Grill (101-1240 Stewart Ave) are great picks.

When to visit Nanaimo

Nanaimo in January
Estimated hotel price
C$ 130
1 night at 3-star hotel
Nanaimo in January
Estimated hotel price
C$ 130
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 miles from the city centre. Further away is Nanaimo Arpt, 8 miles from the centre of Nanaimo.

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$ 59 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Vancouver, expect to pay about C$ 163 for a 7h 32m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Nanaimo is to pick up a car rental from Vancouver, which is about 38 miles from Nanaimo. You’ll find branches of Routes Car & Truck Rentals and NextCar, among others, in Vancouver.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Nanaimo, including Amtrak, BC Ferries Connector and Bus. From Seattle, the bus ride to Nanaimo takes 165 miles and will cost you around C$ 153. From Cordova Bay, the ticket costs about C$ 84 for a journey of 208 miles.

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 miles from the city centre. Further away is Nanaimo Arpt, 8 miles from the centre of Nanaimo.

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$ 59 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Vancouver, expect to pay about C$ 163 for a 7h 32m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Nanaimo is to pick up a car rental from Vancouver, which is about 38 miles from Nanaimo. You’ll find branches of Routes Car & Truck Rentals and NextCar, among others, in Vancouver.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Nanaimo, including Amtrak, BC Ferries Connector and Bus. From Seattle, the bus ride to Nanaimo takes 165 miles and will cost you around C$ 153. From Cordova Bay, the ticket costs about C$ 84 for a journey of 208 miles.

Airports near Nanaimo

YVRVancouver Intl
YCDNanaimo Arpt
ZNANanaimo Harbour

Airlines serving Nanaimo

Lufthansa
Good (7,073 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,344 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,888 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (7,946 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,595 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,799 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,729 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,451 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (789 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,731 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,229 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,571 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (9,338 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,360 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,071 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (350 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (10,036 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,279 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,867 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,294 reviews)
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Where to stay in Nanaimo

If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Waterfront Suites and Marina and Harbour Light Motel. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Nanaimo, with prices from C$ 102 to C$ 216 per night. Downtown is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Nanaimo are about 172% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Where to stay in popular areas of Nanaimo

Most booked hotels in Nanaimo

See all
Kiwi Cove Lodge
0 stars
Excellent (8.9, Excellent reviews)
C$ 225+
View
Coast Bastion Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, Excellent reviews)
C$ 216+
View
Courtyard by Marriott Nanaimo
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
C$ 188+
View
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ladysmith Oyster Bay
2 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
C$ 188+
View
Best Western Dorchester Hotel
2 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
C$ 162+
View
Painted Turtle Guesthouse
1 star
Good (7.5, Good reviews)
C$ 64+
View

Renting a car in Nanaimo

Renting a car in Nanaimo costs C$ 94 per day, on average, or C$ 189 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 2 miles from the downtown.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 41% more expensive than at Vancouver Intl.

Expect to pay C$ 1.62 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$ 19.42 and C$ 25.89.

Renting a car in Nanaimo costs C$ 94 per day, on average, or C$ 189 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 2 miles from the downtown.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 41% more expensive than at Vancouver Intl.

Expect to pay C$ 1.62 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$ 19.42 and C$ 25.89.

Best car rental deals in Nanaimo

Economy

2 adults, 2 Bags

C$ 47/day

Economy

Compact

4 adults, 2 Bags

C$ 47/day

Compact
Find car rentals in Nanaimo

Nanaimo Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Nanaimo city guide for the best Nanaimo travel tips. To help you organize your Nanaimo trip ideas, this Nanaimo visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.