West Coast Trail Express

Do you allow dogs on the bus?
Small/medium sized dogs may be accepted on the bus as long as there are no objections from other passengers. Consequently, we can not make reservations for passengers with dogs. There is a $20.00 charge, and dogs are not allowed on the seats.

Are there later departure times from Victoria?
The bus departs Victoria once a day – at 6:15 AM from in front of the Pacific Coach Lines Bus Terminal at 700 Douglas Street.

Are there any other pick up locations from Victoria other than the bus station?
We don’t encourage other places but, we can pick up at the bus stop at Helmkin Interchange, & the Chevron Gas Station across from the RCMP Station on V M Parkway if pre-arranged.

Why do you have different fares to & from Nanaimo?

We hire another bus company to pick up and drop off passengers in Nanaimo. They meet our bus at Honeymoon Bay ( which is on our route to Bamfield and Port Renfrew). We require a minimum of 4 passengers with reservations to maintain the price as shown in our chart of fares. When there are less than 4 passengers who want reservations, they should contact our office directly. The extra cost for 3 passengers is $10 each, 2 passengers is $20 each, 1 passenger is $75. We will refund all additional charges if we subsequently receive reservations from 4 or more passengers.

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If I make a reservation for my return trip, what happens if I come off the trail on a different day?
Passengers with reservations for a return trip have priority seating. If you end your hike early or up to two days late, you will be offered the first available seats on the bus before those passengers who did not make a reservation. This only applies between June 15th through September 15th. This does not guarantee seats will be available. Passengers with reservations come first, priority seating – second, walk ons – last.

I had a return reservation, but the bus was full when I came off the trail early/late. Can I get a refund?
WCTE only guarantees seats for passengers on the day of their reservation. Passengers who come off the trail early and do not take the bus should contact WCTE immediately. A partial refund may be available if advanced notice is given. Refunds are not given once the reservation date has passed. Passengers who are more than two days late, but find that the bus is full (and therefore WCTE is unable to offer seats under the priority seating policy) will not receive a refund, but can take the bus the following day if there is room.

I want to book a trip from Port Alberni to Bamfield– When does that bus run?
We no longer have any bus service for Port Alberni. Contact the Lady Rose Ferry at 1-800-663-7192.

I want to book a trip from Nanaimo to Bamfield (or Port Renfrew) – When does that bus run?
We depart from the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal in Nanaimo at 8:40 AM. It is not a daily service. Reservations are required. With a minimum of 4 passengers we can maintain our posted price. You must call our office to make these reservations.

Is there a place to camp at the WCT trail heads?
Yes, there is the Pachena Bay Campground near Bamfield and the Pacheedaht First Nations Campground at San Juan Beach near the West Coast Trail Office and Ferry at Gordon River.

I’m hiking the JDF trail & need a ride between trail heads; how I catch the bus?
The bus between Victoria and Port Renfrew can make stops for Jordan River, China Beach, Sombrio Beach and Parkinson Creek. The bus does not leave the highway. Those wishing to catch the bus at one of these trail heads must hike up to the highway to meet the bus. Reservations are strongly advised. The last stop for the bus is Port Renfrew: The Botanical Beach trailhead is a 2.0 km. walk from this point.

Is the bus included in the fees charged by the West Coast Trail Office / Parks Canada?
West Coast Trail Express is a private company and transportation with us is not included in fees paid to Parks Canada.

I am taking the bus from Victoria to Bamfield/Pachena Bay. Is there a place to stop for a snack along the way?
The bus stops briefly in Port Renfrew before it continues along to Bamfield. There may be time to quickly purchase a snack for consumption on the bus but there is not enough time to dine in Port Renfrew. Please consult the driver before exiting the bus in Port Renfrew.

Can I take the bus from Mill Bay, Duncan, Ladysmith or Chemanius to Bamfield?
No. The regular bus travels between Victoria, Port Renfrew and Bamfield using a combination of Highway 14 and logging roads. It does not travel up the Trans-Canada Highway between Victoria and Nanaimo. You can meet our bus at Honeymoon Bay at 9:45 AM

Does the bus always run on schedule?
Departure times going to the trail are usually on schedule, so it’s a good idea to plan on being 10 minutes early to catch the bus and get your bags on board. Due to conditions beyond our control, such as excessive logging traffic or the poor condition of the logging roads, we often have difficulty being on time for the return trips. Departures from Pachena Bay may be 15 minutes late, and departures from Port Renfrew and the Juan de Fuca trail heads are occasionally as much as 30 minutes late.

I’m travelling to Washington State after my hike. Will I be able to catch the 7 PM ferry?
No. The WCTE bus is not scheduled to arrive in Victoria before 7 PM and may encounter delays en route. Please see above.

Where do I catch the bus in Port Renfrew?

If you are hiking the Juan de Fuca Trail, you can catch the bus at the road intersection by the Port Renfrew Hotel. ( Medd’s Parking, and the Lighthouse Pub sign are also at this corner)

If you are hiking the WCT, you can also get the bus from the San Juan Bistro ( ½ km up the road), the WCT Registration Office, the Gordon River Ferry, or the Parking Lot at Gordon River.

How do I get to the WCT Registration Offices?

For the Port Renfrew Trail Head Office, follow the signs as you are entering Port Renfrew. It is on the Pacheedhadt Reservation beside the Gordon River Ferry. ( see following answer).

The Bamfield Trail Head Office is 4 km. south of the town of Bamfield.

How do I get to the parking lot at Gordon River?

Turn right at the road across from the Recreation Cente. You will go down a slight hill, cross a bridge, and go onto the Pacheedaht Reserve. Keep left at the fork in the road. You will cross over 4 speed bumps as you pass through the reserve. It’s about 500 meters past the West Coast Trail Registration Office / Gordon River ferry, & on the same side of the road.

Where can I stay, that is close to the bus station in Victoria?

There are dozens of hotels within walking distance. You can look at our web site for links to some recommended places, including a few hostels. From the ‘home’ page, go to the ‘links’ page, then go to 'accommodations'.