Introduction
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. We recommend you stay at least 4 days in order to fully appreciate everything Nanaimo has to offer.

Article

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 February
Estimated hotel price
$90
1 night at 3-star hotel
Nanaimo in February
Estimated hotel price
$90
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Nanaimo in July, when the average temperature is 62.6 °F, and the highest can go up to 71.6 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 32 °F, with an average temperature of 35.6 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in November, when precipitation is around 6.3″. In contrast, July is usually the driest month of the year in Nanaimo, with an average rainfall of 0.8″.

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

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Nanaimo, followed by VIA Rail Canada. The train journey from Nanaimo to Everett takes 3h 09m and costs around $56 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Seattle, expect to pay about $48 for a 4h 00m 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 NextCar and Europcar, among others, in Vancouver.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Nanaimo, including Amtrak, Ebus and Bus. From Seattle, the bus ride to Nanaimo takes 165 miles and will cost you around $110. From Kamloops, the ticket costs about $111 for a journey of 275 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 center. Further away is Nanaimo Arpt, 8 miles from the center of Nanaimo.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Nanaimo, followed by VIA Rail Canada. The train journey from Nanaimo to Everett takes 3h 09m and costs around $56 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Seattle, expect to pay about $48 for a 4h 00m 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 NextCar and Europcar, among others, in Vancouver.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Nanaimo, including Amtrak, Ebus and Bus. From Seattle, the bus ride to Nanaimo takes 165 miles and will cost you around $110. From Kamloops, the ticket costs about $111 for a journey of 275 miles.

Airports near Nanaimo

YVRVancouver Intl
YCDNanaimo Arpt
ZNANanaimo Harbour

Airlines serving Nanaimo

Lufthansa
Good (7,044 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,334 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,836 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,588 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (7,935 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,790 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,698 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,446 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (780 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,696 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,215 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,563 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (9,244 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,349 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (346 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,069 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,275 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (9,967 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,851 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,292 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Nanaimo

If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Waterfront Suites and Marina and Days Inn by Wyndham Nanaimo. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Nanaimo, with prices from $73 to $1,157 per night. Downtown is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Nanaimo are about 42% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Most popular hotel in Nanaimo by neighborhood

Where to stay in popular areas of Nanaimo

Most booked hotels in Nanaimo

See all
Kiwi Cove Lodge
0 stars
Excellent (8.9, 358 reviews)
$161+
View
Coast Bastion Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 1133 reviews)
$155+
View
Courtyard by Marriott Nanaimo
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, 231 reviews)
$135+
View
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ladysmith Oyster Bay
2 stars
Excellent (8.3, 522 reviews)
$132+
View
Harbour Light Motel
2 stars
Good (7.7, 1386 reviews)
$74+
View
Painted Turtle Guesthouse
1 star
Good (7.5, 750 reviews)
$46+
View

Renting a car in Nanaimo

Renting a car in Nanaimo costs $52 per day, on average, or $209 if you want to rent if for 4 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 city center.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 12% more expensive than at Vancouver Intl.

Expect to pay $4.69 per gallon in Nanaimo (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $56.33 and $75.10.

Renting a car in Nanaimo costs $52 per day, on average, or $209 if you want to rent if for 4 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 city center.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 12% more expensive than at Vancouver Intl.

Expect to pay $4.69 per gallon in Nanaimo (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $56.33 and $75.10.

Best car rental deals in Nanaimo

Economy

2 Adults, 2 Bags

$29/day

Economy

Supplier choice

5 Adults, 5 Bags

$31/day

Supplier choice
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.