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 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything Nanaimo has to offer.

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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 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

VIA Rail Canada is the most popular train carrier serving Nanaimo, followed by Amtrak. The train journey from Nanaimo to Kamloops takes 12h 57m and costs around $70 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Winnipeg, expect to pay about $271 for a 60h 30m 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 Priceless, among others, in Vancouver.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Nanaimo, including Ebus, Amtrak and BC Ferries Connector. From Seattle, the bus ride to Nanaimo takes 165 miles and will cost you around $55. From Cordova Bay, the ticket costs about $65 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 center. Further away is Nanaimo Arpt, 8 miles from the center of Nanaimo.

Train

VIA Rail Canada is the most popular train carrier serving Nanaimo, followed by Amtrak. The train journey from Nanaimo to Kamloops takes 12h 57m and costs around $70 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Winnipeg, expect to pay about $271 for a 60h 30m 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 Priceless, among others, in Vancouver.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Nanaimo, including Ebus, Amtrak and BC Ferries Connector. From Seattle, the bus ride to Nanaimo takes 165 miles and will cost you around $55. From Cordova Bay, the ticket costs about $65 for a journey of 208 miles.

Airports near Nanaimo

YVRVancouver Intl
YCDNanaimo Arpt
ZNANanaimo Harbour

Airlines serving Nanaimo

KLM
Good (1,405 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,555 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,001 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,496 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,031 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,778 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,007 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,003 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,402 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,661 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,484 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (864 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,410 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,560 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,241 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,053 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,133 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,335 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,393 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (369 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Nanaimo

If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include The Waterfront Suites And Marina and Travelodge by Wyndham Nanaimo. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Nanaimo, with prices from $57 to $224 per night. Downtown is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Nanaimo are about 143% 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, 376 reviews)
$160+
View
Coast Bastion Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 1254 reviews)
$125+
View
Courtyard by Marriott Nanaimo
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, 296 reviews)
$121+
View
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ladysmith Oyster Bay
2 stars
Excellent (8.4, 576 reviews)
$132+
View
Best Western Dorchester Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 1258 reviews)
$95+
View
Painted Turtle Guesthouse
1 star
Good (7.9, 823 reviews)
$73+
View

Renting a car in Nanaimo

Renting a car in Nanaimo costs $42 per day, on average, or $125 if you want to rent if for 3 days. Budget, National and Enterprise Rent-A-Car 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, 11% more expensive than at Vancouver Intl.

Expect to pay $4.28 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 $51.33 and $68.44. The most frequently booked car type in Nanaimo is Compact (Nissan Versa or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Full-size rental cars (Jeep Wrangler Unlimited or similar) are, on average, 42% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Nanaimo costs $42 per day, on average, or $125 if you want to rent if for 3 days. Budget, National and Enterprise Rent-A-Car 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, 11% more expensive than at Vancouver Intl.

Expect to pay $4.28 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 $51.33 and $68.44. The most frequently booked car type in Nanaimo is Compact (Nissan Versa or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Full-size rental cars (Jeep Wrangler Unlimited or similar) are, on average, 42% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Best car rental deals in Nanaimo

Supplier choice

5 Adults, 5 Bags

$29/day

Supplier choice

Economy

2 Adults, 2 Bags

$29/day

Economy
Find car rentals in Nanaimo