British Columbia
British Columbia draws travelers to Pacific beaches, rainforest, mountain towns and the lakeside wine country of the Okanagan.
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British Columbia is Canada's westernmost province, on the Pacific coast and bordered by the United States to the south. Vancouver, on the mainland, is the largest city. Victoria, the provincial capital, sits on Vancouver Island across the Strait of Georgia. Inland, mountain ranges, forests and lakes take over, and the Okanagan Valley around Kelowna is wine country. First Nations have lived on this land for thousands of years. The Haida of Haida Gwaii, an archipelago off the north coast, are known for their carving, including totem poles.
The province suits trips that mix city time with the outdoors. A common route starts in Vancouver, takes a ferry to Vancouver Island, and stops in Tofino for surf beaches and rainforest walks. Others add a ski week in Whistler or a few days of wine tasting in the Okanagan. Summer and early fall are the most reliable months for hiking, coast trips and lake days. Plan at least a week for one region, and about two weeks to cover the coast and the interior.
British Columbia in five
- Get an eTA before you flyVisitors from visa-exempt countries need an eTA to fly into Canada, and US citizens do not. Apply on the official government site before you book flights, not through a third-party service.Visas and entry
- Book the BC Ferries crossing to Vancouver IslandThe Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay sailing to Victoria often fills in summer, and vehicle reservations are advised. Arrive early on the day if you have no booking.Vancouver Island
- Tap a Compass Card on Vancouver transitSkyTrain, buses and SeaBus need a tap at the start and end of every trip. If you forget to tap out, you are charged the maximum fare.Vancouver
- Check DriveBC before mountain highwaysSnow and closures on the Coquihalla and the Sea to Sky Highway can change within hours. Check DriveBC for live road conditions and winter tire rules before you drive.Getting around
- Download offline maps for the west coastMobile signal drops on much of the road to Tofino and across Haida Gwaii, so download offline maps before you leave the main towns.Phones and eSIM
Neighborhoods
Where to stay in British Columbia, the full guide
Kelowna
- Price band: $$
Whistler
- Price band: $$$$
Tofino
- Price band: $$$
Vancouver
Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada where mountains, ocean and Stanley Park sit close to downtown.
Things to do in British Columbia
See all attractions in British Columbia
Need to know
- Currency
- Canadian dollar (CAD)
- Entry
- eTA for most visa-exempt visitors arriving by air; US citizens exempt Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- 15 to 20 percent at restaurants; about 10 to 15 percent for taxis
- Time
- UTC-8; UTC-7 in daylight saving time, from March to November
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryWet, mild
- FebruaryWet, mild
- MarchEarly spring
- AprilCherry blossom
- MayMild, showers
- JuneLong days
- JulyDry, warm
- AugustDry, warm
- SeptemberMild, calm
- OctoberRain returns
- NovemberWet, quiet
- DecemberShort days, wet
Right now in British Columbia
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
-1
- Feels like
- -4°
- Humidity
- 78%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
British Columbia
01:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today4°-1°100%Monday: Snow. High 4°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue3°1°52%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 3°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 52%.
- Wed5°0°47%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 5°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Thu6°-1°40%Thursday: Drizzle. High 6°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 40%.
- Fri6°-2°34%Friday: Snow. High 6°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 34%.
- Sat3°-2°38%Saturday: Snow. High 3°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 38%.
- Sun6°-2°48%Sunday: Snow. High 6°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 48%.
Updated 09:23 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.397 CAD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Whistlerabout 2 hours by carMountain village with lifts, trails and the Sea to Sky views.Read the guide
- Victoriaabout 1.5 hours by ferry, plus the drive to the terminalHarbor town with the Inner Harbour and the Royal BC Museum.Read the guide
- Kelownaabout 4 hours by carLakeside base for orchards, beaches and Okanagan cellars.Read the guide
Before you go to British Columbia
Rules for British Columbia, checked
- Declare all food, plants, animal products and firearms at the border; undeclared items can be seized.Source
- Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve on Haida Gwaii needs advance reservations; check the Parks Canada rules before you go.
- Bears live across the province; store food and garbage in sealed containers and follow the BC Parks rules at each site.Source
Plan around British Columbia
Seawall, SkyTrain and the North Shore mountains
Read the guideVancouver IslandVictoria, the ferry and the island's south
Read the guideWhistlerSki village about two hours north on the Sea to Sky
Read the guideTofinoSurf, rainforest and the Pacific coast of the island
Read the guideOkanagan ValleyLakes, orchards and cellars around Kelowna
Read the guideGetting aroundFerries, trains and rental cars across the province
Read the guideBritish Columbia FAQ
Do you need an eTA to visit British Columbia?
Most visa-exempt visitors who fly in need an eTA, applied for online before the flight. US citizens do not need one. Apply only through the official Canadian government site.
Do you need a car in British Columbia?
Not for Vancouver, where transit covers the city and the airport. A car is the practical choice for Whistler, the Okanagan wineries and Tofino. The Sea to Sky drive from Vancouver to Whistler takes about two hours.
Is Vancouver or Victoria better?
Vancouver for city life, food and mountains; Victoria for a quieter harbor town. Vancouver suits a first trip. Add Victoria with a night if you have four days or more.
What is the best time to visit British Columbia?
June to September for dry weather and long days. Winter suits skiing at Whistler, and autumn is mild in Vancouver, though the rain returns.
How many days do you need in British Columbia?
Five or six days covers Vancouver and a day trip to Victoria or Whistler. Add the Okanagan or the west coast of Vancouver Island for a longer loop, since drives are long.