---
title: "Getting to Prince George: airport, highways, train and bus"
description: "Reaching Prince George by air, road and rail: YXS airport, Highways 16 and 97, VIA Rail’s Jasper–Prince Rupert train, buses and driving distances."
url: https://princegeorgepulse.ca/visit/getting-here-and-around/
markdown: https://princegeorgepulse.ca/visit/getting-here-and-around.md
site: PG Pulse (https://princegeorgepulse.ca), The pulse of Prince George, British Columbia
generated: 2026-10-16T15:49:57.275Z
---

# Getting to Prince George and getting around

Reaching Prince George by air, road and rail: YXS airport, Highways 16 and 97, VIA Rail’s Jasper–Prince Rupert train, buses and driving distances.

Updated September 30, 2026

![The Prince George VIA Rail station, a low building beside the tracks downtown](https://princegeorgepulse-media.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/prince-george/guides/prince-george-via-rail-station-low-building-beside-c94361-1280.webp)

Photo: Nils Öberg, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

## At a glance

- Prince George Airport (YXS) has daily flights to Vancouver and Calgary, plus Victoria and regional routes.
- Highway 16 (east–west) and Highway 97 (north–south) cross in the city, beside Mr. PG.
- VIA Rail’s Jasper–Prince Rupert train stops overnight in Prince George, about three times a week each way.
- Vancouver is about 780 km by road (roughly 8.5 to 9 hours); Jasper is about 375 km; Edmonton about 735 km.
- BC Transit runs the city bus system, linking downtown, UNBC, College Heights and the Hart.

Prince George is the crossroads of northern British Columbia. Two highways, two rail lines and a busy regional airport meet here, so getting in is straightforward from almost anywhere in Western Canada. This guide covers every way to arrive and how to get around once you are here.

## By air: Prince George Airport (YXS)

**Prince George Airport** sits on the plateau southeast of downtown, about a 15-minute drive from the city centre. It is a Canada Border Services Agency airport of entry.

- **Scheduled routes:** daily flights to **Vancouver** and **Calgary**, service to **Victoria**, and regional flights to northern and central BC communities and Edmonton. Seasonal winter sun flights to Mexico have operated in recent years.
- **Airlines:** Air Canada Express, WestJet and regional carriers such as Pacific Coastal and Central Mountain Air have served YXS. Routes change, so check the airport’s website.
- **The runway:** extended in 2009 to **3,490 m (11,450 ft)**, one of the longest in Canada.
- **Ground transport:** taxis and car rentals at the terminal.

![The terminal building at Prince George Airport](https://princegeorgepulse-media.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/prince-george/guides/terminal-building-prince-george-airport-17cc14-1280.webp)

The terminal at Prince George Airport (YXS). Photo: Alasdair McLellan, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

## By road

Prince George sits where **Highway 16** meets **Highway 97**, a junction marked by the city’s mascot, **Mr. PG**.

- **Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway)** runs east to McBride, Jasper and Edmonton, and west to Vanderhoof, Smithers, Terrace and Prince Rupert.
- **Highway 97 south (Cariboo Highway)** runs to Quesnel, Williams Lake and Cache Creek, connecting to routes to Kamloops and Vancouver.
- **Highway 97 north (John Hart Highway)** crosses the Pine Pass to Chetwynd, Dawson Creek and the start of the Alaska Highway.

### Approximate driving distances

| Destination | Distance | Typical drive |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Quesnel | 120 km | 1.5 hours |
| Vanderhoof | 100 km | 1 hour |
| McBride | 210 km | 2.5 hours |
| Jasper, AB | 375 km | 4 to 4.5 hours |
| Dawson Creek | 400 km | 4.5 hours |
| Kamloops | 525 km | 5.5 to 6 hours |
| Prince Rupert | 720 km | 8 hours |
| Edmonton, AB | 735 km | 7.5 to 8 hours |
| Vancouver | 780 km | 8.5 to 9 hours |

Times are for good conditions without long stops. Winter weather, construction and wildlife can add hours.

### Driving tips

- **Winter tires** are required on most highways around Prince George from **October 1 to April 30**.
- Check **[DriveBC](https://www.drivebc.ca/)** for closures, avalanche control and construction, especially on Highway 16 east and the Pine Pass.
- Watch for **moose and deer**, particularly at dawn and dusk.
- Fuel up before long stretches; services can be far apart.
- In summer, wildfires can close highways. Check the [wildfire dashboard](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/dashboard/wildfire/).

## By rail: VIA Rail

VIA Rail’s **Jasper–Prince Rupert train** runs through Prince George several times a week in each direction on the historic Grand Trunk Pacific line.

- **Eastbound** to McBride and Jasper, where you can connect with VIA’s transcontinental _Canadian_.
- **Westbound** to Vanderhoof, Smithers, Terrace and Prince Rupert, with ferry connections on the coast.
- The journey is split into daylight legs, with passengers staying **overnight in Prince George**. Book your own hotel.
- The station is downtown, within walking distance of hotels and restaurants.

It is one of the most scenic rail trips in Canada, following the Fraser toward Mount Robson and the Skeena River to the sea.

Freight lines run by CN connect Prince George with Edmonton, Prince Rupert and, via the former BC Rail line, Vancouver and the Peace River region, but there is no passenger service on the southern line.

![The steel Grand Trunk Pacific railway bridge crossing the Fraser River at Prince George](https://princegeorgepulse-media.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/prince-george/guides/steel-grand-trunk-pacific-railway-bridge-crossing-fraser-2be75e-1000.webp)

The Grand Trunk Pacific bridge over the Fraser, still used by trains today. Photo: waferboard, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

## By bus

Intercity bus service in northern BC has changed several times in recent years. Check current operators and schedules for connections to Vancouver, Edmonton and northern communities before you travel. Tourism Prince George can help with up-to-date options.

## Getting around the city

### Transit

**BC Transit** operates the city bus network, with routes connecting **downtown**, **UNBC**, **CNC**, **College Heights**, the **Hart**, and major shopping areas. Buses run less often in the evenings and on Sundays, so check schedules and use real-time tracking where available.

### Driving and parking

Most visitors drive. The main routes are straightforward:

- **Highway 97** runs north–south through the bowl, as Central Street for much of its length.
- **Highway 16** runs east–west past downtown, crossing the Fraser on the Yellowhead Bridge.
- **Ospika Boulevard** and **Foothills Boulevard** are key cross-town routes.

In much of the bowl, north–south streets are named alphabetically after early residents and avenues are numbered from north to south. Downtown uses a rotated grid. Parking is generally easy outside of big events.

### Walking and cycling

Downtown is compact and walkable, and the riverside **Heritage River Trail** links it to Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park, Cottonwood Island Park and other green spaces. Cycling is popular in summer, with trail connections around the bowl. See [parks and trails](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/visit/parks-and-trails/).

### Taxis

Local taxi companies serve the city and the airport. Book ahead for early flights and busy weekend nights.

## Before you travel

- Check the [weather dashboard](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/dashboard/weather/) and road conditions.
- In spring, watch river levels on the [rivers dashboard](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/dashboard/rivers/).
- In summer, check [air quality](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/dashboard/air-quality/) if wildfire smoke is in the forecast.

## Related

- [Things to do in Prince George](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/visit/things-to-do/)
- [Day trips from Prince George](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/visit/day-trips/)
- [Neighbourhoods](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/explore/neighbourhoods/)

## Common questions

**How far is Prince George from Vancouver?**

About 780 km by road via Highway 97 and either the Fraser Canyon or Highway 99, or roughly 8.5 to 9 hours of driving without long stops. Flights take about 1 hour 15 minutes.

**Can you take the train to Prince George?**

Yes. VIA Rail’s Jasper–Prince Rupert train serves Prince George several times a week. Passengers travelling the full route stay overnight in Prince George, and the train connects with VIA’s Canadian at Jasper.

**How do I get from the airport to downtown Prince George?**

The airport is on the plateau southeast of downtown, about a 15-minute drive. Taxis and rental cars are available at the terminal.

**Do I need a car in Prince George?**

A car is the easiest way to explore, especially for parks and day trips. Downtown is walkable and the BC Transit bus network connects the main neighbourhoods and UNBC.

## Sources

- [Prince George Airport (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_George_Airport)
- [Jasper–Prince Rupert train (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasper%E2%80%93Prince_Rupert_train)
- [Prince George, British Columbia: Transportation (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_George,_British_Columbia#Transportation)
- [McBride, British Columbia (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McBride,_British_Columbia)
- [Driving distance Prince George to Vancouver (Travelmath)](https://www.travelmath.com/driving-time/from/Prince+George,+Canada/to/Vancouver,+Canada)

## Official links

- [Prince George Airport (YXS)](https://www.pgairport.ca/)
- [VIA Rail: Jasper–Prince Rupert train](https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/trains/rockies-and-pacific/jasper-prince-rupert)
- [BC Transit: Prince George](https://www.bctransit.com/prince-george/)
- [DriveBC road conditions](https://www.drivebc.ca/)
- [Tourism Prince George visitor information](https://tourismpg.com/)

## On this page

- [By air: Prince George Airport (YXS)](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/visit/getting-here-and-around/#by-air-prince-george-airport-yxs)
- [By road](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/visit/getting-here-and-around/#by-road)
- [By rail: VIA Rail](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/visit/getting-here-and-around/#by-rail-via-rail)
- [By bus](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/visit/getting-here-and-around/#by-bus)
- [Getting around the city](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/visit/getting-here-and-around/#getting-around-the-city)
- [Before you travel](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/visit/getting-here-and-around/#before-you-travel)
- [Related](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/visit/getting-here-and-around/#related)

## Data

Machine-readable data behind this page, from the free PG Pulse API (https://princegeorgepulse.ca/developers/).

### Guide facts, FAQ and sources

Source: [PG Pulse guides (plain-language guides with links to official sources)](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/). Licence: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Updated 2026-09-30T00:00:00.000Z.
JSON: https://princegeorgepulse.ca/api/v1/guides/visit/getting-here-and-around?fields=summary,faq,officialLinks,sources,updated

- **summary**: Prince George Airport (YXS) has daily flights to Vancouver and Calgary, plus Victoria and regional routes., Highway 16 (east–west) and Highway 97 (north–south) cross in the city, beside Mr. PG., VIA Rail’s Jasper–Prince Rupert train stops overnight in Prince George, about three times a week each way., Vancouver is about 780 km by road (roughly 8.5 to 9 hours); Jasper is about 375 km; Edmonton about 735 km., BC Transit runs the city bus system, linking downtown, UNBC, College Heights and the Hart.
- **updated**: 2026-09-30T00:00:00.000Z

#### faq

| q | a |
| --- | --- |
| How far is Prince George from Vancouver? | About 780 km by road via Highway 97 and either the Fraser Canyon or Highway 99, or roughly 8.5 to 9 hours of driving without long stops. Flights take about 1 h… |
| Can you take the train to Prince George? | Yes. VIA Rail’s Jasper–Prince Rupert train serves Prince George several times a week. Passengers travelling the full route stay overnight in Prince George, and… |
| How do I get from the airport to downtown Prince George? | The airport is on the plateau southeast of downtown, about a 15-minute drive. Taxis and rental cars are available at the terminal. |
| Do I need a car in Prince George? | A car is the easiest way to explore, especially for parks and day trips. Downtown is walkable and the BC Transit bus network connects the main neighbourhoods a… |


#### officialLinks

| label | url |
| --- | --- |
| Prince George Airport (YXS) | https://www.pgairport.ca/ |
| VIA Rail: Jasper–Prince Rupert train | https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/trains/rockies-and-pacific/jasper-prince-rupert |
| BC Transit: Prince George | https://www.bctransit.com/prince-george/ |
| DriveBC road conditions | https://www.drivebc.ca/ |
| Tourism Prince George visitor information | https://tourismpg.com/ |


#### sources

| title | url |
| --- | --- |
| Prince George Airport (Wikipedia) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_George_Airport |
| Jasper–Prince Rupert train (Wikipedia) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasper%E2%80%93Prince_Rupert_train |
| Prince George, British Columbia: Transportation (Wikipedia) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_George,_British_Columbia#Transportation |
| McBride, British Columbia (Wikipedia) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McBride,_British_Columbia |
| Driving distance Prince George to Vancouver (Travelmath) | https://www.travelmath.com/driving-time/from/Prince+George,+Canada/to/Vancouver,+Canada |

---

Markdown version of https://princegeorgepulse.ca/visit/getting-here-and-around/. Guide for AI agents: https://princegeorgepulse.ca/llms.txt. Free API: https://princegeorgepulse.ca/developers/