Not only is Castlegar located at the confluence of the Columbia and Kootenay rivers, it’s conveniently based where Highways 3, 3A and 22 meet. It’s also where the West Kootenay Regional Airport can be found.
Air Canada Jazz has regular flights to and from Vancouver and Calgary. There is a Shuttle Service from the airport and Practicar has a location downtown. There are also public bus routes between Trail and Nelson. For service to and from the airport, take the #33 bus from the Castlegar Community Complex or call Castlegar Taxi at 250-687-0133. Reservations are encouraged.
It’s always a good idea to check the DriveBC Road Conditions before your trip.
From Vancouver
Travel time: 7 Hours
Castlegar is located 619 kilometres east of Vancouver. The drive begins on the Trans-Canada Highway but soon turns onto Highway 3, a less-busy thoroughfare that takes you past small communities and beautiful scenery that includes turquoise lakes, vineyards, and ponderosa pine forests.
From Calgary
Travel time: 7 Hours
From Calgary you’ll enjoy a 615-kilometre cruise through the Rocky Mountains and past some of the highlights of the East Kootenays. The scenic wonders include wide river valleys, quaint communities, and distant snow-capped peaks. It doesn’t take long to realize why this area of the world is a natural playground.
From Kelowna
Travel time: 4 Hours
There are two ways to travel from Kelowna. The more direct route is 311 kilometres long and travels the forested plateau of Highway 33 to Highway 3. Alternatively, a longer but more beautiful route travels 385 kilometres along Highway 6 from Vernon across a small free ferry at Fauquier and down the pristine Slocan Valley.
From Spokane
Travel time: 3 Hours
Castlegar is an easy drive from Spokane, the second-largest city in Washington State. Take Highway 2 north for 144 miles or 232 kilometres to the Nelway Border Crossing — you’ll want to bring your passport and be sure of its hours of operation. The border is an hour’s drive from Castlegar.
Flights From Vancouver
Travel time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes
Air Canada is currently offering flights from the Vancouver airport to the West Kootenay Regional Airport, located 10 minutes from downtown Castlegar. The current schedule has flights arriving five days a week. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays
Ground Transportation
Shuttle Option
Kootenay Charters is currently offering corporate and private chartered shuttles in Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, Rossland, Creston, Grand Forks and anywhere in between. The region’s leading option for coach bus, school bus, mini bus or passenger van charters.
Border crossings Hours
- Paterson BC/Frontier WA 24 hours
- Waneta BC/Boundary WA 9am to 5pm
- Nelway BC/Metaline WA 8am to 8pm