Major city · Canada
Comox
Base in Comox or Courtenay for 2 nights if you ski Mount Washington or fish; otherwise see it as a half-day stop on the Island highway.
Comox is a town of about 15,000 on the east coast of Vancouver Island, 115 km north of Nanaimo, paired with Courtenay and Cumberland as the Comox Valley. It is a small, mild-climate base for Mount Washington skiing, Strathcona Provincial Park, fishing and golf, not a sightseeing city. Two nights covers the town and one big day out; one night is enough if you are passing through.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for dry, sunny weather; Dec–Mar for Mount Washington skiing
- avoid Oct–Mar for rain (about 80% of annual precipitation falls in this window)
- Airport
- YQQ
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Comox911 ▾
- Police, fire and ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Comox, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyComox is a low-crime small town and safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire and ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYQQ Comox Valley Regional Airport (Direct flights from Vancouver (35–40 min), Calgary (1.5 h) and Edmonton (1.75–2 h)…
- Getting aroundBC Transit (Comox Valley Regional Transit System) runs 13 routes, most through downtown Courtenay, with links to Comox, Cumberland, Royston…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeC$3–6 (≈ US$3–5) (2026 estimate)
- Sit-down mealPub main courseC$20–32 (≈ US$15–25) (2026 estimate)
- BeerDraught beerC$7–10 (≈ US$6–8) (2026 estimate)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxicheck
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30) (2026 estimate)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entryBy donation
- Budget bedHostel or shared bed, a night, per personC$45 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomC$180 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomC$320 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$160 (≈ US$120) · High C$280 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YQQ Comox Valley Regional Airport (Direct flights from Vancouver (35–40 min), Calgary (1.5 h) and Edmonton (1.75–2 h); some BC Transit service Mon–Sat.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Care
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Care
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
Care
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Care
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Mixed: Dec–Mar. Avoid: Oct–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Nov (19 rain days), driest Jul (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Comox: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
18 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
15 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
17 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
14 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
17 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
19 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
19 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
BC Transit (Comox Valley Regional Transit System) runs 13 routes, most through downtown Courtenay, with links to Comox, Cumberland, Royston, Fanny Bay and Oyster River (Mon–Sat). A car is the practical choice for Mount Washington, Strathcona and the ferry terminal. Taxis: Comox Taxi.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mount Washington Alpine Resort
goDoor to door: check
Drive from Comox; route and travel time check.
Skiing and snow sports in winter; hiking and mountain biking in summer. Check conditions before setting out.
Strathcona Provincial Park
goDoor to door: check
Drive; route and travel time to trailheads check.
Plan a full day; check trail conditions and access.
Cumberland
goDoor to door: check
Drive or take BC Transit from Courtenay; trip time check.
Historic mining village with cafés and mountain-bike trails.
Campbell River
goDoor to door: check
Drive north on Highway 19; travel time check.
A regional base for exploring the north of Vancouver Island.
Powell River
cautionDoor to door: check
BC Ferries from Comox (Little River); crossing takes 1 h 25 min.
Check the sailing timetable and fare before planning the trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown Comox
Walkable to the marina, restaurants and the Comox Archives & Museum; quiet at night.
Comox Marina area
Waterfront pubs and fish and chips; transient moorage for boaters.
Courtenay
Larger centre south of Comox with more hotels, shops and the nearest hospital; drive or BC Transit (check the trip time).
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$90–140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$150–230 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
- High
- C$250 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × C$180 | C$360 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × C$160 | C$640 |
| BC Transit day of local buses2 × C$6 · 2026 estimate; fare check. | C$12 |
| Mount Washington day lift ticket2 × C$100 · 2026 estimate; current ticket price check. | C$200 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 · 2026 estimate. | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$126 |
| Trip total≈ C$347 per person per day, bed included | C$1,388≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate; availability and local prices check.
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; flights, accommodation and ferry fares excluded. Prices vary by season.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$3–6 (≈ US$3–5) (2026 estimate) |
| Fish and chips at the marina | C$18–28 (≈ US$14–25) (2026 estimate) |
| Pub main course | C$20–32 (≈ US$15–25) (2026 estimate) |
| Draught beer | C$7–10 (≈ US$6–8) (2026 estimate) |
| 5 km taxi | check |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | C$20–40 (≈ US$15–30) (2026 estimate) |
| Museum entry | By donation |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter at sea level is mild and wet; pack rain gear from October to March.
- Check Mount Washington road conditions before driving up in winter; required tires or chains are unknown.
- The Comox (Little River) ferry connects to Powell River; check the timetable and fares.
- The nearest hospital is in Courtenay, not Comox.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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ComoxComox
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire and ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- BC Ferries Comox (Little River) → Powell River: 1 h 25 min crossing; sailing frequency and fare check.
- YQQ airport → downtown Comox taxi: Fare and travel time check.
- BC Transit local fare: Fare check.
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Excuse me — Excuse me
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
English is widely used.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Comox. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep for dry, sunny weather; Dec–Mar for Mount Washington skiing · avoid Oct–Mar for rain (about 80% of annual precipitation falls in this window) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YQQ: last flights, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown Comox, the marina, Courtenay.
- Place pages with verified hours (Comox Air Force Museum, Comox Archives & Museum, Filberg Lodge) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and ferry-day fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialTown of Comox
- officialComox Valley Regional Airport
- officialBC Ferries — Comox (Little River) terminal
- officialBC Transit — Comox Valley
- officialComox Air Force Museum
- officialComox Archives & Museum
- secondaryWikivoyage: Comox, revision 5003443 (CC BY-SA 4.0)