Driving
If you will be driving to campus then check out this page for pricing on parking permits etc (update Jan 2024: I see that you can buy permits online now here). If you drive only occasionally then you can do day parking in the parking lots (the lots on the outside of the ring road are cheaper than the inside ones) or there is a ‘free’ place on Cedar Hill Cross (see photo below). It is technically 3hr parking along there but the police very rarely monitor it and when you do get a ticket it is $10 (parking for a the day on campus is $9). I (Kristina) have only gotten 2 tickets in the 7 years I have been here and for the first 2 years I parked there everyday. It is ~5-10 minute walk to the lab from there but it is a nice walk through the forest.
Tip for parking downtown - get the ParkVictoria app as you can stop your time and save money. Also extend your time from where ever.
Biking
Victoria has been focused on bettering bike commuting by building bike lanes and routes around town. Here is a map of the local bike lanes, this map extends up the peninsula and over to Sooke, and downtown you will find bike boxes. If you are unsure how to use a bike box take a look at this video. Unfortunately, bike theft is quite a problem in Victoria so it is recommended to invest in a good lock. Having an old beater bike is not a deterrent (Kristina had a bike from the 70s stolen and it was locked up next to a nice road bike). To help with this issue the city now has a free bike valet downtown. you can also register you bike with Project 529 and join The Stolen Bicycle Avengers facebook group. Last I knew you could also visit the security office on campus and get you bike engraved with your information as well.
There are many places to park a bike on campus whether it is just in the standard bike stands outside any building, in the Campus Bike Centre (under the Jamie Cassels Centre), the bike parkade near CARSA, or renting a bike storage locker. Check out this website for info for all things biking related on campus. Additionally, the Campus Bike Centre also often has tools and pumps for bike tune ups if needed.
Need a bike? There are quite a few options in Victoria as biking is a popular way to commute. You of course have your standard bike shops all around town but if you don’t want to spend the money on a new bike then you can check out these options.
Facebook marketplace
UVic used bike loan - BikeHub (used to be called Spokes)
Recyclistas bike shop - they build ‘new’ bikes out of usable parts off of old bikes
Public Transportation (Buses)
The bus system in Victoria is not actually that bad. People like to complain of course though. BC Transit runs the buses and they have real-time tracking of their buses on either their website, on the Transit app, or their new Umo app.
Graduate students get a bus pass as a part of their tuition package. Or you can opt-out by September 22 (for 2023 at least- this date might vary slightly through the years and I will likely not remember to update the date every year so check for your self :) ). In September 2023, the local bus system changed to a electronic fare system so the bus pass will no longer be linked with the ONEcard. You now have to download the Umo app and input your unique-to-you UVic benefit code. This page has the instructions. Or you can get a reloadable UMO card from on campus or a BC Transit vendor and load your bus pass onto through the website.
For PDFs or full time staff (i.e., salaried) you can get subsidized bus pass from the campus security office. These are are over 50% off the regular price. With the new system you still have to go to campus security to purchase it. There they will help you get the pass loaded onto your Umo app or a physical card. You can buy 30 day or 120 day passes which activate the first time you use them (so not the first day of the month).
If you need to get somewhere where the buses don’t go but don’t have a car then there are car shares throughout Victoria such as Modo and Evo (has roof racks for skis and bikes).