Getting Around Kamloops
Kamloops sits in the Thompson Valley at the meeting of the North and South Thompson Rivers, and its neighbourhoods stretch out along those river valleys and up onto the surrounding hillsides. That geography shapes how you'll move around: the downtown core is compact and pleasant on foot, but many of the places you might want to reach are spread out, so a mix of walking, buses, and taxis or ride-hailing is the practical approach for most visitors.
Rail Service
Kamloops has a long railway history — the Canadian Pacific Railway arrived in the 1880s and the Canadian National followed in the early 20th century, making the city an important transportation hub. Today, passenger rail is a scenic and long-distance option rather than a way to get around town.
- VIA Rail's The Canadian stops at Kamloops North station, which is located north of downtown. The train runs between Toronto and Vancouver up to three times per week, with stops in both directions in medium to large cities and tourist destinations such as Sudbury, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, and Jasper. It can offer scenic views of the Canadian Rockies depending on the schedule, since the train operates day and night. This service also connects with another route travelling between Jasper and Prince Rupert.
- The Rocky Mountaineer, a private luxury sightseeing train, makes overnight stops in Kamloops when travelling between Vancouver and Banff, or Vancouver and Jasper. It stops at its own rail yard north of Kamloops North station. Passengers are transferred to their hotels by bus to spend the night and are asked to make their own dinner arrangements in town.
Note that the old train station in downtown Kamloops no longer serves passenger trains — it is now a steakhouse. The Rocky Mountaineer passes through the downtown area on its way to and from Banff and Lake Louise but does not stop there.
Buses and Public Transit
Local public transit in Kamloops is operated by BC Transit through the Kamloops Transit System. It's an adequate, if not stellar, way to get around: you can reach almost anywhere in town on the bus routes. For visitors, the key practical points are:
- Pay a cash fare on board, or buy a day pass if you'll be making several trips.
- Drivers do not carry change, so have the correct fare ready.
- For route and fare information, contact BC Transit's Kamloops Transit System.
There is also a regional service: the Clearwater Regional Transit System operates a bus route between Kamloops and Clearwater a couple of days per week, which is useful if you're heading north into that part of the Interior.
Long-Distance Buses
Kamloops is a stop on several intercity coach routes, which is handy if you're arriving from or continuing on to other parts of British Columbia and Alberta.
- Ebus operates several routes serving Kamloops, including from Vancouver (with stops in Merritt, Hope, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, and Surrey), from Kelowna (with stops in Chase, Sorrento, Salmon Arm, Enderby, Armstrong, and Vernon), from Prince George (with stops in Savona, Cache Creek, Clinton, 70 Mile House, 100 Mile House, Lac La Hache, Williams Lake, Quesnel, and Hixon), and from Calgary, Banff, Golden, Revelstoke, and Salmon Arm.
- Rider Express runs multiple days per week along the Trans-Canada Highway between Calgary and Vancouver, with stops including Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, Golden, Revelstoke, Sicamous, Salmon Arm, Sorrento, Chase, Kamloops, Merritt, Hope, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, and Surrey. It also offers seasonal service from Kelowna.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis and ride-hailing services are available in Kamloops and are a good option for trips that are awkward by bus, such as reaching the train station north of downtown or getting across the valley in the evening.
- Yellow Cabs Kamloops is one local taxi company.
- Kami Cabs is another taxi option in the city.
- For ride-hailing, both Kabu and Uber operate in Kamloops.
Walking
Downtown Kamloops is compact and sits in the valley near the confluence of the Thompson River's north and south branches, which makes the core quite walkable for a visitor. Beyond the centre, though, the city spreads out — suburbs extend along both river branches and up onto the steep hillsides — so walking works well for exploring downtown and nearby areas, but you'll want wheels for anything farther afield. Kamloops is also a notable cycling destination, home to Canada's largest municipal bike park, the Kamloops Bike Ranch, and often described as the birthplace of freeride mountain biking.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Kamloops Airport (YKA) is the main air gateway to the city. Flights operate to and from Calgary, Vancouver, Prince George, and Edmonton (seasonally). Airlines serving Kamloops include Air Canada, Pacific Coastal Airlines, and WestJet.
Once you land, the practical ways into town are by taxi or ride-hailing — both are available in the city — or by arranging a rental car if you plan to explore the surrounding Thompson Country. If you're relying on public transit, note that the local bus system covers most of town, but you should check current routes and schedules with BC Transit before you arrive, since airport service is not guaranteed to fit your flight time.
Getting Here by Car
If you're driving, both major highways in western Canada pass through Kamloops. Highway 1 (the Trans-Canada Highway) comes from Vancouver through the Fraser Valley to Hope, up the Fraser Canyon to Lytton, and through Cache Creek to Kamloops; east of the city it continues through Salmon Arm, Revelstoke, Rogers Pass, and Golden toward Banff and Calgary. Highway 5 (the South Yellowhead Highway) leads to Kamloops from Jasper and Edmonton. The Coquihalla portion of Highway 5 provides a much quicker route from Vancouver, taking you through Hope and Merritt — it's considerably less scenic than the Trans-Canada route, and because it's a high-altitude road it can become dangerous in winter, with sudden weather changes making it icy, snow-covered, or impassible. Check road conditions before you set out.