Penticton & Wine Country ~ Vineyards

Getting Around the Okanagan

Major Highways

mapPenticton has convenient access to major Provincial transportation corridors running north and south, east and west. It is located at the junction of the major north-south highway (#97) and the main east-west highway (3A), sometimes referred to as British Columbia's most important southern-interior crossroads. Situated just 380 km (242 miles) from Vancouver and 670 km (416 miles) from Calgary, Penticton has excellent access to the vibrant markets of Western Canada, the United States, and the Pacific Rim. Penticton is well-connected to the BC and Trans-Canada Highway system. The Coquihalla Highway and Okanagan Connector (Highway 97C), is a four-lane divided toll freeway which puts Vancouver and the West Coast within only a half day's drive.

Highway 97 runs from the Yukon and Alaska through the centre of British Columbia to Washington, Oregon and California. This natural transportation corridor provides access to a potential market of more than 40 million people.

The segment of this highway that runs through the Okanagan has been designated the "Wine Route" as this is Canada's second largest wine growing area.  There are many world-class wineries to visit along the way.


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Truck and Rail Services

Local trucking firms offer local, provincial, national, and international inter-modal freight services. In addition, over 30 companies pass through Penticton on a regular basis. These companies provide services to the Vancouver market and International Airport and to Pacific ports in Vancouver and Seattle as well as inter-connections across Canada and the United States. Penticton is one of two British Columbian satellite hub centres for the Burlington Northern Rail Inter-modal Service (the largest railway network in the United States). This service is the largest and most comprehensive in North America and combines the speed of trains with the door-to-door convenience of trucks. Goods destined for U.S. markets are placed in containers and transported from Penticton by truck to Spokane. Upon reaching Spokane, the containers are then transferred from truck to Burlington Northern Railway (BNR) trains which offers three day delivery for most products to any-where in the continental United States. Freight service is offered from Penticton to the rest of Canada by CN and CP railways.Top »


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Ports and Water Transportation

Within a half day's trucking time from Penticton, Vancouver Port Corporation » operates three major terminals, all equipped to handle any size ship, year round. Vancouver is the province's major sea port and the largest dry cargo dock on the North American pacific seaboard. Direct rail connections are available on most piers. Connections are also available for container traffic via the Port of Seattle ».Top »


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Coach and Transit Services

Greyhound Bus Lines provides daily passenger and parcel bus service to regional Okanagan communities. There are direct routes to most major cities in British Columbia and Alberta, and connections to other points in North America. The bus line also provides connections to its feeder airline facilities in Kelowna. Charter bus companies also serve destinations within BC and in the US. Greyhound Bus Schedule »

Penticton Transit has a modern fleet of "low floor" transit buses which are fully handicapped-accessible, serving the residential neighbourhoods and commercial area. Transit Info

Penticton's Transit schedules are posted on the Internet and maintained by BC Transit 
Penticton Bus Schedule - BC Transit »Top »