Getting Around Kelowna Without A Car | Bus Transit, Bike Routes, Car Sharing, Taxis, & Walking Paths

Kelowna, BC is a beautiful city with 144,000 residents located in the sunny Okanagan Valley, approximately 400km drive from Vancouver, BC.

Holiday tourists flock to Kelowna during summer to swim in Okanagan Lake, visit world-class wineries, and enjoy some of the best weather in British Columbia, Canada.

In winter, international travelers head to the ski hills to experience fresh powder days, mountain vistas, and fine dining at apres ski lodges.

If you don’t have the luxury of using your own car as your main mode of transportation, you can still navigate Kelowna & West Kelowna using a variety of public and private transport options.

This article shows you how to get around Kelowna via walking paths, cycling routes, public busses, taxi companies, e-Scooter rentals, ride shares, and car rental agencies.

You’ll dodge the high gas prices and be a little more eco-friendly on your journey. 

Bus Transit in Kelowna, British Columbia | Kelowna Transit Service

Kelowna’s public bus system is operated by BC Transit who is committed to providing an efficient and reliable Okanagan bus service.

Branching out from the Queensway main station, Kelowna bus routes travel as far as West Kelowna, Lake Country, and the Town of Peachland.

Every main line city bus in Kelowna is fully accessible with automated ramps, wheelchair-accessible seating, and bicycle racks.

An adult bus ticket in Kelowna costs $2.50 and gets you almost anywhere in the city.

If you plan on taking the bus regularly or as your main form of transportation in Kelowna, consider purchasing a book of tickets or a monthly pass for discounted prices.

For Kelowna bus schedules, maps, and bus fares, check the BC Transit website.

Cycling

Kelowna has worked hard to develop safe and accessible cycling infrastructure throughout town. Most streets in the downtown core and the outer neighbourhoods have designated bike lanes that are easily visible to cars.

Kelowna has two great great cycling trails that act as highways for cyclists:

• Mission Creek Greenway is an excellent way to get from the Rutland/East Kelowna areas of town towards the Lower Mission and Pandosy village areas

• The Rail Trail runs straight from the Kelowna Airport (YLW) all the way to downtown via Clement Ave

• For long-distance and multi-day trips, you can take the Kettle Valley Trail all the way from Kelowna to Castlegar

If you’re looking to purchase a new bicycle, upgrade bike parts, or purchase clothing & accessories, Kelowna has some great bike shops. If you need a tune up, Sovereign Cycle in Westbank and Kelowna Cycle (also known as The Hub) are known for their outstanding prices and skillful work. Kelowna E-Ride rents and sells electric bikes and conversion kits to turn your regular bike into an e-bike.

Electronic Scooter Rentals (e-Scooters)

Since 2020, Kelowna has adopted e-scooters as a form of shared transportation to get around the city.

Kelowna e-scooters are “stationless,” which means you don’t have to end your trip in a predetermined location.

Even if your destination is a winery, beach, or a downtown bar, you can get from A to B without having to return your scooter.

There are two E-scooter service providers in Kelowna:

• Lime

• ROLL

Lime scooters have a $1.15 unlock fee and charge an additional $0.35 per minute.

Roll scooters have a $1.00 unlock fee and charge an additional $0.35 per minute.

The only limit to the length of your ride is the amount of battery charge. E-Scooters can typically travel 55-70 km on a single charge.

Kelowna’s e-scooters are permitted anywhere bicycles and e-bikes can be ridden, including streets, designated bike lanes and sidewalks with the appropriate amount of caution and pedestrian awareness.

Most e-scooter service providers have designated zones that automatically limit your maximum speed or prohibit riding completely.

For more information about bylaws and operating guidelines for e scooters in Kelowna can be found on the city's website. For safety reasons, we recommend wearing your own helmet.

Getting Around Kelowna on Foot

Most areas of Kelowna are very walkable and easy to navigate as a pedestrian traveller.

In certain areas like downtown, exploring on foot is the ideal mode of transportation to experience the scenic walking paths and waterfront boardwalks.

Other Kelowna neighborhoods have strong elevation changes, which makes getting around without a car quite difficult.

The south side of Kelowna’s beautiful City Park connects to a tree-lined walking path down Abbott street that leads all the way to the South Pandosy.

In the North End, Waterfront Park connects the brewery district to the main downtown strip and Sails statue.

Most of the popular walking neighbourhoods have wide sidewalks to accommodate high foot traffic and anyone who prefers to rollerblade or skateboard.

Here are Kelowna’s most walkable neighborhoods:

• Downtown & The North End

• Pandosy Village

• South Central Kelowna

• Capri Landmark

• Rutland

Kelowna Taxis & Ride-Hailing Services | Kelowna Taxi

Whether you’re flying into Kelowna International Airport (YLW) and want to experience downtown nightlife, or you just need a safe ride home from a winery, Kelowna has a number of taxicab and ride-hailing services.

Kelowna’s best cab providers are:

• Current Taxi (electric Tesla cabs) | (250) 864-8294

• Checkmate Cabs | (250) 861-1111

• Kelowna Cabs | (250) 762-2222

Image source: Uridetech.com

Kelowna Ride Sharing Services | Uber, Uride, Lucky to Go

As of May 10th, 2023, there are 2 ride sharing services available in Kelowna, BC. Uber has just won approval to operate in both Kelowna and Victoria, BC and should be in operation this summer:

• Lucky to Go is a BC-founded ride sharing and ride hailing service company that's been operating in Kelowna since 2020. The Lucky to Go app lets you pre-book rides, securely communicate with your driver, and order deliveries of food, groceries, & more.
• Uride is a ride sharing service that's been serving Kelowna, British Columbia since May 5th, 2022. Download the Uride app on the Apple App Store or Google Play to book or pre-book a ride in Kelowna.

When is Uber coming to Kelowna, BC?

• As of May 10th, 2023, the Passenger Transportation Board announced that Uber won a license transfer to operate in Kelowna, BC, Canada. If you're looking for work or a side-gig in British Columbia, Uber is currently recruiting drivers for both Kelowna and Victoria, BC.  Note that you need a Class 4 license to become an Uber driver in British Columbia.

Car Pooling, Cab Sharing & Ride Sharing in The Okanagan Valley

Ridesharing is a fun and environmentally-friendly way to save money and get around Kelowna or the Okanagan Valley.

Whether you’re looking for people to share your regular commute or offset expenses for a longer road trip, ride sharing can get you wherever you need to go. 

Social and adventurous travellers enjoy the potential for meeting new people.

Ride sharing apps are quite safe; riders and drivers receive ratings from each other on the app once the trip is complete.

These are the best ride sharing providers in Kelowna, BC:

• Poparide

• Kangaride

• Facebook Rideshare Groups

Kangaride has a $7.50 one-time fee for membership to start using the app. 

Poparide is free to join. A trip from Kelowna to Vancouver with Poparide can cost as little as $40. For a fun day trip idea, a trip from Kelowna to Penticton costs around $10.

Both apps have quick and easy online access as well as mobile apps, allowing you to book conveniently with rideshare drivers from anywhere. Costs vary depending on the length of the trip and how many passengers the driver is accepting in their vehicle. Some drivers are also available for wine tours.

Car Rental in Kelowna, BC | Car Service Kelowna | West Kelowna Car Rental

Kelowna is an easy city to navigate without a car, but if you like to travel fast, or you want to go on a day trip beyond the city limits, then renting a car might be your best option.

Renting a car in The Okanagan Valley means you can bring the whole family and have a comfortable, hassle-free ride on your next beach adventure on Okanagan Lake, wine tour, or a longer daytrip.

Most of Kelowna, BC's car rental companies let you pickup and drop off a vehicle at the Kelowna International Airport, which is especially convenient for transportation to downtown Kelowna or your hotel. 

We recommend the following car rental agencies in Kelowna, BC:

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car

• Budget Car Rental

• Driving Force (Truck rental)

• ALIGO Rent A Car

Kelowna to Vancouver Bus | Vancouver to Kelowna Bus | Bus to Kelowna, BC

You can take a bus from Kelowna to Vancouver, BC and Vancouver to Kelowna using the eBus service which has bus stations in Downtown Kelowna at 516 Lawrence Ave, and at Kelowna International Airport (YLW). The eBus stops in Vancouver, BC at Pacific Station (1150 Station St.)

The eBus also has destinations in Calgary, Edmonton, and Kamloops, British Columbia.

Kelowna Airport Shuttles

You can get to the airport via taxi companies like Kelowna Cabs, Checkmate Cabs, or Current Taxi - but if you'd like to save money (or have a large group) check out Kelowna's airport shuttles. Some of the top-rated airport shuttles in Kelowna are:

• Kelowna Concierge
• Jayride
• Cheers Okanagan Tours

Kelowna airport taxi rates start around $10 to $25 per person, depending on how many passengers you bring along.