So you’re in Kelowna and want to venture across the Okanagan and go to Penticton. It makes sense because Kelowna is the Okanagan’s largest airport and often the easiest and most affordable place to fly. The distance between Kelowna and Penticton by land is around 60km and can take between 1 hour and 1.5 hours to drive. There are many beautiful stops along the route from Kelowna to Penticton including West Kelowna, Peachland and Summerland to name a few. But if you don’t have a car it can be quite challenging to cover the distance and there aren’t a lot of easy options to do so. Keep reading for a summary on how to get from Kelowna to Penticton.
How to get from Kelowna to Penticton
- Rent a car
- Take a bus
- Use a ride-share app
- Take a cab
Rent a car: Drive from Kelowna to Penticton
Renting a car is by far the easiest option to get from Kelowna to Penticton. You can rent a car right at the airport, drive the 60km route (making plentiful stops to enjoy the views along the way) and either return the car in Penticton or hold on to it until you return to Kelowna. It is a great option for a few reasons. First of all, getting around without a car in the Okanagan can be challenging. If you plan on venturing around during your stay then having a car will be essential. Second of all, it gives you the most control over your journey. You can make as few or as many stops as you want along the way. Third of all, if you plan on returning it immediately in Penticton it can be just as affordable as some of the other options on this list. Renting a car gives you a ton of flexibility for your journey from Kelowna to Penticton.
Tip: Not every car rental agency has a location in Penticton where you can return your rental car. Make sure to book with Budget or Enterprise if you don’t want to return the car back to Kelowna.
Take a bus from Kelowna to Penticton
There is also a Kelowna to Penticton bus you can take. Route 70 runs 4 times per day on weekdays. It leaves from the Kelowna Queensway Exchange and makes stops in Westbank, Peachland, Summerland and Penticton before turning around and going back in the other direction. The bus from Kelowna to Penticton is convenient if you are leaving from downtown Kelowna. It is also convenient because it makes several stops in Penticton from the Cherry Lane Mall to downtown. The bus however is not convenient if you are starting at the Airport as you still have to make it from the airport to the Queensway Exchange. The bus takes about 1 hour to 1.5 hours depending on the time of day and road conditions. This Is however an exceptionally affordable option costing just $5 to go one way.
Tip: The cheapest way to get from Kelowna airport to the Queensway exchange is using eBus but it will be tricky to line up schedules efficiently though.
Use a ride-share app
Another cost-effective option for making the journey between Kelowna to Penticton is to try and connect with another driver who has space in their car. Poparide is an app that allows drivers and passengers to post the routes they are taking. Drivers can put a price on a space in their car for you to join for the trip. It is used frequently in the Okanagan so with some flexibility can be easy to find a ride.
Take a cab
Taking a cab is another option for getting between Kelowna and Penticton. You can use a local cab company, Uber or Uride, which is an uber-like service used in the Okanagan. However Uber is not yet allowed to pickup passengers at the airport so if that is your starting point you should consider a cab or Uride instead. The cost for these services can range depending on the traffic and weather conditions but tends to run between $150 – $250.
Tip: Uride often runs 50% off promos, which could save you a ton for a longer distance like Kelowna to Penticton
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is it from Kelowna to Penticton?
The distance between Kelowna and Penticton by land is around 65km and can take between 1 hour and 1.5 hours to drive.
How much is a taxi from Kelowna to Penticton?
It depends on exactly where you are leaving from and going and the road conditions. A taxi from Kelowna to Penticton it will cost somewhere around $150 – $250.
Is there a bus service between Kelowna and Penticton?
Yes. Route 70 travels between Kelowna and Penticton 4x per day on weekdays making stops in Westbank, Peachland and Summerland on the way. It takes between 1 hour and 1.5 hours. At the time of writing it costs $5 to go one way.
Is there a shuttle service from Kelowna Airport to Penticton?
No, there is currently no shuttle service from Kelowna Airport to Penticton.
