We're making a trip to the Vancouver/Seattle?ONP area and I'm currently planning our route. I can start the trip with a flight into Vancouver from the US, continuing to Victoria and the ferry into Port Angeles. Or I can reverse it, fly into Seattle and take the ferry from Port Angeles into Victoria and onto Vancouver.
Is one better in regards to customs?
Thank you.
Customs: Flying into Vancouver vs Ferry into Victoria
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Its a lot less hassle arriving in Victoria from the US. There can be long lines at Immigration and Customs in YVR. You have to get in line for Immigration (and there could be a flight from the Orient or Europe at the same time) Then you have to wait for your luggage and line up again for Customs. In Victoria you drive off the ferry get in a line (they have several) and the officer at the booth questions you and away you go. We have never had to wait longer than 10 mins.
I grew up in that area and have traveled that area hundreds of time. I would fly into Seattle, rent a car, take the ferry from downtown Seattle to Bremerton, drive through the Olympic National Park, take the ferry to Victoria. Be warned that that particular ferry is VERY old and tired-as an alternative, you could do a day or 2 on the Olympic Peninsula, return to Seattle and take the Victoria Clipper, which is passenger only and new ships to Victoria. Either ferry will drop you in downtown Victoria on the Inner Harbor. The BC Ferries are excellent; be sure you make a reservation for your preferred sailing time, or it could be a long waitg. Road from Tsawwassen to Vancouver or to Seattle is all highway driving.
juliae_mei is right that the ferry from Port Angeles is old but it is reliable and only takes an hour and 1/2. I wouldn't drive all the way back to Seattle. You can also make a reservation on the Coho http://www.cohoferry.com/main/