Seattle to Victoria- with or without car???
Sep 5th, 2009, 09:32 AM
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Seattle to Victoria- with or without car???
Background- My husband and I are arriving SFO Sep. 18 and are renting a car and making our way to Seattle & Victoria, taking about a week to do this. I have a hotel reservation in Victoria Sep 24, just 1 night. We have reservations in Seattle the 25-26; we fly home to TX the 27th.
My original plan was to take a very early ferry with our car to Victoria on Sep 24. In Victoria, we'd like to visit Butchart Gardens, the British Museum, and the inner harbor.
Now, I'm wondering if it would be better to leave our car somwhere (Seattle maybe??) and just take the ferry to Victoria and rely on public transportation once we arrive. If we did this, what would be the best way to get to Butchart Gardens?
Any thoughts? After 35 years of marriage, this is the first "driving" trip my husband and I have ever done and I want it to go as smoothly as possible!!!
Many thanks for any and all input given!
My original plan was to take a very early ferry with our car to Victoria on Sep 24. In Victoria, we'd like to visit Butchart Gardens, the British Museum, and the inner harbor.
Now, I'm wondering if it would be better to leave our car somwhere (Seattle maybe??) and just take the ferry to Victoria and rely on public transportation once we arrive. If we did this, what would be the best way to get to Butchart Gardens?
Any thoughts? After 35 years of marriage, this is the first "driving" trip my husband and I have ever done and I want it to go as smoothly as possible!!!
Many thanks for any and all input given!
Sep 5th, 2009, 01:49 PM
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It's a baffling question with no clear answer. My husband and I are travelling from Seattle to Victoria in October and still haven't decided whether to try the Clipper or take the float plane.
I checked prices and sailing times very quickly so be sure to double-check yourself! Keep in mind also that some prices are in US funds, some are in Canadian.
<b>There are two main choices with a car.</b>
<b><purple>1. Drive up to Port Angeles and catch the Coho Ferry.</b></purple>
http://cohoferry.com/main/
The trip across the strait takes about 2½ hours. First trip of the day at that time of year is 8:20 am and last trip back is 7:30 pm. Cost with a reservation is about $75, so $150 return.
Pros: If you had time (not likely perhaps) you could swing by Port Townsend on your drive along the Olympic Peninsula; the ferry dock in Victoria is right downtown; the Coho seems to run like clockwork.
Cons: It can a little rough at times out on the strait and it's not scenic.
<b><purple>2. Drive across the border into Canada and take the BC Ferry at Tsawwassen.</b></purple>
http://www.bcferries.com/
This trip also takes about 2½ hours. Ferries run every two hours from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm and the cost is around $87 with a reservation or about $175 return.
Pros: There are many more sailings to choose from; ferries are larger with more eating choices, the trip is scenic through the gulf islands and the ride is usually calm.
Cons: The ferry dock on the Victoria side is at Swartz Bay, a 30-40 minute drive out of town; ferries can be cancelled due to high winds on the mainland side; in general they're not as reliable as they used to be since the company became privatized.
Cons for both: you have to do a fair bit of driving to get to either mainland dock. I don't know about the Coho but with the BC Ferries you have to be there within certain times if you have a reservation, which I wouldn't go without given your short amount of time.
I checked prices and sailing times very quickly so be sure to double-check yourself! Keep in mind also that some prices are in US funds, some are in Canadian.
<b>There are two main choices with a car.</b>
<b><purple>1. Drive up to Port Angeles and catch the Coho Ferry.</b></purple>
http://cohoferry.com/main/
The trip across the strait takes about 2½ hours. First trip of the day at that time of year is 8:20 am and last trip back is 7:30 pm. Cost with a reservation is about $75, so $150 return.
Pros: If you had time (not likely perhaps) you could swing by Port Townsend on your drive along the Olympic Peninsula; the ferry dock in Victoria is right downtown; the Coho seems to run like clockwork.
Cons: It can a little rough at times out on the strait and it's not scenic.
<b><purple>2. Drive across the border into Canada and take the BC Ferry at Tsawwassen.</b></purple>
http://www.bcferries.com/
This trip also takes about 2½ hours. Ferries run every two hours from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm and the cost is around $87 with a reservation or about $175 return.
Pros: There are many more sailings to choose from; ferries are larger with more eating choices, the trip is scenic through the gulf islands and the ride is usually calm.
Cons: The ferry dock on the Victoria side is at Swartz Bay, a 30-40 minute drive out of town; ferries can be cancelled due to high winds on the mainland side; in general they're not as reliable as they used to be since the company became privatized.
Cons for both: you have to do a fair bit of driving to get to either mainland dock. I don't know about the Coho but with the BC Ferries you have to be there within certain times if you have a reservation, which I wouldn't go without given your short amount of time.
Sep 5th, 2009, 02:04 PM
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<b>Now for two choices for travelling without a car.</b>
<b><purple>1. Catch the Clipper passenger-only ferry in Seattle.</b></purple>
http://www.clippervacations.com/
For an 8:00 am departure from Seattle and a 6:00 pm departure from Victoria I'm getting a price of $280.00 USD, round trip for two people. It looks like this trip takes two and three-quarter hours.
Pros: Downtown to downtown.
Cons: It can be a rough ride. My sister took it once and said she never will again. I have never been on it.
<b><purple>2. Take the float plane.</b></purple>
http://www.kenmoreair.com/
Earliest flight I'm seeing is 8:00 am but it gets you into Victoria at 9:00 am. Last flight from Victoria is 5:30 pm. You have to check in an hour before. One way fare per person is about $115 so round trip it runs just over $460.00. I'm assuming that's US dollars.
Pros: Basically downtown (Lake Union) to downtown. It's fun! And it's scenic too.
Cons: It's not cheap.
Personally, if money wasn't an issue, I would take the float plane just to save time. In Victoria you can catch either a city bus or a tour bus to Butchart Gardens. I'm not sure what the tour bus options are but you should be able to find out at the front of the Empress Hotel or at the bus depot right beside it.
<b><purple>1. Catch the Clipper passenger-only ferry in Seattle.</b></purple>
http://www.clippervacations.com/
For an 8:00 am departure from Seattle and a 6:00 pm departure from Victoria I'm getting a price of $280.00 USD, round trip for two people. It looks like this trip takes two and three-quarter hours.
Pros: Downtown to downtown.
Cons: It can be a rough ride. My sister took it once and said she never will again. I have never been on it.
<b><purple>2. Take the float plane.</b></purple>
http://www.kenmoreair.com/
Earliest flight I'm seeing is 8:00 am but it gets you into Victoria at 9:00 am. Last flight from Victoria is 5:30 pm. You have to check in an hour before. One way fare per person is about $115 so round trip it runs just over $460.00. I'm assuming that's US dollars.
Pros: Basically downtown (Lake Union) to downtown. It's fun! And it's scenic too.
Cons: It's not cheap.
Personally, if money wasn't an issue, I would take the float plane just to save time. In Victoria you can catch either a city bus or a tour bus to Butchart Gardens. I'm not sure what the tour bus options are but you should be able to find out at the front of the Empress Hotel or at the bus depot right beside it.
Sep 5th, 2009, 03:55 PM
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Thank you!!! I think we *are* going to take the float plane; saves time and sounds fun. I really truly thank you. I'm getting a pit in my stomach with all this planning and your reply has calmed me down a little.
In fact, I'm wondering if we should now drop off our car early in Seattle on the 24th. I don't think we'll need it anymore on our trip. It doesn't sound necessary in Victoria and I don't think we'll need it in Seattle either. (We're staying at the Sheraton in Seattle and Grand Pacific in Victoria.)
In fact, I'm wondering if we should now drop off our car early in Seattle on the 24th. I don't think we'll need it anymore on our trip. It doesn't sound necessary in Victoria and I don't think we'll need it in Seattle either. (We're staying at the Sheraton in Seattle and Grand Pacific in Victoria.)
Sep 5th, 2009, 09:49 PM
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I know what you mean because I'm trying to figure out details of our upcoming trip to San Diego and it's difficult when you don't know the lay of the land. But fear not! All your planning will likely make for smooth sailing.
It would be nice to have a car in Victoria if you had more time, but the Grande Pacific is in a great harbourside location - you'll be right by the parliament buildings and museum, and around the corner from the Empress Hotel and bus depot. Everything is there except for Butchart Gardens.
All in all, it sounds like a great trip.
It would be nice to have a car in Victoria if you had more time, but the Grande Pacific is in a great harbourside location - you'll be right by the parliament buildings and museum, and around the corner from the Empress Hotel and bus depot. Everything is there except for Butchart Gardens.
All in all, it sounds like a great trip.
Sep 9th, 2009, 10:27 AM
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The ferry will drop you off right across from the Grand Pacific. We were in Victoria for 3 days without a car, and it is a very walkable city. We took a helicopter over from Vancouver.
The bus we took to get to Butchart Gardens was http://www.cvscruisevictoria.com/sig...%20tours.shtml. It cost $44 per person if you book online, and it includes your Butchart admission (which would be $28). It picks you up in front of a souvenir shop across from the Visitor Center downtown. It is a very comfortable bus and the bus driver points out notable sites, giving you lots of information and history along the way.
You can take the public bus, as well, but I'm not sure of how many stops you would make along the way there and back.
It would be best to check the cruise ship schedule and choose a time when there are fewer ships in port. The ships usually dock later in the afternoon, so if you could get your museum and garden time done by then, you will have much fewer crowds to deal with.
The bus we took to get to Butchart Gardens was http://www.cvscruisevictoria.com/sig...%20tours.shtml. It cost $44 per person if you book online, and it includes your Butchart admission (which would be $28). It picks you up in front of a souvenir shop across from the Visitor Center downtown. It is a very comfortable bus and the bus driver points out notable sites, giving you lots of information and history along the way.
You can take the public bus, as well, but I'm not sure of how many stops you would make along the way there and back.
It would be best to check the cruise ship schedule and choose a time when there are fewer ships in port. The ships usually dock later in the afternoon, so if you could get your museum and garden time done by then, you will have much fewer crowds to deal with.
Sep 9th, 2009, 10:31 AM
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Oops, I see you decided on the float plane and not ferry. Here is the link for the cruise ship schedule:
www.victoriaharbour.org/c_deepseacruises.php
www.victoriaharbour.org/c_deepseacruises.php
Sep 11th, 2009, 09:01 AM
#8
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Thanks to all for your help. We are taking the float plane (yes, I will use the bathroom before I board the plane). We are turning our car in at the Hilton in Seattle (instead of the airport) before we go to Victoria, thus saving about $400.00 which we can spend on cabs with pleanty of $ left over for food and drinks!!!Everything is falling into place.
