Advice on Calgary -Vancouver Trip
Feb 7th, 2005, 07:33 AM
#1
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Advice on Calgary -Vancouver Trip
My wife & I are mid-50's & have booked a flight to Calgary at the beginning of June,returning to UK from Vancouver 21 days later.We are looking at visiting Banff,Jasper,Prince Rupert,taking the Inside Passage to Port Hardy then on to Victoria & finally Vancouver for a few days.
Is this feasible within the 3-week timescale?
We would also welcome any advice on modes of transport (moderate budget available) & lengths of stay at suitable locations along the route.
All assistance will be gratefully received.
Is this feasible within the 3-week timescale?
We would also welcome any advice on modes of transport (moderate budget available) & lengths of stay at suitable locations along the route.
All assistance will be gratefully received.
Feb 7th, 2005, 08:35 AM
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Hello franbar,
The one thing that I might consider worth changing about your itinerary, if it's possible to do so without incurring a penalty, is to reverse the direction. That is to say, fly into Vancouver and out of Calgary. My reason for suggesting this is that the beginning of June is a bit iffy for catching the mountain lakes when they've thawed. They may have thawed by the time you get here, and that has been the trend in recent early summer seasons, perhaps because of global warming. However, I can well remember times when many of them didn't thaw before the middle of June. The turquoise water of the lakes does add to the beauty of the mountains and is worth seeing if you can arrange your trip to include the likelihood of that.
If you want to stick to a budget, you will need to compare prices of driving all the way, doing the Jasper - Prince Rupert segment by train, etc. Something that probably will add to your costs is the drop off fee for your rental car. That is, it usually is more expensive to pick up a car in one location and drop it off in another location than it is to pick up and drop off in the same location.
Yes, I think your itinerary is feasible within a 3 week period. You will be covering a large territory, so you won't be able to travel at as leisurely a pace as you may imagine. Nonetheless, it will be doable, and you won't have to travel at a crazy pace either.
You may have come across these websites, but I'll provide them nonetheless.
British Columbia Ferries:
http://www.bcferries.com/schedules/m...nsidepass.html
VIA Rail:
http://www.viarail.ca/en_index.html
Websites where you can find out driving times, distances and directions:
www.freetrip.com
and
www.mapquest.com
Good travel information websites:
Alberta:
http://www1.travelalberta.com
British Columbia:
http://www.hellobc.com
The two websites mentioned above also offer the opportunity to order free maps and travel guides on the respective provinces.
The one thing that I might consider worth changing about your itinerary, if it's possible to do so without incurring a penalty, is to reverse the direction. That is to say, fly into Vancouver and out of Calgary. My reason for suggesting this is that the beginning of June is a bit iffy for catching the mountain lakes when they've thawed. They may have thawed by the time you get here, and that has been the trend in recent early summer seasons, perhaps because of global warming. However, I can well remember times when many of them didn't thaw before the middle of June. The turquoise water of the lakes does add to the beauty of the mountains and is worth seeing if you can arrange your trip to include the likelihood of that.
If you want to stick to a budget, you will need to compare prices of driving all the way, doing the Jasper - Prince Rupert segment by train, etc. Something that probably will add to your costs is the drop off fee for your rental car. That is, it usually is more expensive to pick up a car in one location and drop it off in another location than it is to pick up and drop off in the same location.
Yes, I think your itinerary is feasible within a 3 week period. You will be covering a large territory, so you won't be able to travel at as leisurely a pace as you may imagine. Nonetheless, it will be doable, and you won't have to travel at a crazy pace either.
You may have come across these websites, but I'll provide them nonetheless.
British Columbia Ferries:
http://www.bcferries.com/schedules/m...nsidepass.html
VIA Rail:
http://www.viarail.ca/en_index.html
Websites where you can find out driving times, distances and directions:
www.freetrip.com
and
www.mapquest.com
Good travel information websites:
Alberta:
http://www1.travelalberta.com
British Columbia:
http://www.hellobc.com
The two websites mentioned above also offer the opportunity to order free maps and travel guides on the respective provinces.
Feb 7th, 2005, 08:46 AM
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Are you renting a car?
I ask because it's awkward to travel that route without one.
Have a look at options/planning info here http://www.bcferries.com/travel_planning/
I suggest that instead of the Ferry from Prince Rupert you try the Coast Discovery Ferry from Bella Coola to Port Hardy.
Much less driving (<i>although distances here are vast for Euros</i
and a more scenic trip with a lot of locals on a boat that's slower and closer to the water.You'll see much more and have a chance to visit the remote tiny communities the Ferry services. http://www.bcferries.com/schedules/discovery/
It's certainly feasible in 3 weeks.
As to budget accommodation options a copy of the <b>BC Accommodations Guide</b> available from http://www.hellobc.com/index.asp?ct=y& is invaluable.
Ask for the book don't fall for the sales pitch "<i>we can book everything for you</i>".
There are lots of B&B's listed and for more budget options do a search on http://www.bcadventure.com for the Visitors Bureau websites of each town you'll be passing through.
Contact each town and ask for a <b>complete list</b> of accommodation in their jurisdiction.Many budget operators have little money for advertising and so rely on word-of-mouth this is one way for you to contact them.
I ask because it's awkward to travel that route without one.
Have a look at options/planning info here http://www.bcferries.com/travel_planning/
I suggest that instead of the Ferry from Prince Rupert you try the Coast Discovery Ferry from Bella Coola to Port Hardy.
Much less driving (<i>although distances here are vast for Euros</i
and a more scenic trip with a lot of locals on a boat that's slower and closer to the water.You'll see much more and have a chance to visit the remote tiny communities the Ferry services. http://www.bcferries.com/schedules/discovery/It's certainly feasible in 3 weeks.
As to budget accommodation options a copy of the <b>BC Accommodations Guide</b> available from http://www.hellobc.com/index.asp?ct=y& is invaluable.
Ask for the book don't fall for the sales pitch "<i>we can book everything for you</i>".
There are lots of B&B's listed and for more budget options do a search on http://www.bcadventure.com for the Visitors Bureau websites of each town you'll be passing through.
Contact each town and ask for a <b>complete list</b> of accommodation in their jurisdiction.Many budget operators have little money for advertising and so rely on word-of-mouth this is one way for you to contact them.
Feb 7th, 2005, 08:51 AM
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renting a car for the entire trip will be expensive with the drop off fees. i'd recommend getting a shuttle from the calgary airport to banff. rent a car there for several days to explore the area. then take a bus (check out brewster.ca) to jasper along the icefield parkway. spend several days in jasper and then take the via train to prince rupert.
if you have time (you'd need at least 3 days) go out to tofino on vancouver island. very beautiful (but expensive).
if you have time (you'd need at least 3 days) go out to tofino on vancouver island. very beautiful (but expensive).
Feb 10th, 2005, 03:44 AM
#5
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Judy,Sam & Ltt,
Thanks a lot for your advice.
We are going hire cars either end of the trip with the skeena train & the ferry in the middle & hope for the best!
Thanks again.
Franbar.
Thanks a lot for your advice.
We are going hire cars either end of the trip with the skeena train & the ferry in the middle & hope for the best!
Thanks again.
Franbar.
