Just wondering if anyone has taken passenger ferry to Victoria and rented from there? If so, did all go smoothly.....and who did you rent from? My fear is that one could show up and find no cars available....on an island. Which would obviously be a problem. Just want to make sure I can rely on having a car once we're there.
Thanks.

Greater Victoria has a population of over 300,000 so there should be no shortage of rental cars. Nonetheless, I nearly always reserve a rental car no matter where. It only takes a minute or two by phone.

You can reserve online as well. There are lots of car rental companies in Victoria.

A new (to me anyway) outfit rents Mini Cooopers and Smart Cars out of the View Street Parkade in downtown Victoria. They may cost more but they say they pick up from the ferry terminal and airport.

http://cutewheels.ca/

The View street rental is out of sight price wise. They want over $200 a day for a mini cooper. The office is right across from the bus terminal and you can pickup the bus right on board the ferry if you are coming on BC Ferries.If you are coming from Seattle or Port Angeles it is just a couple of blocks away. Through Costco (and you and you can book a car with them even if you aren't a member) the price is $40 plus taxes etc for a basic vehicle. They actually send you to the Budget site but you get the 20% discount going through Costco's website first.

? I'm seeing $85 for a Mini Cooper, $50 for a Smart Car on their website.

Anyway, can Canadians book through Costco?

That last question made me curious, so I "tried".
My thought was, Costco has stores in Canada, why wouldn't their services be available here?
I went to the site & found the code, then went to Budget (telling them, correctly, that I am a Canadian resident) and there was a $50 discount with the Costco code.

April - I guess it depends on which day you pick to get a quote. Obviously the first and second try must have been very bad days. I kept changing the days and finally got one at $97 plus taxes (I guess it depends on how many are prebooked) I always use Costco for car rentals. You just go to Costco.com under the travel section. Their prices on cruises and package vacations are also quite competitive - had a couple of very bargain priced cruises with them as well. It seems that you don't even have to be a member. The car rentals never ask for membership numbers (although I have belonged for 18 years). I have booked cars for friends who were not members with absolutely no problem. There are some things you can do through Costco without membership. I know in the States anyone can buy their prescriptions there as well.

This is good to know. Thanks.
I'm already a member.

Just as an FYI, I am a Sam's Club member that will be in Victoria in September and has a reservation with Budget. I checked the Costco website to see if I could get the discount and it says you should be prepared to provide your Costco card when picking up the car. Is this a new development?