jim

We can fly to either Vancouver or Seattle and then ferry over to Victoria for our week long trip in September. Is there a major difference between the 2 airports or ferry rides? Thanks for your help.

Robyn

Vancouver Airport is larger, newer and has various pieces of native artwork all throughout. The ferry to Victoria from Vancouver is located a 20 minute drive south of the Vancouver Airport in Tsawwassen. The ferries travel hourly and are HUGE vessels in which you can bring your car onto. Once the ferry arrives on Vancouver Island (at Swartz Bay), there's a 30 minute drive south into downtown Victoria. I believe the BC ferries are also cheaper.

Here's the website: http://www.bcferries.bc.ca

The Sea-Tac airport is located south of Seattle. The ferry departs downtown Seattle (by the Piers) and arrives in downtown Victoria's Inner Harbour. This ferry (the Victoria Clipper) doesn't allow cars - you just step on. They're smaller boats and the trip takes longer. I believe the Clipper is more expensive.

Here's their website: http://www.victoriaclipper.com

Robyn

I forgot to add, the ferry ride itself takes about an hour and 20 minutes to get from Tsawwassen (Vancouver) to Swartz Bay (Victoria).

gary

The fact that Vancouver Airport is more attractive and people friendly than Seattle's and that the Ferries to Victoria are much more frequent and less expensive is probably secondary to the question of how much better a deal is your airfare from Dallas to Seattle as compared to Vancouver. If the difference is less than $50US/per person than I would say there is no contest. Use YVR. But if there is a significant difference in Air Fares in Seattles favour I suppose it's best to use SeaTac.

And by the way - are you planning on spending a full week in Victoria and/or Vancouver Island? I would hope that you're sparing some time for Vancouver.

jim

Robyn,
Thanks for the info on the airports and ferries. I will probably opt to go to Vancouver and take the bc ferries.

Gary, thanks for your input also. And as far as Vancouver, we were there about 5 years ago and really enjoyed it. It's a beautiful city. This time we want to spend the entire week on the island. Probably 3 days in Victoria, 2 or 3 days at the Pacific Rim area, and maybe a couple days on one of the islands. Just want to relax.

Thanks for the tips.