Is the 13 hour day trip to Victoria worth it? We are seniors(81 and 78) and the trip seems very long. Perhaps we should spend the day in Vancouver. Any suggestions?

Can you give more information? Does the 13 hours include ferry rides both ways? What are your interests? You might enjoy a float plane flight one way and a bus/ferry trip the other. The number of days you have to spend in Vancouver might have a bearing on whether or not a trip to Victoria is worthwhile for you. Is it a long trip to get to Vancouver? Will you have enough time to rest and sightsee? One draw for me in Victoria would be Butchart Gardens, which is out of town, but that depends on the time of year.

I'm just guessing -- but is this an excursion from your cruise ship?

No one can really answer a "worth it" question. As I see it -- the issue is your endurance. If it is a tour, then you will be on the ferry, then some time on a coach, and some free time in the central/harbor area of Victoria. You would see a lot (and if it is an excursion it probably does include a visit to Butchart)

If you can't see yourselves being on the go for 13 hours, then yes, stay in Vancouver.

What exactly is this thirteen hour trip? What would you see and what do you want to see?

There is far more to see in Vancouver than in Victoria, although there is an excellent museum, and the Butchart Gardens, but you need good weather for the gardens, which is in no way guaranteed. And there is plenty of public transport between Vancouver and Victoria.

We will have two days in Vancouver. Any suggestions?
can't do extensive walking. Thought about the Hop Off and Hop On bus.

Did you try the Destinations tab above?

My trips to Vancouver may not be all that helpful, as I did a fair amount of walking (I never take HOHO buses, I prefer public transport) but here are the links:

https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...-a-good-start/

https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...-to-vancouver/

We're your ages and my recommendation is that if this is your only opportunity to see Vancouver Island, then do it. If you are going by ferry both ways, then you can relax on the boat with a coffee or a full meal. Make sure your trip includes Butchart Gardens which are absolutely beautiful. And yes, we have done this trip twice in recent years.

vvv

It really depends what you like doing. The whale watching from Victoria is pretty great and the downtown is easy to walk around. What time of year are you coming? You may want to check out discovervancouverisland.com/

Butchart Gardens is very good too, but I would suggest staying the night if you are going to try and get the downtown area in too.

Enjoy your visit!

In answer to your question:

<b>No</b> a <I>day trip</i> to Victoria is <b>NEVER</b> "worth it"...


but some people do it anyway.


I live less than 100 miles from Victoria, and I've not been there in 30 years! - and only once in 45 years.


Taking time away from Vancouver (or Seattle) for a <b>"day trip"</b> to Victoria is always absurd. (unless you are going there to cash a $10 Million lottery ticket which can't be cashed elsewhere, etc.)

If you've only been once in 45 years what makes you think you are qualified to judge?

Victoria did not make my go back to list, but it was certainly worth a look.

Is there any way to get to Victoria to see the gardens without using a tour group? We will be staying at the Shangri la hotel. Most tours are 13 hours and I would like to shorten that time.

For public transport suggestions see:

http://www.butchartgardens.com/visit/location