Do I need a car in Vancouver?
 

My husband and I will be visiting Vancouver Feb 29 thru March 2nd. Do we need a car to get around Vancouver and is it necessarry to have a car on Vancouver Island? Does public transportation exist there? Also, can we visit Pacific Rim National Park without a car? Are tours of the Park available.Thanks for the input. <BR>Gwen

I find a car is a hindrance in Vancouver. There are way too many already! The island is another matter. It is easy to get to (and around in) Victoria by bus but I think Pacific Rim Park would be a hassle without a car. Some buses do run up and down the island and I assume that some would go over to Tofino but I've never looked into this. I'm not aware of any tours in Pacific Rim Park either. Maybe someone else knows about that. <BR>

IF you want to visit Vancouver for a few days I would suggest using the public transit or walking. There is lots to see and do in the downtown area. Or go to the bus stop and catch a bus. Some of the best sites we've seen is when we have taken taken the bus in different cities that we have traveled. Just get a general idea of where you are going. Ask your hotel conceirge for directions. When you hop on the bus ask the bus driver for directions. Another way to see Vancouver is by Light Rapid Transit. (overhead train). Also you may want to book a grayline tour see all - no stress. Cabs are cheap in Vancouver - go to Gastown or Granville Market. Take the Seabus to the North Shore, from downtown Vancouver. Take the airporter bus to downtown Vancouver. Walk over to the Vancouver Hotel. Grayline has a bus stop there as well inquire inside for tours. <BR>There is a Grayline bus that goes to Victoria via the BC Ferries. You will need to ask the Toursit Bureau about how to get there.Burrard and Robson areas. <BR> Lots of underground shopping Thursday & Friday night <BR> near Granville & Gerogia Ok to walk to local <BR> restaurants etc. I am not sure about the night life per <BR> se as I was never into the bar scene. Always ask at <BR> the Hotel concierge desk about safe places to go and <BR> walk. There is a YWCA downtown and lots of hotels <BR> have gyms etc. There is the Vancouver Public Library, <BR> ARt Gallery, Live Theatre. <BR> Walk down Georgia during the day towards Stanley <BR> Park. A great way to get some exercise and see the <BR> sights, even the waterfront <BR> Or grab a local transit bus that goes up Granville <BR> Street ( across the Granville street bridge) up to <BR> Broadway or 12th Ave. Jump off there a visit more <BR> shops with a community atmosphere. Some neat <BR> shops, ladies clothing, restaurants, ladies shoes, <BR> furniture stores, bakery. <BR> The big stores are downtown or out in the suburbs. If <BR> you want to go out at night grab a cab down to <BR> Granville Square. Lots of great tourista type of shops <BR> down there. Or on Saturdays a large farmers market <BR> as well. Ask at the hotel what night would be a good <BR> night to go there, (when are most of the shops open) <BR> Take Care <BR> <BR>Check out these sites <BR>http://www.tourism-vancouver.org <BR> official home page of Vancouver Tourism <BR>essage: also try the B.C. Web home page lots of <BR> information about current events. You may want to <BR> check this site out closer to the time you leave This is <BR> our service providers home page in B.C. <BR> http://www.mybc.com/ <BR>also <BR>I think Vancovuer has trolley tour cars. They usually cost a bit but they are a great way to the see the city in a very short time and get a great narratged tour. <BR>Hope this helps a bit <BR>

I was just in SF in May. We have been there a few times. The city is huge compared to Van. You will find a lot of similarities but on a smaller scale. <BR>Have a great trip.

Gwen, I would say no to a car in Vancouver, but yes to one out on Vancouver Island. In the winter, I don't think you will have many transportation or tour options out in Pacific Rim (it pretty much shuts down in the winter, although you can of course go and walk on the beach and storm watch, which is wonderful!). You can fly from Vancouver to Tofino and rent a car there, if you don't want to drive from Vancouver (and it's a good five hour trip with the ferry). <BR> <BR>I just noticed the dates you have--you're not planning on trying to visit both Vancouver and Tofino in two days, are you?

I wondered about the time span too. I think North Vancouver Air only flies to Tofino 4 times a week at that time of year. <BR>

Thanks for all the useful info. We have extended our trip to 5 days. <BR>gwen