Ferry Vancouver to Victoria: Car?
May 8th, 2006, 08:48 AM
#1
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Ferry Vancouver to Victoria: Car?
BACKGROUND:
Family will be in Vancouver (West End) for 7 nights this summer and are considering an overnight at the Victoria (Inner Harbour). Our day or day and a half in Victoria would include a short visit to the Butchart Gardens.
QUESTIONS:
Is there a passenger ferry that's an easy walk from both hotel locations or are we better off renting a car to get us from/to ferry areas to respective hotels? Is it better/necessary to even rent a car for this overnight trip? If it is optional, then what are the pros/cons of renting a car?
Family will be in Vancouver (West End) for 7 nights this summer and are considering an overnight at the Victoria (Inner Harbour). Our day or day and a half in Victoria would include a short visit to the Butchart Gardens.
QUESTIONS:
Is there a passenger ferry that's an easy walk from both hotel locations or are we better off renting a car to get us from/to ferry areas to respective hotels? Is it better/necessary to even rent a car for this overnight trip? If it is optional, then what are the pros/cons of renting a car?
May 8th, 2006, 09:22 AM
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Cons of renting a car in Vancouver are having to drive it to the ferry and either wait in a line up or pay more for a ferry reservation. I think it's easier to take the bus across on the ferry. It takes you from downtown Vancouver to Victoria by the harbour. Car rental outfits are nearby so you could rent a car in Victoria, which would probably give you more time for touring. Take the scenic waterfront drive through the Uplands in Oak Bay and back road routes on the peninsula to/from Butchart Gardens.
If money isn't a concern you could take the float plane or helijet to or from Vancouver.
If money isn't a concern you could take the float plane or helijet to or from Vancouver.
May 8th, 2006, 09:25 AM
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When April mentioned a bus, I believe she was referring to Pacific Coach Lines:
http://www.pacificcoach.com/
Another thing to consider about the float plane or helijet is that the luggage allowance is small, somewhere in the order of 25 lbs per passenger. For that reason, I think the float plane and helijet are better suited to day trippers.
http://www.pacificcoach.com/
Another thing to consider about the float plane or helijet is that the luggage allowance is small, somewhere in the order of 25 lbs per passenger. For that reason, I think the float plane and helijet are better suited to day trippers.
May 8th, 2006, 09:36 AM
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April,
Thanks for the reply.
I'm in Wash. DC so I have no clue what a float plane or helijet might cost - any ballpark figures would be greatly appreciated. This would also be a first ferry ride for our family.
Do I understand you correctly that there is a bus we could catch from downtown Vancouver which then takes us to the ferry and, upon arrival in Victoria, then continues to downtown/inner harbour area of Victoria?? Any specific info on this or website referrrals would be great.
Thanks for the reply.
I'm in Wash. DC so I have no clue what a float plane or helijet might cost - any ballpark figures would be greatly appreciated. This would also be a first ferry ride for our family.
Do I understand you correctly that there is a bus we could catch from downtown Vancouver which then takes us to the ferry and, upon arrival in Victoria, then continues to downtown/inner harbour area of Victoria?? Any specific info on this or website referrrals would be great.
May 8th, 2006, 10:12 AM
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Judy supplied the website for you for information on the bus. FYI - the ferry terminal on both sides is approximately 40 to 45 mintues from downtown Vancouver and downtown Victoria. I would take the bus and then rent a car for the day you are in Victoria. Butchart's is about a 20 minute drive from downtown Victoria.
May 8th, 2006, 10:12 AM
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If you do a search on Vancouver here you'll find my post asking the same question. Here's the helpful response I received:
The Pacific Coach Lines bus picks you up in downtown Vancouver, stops at Vancouver Airport to pick up more passengers, continues to the mainland ferry terminal at Tsawwassen, boards the ferry, crosses the Georgia Strait with the ferry, disembarks at the Vancouver Island ferry terminal at Swartz Bay, and drives you to downtown Victoria. The whole exercise from one downtown to the other takes about 4 hours.
During the 1.5 hour voyage across the Georgia Strait, you must climb out of the bus. On the ferry you can sit indoors, eat a meal, walk along an outdoor deck, etc., as you please.
The adult one-way fare, including GST, is a little under C$40.
http://www.pacificcoach.com/
The Pacific Coach Lines bus picks you up in downtown Vancouver, stops at Vancouver Airport to pick up more passengers, continues to the mainland ferry terminal at Tsawwassen, boards the ferry, crosses the Georgia Strait with the ferry, disembarks at the Vancouver Island ferry terminal at Swartz Bay, and drives you to downtown Victoria. The whole exercise from one downtown to the other takes about 4 hours.
During the 1.5 hour voyage across the Georgia Strait, you must climb out of the bus. On the ferry you can sit indoors, eat a meal, walk along an outdoor deck, etc., as you please.
The adult one-way fare, including GST, is a little under C$40.
http://www.pacificcoach.com/
May 8th, 2006, 11:16 AM
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One-way float plane fare for an adult is C$114 + 7% GST.
Fare for child aged 2 - 11 is 50% off adult fare.
Child under 2 rides free.
This page of my website tells you every possible way of getting from the mainland to Victoria, except that I have not yet researched submarines.
http://groups.msn.com/CalgaryandCana...ortation1.msnw
Fare for child aged 2 - 11 is 50% off adult fare.
Child under 2 rides free.
This page of my website tells you every possible way of getting from the mainland to Victoria, except that I have not yet researched submarines.
http://groups.msn.com/CalgaryandCana...ortation1.msnw
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May 8th, 2006, 05:40 PM
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I'd take a rental car on the ferry. I just can't see taking the coach (with taxi transfers to and from hotels at both ends plus transportation to Buchart Gardens) being any more convenient (or much cheaper if at all) than driving yourself.
Assuming you make a reservation for the ferry (which you absolutely should in summer if you don't want to wait for hours on stand-by) and have 4 people to transport, for ferry fares, at most, you'll pay $102.30 Canadian dollars each way. That breaks down as $39.60 for the car plus $45.20 for 4 fares plus $17.50 for the reservation. It will be slightly cheaper if you have children under 12 or travel mid-week.
Now, as to how much time you need, you're pushing it a bit if want to attempt just one night in Victoria. It can be done -- but you'd be well-advised to get a good early start on your departure date. If you took a 9 a.m. sailing, for example, you would have to leave downtown Vancouver at 7:30-7:45 a.m. to be at the ferry terminal by the required check-in time of 30 minutes before sailing. You'd be on the boat until 10:30-10:45 a.m. and then have another 45 minutes to drive into Victoria. That takes you to your hotel about 4 hours after you departed. PLEASE DO NOT GIVE INTO THE TEMPTATION TO STOP AT BUCHART GARDENS ON YOUR WAY TO OR FROM THE FERRY. Your bags will be at risk. Buchart Gardens isn't as prominent a target for thieves as some destinations (like Stanley Park in Vancouver) but break-ins do occur. It's awfully tempting to do it because it's about 25 miles from Victoria to the ferry terminal and Buchart Gardens is at the half-way point, more or less.
Assuming you make a reservation for the ferry (which you absolutely should in summer if you don't want to wait for hours on stand-by) and have 4 people to transport, for ferry fares, at most, you'll pay $102.30 Canadian dollars each way. That breaks down as $39.60 for the car plus $45.20 for 4 fares plus $17.50 for the reservation. It will be slightly cheaper if you have children under 12 or travel mid-week.
Now, as to how much time you need, you're pushing it a bit if want to attempt just one night in Victoria. It can be done -- but you'd be well-advised to get a good early start on your departure date. If you took a 9 a.m. sailing, for example, you would have to leave downtown Vancouver at 7:30-7:45 a.m. to be at the ferry terminal by the required check-in time of 30 minutes before sailing. You'd be on the boat until 10:30-10:45 a.m. and then have another 45 minutes to drive into Victoria. That takes you to your hotel about 4 hours after you departed. PLEASE DO NOT GIVE INTO THE TEMPTATION TO STOP AT BUCHART GARDENS ON YOUR WAY TO OR FROM THE FERRY. Your bags will be at risk. Buchart Gardens isn't as prominent a target for thieves as some destinations (like Stanley Park in Vancouver) but break-ins do occur. It's awfully tempting to do it because it's about 25 miles from Victoria to the ferry terminal and Buchart Gardens is at the half-way point, more or less.
May 8th, 2006, 09:05 PM
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How many people are travelling?
<b>Flight</b>
Float plane outfits usually charge the same rates, and I like one as much as the other, although Harbour Air might have a senior's rate (but don't quote me on that). The nice thing is that you're across the water fairly quickly and you land in Victoria's downtown harbour. Helijet lands out near the cruiseship docks, which is not that far away but not downtown.
http://www.harbour-air.com/home/
http://www.westcoastair.com/
<b>Bus</b>
For summer months, Pacific Coachlines is showing return fares of:
$70 for adults
$47 for seniors
$35.50 for children
Yes, you take the bus right across on the ferry to downtown Victoria. Your luggage is locked onboard so make sure to carry anything you need for the ferry ride - jacket, sweater, binoculars, camera, etc. The ferries have cafeterias and also a gift shop where you can purchase books, magazines and candy. I always make a point of writing down the bus number so I know which one to get back on at the end of the ferry trip. Yours might be the only bus at first but when you return to the vehicle deck you may find several buses that look the same.
<b>Car rental</b>
If you rent a car in Vancouver and take it on the ferry, just leave lots of time to get to the terminal. Reservations are nonrefundable.
<b>Flight</b>
Float plane outfits usually charge the same rates, and I like one as much as the other, although Harbour Air might have a senior's rate (but don't quote me on that). The nice thing is that you're across the water fairly quickly and you land in Victoria's downtown harbour. Helijet lands out near the cruiseship docks, which is not that far away but not downtown.
http://www.harbour-air.com/home/
http://www.westcoastair.com/
<b>Bus</b>
For summer months, Pacific Coachlines is showing return fares of:
$70 for adults
$47 for seniors
$35.50 for children
Yes, you take the bus right across on the ferry to downtown Victoria. Your luggage is locked onboard so make sure to carry anything you need for the ferry ride - jacket, sweater, binoculars, camera, etc. The ferries have cafeterias and also a gift shop where you can purchase books, magazines and candy. I always make a point of writing down the bus number so I know which one to get back on at the end of the ferry trip. Yours might be the only bus at first but when you return to the vehicle deck you may find several buses that look the same.
<b>Car rental</b>
If you rent a car in Vancouver and take it on the ferry, just leave lots of time to get to the terminal. Reservations are nonrefundable.
May 9th, 2006, 03:59 AM
#10
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Thanks to all for the replies thus far. I believe we now have enough data and opinions and now need to re-talk pros/cons among ourselves. We are 3 adults.
I actually WAS planning to stop at Butchart gardens on route to our hotel if we went the rental car route. We pack very light for just an overnight, possibly even backpacks. Maybe we will just carry them with us into gardens.
I actually WAS planning to stop at Butchart gardens on route to our hotel if we went the rental car route. We pack very light for just an overnight, possibly even backpacks. Maybe we will just carry them with us into gardens.
May 9th, 2006, 04:48 AM
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Your belongings should be safe as long as they are out of sight in your vehicle. Just lock them in the trunk. Tourists leave their vehicles, motorhomes, motorcycles in the parking lot all the time. While I'm sure car break ins could hapapen, the chances at Butcharts are slim.
