jannieween

Is there a car ferry from Victoria to Washington? How much would it cost?does it run daily? thanks

NWWanderer

There are two car ferries from the Victoria area to Washington. One goes from downtown Victoria to Port Angeles, west of Seattle on the Olympic Peninsual and takes about 90 minutes. The other goes from Sidney (just north of Victoria) to Anacortes (about 90 minutes north of Seattle), through the San Juan Islands, and takes about 3 hours. Not sure of the exact cost but I'd say it's about $50-75 one way for a car and 2 people for either ferry. Reservations can (and should) be made for either. The Coho to P.A. goes 4 times a day in summer (less in the off-season) and I believe the WA State Ferry to Anacortes goes 2x a day in the summertime. Both ferries have websites where you can get detailed schedule and fare info but this will at least get you started!

hdm

Do you mean Seattle? And do you have to have a car?

We took the high-speed catamaran which takes you from downtown Victoria to downtown Seattle. If you must have a car in Seattle (we didn't) perhaps you can rent it there.

I'm sorry, I can't give you the name or the cost of the catamaran but maybe someone else can provide it or you can google it. We did a Vancouver/Victoria/Seattle trip completely by public transportation and it was easy as pie!

April

Hdm, the Clipper goes to Seattle but doesn't take vehicles.

Here are some websites:

To Port Angeles
http://www.cohoferry.com/

To Anacortes
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/

hdm

I know but when we first planned our trip, we expected to rent a car and take the car ferry. As I looked more closely, I realized we could do the whole trip without the cost or encumbrance of a car and I though maybe Jannieween could consider that too.

jannieween

Thank you for the information....We are driving from the east coast to the west coast in September and we were looking for an easy way to go from Vancouver Island to Washington without backtracking through Vancouver...your information will be a great help...thank you again

sunbum1944

I usually take the ferry from Tsawwassen ( which is in BC) I like that ferry because it goes more frequently - I think every couple of hours in the summer and the trip is much prettier than the others. However, you then have to deal with crossing the border and that can be a delay. You can make reservations on the ferry.
http://www.bcferries.bc.ca/

jannieween

Thanks Sunbum1944 the ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay will get me to Vancouver Island avoiding the city. Why did you mention the border crossing? I cannot see on the BC ferries site this ferry going to Washington and I must go to the Island first anyway as I am visiting my brother before I head to the states...thank you for you help.

sunbum1944

I mentioned the border crossing because I thought you were going to be coming from or going to Washington. You would have to cross the Canadian border in your car to use the Tsawwasen ferry to
swatz Bay- and it gets backed up at the border at times- especially in the summer.
So just a heads up- its a beautiful ride- was just up there in Sept.

April

Are you going anywhere particular in Washington? The ferry trip to Anacortes is a longer one. The nice thing about that ferry is that the reservation fee is a part of the fare, not added on to it as with the BC ferries. I think it cost the two of us about $60 last year. I'm not sure how the Coho handles reservation fees.

If, for some reason, you were unable to get a reservation on either ferry and if you were travelling during the busy summer season, then I would get the car into the line up for the Coho as early as is allowed. Then you can wander off for breakfast. Hotels are right across the street.

jannieween

We will be on a cross country trip going where the road takes us...trying to plan somethings ahead...We know we will be on Vancouver Island probably late September and we want to drive down the coast to California before heading back east and thought the ferry would be the way to go...Thank you for all the help...every bit is appreciated.

traveller69

If your plan is to drive down the coast to California then by all means take the Port Angeles ferry (Coho). We do that often. You can cut over to the coast from there and drive Hwy 101 all the way. Late September is a wonderful time to do that drive.

jannieween

Thank you Traveller69...WE will add this to our planning...any other ideas would be appreciated...Would hate to miss anything on this once in a lifetime trip!

traveller69

Jannieween

I just posted a long post on route ideas and highlites but it disappeared into cyberspace. I will watch and see if it finds its way back - othewise I will post again later.

jannieween

Traveller69...Thank you I look forward to reading it.. as I said any suggestions will be helpful!

traveller69

Hi again Jannie – It appears my original post is lost and gone forever. So here goes again.
When you get off the ferry in Port Angeles you have two options to get to the coast. You can take Hwy 101 to the west which is through heavily forested landscape or you can take the road which (don’t remember the number) but it takes you towards Olympia and goes along the water. Just past Shelton it joins up with Hwy 101 coming from Olympia and you would take that west. Both routes end up in Aberdeen. We usual alternate our route but they are basically the same distance and time. You cross into Oregon at Astoria and start the beautiful drive down the Oregon coast. I would plan on spending at least 2 or 3 nights because it is a fairly slow but lovely drive. Here is a website to check so you can make your plans and you have enough time to write for some of their brochures http://www.visittheoregoncoast.com

When you get to California on 101 you are at the beginning of the redwoods. Allow lots of time to see these incredible trees. We do this drive every year just to spend time in them. Check out these websites and be sure to do the Avenue of the Giants. We like to stay at the Miranda Gardens (they have a website if you Google the name). It is in the heart of the trees on the Avenue of the Giants.
http://www.avenueofthegiants.net/
http://www.redwoodvisitor.org/
http://www.laspilitas.com/comhabit/C...od_Forest.html

I don’t know how far into California you are going but for now you can start with this. We drive to San Diego every time as well. There is so much to see and do as California is such a big and diverse state.

jannieween

Thank you so much Traveller69...I will add this to my research and send for more brochures!