getting from Victoria to Banff
 

In July we are planning to spend 10 days in Victoria and then 10 days in Banff. What is the best way to travel between the two.

Thanks for your help.

Bob

Obviously the 'best' way is to rent a car and spend a lifetime meandering around the interior on the way.

What did you mean by best?

10 days is an awful long time to spend in Victoria. Unless there is a reason for you staying 10 days (ie: a wedding, family reunion, visiting relatives, etc)
I'd cut it down to 2 days and spend the extra 8 days exploring elsewhere in BC.
Even after several days in Banff, you'll probably want to head up to Jasper and base yourself out of there for a bit too.

By the way, how much time do you have to travel between Banff and Victoria? It takes about 10 hours to drive between Banff and Vancouver, and then about 3 hours to get from Vancouver to Victoria. There's a lot to see and do in between Banff and Victoria, so if you can, rent a car and take several days driving between the two. The Okanagan is beautiful in July - it's BC's semi-arid wine/fruit district with scenic drives along the lakes. So if you can, include that in your trip.

If you must travel from Banff to Victoria in one day, the only sane way to do so is to go from Banff to Calgary, and then fly to Victoria.

Beautiful as Banff is, 10 days is a long time to spend there as well.

The sample itineraries on my website may be of assistance.

http://groups.msn.com/CalgaryandCana...kiesTravelTips

>>10 days is an awful long time to spend in Victoria. <<

Hey there.

I moved here in '82 and I'm still loving it.

Bob,

Define 'best'.

If you mean fastest, fly Westjet nonstop to Calgary, rent a car and drive to Banff...whole thing including airport time should take you less than 5 hours.

If you want to go by land doing it in one day from Victoria is pushing it because of the Ferry schedules and the fact that in the summer there is lots of traffic and slower moving vehicles (campervans etc). Much of the Trans Canada through the mountains is single lane with accassional passing lanes. Count on 13 or so hours.

Detouring through the Okanogan is a good suggestion...it's beautiful and there are some very good vineyards that are worth a visit.

If you didn't do the Okanagan, I would be tempted to detour north from Kamloops up the yellowhead highway to Jasper and spend 2-3 days in that area, (it is very different than Banff) and then drive to Banff via the Icefields Parkway. You might consider another detour at this point with a couple of days at Emerald Lake Lodge in Yoho National Park...Yoho has spectacular scenery and hiking. The food/wine selection is excellent.

Another route from the coast that would be spectacular is Victoria to Horseshoe bay by Ferry and then up the coast along the sea to sky highway and then across the interior of BC to I think Kamloops, stopping overnight along the way.

Another slow travel option is the train from Vancouver to Banff which overnights in Kamloops so that you are traveling through the Mountains with daylight.

You don't mention any details about your itinerary in Victoria/Banff but I do agree that unless you have a particular reason for being in each location for 10 days, 2-3 days in Victoria and 3-4 days in Banff is sufficient. Vancouver Island is stunning and you might enjoy being up Island in the Tofino/Uclulet area.

One note about Banff...depending on the timing of your trip (and your interests) the Summer Festival may be on at the Banff Centre which would offer you a unique cultural experience...Theatre, Music, Dance etc.

Have fun and enjoy the Canadian Rockies.



Good Luck and enjoy the Candain Rockies