ezmark

We are staying in Vancouver for 3 days after our cruise to Alaska. I am trying to figure out a way to travel FOR THE DAY WITHOUT USING A TOUR COMPANY, (as we like our freedom) from Vancouver to Victoria. I realize that we have to take the ferry, but how can we get to the ferry (is cab the only way and what is the cost?) and once we dock in Victoria how can we get to the downtown area? Any info or websites would be very helpful. Thanks

Cruiseryyc

You can take the bus from downtown Vancouver right to downtown Victoria. Pacific Coach Lines offers this service. Here is their website Hhttp://www.pacificcoach.com/
This is not a tour company, just regular service between the mainland and the Island, although they do offer tours.

laverendrye

Take the bus (Pacific Coach Lines). It goes from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria, and includes the ferry. It's the easiest way to do it, although if time and not cost is the main consideration, there are seaplane flights from downtown to downtown as well.

Cat123

If you have the money, best bet is to take the seaplane or jet helicopter from downtown Vancouver to Victoria's inner harbour. It will be pricier but is by far the best way to do it and you don't have to sit on a bus or pay a tour company. It also gives you a fabulous view of the city and the gulf islands.

Links:
www.helijet.com
www.harbour-air.com

April

Don't bother with cabs. The bus takes you right to downtown Victoria by the harbour (beside the Empress Hotel). There are also some buses that run between the cruise ship terminal in Vancouver and downtown Victoria. Cost should be in the range of $60-70 return.

The float planes also land conveniently at Victoria's inner harbour (convenient to downtown, not to Butchart Gardens). Cost: about $200 return. Harbour Air mentioned above goes there and so does West Coast Air. http://www.westcoastair.com/ I like them both.

If it was me and I wasn't as sick of ferry travel as I am, I would probably take the plane one way and the ferry the other.