vancouver in september
Apr 7th, 2010, 01:26 PM
#21
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Hi Immimi,
Thanks Immimi for the information. All of your suggestions have been very informative and helpful. Thanks again. Trying to figure the logistics for our trip seems to change frequently. From Vancouver does it make a difference whether we visit Torfino first or Victoria. Then from Vancouver Island does it make sense to go back to Vancouver for one night, then travel to Osoyoos area the next day. We are working on a tentative schedule from Sept. 14- Sept 30 or through Oct.1. Also have conflicting information on the length of time for the ferry from Vancouver to Victoria. I've read 3 hours, others have said 95 minutes. Any suggestions?
Nick
Thanks Immimi for the information. All of your suggestions have been very informative and helpful. Thanks again. Trying to figure the logistics for our trip seems to change frequently. From Vancouver does it make a difference whether we visit Torfino first or Victoria. Then from Vancouver Island does it make sense to go back to Vancouver for one night, then travel to Osoyoos area the next day. We are working on a tentative schedule from Sept. 14- Sept 30 or through Oct.1. Also have conflicting information on the length of time for the ferry from Vancouver to Victoria. I've read 3 hours, others have said 95 minutes. Any suggestions?
Nick
Apr 7th, 2010, 01:35 PM
#22
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If you go from Vancouver to Tofino first, you'll take a 2 hour ferry to Nanaimo and then drive 3 hours over a mountain range before ending in Tofino. All in all, 5 hours minimum.
If you go to Vancouver to Victoria first, then you'll take a scenic 90 minute ferry to Swartz Bay and then drive 30 minutes before you arrive in downtown Victoria. All in all, anticipate 3 hours minimum.
Victoria to Tofino is a 5 hour drive.
Which you choose first depends, really. Tofino for a relaxed slow-going paced immersion in awe-inspiring nature. Victoria for a pretty cool walkable small city experience.
If you go to Vancouver to Victoria first, then you'll take a scenic 90 minute ferry to Swartz Bay and then drive 30 minutes before you arrive in downtown Victoria. All in all, anticipate 3 hours minimum.
Victoria to Tofino is a 5 hour drive.
Which you choose first depends, really. Tofino for a relaxed slow-going paced immersion in awe-inspiring nature. Victoria for a pretty cool walkable small city experience.
Apr 7th, 2010, 04:35 PM
#23
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Having made travel time calculation mistakes traveling to this area before, let me just mention a couple. One, allow for some additional ferry transfer delays. You'll need to arrive at least an hour early to get your car in the line for boarding. Then once at your destination, there is the business of docking, driving off, and getting on the road.
Two, unless you pay the extra $$ for a guaranteed spot, it is possible that you may have to wait for the next ferry, if the one you hope to board fills up before you get on. Making a reservation takes away some flexibility in your plans, as it is only for a specific sailing.
For waiting, Horseshoe Bay might be better, as it is in a scenic area and you can leave your car and cross over into the small harbor town for a bite to eat. But there are shops and a few eateries at Tsawwassen.
Either way will work, just be sure to consider the time you need to wait for the ferry. The ferry ride is a real treat, so plan to enjoy it. Check the schedules here: www.bcferries.com.
Two, unless you pay the extra $$ for a guaranteed spot, it is possible that you may have to wait for the next ferry, if the one you hope to board fills up before you get on. Making a reservation takes away some flexibility in your plans, as it is only for a specific sailing.
For waiting, Horseshoe Bay might be better, as it is in a scenic area and you can leave your car and cross over into the small harbor town for a bite to eat. But there are shops and a few eateries at Tsawwassen.
Either way will work, just be sure to consider the time you need to wait for the ferry. The ferry ride is a real treat, so plan to enjoy it. Check the schedules here: www.bcferries.com.
Apr 24th, 2010, 03:41 PM
#24
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hello everyone,
We are still in a tentative itinerary about our trip. I believe we are pretty much in agreement about our dates from September 14- October 1. We are trying to determine after flying to Seattle from Boston/Manchester,N.H. whether to go to Victoria, then Torfino and the Okanagan Valley, and back to Vancouver, and finally to Seattle. We would be renting a car to travel through Vancouver Island, and then to the Okanagan Valley and back to Vancouver. Economically would it be better to rent a car in Victoria, and then rent again on the mainland to complete our trip to the Okanagan Valley and back to Vancouver. Have not researched the price of taking a car on one of the ferries to and from Vancouver Island. Any suggestions?
We are still in a tentative itinerary about our trip. I believe we are pretty much in agreement about our dates from September 14- October 1. We are trying to determine after flying to Seattle from Boston/Manchester,N.H. whether to go to Victoria, then Torfino and the Okanagan Valley, and back to Vancouver, and finally to Seattle. We would be renting a car to travel through Vancouver Island, and then to the Okanagan Valley and back to Vancouver. Economically would it be better to rent a car in Victoria, and then rent again on the mainland to complete our trip to the Okanagan Valley and back to Vancouver. Have not researched the price of taking a car on one of the ferries to and from Vancouver Island. Any suggestions?
Apr 25th, 2010, 08:11 AM
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My suggestion would be
oston fly to Seattle-rent car-drive to Vancouver for a couple of days-then drive via Kamloops-Wellsgrey park-Mount Robson to Jasper(2-3 days)- drive down the icefields to Jasper(2 days)-drive Yoho park follow Columbia valley south-Waterton lakes- then the going to the sun road in Glacier nat.park- and back to Seattle.You'll have the trip of your life.Paul
oston fly to Seattle-rent car-drive to Vancouver for a couple of days-then drive via Kamloops-Wellsgrey park-Mount Robson to Jasper(2-3 days)- drive down the icefields to Jasper(2 days)-drive Yoho park follow Columbia valley south-Waterton lakes- then the going to the sun road in Glacier nat.park- and back to Seattle.You'll have the trip of your life.Paul
Apr 25th, 2010, 02:23 PM
#26
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Thanks Tovarich. We would like to limit our driving time, and try to center on Seattle, Vancouver, Vancouver Island, and the Okanagan Valley. We are still trying to decide whether taking a ferry or train to British Columbia. We have discussed taking the ferry to Victoria from Seattle, and the train back to Seattle from Vancouver. Is it worth renting a car on Vancouver Island or going by bus from Victoria to Torfino? We are trying to avoid taking a car on the ferry from Vancouver Island to the mainland. Also not sure whether to do Vancouver Island first, then Vancouver, and the Okanagan Valley, back to Vancouver, and then Seattle. We would like to rent a car just for Canada. Our time schedule is from Sept.14th- October 1st/2nd. It looks like total time spent in Seattle -3-4days, Victoria- 2 days, Torfino- 3days, Okanagan Valley- 5 days, and Vancouver-3-4 days. Any suggestions? Nick
Apr 25th, 2010, 03:44 PM
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Are you a U.S. citizen? If so, we have found that it is less expensive to rent a car in the U.S. for our British Columbia trips. However, if you are Canadian, that's really not an option (according to my recent check of car rental companies). We typically fly into Seattle, rent a car, and sometimes take an itinerary similar to yours.
As you fear, the biggest price of the ferry crossing is your car - $46.75 CAN is the latest fare each way for your car between Vancouver and Victoria. But it can certainly make up in convenience, depending on your itinerary. One drawback is the cost of parking in Vancouver. And, this is a city with wonderful transportation and easy walking.
However, since you also want to be able to go to the Okanagan (4-5 hours) and to Whistler, plus Victoria, it also makes sense to avoid the constant hassle and time of coordinating picking up a car, dropping it off, and the transportation to/fro. That includes getting from Seattle to Vancouver...although we have taken the evening train from Vancouver to Seattle and loved it.
For what it's worth, I'd fly into Seattle and rent a car there to use for this particular trip. Do check with the car rental company to be sure they have not restricted travel into Canada, as some have in recent times. We use Budget, and there is no problem with them.
As you fear, the biggest price of the ferry crossing is your car - $46.75 CAN is the latest fare each way for your car between Vancouver and Victoria. But it can certainly make up in convenience, depending on your itinerary. One drawback is the cost of parking in Vancouver. And, this is a city with wonderful transportation and easy walking.
However, since you also want to be able to go to the Okanagan (4-5 hours) and to Whistler, plus Victoria, it also makes sense to avoid the constant hassle and time of coordinating picking up a car, dropping it off, and the transportation to/fro. That includes getting from Seattle to Vancouver...although we have taken the evening train from Vancouver to Seattle and loved it.
For what it's worth, I'd fly into Seattle and rent a car there to use for this particular trip. Do check with the car rental company to be sure they have not restricted travel into Canada, as some have in recent times. We use Budget, and there is no problem with them.
Apr 25th, 2010, 04:58 PM
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I would not take a bus from Victoria to Tofino. It wont save you much if any money over renting a car and you will be captive in Tofino as there is very limited public transit.
You will have to walk in from the highway to your hotel with all your luggage too.
With a rental car you will have the freedom to stop at the many view points and points of interest on the way
You will have to walk in from the highway to your hotel with all your luggage too.
With a rental car you will have the freedom to stop at the many view points and points of interest on the way
Apr 26th, 2010, 03:08 AM
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The route Seattle up to Glacier park was part of our 2000 tour starting in S.francisco.(We're from Belgium).We did that part of the tour in 9 days and saw a lot.We did not visit Victoria.If you love nature the Jasper -Banff road and Glacier N.Park are among the best sites we thought you can experience in America.That part of the tour was 2350 KM.(1468 miles)
Apr 26th, 2010, 04:36 AM
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Thanks Sludick. We are from the U.S. Have not checked into car rentals yet. Probably looking into renting and dropping off car on Vancouver Island, and then renting again in Vancouver for the Okanagan Valley. Vancouver seems to be a walkable city and good transportation. Still deciding how to do Vancouver Island, whether to go to Torfino and then Victoria, or Victoria to Torfino. It seems like we would have to spend another night in Vancouver, and then drive to the Okanagan Valley instead of leaving Vancouver Island and driving there. Live42day- thanks for the information on bus travel to Torfino. A car seems the best option. Tovarich- thanks for your information. I think we'll have to do Banff, Jasper, and Glacier for another trip.
Nick
Nick
Apr 26th, 2010, 07:12 AM
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nicolos - I haven't followed this thread but will chime in with one recommendation. My husband belongs to Fairview Mountain Golf http://www.fairviewmountain.com/. It is an excellent course but the scenery is incredible. You really should get a game there while you are in the area. Oliver is just 12 miles from Osoyoos and we are fortunate enough to have a home here as well as Victoria so we get the best of both worlds. Oliver is considered the wine capital of Canada.Here is a link for you - although it is in the Kelowna section it gives you a list and map of our wineries.http://www.kelownabc.com/wine/oliver.php
The dining room in Burrowing Owl is excellent as Sludick can attest to as well. Enjoy your visit!
Hi Sludick!!
The dining room in Burrowing Owl is excellent as Sludick can attest to as well. Enjoy your visit!
Hi Sludick!!
Apr 26th, 2010, 05:37 PM
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nicolos1 -- guilty as charged. We are planning a trip to the Okanagan next month with friends (we are all from Florida), and have already made lunch reservations at Burrowing Owl.
Hi, traveller69! I've got my eyes on the duck confit, at long last!
Hi, traveller69! I've got my eyes on the duck confit, at long last!
Apr 28th, 2010, 06:37 AM
#34
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hello,
Has anyone had experiences on renting a car on Vancouver Island? We are trying to decide whether to go to Victoria first, rent a car and drive to Torfino, and drop off car in Nanaimo. We will need the car for 3-4 days. Ultimately we will head back to Vancouver. Is it any more feasible to go to Tsawwassen or Horseshoe Bay first? If we go to Victoria first it puts us there on the weekend. Maybe a bit more lively? Any recommendations? Thanks.
Nick
P.S. Any problem getting to Departure Bay from Nanaimo by public transportation?
Has anyone had experiences on renting a car on Vancouver Island? We are trying to decide whether to go to Victoria first, rent a car and drive to Torfino, and drop off car in Nanaimo. We will need the car for 3-4 days. Ultimately we will head back to Vancouver. Is it any more feasible to go to Tsawwassen or Horseshoe Bay first? If we go to Victoria first it puts us there on the weekend. Maybe a bit more lively? Any recommendations? Thanks.
Nick
P.S. Any problem getting to Departure Bay from Nanaimo by public transportation?
Apr 28th, 2010, 07:30 AM
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"Oliver is considered the wine capital of Canada."
It's a nice bit of self-promotion from the Oliver Chamber of Commerce, but hardly accurate. According to Tony Aspler, the eminent Canadian wine writer, the first winery with an Oliver address didn't open until 1979.
Oliver has some fine wineries in its vicinity, as does the rest of the Okanagan, but far more acres with more wineries are under cultivation in the Niagara Peninsula. If any town were to have this title, surely Niagara-on-the-Lake would be among the top contenders.
It's sad that because of provincial barriers to trade that Canadians don't have the opportunity to buy many wines from other provinces. I get to BC regularly to visit family and sample many of BC's fine wines, but I can find few of them here in Ontario. Similarly, it's virtually impossible to find more than a couple Ontario wines in BC. Canadian wine lovers are not well served by their governments in this regard.
It's a nice bit of self-promotion from the Oliver Chamber of Commerce, but hardly accurate. According to Tony Aspler, the eminent Canadian wine writer, the first winery with an Oliver address didn't open until 1979.
Oliver has some fine wineries in its vicinity, as does the rest of the Okanagan, but far more acres with more wineries are under cultivation in the Niagara Peninsula. If any town were to have this title, surely Niagara-on-the-Lake would be among the top contenders.
It's sad that because of provincial barriers to trade that Canadians don't have the opportunity to buy many wines from other provinces. I get to BC regularly to visit family and sample many of BC's fine wines, but I can find few of them here in Ontario. Similarly, it's virtually impossible to find more than a couple Ontario wines in BC. Canadian wine lovers are not well served by their governments in this regard.
Apr 28th, 2010, 08:12 AM
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nichols 1
The one way drop fee for cars is around $125.
Sometimes the car company will drop you off at the ferry if you drop it at the downtown Nanaimo Location, or a cab would not be that much. I would check with your rental company which way to do it, Victoria or Nanaimo first depending upon the drop fee and some companies wont let you do it one way only the other. They dont want too many cars in Nanaimo perhaps.
I dont think Victoria will be any more lively on the weekend verses the weekdays. I guess it depends on what you mean by lively. Are you into the music scene, clubbing etc? If so, then perhaps it is more lively on the weekend.
I think it is a good idea to pick up in either Nanaimo or Victoria and drop at the other. If it does not make any difference in drop fees etc I would do Victoria first, drive to Tofino and then drop the car in Nanaimo and head back to the mainland by ferry
The one way drop fee for cars is around $125.
Sometimes the car company will drop you off at the ferry if you drop it at the downtown Nanaimo Location, or a cab would not be that much. I would check with your rental company which way to do it, Victoria or Nanaimo first depending upon the drop fee and some companies wont let you do it one way only the other. They dont want too many cars in Nanaimo perhaps.
I dont think Victoria will be any more lively on the weekend verses the weekdays. I guess it depends on what you mean by lively. Are you into the music scene, clubbing etc? If so, then perhaps it is more lively on the weekend.
I think it is a good idea to pick up in either Nanaimo or Victoria and drop at the other. If it does not make any difference in drop fees etc I would do Victoria first, drive to Tofino and then drop the car in Nanaimo and head back to the mainland by ferry
Apr 28th, 2010, 01:19 PM
#37
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Hi Live42day,
Thank you for the information. I think we'll do Victoria first. Not into clubbing at my age but who knows. Anyway I thought maybe on weekends, they don't roll up the sideways at 10:00. Maybe a nice piano bar for an after dinner drink. Thanks again. Also good information previously on not depending on a bus from Victoria to Torfino.
Nick
Thank you for the information. I think we'll do Victoria first. Not into clubbing at my age but who knows. Anyway I thought maybe on weekends, they don't roll up the sideways at 10:00. Maybe a nice piano bar for an after dinner drink. Thanks again. Also good information previously on not depending on a bus from Victoria to Torfino.
Nick
Apr 28th, 2010, 01:28 PM
#38
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Hi Laverendrye,
We visited Niagara-on-the-Lake last May. I asked if we could buy their wine in the U.S. They only deal with their area. Too bad because, we did enjoy some of the wines. Not a big fan of the ice wine, but did enjoy the area. Thanks for the information on Oliver. Any recommendations to stay in 2 different places in the Okanagan Valley for 5 nights 2 nights and 3 nights?
Nick
We visited Niagara-on-the-Lake last May. I asked if we could buy their wine in the U.S. They only deal with their area. Too bad because, we did enjoy some of the wines. Not a big fan of the ice wine, but did enjoy the area. Thanks for the information on Oliver. Any recommendations to stay in 2 different places in the Okanagan Valley for 5 nights 2 nights and 3 nights?
Nick
May 6th, 2010, 08:22 AM
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Hi everyone,
I can't seem to find the schedule to go from Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay on the 21st. of Sept. At present the schedule does not show that date to be available. I called B.C. Ferries and they said that in about 6 weeks a new schedule would be ready. That seems like a long time. Is that par for the course? I would think that ferries would run everyday. Has anyone had experience with this? Also a friend said that the ferry from Seattle to Victoria stops running after Sept. 26th. Any information on this?
Nick
I can't seem to find the schedule to go from Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay on the 21st. of Sept. At present the schedule does not show that date to be available. I called B.C. Ferries and they said that in about 6 weeks a new schedule would be ready. That seems like a long time. Is that par for the course? I would think that ferries would run everyday. Has anyone had experience with this? Also a friend said that the ferry from Seattle to Victoria stops running after Sept. 26th. Any information on this?
Nick
