Good Morning DBW - I am wondering if you are planning on staying in Vancouver rather than going directly to the Island. I am asking because you mention getting the car other than the at airport. If you are going directly to the Island from Tsawwassen it would be out of your way to get the car at any other location. Enterprise has a location close to the airport with a shuttle service. Let us know what your plans are so we can continue to help you plan the perfect vacation. We might even arrange perfect weather too!!

I just returned back to NJ from a trip to Vancouver Island. I flew on Continental to Seattle and then transferred on to Victoria. A couple hours in the Seattle airport seemed better than the time that would have been involved getting a ferry. After a few days there, I drove to Tofino and stayed at Long Beach Lodge Resort. It is beautiful place, but don't know if it was worth the high price, but the restaurant has an outstanding chef,so go there for a meal.
Definitely walk the Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet. It was wonderful. On the way to Tofino stop at the country market in Coombs to see the goats on the roof and at Cathedral Grove to see the Old Growth trees.

Hi,

Now we are thinking of flying into Vancouver, staying 3 nights, getting the rental car (traveller 69-if I understand correctly, I should get the car at the airport?)then go to Tofino for three nights, drive to Victoria, stay 2 nights and take the ferry with car, drop off car and fly home. FYI-I checked and you go through US customs in Vancouver-thank goodness!

The latest flight to Newark leaves around 12:20 pm. How early should we leave Victoria to get to the airport on time?

Thanks again for all these great suggestions!

It's about a 30 minute drive from Victoria to the Airport. You may experience heavy ferry traffic (the airport is close to the ferry terminal) so allow a few extra minutes. Canadian airports generally request you show 2 hours prior to departure time for international flights.

If you can get a connecting flight to Victoria upon arrival in Vancouver, then that's the way to maximize your "time on the ground" while minimizing your car rental charges, ferry costs, etc. If you really desire to spend some time in Vancouver then obviously that option isn't the best and you'd be wiser to take a bus over to Victoria and rent your car there; especially if you are flying return ex Victoria airport.

if I understand you correctly DBW, you are driving from Victoria to the ferry to Vancouver (Tswwassen) to catch your flight our of Vancouver at 1220PM
so lets go backwards. You will need to be at the airport by 1020AM, drop the car off by 945AM or 930AM, drive from the ferry terminal which I would allow 1 hour, so 830AM, 1 1/2 hour ferry ride, so you are stuck taking the first ferry at 7AM and I would make sure to be there 1/2 hour prior and have a reservation. If all goes according to plan you will just make it.

SusieQQ
I am glad you had a good time on the island. you did all my favorite things.

I am going to add another option here. As live42day says you will have to get the 7 am ferry to give you enough time to turn the car in and get to the airport without being rushed. If you would like to be more relaxed you could always get the 9pm sailing the day before which still gives you the full day in Victoria and book a hotel near the airport. That way you don't have to get up so early in the morning when you have a long flight ahead of you.

I would go with that last option and stay at the airport (assuming you don't fly from Victoria). The stress of trying to catch a ferry before your flight is not a good way to end a nice vacation!

Hi All,

I have a question about Middle Beach Lodge. Is there any difference between staying at the lodge at the beach or the lodge at the headlands?

Thanks

Yes and their website does a pretty good job of laying out the options I think. The rooms at the original beach lodge are small and pretty basic and it's adults only. The lodge at the headlands has more upscale options. If it's in your budget, my favorite type of lodging there is one of the single cabins with a hot tub on the deck.

Hi,

Is there any difference between the lodge rooms at the beach vs the headlands? Are the headlands more conveniently located than the beach lodge or vice versa?

Thanks

I'm not sure about that, I've never stayed in the regular lodge rooms at the headlands, although my guess would be those rooms are larger than the ones at the original lodge. But I'm sure a quick call to the lodge could answer that question.

They're both located at the end of a unpaved road off the main highway so convenience of one vs the other isn't an issue.

Hi,

has anyone used priceline to find hotels in Vancouver and Victoria?

Thanks

Hi All,

Wonderful news. We booked our flights and reserved rooms at the Vancouver Delta Suites and the Middle Beach lodge? Any reviews on either? We are staying at the lodge at the headlands in a lodge room. Would love to hear some recommendations on things to do in Vancouver, Victoria, and Tofino. Thanks

Well, here's another review of MBL - we try to get there
at least once a year. It's a wonderful westcoast venue
and we like the casual rustic atmosphere better than the
Wick/LBR. If I want a more formal (and pricey place) I'd
go to an urban place - MBL matches its setting imho.

Lavendyre has forwarded a great article on things to do
in Vancouver - check it out and Fodor's destination guide.

Victoria has tons of tourist info on line - it's a walkable
town with a great museum and lots of good restos.

Tofino - well, if you can't occupy yourselves just 'being'
there - well..........my screensaver is a photo of sunset
from the deck at the Headlands and my Fodor's profile lists
Tofino as my fav place in the world and I've lived in Paris!
'nuff said.
Have a great visit!

The name of the tread is Insider's Vancouver.

We just returned from VI. My suggestion is don't drive to Tofino from Victoria all in one day. It is a lot of driving and you miss a lot you could be seeing along the way...otherwise plan to take more time driving back. We stayed overnight in Port Alberni and took the freightor trip down the island. That was great. In Tofino, we stayed at the Tough City Inn in Tofino and I'd give it a 5 out of 10. It was quirky and interesting, but nothing special and over priced. Staff not all that helpful about suggestions for things to see/do. The hotel is actually an after thought tot the restaurant and that attitude was conveyed to us.We sought out others more helpful. There was a lot more driving than we had anticipated. We were excited about the scenery. Victoria was too touristy but the shore drive in Victoria was spectacular. Downtown Victoria was "cute" but I was happy to have spent only 1/2 day there and that was enough.

I thought that you were staying at Middle Beach Lodge? It is a very long drive to Tofino from Victoria in one day, I agree. My kids do it all the time, but I would find it very tiring.

Do you mean that you took the Francis Barclay (Lady Rose) from Port Alberni to Bamfield? That is a great trip.

I am not a big fan of Tough City, which is why we have probably never seen it recommended on Fodors to my knowledge. Apparantly they have great sushi though.

I am glad that overall you had a good time on the island, (I think??)