We are flying into Seattle then over to Victoria and Vancouver Island. I have a few questions:
1) How do we get from Seattle Airport to the ferry to Victoria if we don't rent a car?
2) Is it better to rent the car in Victoria rather than Seattle?
3) When they say gravel road on Vancouver Island, do we need to rent a Hummer?

Thanks

I would rent the car in Seattle. You should go to the washington state ferry web site, It outlines various routes either from Port Angelas or from Anacortes Island. You need to make a reservation for the ferry from Anacortes. When are you planning to go? The Anacortes route is very pretty in spring because you pass by La Conner which is famous for it's tulips. You can also take the I-5 to Tswassen terminal in Delta B.C. Canada and take the ferry to Shwartz bay. You shouldn't need a 4x4 for the gravel roads on Vancouver Island but I'm curious about where your planning to go. The gravel road to Horn Lake Caves is in good condition any car is O.K. If your planning on taking logging road a 4x4 may be needed

If by "the ferry to Victoria" you mean the Victoria Clipper, just take Shuttle Express from the airport...they go there all the time. Passengers only, though, so if you rent it would be in Canada.

The Black Ball line runs a car ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, but you would have to rent in Seattle and drive to PA (make sure the rental agency knows you are going to Canada). Or you could rent in Seattle, drive up to Anacortes, and take the Washington State ferry to the terminal just north of Victoria and drive the rest of the way. Gas is VERY expensive in Canada.

I haven't driven any gravel roads on Vancouver Island, but I haven't seen a whole bunch of Hummers up there either.

Thanks Weasel. Why is it better to rent a car in the US? Wouldn't I have to pay considerably more to get ourselves and the car from and back to Seattle? Also is transporation available to and from the Seattle Airport and the ferries if we decide to rent a car in Victoria? We will be going in July and the gravel roads are the one from Port Renfrew to Lake Cowichan. Also would including Victoria, Nanaimo, and Tofino realistic for seven days? As an alternative to Nanaiom, Ucluelet and Tofino would traveling up 19 to Port McNeil instead be worthwhile...but the Pacific Rim looks very intriguing.

You can take a float plane from Lake Union in Seattle to Victoria and then rent the car in Canada which will allow you to drop the car off in Canada without a big drop charge then fly back to Seattle on Kenmore Air......

>>>>>>You can take a float plane from Lake Union in Seattle to Victoria and then rent the car in Canada which will allow you to drop the car off in Canada without a big drop charge then fly back to Seattle on Kenmore Air......<<<<<<

One thing to watch out for with the float planes, though, is the luggage restriction.

One more time, weasel, there is a service called Shuttle Express that runs from Sea-Tac to just about anywhere (and back) and they operate out of the cab stand in front of the terminal. They will take you and your luggage to the Victoria Clipper dock if that is what you decide to do.

nimbus109
With your short timeframe, may I suggest some alternatives?
Victoria has an airport with flights to and from Seattle. This will save you some travel time. A shuttle to Victoria and a couple of nights without a car will save $ there. Driving to Port Renfrew stopping at Jordan River, French Beach and Botanical Beach is a pleasant day's outing from a Victoria base.
Tofino and Long Beach are worth the effort. A day's drive up to Parksville and over. A couple of days being blown away there.
A day's drive back down.
No need for a 4x4 this way.
Welcome to Victoria.