This is my first time to Victoria and need to know from savvy travelers if via Seattle or Vancouver is the way to go. I am working a convention and can get a rental car if needed?

Where will you be travelling from?

Victoria's extremely pedestrian friendly, so you won't necessarly need a car. <BR> <BR>I believe there's only one ferry service from Seattle to Victoria, and it's passenger only. It takes you direction from downtown Seattle into downtown Vancouver. <BR> <BR>The ferries from Vancouver (Tsawwassen ferry terminal), are much larger vessels, several stories high and are the only way to get across if you have a car or want to travel by bus. I believe they can bring about 400 vehicals across at a time. <BR> <BR>The ferry from the Tsawwassen ferry terminal is about a 30 minute drive south of Vancouver. From Tsawwassen to Vancouver Island takes about an hour and a half to cross the water, and then there's another 30 minute drive before you get to downtown Victoria.

Drake, There are also ferries between Port Angeles, WA and Victoria. Passenger charge is about $8.00 (US) each way, and a car + driver is about $30.00 (US) each way. The crossing takes about 95 minutes, and I think they have four sailings per day in each direction. <BR> <BR>Depending on your schedule, itinerary, etc., this might be another alternative to consider. Hope this helps...

If you are going from Vancouver then get the rental car in Vancouver and take it over with you as the taxi/bus fare from Vancouver to the Ferry terminal is expensive and then you have to get to Victoria from the terminal on the Island. <BR>I think you would be well advised to have a car anyway as there is not much to offer in Victoria I think. I have travelled a lot and as cities go it's ok but not what you'd call vibrant and exciting.

As I recall, and I just did this a little over a month ago, it costs something like $32 to take the bus from the Vancouver airport into downtown Victoria. The bus goes on to the ferry at Tsawwassen; you re-board the bus at Swartz Bay in Victoria and it takes you right into the downtown area. There are a number of rental car agencies not far from the bus terminal.

Just a note <BR>The ferry trip from Vancouver to Victoria is very beautiful and half of it goes through the Gulf Islands. The ferry trip from Port Angeles is not as nice, in my humble ...

You don't say when you're going. Check schedules because probably in October the number of sailings are cut back. In any case the easiest route, I think, is between Vancouver (Tsawwassen)and Victoria (Swartz Bay). <BR> <BR>I would either drive over or take the bus from downtown to downtown. If you take the bus then you don't have to worry about ferry line-ups. You can ride the same bus from A to B so it's very easy. No reservations needed. <BR> <BR>I agree with Victorian that the Coho trip between Victoria and Port Angeles is dull. <BR> <BR>I'm not clear if you will be at the convention centre in Victoria. If so, the bus depot is right next door and, as mentioned, car rentals are close. I think one is right across the street.