As mentioned in my previous post, as part of our Vancouver tip, my parents & I plan to visit Victoria too. We didn't plan to rent a car (unless it's easy enough for a Winnipegger to get used to driving in Victoria, and parking is easy/cheap) at all so will be depending on foot and public transport!

For going to Victoria, I saw a Greyline Tour which is ~ $400 (CDN) per person, and includes pickup and drop at hotel (9:00 AM), the ferry over (arriving around 1pm), 2 night stay at Best Western in Victoria, , butchart gardens & tea the next day at Fairmont Empress, the 3rd day on your own; pick up at 5:00 and reaching Vancouver hotel around 10:00 pm. Is that worth it? Seems a bit pricey too me -and that we could do better/cheaper otherwise. Am I right?

I don't know if the Craig--whatever Castle is worth it (I went to London & Scotland last year), but considered going there. Also, would like to check out the British import shops I've heard about.

Your advice is greatly appreciated

Do you know which Best Western and is that for one room or two?

Dear Kindred: I suppose if you like not having to worry about making your own itinerary, the price is not way out of line. Of course, being from the US I'd get the favorable exchange rate that you wouldn't, but even then I think it's not too bad. When we were there last summer we saw lots of Greyline buses, so lots of people take their tours.

Actually, driving around Victoria is not bad at all. The city isn't that big and most tourists flock to the harbor area anyway, which is in walking distance of the shopping area. Our hotel was only two blocks up from the harbor, so we parked at the hotel and walked everywhere in/around the harbor. If I recall correctly, parking garage fees were about C15-18/car/night. I don't know where the British import shops are, although I'd bet one or more is within walking distance of the harbor area.
High Tea at the Empress is oversold, as far as my wife and her Mom were concerned, and a bit overpriced. They said the surroundings are impressive, but they had a better high tea at another location and liked it better, and it was half the price. Butchart Gardens is gorgeous. We spent about 3 hours there and only left because of our 12 and 8 year olds - they weren't too impressed with flowers -ha!

I don't know what a car rental would run you. You'd also have to make advance reservations for the ferry in both directions. On most summer days there's waiting lines for those foolish people without advance reservations, and the wait can be long. BC Ferries website can give all of the information.

So, it's a trade off. A lot of the guesswork is done for you when you take a bus tour. On the other hand, if you like the adventure of making your own plans and tailoring it to your particular needs, a bus tour may not be your choice. As you know, the internet is a wonderful resource. But you'd have a lot of work to do to make all of the reservations and keep the price down, but it can be done. On your "day off" you might consider taking an orca watching excursion. There are at least 2 operators right at Victoria Harbor operating small zodiacs which zoom you out to the whales. Wear something warm (they'll give you a protective suit to wear), but even then you'll get wet and chilled unless you dress properly. Whatever you decide Victoria is worth it.

If you stay in downtown Victoria, there is really no need for a car. You can catch the bus in downtown Vancouver and it will take you onto the ferry and drop you in downtown Victoria (right behind the Empress Hotel). All the tourist type of places are found around the Inner Harbour, including the British import shops. To get to Butchart's you can use public transportation and not be confined to a tour timetable. Agree with the other poster - tea at the Empress is not worth the price. I much prefer tea at Butcharts - you need to make a reservation. Craigdoccoch (spelt wrong!) is not worth it in my opinion.

Thanks for all the info.

Upon reflection, we've decided not to take that tour - I think we'll do better planning our own itinerary etc... I think we're gonna be "footing it" and/or bus-ing it around Victoria (& Vancouver when we're there).

I'm amazed at how many different rates one can get from the hotels (depends on who you speak to!).

Is the Schwartz harbor the same as "inner harbor" area? Is this where all the shops and touristy attractions are?

I'm thinking that it's probably best to stay in downtown Victoria than near the harbor, as we would only pay the major cost of harbor to downtown only twice, and then get around on foot/bus, rather than staying at inner harbor (best western) and trekking into town each day.

We will like to spend time walking along the harbor etc... but I'm guessing there are several options for that, right?

Any 'reviews' on Holiday Inn, Best Western (inner harbor & Carlton Plaza)? Any other suggestions?

Cruiseryyc, you mentioned taking a bus from the hotel to the ferry and then into downtown Victoria - any suggestions on a busline or were you thinking public transit? Might that be too cumbersome with 1 or 2 suitcases (3 of us)?

Thanks!

First off, Schwartz Bay is where the ferry terminal is on Vancouver Island. It is about 30 minutes from downtown Victoria. The Inner Harbour is downtown Victoria. Its surrounded by the Provincial Government Buildings on one side, the Empress Hotel on the other. There are lots of motels in the area that are much cheaper than the Empress. I'm not sure where exactly the Best Western is located - I'll do a quick check and let you know how central it is. The bus from Vancouver to Victoria is NOT public transportation. You catch it at the bus station in downtown Vancouver and it drops you at the bus station behind the Empress Hotel in Victoria. I believe its run by Pacific Coach Lines - something else I'll check out and send another reply for you.

Okay after a quick search I can finish my above post. Pacific Coach Lines is the bus service running from Vancouver to Victoria. www.pacificcoach.com. Both Best Western's in downtown Victoria are centrally located for your purposes. The "Best Western Inner Harbour" would be a little closer to the Inner Harbour. Hope this information helps.

I haven't stayed there recently, but the Harborhouse hotel has been advertising good rates in our local paper. It is located near the Prov. Gov't buildings. When are you arriving?

Last summer we stayed at the Royal Scot. It is one block off the inner harbour and very close to the parliament buildings. It was very nice and clean, friendly staff, and lovely grounds. Reasonably priced, too.

I am having a lot of difficulty trying to post here... but I'll try again.

If you mean Swartz Bay, no that is not the same as the Inner Harbour. Swartz Bay is where the ferry docks about half an hour's drive from Victoria. Nothing much is out there. You want to be at the Inner Harbour so the Best Western Inner Harbour would fit the bill. The Carlton Plaza is right downtown in an area I wouldn't want to walk around at night.


Island Coach Lines (Pacific Coach Lines?) goes from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria $31 one way, or $60 return. Tickets are good for a year. This is one of the least painless ways to get to Victoria. Just remember your bus number when you go to the upper deck during the ferry trip. Luggage is secured on the bus so keep anything you might want handy - sweaters, books, binoculars, cameras, etc. with you during the trip. At the bus depot in Victoria, you could roll your luggage over to the Best Western but you might want to get a cab. From there it is an easy walk to the museum, the Empress Hotel and the British import shops - I think these would mostly be up Government Street although one of the better ones is long gone. Munro's Books, Murchies Tea and Roger's Chocolates are along this street. Keep going and you'll run into Chinatown.


There is there is a nice walking path along the harbour that goes past Laurel Point Inn that is good for watching the boating and float plane activity. A little further away is Beacon Hill Park. Before you leave the bus depot though, ask about their trips to Butchart Gardens (admission to the gardens: $20 ea.) You can take a tour bus out there but why? A city bus can also take you there for $2.50 each way but I would ask how long it takes.


Tea at The Empress is a whopping $49.95 plus tax. Is it worth it? I don't think so but if you really want to have the Empress experience, I guess it is.


Craigdarroch Castle is ok, but the grounds aren't up to much. Hatley park & castle has much, much nicer grounds but you can't usually go inside the castle. You would want a car to go there though, which you might want to consider renting for a day anyway. Then you could go drive yourself to Butcharts, take in the scenic waterfront drive and perhaps a stop at Mattick's Farm out on the peninsula.


Now, if you've saved a lot of money doing this yourselves, you might also consider taking the ferry one way and the float plane back. Float planes leave from the Inner Harbour.

PS. I wrote this originally before you got some answers saying the same things but couldn't post it until now, so sorry if some of the info is old hat.

Thanks so much for all the info - this really helps a lot!!

Will check out the busline website too; how far in advance should we buy those tickets? I guess the good thing about using the bus is that you don't have to worry about long line-ups etc. Is it also cheaper than taking a cab to the ferry, then the $10 for the ferry, and a cab or public bus to the hotel? If we were doing it this latter way, should we reserve ferry tickets from now? The BW hotel in Vancouver has a (one-way) shuttle to the ferry dock. I think it was suggested that we should be there at least 1/2 hr before our time?

We were thinking of taking the 8:00 or 9:00 (to get the larger boat) AM ferry on Friday to Victoria - is this a good time? Does it matter? Then we'll take a 4 or 5 pm ferry back to Vancouver on a Monday.

So a float plane, huh? Is it a much nicer experience? Too scary for people who can't swim??!! Expensive?

Haven't heard of Harborhouse hotel - can't even find any info on teh net. have you stayed there before?

Thanks so much for all the replies!

I don't know of a Harbourhouse hotel. There is a Harbour Towers on the same street as the Best Western and the Royal Scot.

For bus tickets, just show up at the depot and buy them half an hour or so before you want to leave. I don't know what a cab would cost but for a 30-40 drive, I imagine it would be much more expensive than taking the bus. If you did want to do it that way, and I can't see why anyone would, you don't need to reserve on the ferry as walk-on passengers. But not only would you pay a lot more, you'd also be hauling your luggage around more. With the bus, you don't have to look at it until you reach the end of the trip.

Friday may be busy on the ferries (although any time can be busy), but as walk-on or bused-on passengers it won't affect you other than being crowded. There is a gift/magazine shop on board, by the way.

Websites for West Coast Air and Harbour Air both show a one-way fare of $99. There are luggage limits but if you have more, they will send it on a later flight. I think the ferry and the float planes have their merits - the Gulf Islands are nice to see both ways. The flight can be quite beautiful though, especially in early light, and only takes 40-50 minutes or so. I don't swim either but I don't find flying over water any scarier than floating on it.

Flights should be reserved. If you weren't locked into it, you could try to book it from the coast and if nothing was available, go with the bus and ferry.

I just reread what you said about taking a shuttle to the ferry dock. In that case, you can still take the bus right off the ferry into Victoria. Go to the bus ticket booth on the ferry early in the trip. The bus fare should be $10.50. I think you tag and leave your luggage at the ferry ticket booth rather than cart it all the way onto the ferry but I would ask about that. Don't know if it's any different these days but it used to be a lengthy walk from the ticket booth onto the ferry.

One company tells me that a taxi from Swartz Bay to Victoria (Inner Harbour area) would cost $45 - $50.

Thanks for the info April. I'll have to look into the two "ferry options" and compare rates and find out where the bus station in Vancouver is in relation to the Best Western on Drake; that would likely require a cab anyway - and there are 3 of us going.

That Victoria cab sounds pricey!! Will have check this out thoroughly again!!

Thanks for the advice so far

Tried to post this two days ago but it wouldn't work. Anyway you've already received the same advice regarding transportation to Victoria. I highly recommend taking Pacific Coach Lines directly from Vancouver to Victoria. You don't have to lug your luggage everywhere or waste time on the ferry getting a bus ticket. It is worth the money to do it this way.

Definitely take the bus from Vancouver. If you go as "walk on" passengers you have to keep you luggage with you at all times, plus there is a long walk at both ends after leaving the ferry to get to where the taxis wait. Check with the bus lines on what time to catch the bus for the 8 or 9 ferry, the buses are loaded first so you will definitely get on whichever ferry sailing you pick. Have fun and enjoy Victoria.

By the way I agree with the other poster about tea at the Empress. It has become VERY TOURISTY. Butcharts serves a really nice tea every day - reservations are required. I can't remember the exact price ($20 - $30/person) but it is less than the Empress.

Let me second Cruiseryyc's advice. As one who has travelled between Victoria and Vancouver many times I would, without question, take the bus straight from Vancouver to Victoria. To me, the convenience of doing it this way would be worth the $10 or so extra it might cost (assuming the hotel's shuttle bus is free).