What bus do I take ?
 

Hi,<BR><BR>I will be taking a ferry from Vancouver to Victoria. When I get off in victoria (I think I'm getting off at swartz bay), what bus line do I take to get to my hotel (travellers Inn on 1850 douglas)? How much does the bus cost? Also, what bus do I take to get to inner harbor?<BR><BR>

There has been quite a bit of conversation on this board recently about this very thing! You can get a bus from downtown Vancouver that will go on to the ferry and then eventually take you right to downtown Victoria. If you don't want to do that, you can buy a bus ticket on the ferry for the trip into downtown Victoria. There are municipal buses that could take you, but it's much easier to get the bus directly from the ferry. It's run by Pacific Coach Lines. And you're right, you will be getting off at Swartz Bay. <BR> You probably know that people aren't recommending that Travellers Inn that you're staying at. But it's worth pointing that out. <BR> Once you're at the downtown bus terminal, it's a short taxi ride up Douglas Street to your hotel. It's too far to walk, especially with a suitcase. However, once you're there, you'll probably enjoy strolling down Douglas to the inner harbour - I'm not sure about the buses but I know there are some. Maybe somebody else can answer that part of your question.

Cindy<BR><BR>what's wrong with that travellers inn on 1850 douglas!?!?!

Susan, you might want to check out the thread here that's titled "Once off Tswassen Ferry in Victoria, can I just walk ?" for more info on this very subject.<BR><BR>As for the Traveller's Inn, I'm not 100% sure, but I think some people were reporting problems with service and cleanliness. I seem to recall a complaint about finding a used condom under the bed -- but don't quote me, that might have been another motel.

Hi, Susan - try a search on this board under "travellers inn" - you might find a lot of comments.

Susan,<BR><BR>The Travellers Inn on Douglas would not be my first choice of a base in Victoria if I did not have a car as it is a bit of a hike to the places you likely want to be. I stayed there once for one night and don't have stong opinions either way about it.

Pacific Coachlines say the fee to catch the bus while on the ferry is $10. The ticket desk is only open for a short while at the beginning of the sailing, so go there early. An announcement will be made to this effect, and will also tell you where the desk is located. You can board the bus while you are on the ferry - again, an announcement will tell you when to go to the vehicle deck.<BR><BR>You can get off the bus by Discovery Street, which is very close to your hotel, or a little beyond it by City Hall. However, you can't do this if you have luggage stored in the side of the bus. In that case you can only get off at Mayfair Mall many blocks before your hotel, or at the bus depot many blocks past it.

It would probably be easier to walk to the Inner Harbour, but if you're set on taking a bus, you'd need to transfer. Pay the driver $1.75 (reg. fare) and ask for a transfer. Nearly any bus passing your hotel will go to Shopper's Drug Mart or the Eaton's Mall, but I would ask to be sure. Get off at either stop, then stand in front of the Eaton's Mall and catch the no. 11 Beacon Hill or no. 30/21 James Bay. Going in that direction, both turn up Belleville St. and then Government St., at the corner of the Inner Harbour. Just tell the driver beforehand that you would like to get off closest to there and they will probably help you.<BR><BR>On the other hand, you may prefer to get off at Eaton's, although you'd probably be wondering why you just wasted $1.75. Then walk back a block to Government St. where all the tourists go and window shop your way down to the harbour. It's not very far.

Believe it or not you can take the bus from Vancouver to Victoria. The bus goes on the ferry and then drives from Swartz Bay into downtown Victoria. Sorry I cannot give more details - it has been a number of years since I did this. When you arrive in Vancouver, your hotel there ( I am assuming you will be spending some time in Vancouver) can probably tell you where to call for the us company.