Whistler to Victoria by ferry with 2year old: non-stop or layover in Vancouver
 

We are flying to Vancouver, then driving straight up to Whistler for four nights. We have one open night, then eight nights in Victoria. We need to return our rental car in Vancouver, take the ferry to Sidney, then pick up another rental car. Because we are not flying back out of Vancouver, we have to change rental cars, or the drop off charges were prohibitive. We can either stay one more night in Whistler (but we would have to change accomodations), stay over in Vancouver one night, or go straight to Victoria (where we also have to change accomodations after the first night). Help! Because of my active two year old, I am not sure which would be best. I should mention that I spent a lot of time in Vancouver about tenyears ago.
Barbara

Hello Barbara,

If you can go to the accommodation in which you'll be spending the first night in Victoria one night sooner, so that you spend two nights there, that's what I would do. I think there's merit in keeping accommodation changes to a minimum.

I would drive from Whistler to Vancouver, keep the car and do something child-friendly that would allow everyone to let off some steam, e.g., the miniature train at Stanley Park, then hand in the car, then catch the Pacific Coach Lines' bus / ferry combination from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria.

However, if you are not able to go to your initial Victoria accommodation one night sooner, and you are forced to move from one property to another anyway, I would break up the journey with a night in Vancouver.

I believe that's what I would do if it was my trip.

Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately, we cannot get into our Victoria accomodations one night sooner, I would have preferred to keep changes to a minimum. I am not sure if they are affordable, but in Vancouver, I was considering the Wedgewood, the westin Bayshore, or the West End Guesthouse--which do you think would be more amenable to a small child? With an early bedtime, I might add...

Hi Barbara,
I agree with Judy in Calgary that it would be preferable to spend that "free" night in Vancouver rather than trying to go from Whistler to Victoria in one day with a 2 year old. They are currently working on the highway to Whistler in preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics and this could lead to some road delays. Also, the road to Whistler is quite windy so you probably won't want to go top speed (Our kids got carsick on that road the last time we were on it). I also agree with Judy about taking the Pacific Coach lines bus from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria. The bus depot in Victoria is right next to the Inner Harbour. Many of Victoria's attractions are within walking distance of this area. I was curious when I first read your post how you planned to get from downtown Vancouver to Tsawwassen (where the ferry leaves for Sydney/Swartz Bay) without a rental car. Taking the coach lines would be much more relaxing for all of you and it makes more sense than getting a rental car in Sydney and driving into downtown Victoria (where parking is expensive and rather scarce at times.) If you think you will still need a rental car in Victoria, you can always get one from one of the downtown agencies. The hotels you mentioned in Vancouver are fairly expensive but well located to downtown. The Coast Hotel at Stanley Park Plaza which has suites might be a better bet for families. Good luck in your research and have a great trip.

Thank you for your reply. We had hoped to drop the car off near the Vancouver side ferry, and the rental car agency was willing to either pick us up at the Sidney ferry or reimburse us for a taxi. We are staying in a friend's home for one week in the Fairfield area, but will need a car. Pacific coach is an easy solution, but then we will need to get to the car rental location (which can be changed to downtown) with all our luggage and child. In any case, I will look into the hotel in Vancouver, that seems to be our best bet--he just got sick in the car a few days ago...

Hi Barbara,
The terminal for Pacific Coach Lines in Victoria is on Douglas Street. There are at least a couple of car rental agencies within a block of the the Coach Lines terminal on Douglas so this would be very convenient for car pick-up. Fairfield is just a short drive away and very easy to get to. Another option would be to fly Harbour Air on a float plane from the harbour in Vancouver to Victoria's Inner Harbour. My husband has flown these several times for work related purposes and says the flights are reasonably priced and very quick. This would eliminate the trip by bus and ferry. However, if you've never been on the ferry before it is a scenic ride through the Gulf Islands to Sydney. Good luck in making your decision. Sorry about the car sickness. My kids still get this sometimes and they're teenagers!

The coast Pacific hotel received mixed reviews. Any other suggestions that would work with a 2 year old? You are right, a suite would work best, he is not a good sleeper under the best of circumstances. The Liesel was mentioned in another post, but I don't know much about it.
Thanks again!

HI Barbara,
Perhaps you mean the Listel? It is located on Robson Street (good location downtown, close to lots of shops and restaurants). It seems to have mixed reviews on Trip Advisor. Not sure if it has suites. The Hampton Inn and Suites is also located on Robson Street. It is rated #4 (user reviews) on Trip Advisor out of 100 Vancouver Hotels. You might want to check that one out. Also it is the Coast Plaza Hotel (not Coast Pacific). Good luck!