hijinalhere

We are planning to do a 3 day trip to vancouver, victoria and whistler. Any suggestions for the route to consider as we are driving by taking a rental car from seattle to vancouver.

late night drive from seattle to vancouver to avoid the border delays.
Day 1: Whistler
Day 2: Vancouver
Day3: Victoria
take ferry from victoria back to Seattle

Any suggestions on rental car restrictions ??
Any must see destinations

sludick

(Note: You aren't likely to get many responses; this is posted in United States/Washington instead of Canada/British Columbia.)

You don't have much time to do any more than a drive-through in these 3 areas in 3 days, but if that's all you have to work with... here's one thought:

- late night drive from Seattle to Vancouver; night in Vancouver
- Day 1: Spend in Vancouver. Visit Granville Market (you could ride a water taxi to it), Stanley Park, walk through Robson Street and other downtown areas, maybe Yaletown for dinner. There's just so much, that even though downtown Vancouver is compact, you will have to pick and choose. If you aren't into the city views, maybe go across to one of the Day 2 ideas. Night in Vancouver.
- Day 2: I would skip Whistler. It is a pretty drive though, so if that's what you are after, it's good for a half day. Otherwise, go to Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge.
- Day 3: Again, this is rushed. The ferry ride to Victoria will be 90 minutes plus about an hour wait (get a reservation). Victoria is about 30 minutes from where the ferry comes in. You can walk around the Inner Harbour, see the Royal BC Museum.
- Getting to Seattle means that you either have to take the ferry to Port Angeles and make a drive into Seattle (allow several hours)or back to mainland and through customs there. There is not a car ferry that will take you directly back to Seattle. So if you have to catch a flight or something that day, this is too ambitious.

sludick

To clarify - the "several hours" is once you have reached Port Angeles. Add to that the 90 minute ferry ride and minimum 90 minute pre-board wait (required, customs). You will have a late night arrival back in Seattle.

suze

You are trying to cover a LOT of ground in a very short time. Have you mapped out the distances and driving times yet? Basically you're proposing a 3-day roadtrip but witho a short amount of time left for seeing any of the places.

happytrailstoyou

I agree that you are attempting to do too much in too little time.

Are you certain you will avoid a delay at the border by traveling late at night?

Only the company from which you rent a car can tell you what restrictions apply.

HTtY

achay

Ditto on the comments that you are covering a lot of ground and might want to re-think distances. Don't know if you are interested in gardens, but Butchart Gardens is over-the-top beautiful, I would consider it a must-see destination. A couple of hours meandering around the gardens will lower your blood pressure noticeably.

sludick

There is an app you can put on your smartphone, wsdot (www.wsdot.com on a regular browser). It will give you information on delays at the border crossings, ferry schedules, mountain passes, and regular traffic. Very handy, and free.

lincasanova

The ferry from horseshoe bay to gibsons is about the prettiest ferry ride you can find in that area..