Seattle, Victoria, Whistler - Transportation?
 

I will be travelling to Seattle 8/23/02 and have 8 days to visit Seattle, Victoria and Whistler. I would like to see as many sites as possible but am uncertain which mode of transportation I should use to travel between the 3 cities. I would prefer inexpensive options. Any ideas?

We started in Vancouver. While my hubby was in a meeting I took a Grey Line tour, then when he was done we took another tour bus trip to Victoria. That was terrible. We spent more time getting there and coming back and had practically no time at Buchart Gardens or Victoria itself. We did have an incredibly cool ferry ride, but it really ate up the time for the tour. I think if I had to do it again I would rent a car and go on my own.<BR><BR>We had a car but decided not to take it to Victoria. Dumb move. We drove to Whistler and it was a nice way to go. We were able to stop when we wanted and take pictures and stuff. <BR><BR>Vancouver is a really nice place too if you have any extra time. Only down side for us was we went in Oct. and it rained constantly.

Hi Tammy,<BR> We did the same type of trip about 4 years ago - flew into Seattle, stayed a few nights - rented a compact car, drove to Vancouver and stayed a night and, although it is a beautiful city, we just wanted to go somewhere less hectic so we drove to Whistler and stayed in a condo - It's BEAUTIFUL! We stayed there a few nights and then drove to the ferry terminal and took the ferry (with the car) to Victoria and spent a few nights. It was beautiful also. <BR> I can't tell you how long the drives were because I don't remember - if I can't remember, that means it was an uneventful, relaxing drive. One thing I remember was it seemed to be a longer drive than I expected from the ferry terminal in Victoria to the Empress Hotel area of Victoria - not hours or anything, just longer than I expected.<BR> You'll have a great time though. Canada is beautiful.

We rented a pickup truck from budget or Hertz online for $19.95 per day, unlimited miles. Pick it up at the airport when you fly in. You have to make reservations online, though to get the rate.

cf I was wondering how many nigts was your trip in total? we are thinking three nights in seattle,vancouver & victoria would be enough to do alot. then off for ten nights touring whistler & area. any comments or advice ? when & where should we pickup the car? thanks for reading! toye

Our trip was 10 days. We worked out of Vancouver. If I knew then what I know now I would have opted to at least overnight in Victoria and Whistler. Vancouver was one of the neatest cities. It was beautiful, I always felt safe, there was a lot to see and do even if we did it with an umbrella! LOL<BR><BR>Unless you ski I don't think 10 nights in whistler would be necessary. I missed the Seattle part so I don't know about it, but you should be able to see a lot in Vancouver in 3 days. I might think about adding one or 2 days there and subtract one or 2 from Whistler.<BR><BR>The drive from Vancouver to Whistler is a very pretty ride too.<BR><BR>We picked up our car in downtown Vancouver but if I had to do that again I'd get it at the airport. They wanted it picked up and brought back to their place downtown so we ended up paying extra for cab rides. I'm sorry, but I don't remember the name of the rental company.

cf, thanks for the info..what hotel did you stay at & like? we thought maybe a few nights in whistler then Banff? we have twenty days and no resi's yet, thanks again Toye, please see my website, athenahouse.com

My pen says Canadian Pacific, but there were two hotels owned by that company. The hotel we stayed at was right on the dock across from one that had the convention center in it. My mind is blank (it usually is) maybe someone else can supply the name. It was areally nice place.