Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle - Nov 2012

[travel maniac]

We are booked in Worldmark (WM) Vancouver, WM Victoria and WM Seattle (Camlin) in Nov 2012 - one week each except 2 weeks in Seattle. We will not have a car with us but may rent a car in Seattle to visit Tulalip during the Thanksgiving sales.

Questions:

1. What is the best way to get from Vancouver DT to Victoria DT? I've seen information on Pacific Coach Lines' buses running that route.

2. Getting from Victoria DT to Seattle DT?

3. We'll most probably fly back from SEA but just in case we fly back from YVR, we'll take the Quick shuttle from seattle to YVR.

I'll copy this thread in Western US section as well.

Any other suggestion/recommendations/opinions welcome!

Thanks.

[sue1947]

Originally Posted by travel maniac

We are booked in Worldmark (WM) Vancouver, WM Victoria and WM Seattle (Camlin) in Nov 2012 - one week each except 2 weeks in Seattle. We will not have a car with us but may rent a car in Seattle to visit Tulalip during the Thanksgiving sales.

Questions:

1. What is the best way to get from Vancouver DT to Victoria DT? I've seen information on Pacific Coach Lines' buses running that route.
Pacific Coach is your best option. Taking a car on the ferry is very expensive and you won't need a car in either Vanc or Victoria so this is a good option. The staff at both resorts are well versed in transportation options and can help you with bus or rental cars for day trips. I think the Pacific Coach stops right in front of the WM Victoria, but call the resort and they will be able to give you the best options. There are also plane connections that land in the Inner Harbor at Victoria; you will watch them come and go all day from the Victoria resort.

2. Getting from Victoria DT to Seattle DT? The Victoria Clipper which leaves from the Inner Harbor in Victoria and lands at the north end of downtown Seattle. The latter is a short cab ride to the Camlin (WM Seattle); you could walk it but it's a long walk with gear so take a cab. Option B is to fly via Kenmore Air. These also leave from the Inner Harbor and land on Lake Union in downtown Seattle. Another cab ride to the Camlin. Note that Alaska air flies into Victoria airport which is about 20 miles out of town and lands at Seatac. This is doable but the logistics are much harder and not worth it; for your destinations, stick with Kenmore.

3. We'll most probably fly back from SEA but just in case we fly back from YVR, we'll take the Quick shuttle from seattle to YVR.

I'll copy this thread in Western US section as well.

Any other suggestion/recommendations/opinions welcome!

Thanks.

My answers in blue above.
Sue

[travel maniac]

Thanks Sue

[aptiva]

On a tight time frame== from Seattle (Camlin) we took the Clipper over to Victoria for a day trip.
Then the TRAIN from Seattle to Vancouver (Rosedale on Robson) for a few days, before flying home..to Toronto

[hellolani]

They post last minute discount flights for weekend departures every Thursday at 5pm for that weekend. Flights as low as $45 one way, may be cheaper and definitely faster than pacific coach.

[bellesgirl]

We are going from Vancouver airport to Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island. Then we are going back to downtown Vancouver. I was not aware of this bus option. Should we rent a car from downtown Victoria and return it there? We were planning on renting it at Vancouver airport but then we are paying to ferry it back and forth. We won't need the car once we return to Vancouver.

[sue1947]

Originally Posted by bellesgirl

We are going from Vancouver airport to Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island. Then we are going back to downtown Vancouver. I was not aware of this bus option. Should we rent a car from downtown Victoria and return it there? We were planning on renting it at Vancouver airport but then we are paying to ferry it back and forth. We won't need the car once we return to Vancouver.

There's another thread that talked about getting to Nanaimo without a car, I'll see if I can find it.

Victoria is not on the way to Nanoose Bay. The latter is NW of the airport while Victoria is SW. 2 different ferry routes. It makes a lot of sense for Victoria where you don't necessarily need a car. For Nanoose Bay, not so much. I'd rent a car at the airport.

Sue

[travel maniac]

Thanks for your help

Originally Posted by aptiva

On a tight time frame== from Seattle (Camlin) we took the Clipper over to Victoria for a day trip.
Then the TRAIN from Seattle to Vancouver (Rosedale on Robson) for a few days, before flying home..to Toronto

[travel maniac]

Originally Posted by hellolani

They post last minute discount flights for weekend departures every Thursday at 5pm for that weekend. Flights as low as $45 one way, may be cheaper and definitely faster than pacific coach.

Thanks - this is certainly an option we'll look into. I love TUGGERS!

[gnorth16]

I took a float plane from Nanaimo to Vancouver and back. The flight and view was incredible. I believe it was harbour air. You could then rent right out of Nanaimo to Nanoose Bay. For the extra cost compared to the ferry, it was worth it!

Nanoose Bay is on my radar for a solo trip....sans kids and wife! Golf, reading and sleeping! They have dates in RCI all the way out to Jan. 2014!!!