What is the best way to travel around in Victoria BC? Is it best to rent a car or use the bus system?

Question

This is our first trip to Victoria. We are unsure of the best way to navigate ourselves from the airport in Vancouver to Victoria to Butchart Gardens and other attractions. We have heard that the bus system works about the best and costs less. The ferry ride would be less without a rental car but we don't want to feel "stuck" without transportation. Would love to hear from others who have gone before us and can give us some tips to make our travel more enjoyable. Thank you!

Answer 1

The best way to get to Victoria from Vancouver is by The Pacifac Coach Lines. There are busses leaving the airport in Vancouver every two hours which will take you right to your hotel in Victoria or drop you off downtown. The cost is only about $40.00 one way. The ferry takes 1 3/4 hours and is an exciting trip in itself. Be sure to watch for whales. Once you get to Victoria, I think you would find that if you rent a car it's going to end up parked most of the time anyways because the majority of the tourist attractions are in about a six block radious of each other right downtown. I would suggest doing all of the walking tours of Victoria first and then renting a car for a couple of days to see the attractions on the outskirts of the city or out of town. When I lived in Victoria I used to leave my car at home and walk everywhere because it was so much faster because of the heavy tourist traffic both in cars and on foot. There are several very interesting ways to see the sites in Victoria. You can take a double decker bus tour, ride the Tally Hoes ( horse drawn carriage tours) ride in a rickshaw, take boat tours, rent a bicycle or scooter, ( all of these are available right beside the Parliment Buildings) or even take the city transit bus. Victoria's city busses are very clean and will take you anywhere you want to go. Some must see's in Victoria include the Boardwalk along Marina Boulavard, tea at The Empress, The Parliment Buildings, the buskers at Inner Harbour, Whale watching tours, Underwater Seaworld and the museums. Out of town must see's are East Sooke Park, French Beach, Chamanius (city of murals), Butchard Gardens and the Coach House pubs along the highway on route to Sooke. The websites below include information on Victoria, bus information, car rentals and attractions. Hope this helps and that you enjoy your trip. I know you will love it.
http://www.pacificcoach.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Schedule.Airport
http://www.vancouverisland.com/ParksAndTrails/
http://www.eastsookepark.com/photos_east_sooke.html
http://www.northcowichan.bc.ca/siteengine/ActivePage.asp?PageID=44
http://www.victoriabcguide.com/car-rental.htm
http://www.travel-library.com/carrental/north_america/canada/british_columbia/victoria/
You will have to excuse the spelling errors...spell check is not working.

Answer 2

Wow. What a dilemma. I don't have the best answer. But will list out some pros and cons for each.

The first are con's against a car. Victoria is hell to navigate. Sure, an easy 30 minute drive from the ferry to downtown where your hotel is probably located. But in general, the roads wind and change names, etc. I think it is partially because back in the day, they had a British round-a-bout system that is now converted to traffic lights. With the latter you would have parallel streets running into 2 street intersections. In the former why not 4 or 6 roads heading to a round-a-bout. Plus it is an island with peninsulas, bridges, and coastlines; the roads can't be straight. So, when you add an an elderly population driving, plus other tourists driving, it may not be a vacation to drive. Other than Butchard Gardens, there are a lot of attractions in the downtown area, so a car is not need. And basically, all transit routes go downtown, so if your hotel isn't downtown you will probably be able to get there easy. Finally, the bus drives right onto the ferry, you don't have to deal with the line up. AND there will be a line up at the ferry.

PCL is the bus that goes from the airport, right onto the ferry and to downtown Victoria. It's a long trip, and the fewer times you transfer your luggage the better. Their link is attached. Problems? The ride takes forever, it leaves every 2 hours and the last one is 7:40 PM, probably getting you to downtown Victoria 11:30ish. I guess realistically, you can only leave by car about half an hour later than that last bus to make it. You may want to see if the PCL return trip via Buchard Gardens works for you. Looks to be a smooth option, but the timing has to be right for your other travel plans. Renting a car and a well timed ferry reservation could shorten that trip by 90 minutes. It's not guaranteed, there are lots of variables, especially if you skip the ferry reservation. But my bet is a car is smother and faster. And the cost is about the same for caching the ferry with a car as it is for 2 taking the bus. You still have costs of the car, but if 3 or 4 are traveling, the car becomes cheaper. Even with 2, if you happen on a good car rate like a weekend or week deal, the car option can be cheaper.

The double decker bus is the other tour option for hitting Buchard. It is also attached. It is $50 each. Buchard costs $23 each. So again, you can ask for specific driving directions from the hotel, rent a car for the day, and get there quicker, cheaper and freer. The thing I hate about a bus is the freedom. With your own car you can leave earlier if you get board, or stay until it closes if you love the place.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What is the best way to travel around in Victoria BC? Is it best to rent a car or use the bus system?
This is our first trip to Victoria. We are unsure of the best way to navigate ourselves from the airport in Vancouver to Victoria to Butchart Gardens and other attractions. We have heard that the bus system works about the best and costs less. The ferry ride would be less without a rental car but...

Answer 4

Some islands aren't suitable for a car, and you might need to think motorbike. The advice here to rent a car and driver is pretty good, as that option may even be less than renting and driving a car yourself. I live here so drive my own vehicle, but renting a car in Cebu, the cheapest decent one (where everything works) is about P1,500 a day. You can get a hell of a lot of taxi, jeepney, bus rides for that money. Getting around is no problem, ask around the people are warm friendly and helpful, the local Barangay Hall will help you. Somebody there always knows someone: aunt's neighbour's, son-in-laws, brother's nephew type of thing. Enjoy your trip, I know you will.

Answer 5

If you are staying downtown, you do NOT need to rent a car or take the bus. Victoria's centre is a very walkable city.
From the airport, hop on an Akal shuttle. They leave the airport all the time and will take you to your hotel for about $15.
To go to Butchart Gardens from downtown, go to the downtown bus depot on Douglas. They have trips leaving from there daily. Also, in front of the harbour and Empress hotel, double decker buses leave all the time. You can ask at the booths on the sidewalks and get tickets for tours around the city there.
Also, one great thing to do here is go whale watching. It's expensive but worth it. About $100 each. Trips are daily and take about 3-4 hours.
http://www.princeofwhales.com/

Answer 6

Rental Cars In Victoria Bc

Answer 7

You can hop on a lovely double decker for like, 2.50 and get into downtown! The transit there is great, scooters are another option to rent, the weather is usually pretty fair this time of year. Bicycling in Victoria, and around that area is not to be missed though!!! The Galloping Goose trail is awesome...Bike shops rent really nice hybrids for the day! Then, there's the car, my last choice though! Enjoy, it's a lovely city to visit!

Answer 8

Definitely the bus is a cheap option. Try contacting Pacific Coach Lines. They include the ferry on the way to Victoria and also have the option of going on tours in the Butchart Gardens.

Answer 9

I'm not sure

Answer 10

Well, it depends..