Head to Oak Bay for afternoon tea. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-40486788', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Vancouver so that I can see both Grouse Mountain and Whistler or if I should make an overnight in Leavenworth, Tacoma, or Bellevue, Washington, or somewhere else?? Day 3 Start in Vancouver and ferry to its namesake island to enjoy the best of both worlds. They too are so nice. HOW TO SPEND 4 DAYS IN NEW YORK CITY | TRAVEL GUIDE + ITINERARY. Even if cost isnt a major deterrent and getting to Victoria quickly is your primary concern the time savings will be negligible after you consider how long it takes to: Related: Plan the Perfect Vancouver to Victoria Day Trip. Note: if you are traveling from the U.S.A. you can take a ferry from Port Angeles and Seattle directly to Victoria Inner Harbour! Still hungry? Day 9 - Explore Whistler. There is the Sunken Garden (the first garden planted by Jennie Butchart, back in 1904! We did bring some fast food back and ate in the unit. In British Columbia, metropolitan centers thrive alongside sublime wilderness. Get ready to enjoy day two in Vancouver! We then took it back to the airport. Your email address will not be published. Lets take a closer look. If youre a foot passenger youll be able to reach downtown Victoria via the #70 Downtown Express bus. Part 4: Brentwood Bay. There are three transportation options to choose from to get from Downtown Vancouver to Tsawwassen Terminal: Vancouver to Victoria ferries allow both foot passengers and people with vehicles. The province offers a ton of outdoor activities because of its mountain ranges, the Pacific coastline, Glacier National Park, and more. Click the button below to check out a Butchart Gardens tour that departs from Victorias Inner Harbour. A sailing takes about an hour and forty minutes. I think Leavenworth may be too far out of the way. Red Fish, Blue Fish (open seasonally): hands down the best fish tacos Ive ever eaten. On your second day in Victoria, its time to visit the Royal BC Museum, which was founded in 1886. One of the Vancouver to Vancouver Island car ferries operates from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, which is a 30-minute drive from downtown Victoria. The Butchart Gardens are a National Historic Site of Canada and the result of the vision, passion, and dedication of Jenny Butchart. The next item on your things to see in Victoria list is Fishermans Wharf, a very colorful and fun neighborhood. You can travel to Vancouver Island from Vancouver via ferry, coach, float plane or flight. However, I wasn't overly impressed nor did I end up taking any photos in this part of the island. How long is the flight from Vancouver to Victoria? Explore Vancouver, Victoria, and Banff; Visit Kamloops, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Audain Art Museum or the . Our day trip itinerary for Victoria covers the best things to see and do, must-see attractions, places to eat, and where to stay around this beautiful city. Press click here under book to see the latest prices on Booking and book ahead to get the best deal. Note: Prices for these Victoria accommodation options depend on the time of year and how far in advance you book. . Vancouver Itinerary Day 1 For your first day in Vancouver, you want to get your feet wet. Smell the Roses at Butchart Gardens Victoria. The crown jewel of Victorias park system, this 62 acre park located along the beautiful Juan de Fuca Strait is beautifully landscaped with lakes, ponds and gardens. 2 day Vancouver itinerary Vancouver itinerary day 1 Coffee at Tim Hortons Breakfast at Purebread Explore Gastown (incl. Day 4 - Ferry to Vancouver (BC Ferries), Stanley Park Day 5 - Granville Island Public Market, Enjoy the city Day 6 - Grouse Mountain, Capilano Suspension Bridge or Squamish/ Whistler Day 7 - Travel from Vancouver to Seattle, Chateau St. Michelle Winery/Woodinville Wine Country I love that their menu is orangized by types such as boozy, refreshing and notorious! Part 1: Getting to Vancouver Island: Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo. LOOK AT WHAT'S INCLUDED! Explore 115 Vancouver 2 week trips from 40 experts with 243 reviews. You can find more information about the free tours in the British Columbia Parliament Buildingshere. Home Canada Seattle to Vancouver Island Road Trip Itinerary. Ladure - If you want to experience Afternoon Tea at its very best, then head to the highly-esteemed Ladure for a sample of delectable macaroons, pastries and - well - tea. There are a few beach access points and hiking trails out of East Sooke Regional Park. From Honolulu, Hawaii to Vancouver, Canada was a straight flight and took 5 hours and 40 minutes. Abigail's is a little out of the way, not much but not in the center of things,consider when you arrive off the bus in town are a taxii to the place. Posts: 52 Check out my interactive map with the best things to do, see, eat, drink, and where to stay in Vancouver.. Day 1: Pacific Spirit Regional Park, Kitsilano, and Beaches Start your 4 days in Vancouver with a hike in Pacific Spirit Regional Park or visiting one of Vancouver's excellent museums, followed by lunch and a stroll around Kitsilano, then . August is prime tour season in the island.s. Floatplane tickets start at $267.70 CAD and can be bought using the button below: Many visitors are surprised to learn that there is such a wide breadth of flight options available between Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Pacific Northwest - Suggestions on Seattle-Vancouver-Victoria Island itinerary? Hi Ash, we will be renting a car for self drive to Whistler-Jasper-Banff. There are ferries that run daily to the island's largest city of Victoria from both Port Angeles, Washington (located about two hours west of Seattle) and Vancouver, British Columbia . . You should also know that the first monday in August is a holiday in BC ( August 6th this year) so the ferries and highways will be chock a block that weekend ( from the Thursday through the following Tuesday). The autumn brings many poeple to Vancouver as well as Victoria. Plan an amazing trip for Vancouver 10 day itinerary. Sitting on a peninsula to the north-west of the city, Stanley Park is almost completely surrounded by the waters of Vancouver Harbour and English Bay. Day 1 Seattle as per your itinerary add in Food tour ( Savour Seattle), Day 3 morning Clipper to Victoria..explore Victoria, Day 4 Victoria evening ferry to Vancouver ..it will be light until at least 9:30 so aim for 7 pm ferry via Pacific Coach from downtown Victoria, Day 5 Vancouver Stanley park, Granville Island, Grouse mountain for evening/sunset, Day 6 rent car ..day trip to Whistler ( or imo skip Whistler) more Vancouver..tons of great restaurants, Day 7 Vancouverthere is a lot to see/do here..take evening train to Seattle arrive about 10 pm spend last night in Seattle. Using Harbour Air to get to Victoria means youll have to arrive only 25-30 minutes prior to your flight for check-in. Day 1: Arrive in Victoria, Head to Salt Spring Island Salt Spring Island was the unanimous (between Alysha and I, to be clear) most surprising part of our road trip. Use this 5-day itinerary for a Vancouver Island road trip to find the must-see places on Canada's west coast. Click here to book your whale-watching tour. From US$188 Itinerary The Victoria and Butchart Gardens Tour starts with a 90-minute cruise aboard BC Ferries, and just gets better. Established in 1979, it is one of the best donut shops in Vancouver. You can lock in your seat using the bus calender below: The Vancouver to Victoria bus service is operated by BC Ferries Connector. Head back to the Inner Harbour and have a pint at one of the cafes or watch the sunset from the grassy field in front of the British Columbia Parliament Building. How to spend a weekend in Victoria, British Columbia: Discover the best things to see, do, eat and drink in Victoria in a two-day itinerary featuring whale-watching, parks, museums and cycle tours. HOW TO SPEND 2 DAYS IN LONDON | TRAVEL GUIDE + ITINERARY. But I'd consider rebalancing our time for something that's truly unique and doable (maybe Sea to Sky without Whistler, or Steveston? Design my custom trip. Duck through the old-growth forest behind the museum to get a feel for the citys natural splendor. As to cost, amtrak has specials, as does the Clipper. Hi, we recently took the Canda Line from the airport to our hotel on Richards street. The tea is accompanied by freshly prepared scones and other pastries made with locally sourced ingredients. Honestly, there wont be any bike specific lanes for most of these trips. It is located in Gastown, close to Waterfront Skytrain Station, which makes it a short walk from the Chinese Gardens. This itinerary balances a little bit of everything in Vancouver and Victoria: cities, mountains, and ocean. 11. Within the park, there are several hiking tracks, a lovely pond, and beautiful gardens. Read on for a complete itinerary for visiting Vancouver and Victoria in 4 days. Click here to book your Butchart Gardens tour. Enquire Now . ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-40492162', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Seattle to Victoria. Should I visit Vancouver or Victoria in the Autumn? Thoughts?? This impressive mansion was built by self-made millionaire Robert Dunsmuir, who made a fortune from Vancouver Island coal. Brief Itinerary Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Vancouver, Head to Parksville Ferry at Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver Start your trip and depart Vancouver, crossing the Lions Gate Bridge and following the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Horseshoe Bay. Tsawwassen is closer to the city centre and Horseshoe Bay is out to the West. There are 5 neighbourhoods that are ideal to stay in when visiting Vancouver. We also discuss how to get around Victoria, as well as other travel tips and advice. My trip to Vancouver was SO much fun. You'll explore the most beautiful and historic parts of the city with stop-offs along the way for coffee, food, and drinks to fuel up. Day 3 - Take the ferry to Victoria. While in Vancouver,we so enjoyed the location of L'Hermitage and the space of the unit. On your third day in Victoria, its time to leave Victorias city center and visit the famous Butchart Gardens. In this guide, we will share an epic one day in Victoria BC itinerary to make the most of your visit. I enjoy hiking, but it's not my husband's favorite. Lets take a deeper look at how to get to Victoria from Vancouver (and vice versa). After all this walking its time to relax. traveller47 - Thanks so much for the suggestions! Victoria has one of the largest historic areas in British Columbia with many beautiful old buildings. Heading south from Nanaimo along Highway 19 for 45 kilometers (28 miles), detour at Crofton Bay to catch a ferry to Salt Spring Island. Vibrant Vancouver is (mostly) on the British Columbia mainland, but charming Victoria occupies the southern tip of Vancouver Island, about 45km (28 miles) to the west. Join Date: May 2005. This lively taco bar with super helpful staff serves delicious tacos, burritos, and nachos for very reasonable prices. 07.22 Leave 7am, 3 hr drive to Vancouver, Explore Vancouver 07.23 Vancouver 07.24 Victoria Island/V All 2 Week Vancouver Tours & Packages 2021/2022 Plan an amazing trip for Vancouver 2 week itinerary. Altogether, Tea at the Empress is a unique tea-drinking experience and one that cannot miss when you visit Victoria BC! 1.Vancouver Art Gallery 2.Pacific Spirit Regional Park 3.Museum of Anthropology 4.Granville Island. The British Columbia Parliament is not only an impressive building, but the story about how this building came to be is also a very amusing one. Located a bit further from downtown Victoria (3.5km from Fishermans Wharf, 2.5km from the Inner Harbour) is Craigdarroch Castle. One day in Vancouver offers just enough time to see a few of the city's top attractions. Call on 0330 094 8379 today . Here are some of the most popular kayaking options in and around Victoria: I hope you will love Victoria as much as I did! Not at all like NYC, so sorry NY. A First Timer's Vancouver Itinerary for 7 Days If you need the perfect little Vancouver itinerary for one week or 7 days, then this guide is for you! 2022 Phenomenal Globe Travel Blog Privacy Policy, Victoria things to do: printable checklist, Tour the British Columbia Parliament Building, Walk around Victoria Old Town and Chinatown, The Inner Harbor (the buildings along the waterfront from the Gold Rush era). These floatplanes from Vancouver harbour to Victoria harbour give you a true door to door experience. By Andrew Hempstead, author of Moon British Columbia, Recommendations from the African Diaspora. Vancouver to Victoria via public transport, Victoria from downtown Vancouver via seaplane, Plan the Perfect Vancouver to Victoria Day Trip, The 24 Best Things to Do in Vancouver in 2022, Finding the Best Vancouver Seaplane Tour: Prices, Reviews, & Quick Tips, Vancouver Boat Tours: Revealing the 5 Top Boat Cruises in Vancouver, Complimentary hotel shuttle (Monday-Friday), Free coffee/tea/baked goods (in terminal), Get to YVR (30-40 minutes from downtown Vancouver), Clear security and await boarding (90 minutes), Get to your hotel in Victoria (30-40 minutes), Board the Canada Line in Downtown Vancouver and purchase a two zone fare ($4.25 or $3.45 with Compass Card), Head South towards Richmond-Brighouse or YVR and get off at, Walk down the stairs towards the bus loop and locate. The Royal BC Museum is a must-see, Market Square and the surrounding streets are interesting to explore, and the fish-and-chips at Barbs Fish & Chips is perfect for lunch. *Many of the museums exhibitions are currently closed as the museum undergoes an extensive renovation. Multiple departure times are available to suit your schedule. Our rolling suitcases just rolled on,had so much space. In all, this is the fastest and most efficient form of transport between Vancouver and Victoria. Make your way to the Inner Harbour on foot. Head to Vancouver's first, largest, and most beloved urban park: Stanley Park. How long is the ferry from Vancouver to Victoria? Vancouver Island road trip map. Their downtown office is closed but theyve got one in Olympic Village, which is just minutes away from downtown. Some underground reminded me of London. Their famous high tea is served in the beautiful Lobby Lounge, and over 21 different kinds of teas are available (all of which are ethically produced). The BC Ferries Connector arrives in Victoria at Capital City Station. We started in Seattle, Washington where we flew in specifically to start our road trip and took the ferries from the Anacortes port to Vancouver Island, BC. Find and plan your next cruise from Vancouver to Victoria on Cruise Critic. Part 2: Swartz Bay and the Gulf Islands. Traffic in Seattle can be brutal, border waits today are 2 hours, having a car on the various ferries mean earlier arrival for reservationsall of which are why we recommend using amtrak, Clipper and Pacific Coach. There are three distinct areas in Victoria Old Town: A quick tip: pick up a free map of the historic area at the Visitor Center which contains lots of information about the Old Town and makes it easier to find the must-see historic buildings. Day 1 Vancouver Island Itinerary: Start Your Week with a Ferry to Victoria. CAR HIRE I personally use Auto Europe as they have great rates. The following is a suggested itinerary for your day trip from Vancouver to Victoria: Depart from Bridgeport Station on a #620 bus departing by 8 am and catch a 9 am sailing to Swartz Bay. I'm looking for suggestions for days 7 and 8, and opinions on Day 6. Vancouver, the largest city in the province, is known for its film industry and is a bustling, beautiful city on the west coast. Meat & Bread. If youre a light sleeper or dont plan to be out late, I recommend the Cambie Seymour Hostel instead.Mid-range Stay: LHermitage Vancouver. Vancouver Island 24-hour itineraries and other travel tips including a One Week in Vancouver Island guide and a One Day in Tofino guide. It is a process. Day 8 Seattle explore what you didn't get to see Library, Seattle Art Museum one last great dinner out before taking rapid transit to airport for flight home. Drive Highway 99 to Whistler, which takes around 90 minutes. Okay, now we've worked out how to get to Vancouver Island and when to go - let's have a look at my Vancouver Island itinerary so you know where to go as well! If you can stay longer, there's more to see in Vancouver and Victoria so a 7-day visit would be ideal. Youll get there in time for an afternoon flight home. The temperatures are perfect, the sun is out, and there is way less rain. You can have an ice cream at Cowichan Bay and check out the world-famous murals in Chemainus. There are lots of great restaurant options in Victoria, but if you like Mexican food you will loveTacofino. Aside from swimming and the world famous bathtub race, Ive covered all of the transportation options between Vancouver and Vancouver Island. It runs 11 times per day starting at 7 am, takes roughly 1.5 hrs and costs $60 for a standard vehicle and $18 per passenger. Day 3 Ferry from Anacortes - Explore Victoria. For example, the strawberry jam is made in-house from local berries, the honey comes from the Empress Hotel beehives and the lavender from their own rooftop garden. May - September 2023. The prices are also very competitive with normal flights, and including airport transfers can be up to three times faster. How long is the drive from Vancouver to Victoria?. Budget Stay: Cambie Hostel Gastown. Stay downtown at the Hotel Vancouver or in the airport if you have an early or late flight. Would it be crazy to bicycle from Vancouver (after flying in to the airport the day before & finding overnight lodging) to the ferry terminal? Helijet operates from Vancouver's Waterfront and Vancouver International Airport and flies directly to the Victoria Harbour Heliport taking just 35 minutes, which is much quicker and more convenient than taking the ferry. This is exactly why I wanted to share our itinerary and guide to visiting Vancouver for a week. There are a couple of options for budget travelers as well, the Helms Inn and Red Lion Inn are well-reviewed affordable hotels in Victoria. Part 1: Vancouver. If your schedule allows it and you have time for another great outdoor activity, consider taking a kayaking trip. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-40473321', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Seattle, Victoria, and Vancouver in early August. Discover Canada with our Vancouver, Whistler, Victoria & Alaska Cruise itinerary. Whoever won this competition would be the architect of their new legislative building. If youre heading to Victoria (Swartz Bay Terminal), youll be required to travel via Tsawwassen Terminal, as Horseshoe Bay does not offer service between Vancouver and Victoria.