victoria

[Gohogs34]

What is a cheep, safe way to get to downtown Victoria from the pier? We have no issues in walking, just how far and long will it take and is it safe to do so? Thanks

[ell52]

It's a leisurely 25-30 minute walk to the inner harbour area (where Parliament Buildings, Empress Hotel, etc. are located). There also will be taxis, shuttles, and pedicabs available right next to the pier when you exit Canada Customs. And yes, it is safe to walk.

[porsena]

Walking from the pier to downtown is no problem. It's probably a half-hour each way and a nice thing to do on a sunny day. You'll find discussions elsewhere and my view is that it's a safe walk even at night.

 

The cruise ship pier is at Ogden Point, and there are two routes into town. Route 1 involves turning left at the road in front of the terminal and trying to find your way along the water. If you think this might be confusing, and it is, try Route 2.

 

Turn right out of the terminal and head up the footpath that follows the water, keeping the water on your right. You'll have a residential area called James Bay (click) on your left. The road you'll be walking beside (Dallas Road) intersects Douglas Street at a triangular intersection with a big sign on your left that indicates Mile 0 of the TransCanada Highway. James Douglas, after whom the road is named, was the British governor of the colony of Vancouver Island in the mid-19th century (click).

Turn left at Douglas Street, which leads directly downtown. There's a large park on your right (Beacon Hill Park), which is worth exploring if you have the time. Douglas eventually takes you past the Mungo Martin longhouse with totem poles in front and the Royal BC Museum on your left hand side (click). At the next intersection (Belleville St.), you're at the start of downtown. My preference from there would be to walk a block to the left and then turn right, walking up the left hand side of Government Street. The Empress Hotel will be on your right, and you'll be going along an area called the Causeway, where you can drop down to water level by descending the steps on the northwest corner of Goverment and Belleville. You can either continue along Government Street (for shopping) or take the fork left at Wharf Street. If you do the latter, another 5 minutes will bring you to Swan's Hotel, where you can pause at the pub for one of their local beers.

 

Whale watching tours leave from the complex at the north end of the Causeway. You're almost guaranteed the sight of a whale and I've been told by visitors that the tours give excellent value. I also recommend the Royal BC Museum, which could easily soak up three or four hours of your time and is the best destination on a wet day.

[scottbee]

What is a cheep, safe way to get to downtown Victoria from the pier? We have no issues in walking, just how far and long will it take and is it safe to do so? Thanks

 

Walking is about a mile from the Ogden Point Terminal to downtown.

 

• The local bus (#30 or #31) $2.50 for a 90 minute ticket also leaves from outside the terminal on Dallas Rd
  
• There's also an overpriced shuttle ($7/return);
  
• a taxi would be about $8-10.
  

 

map: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=100934763039761071004.0004665d7f3e28f06866d&ll=48.417894,-123.373547&spn=0.014241,0.03871&z=15

 

 

This map shows you the lay of the land, and the recommended walk (although walking due east on Dallas Rd and then up Government St is also nice)