rental car and vancouver dock

[M&T]

We sail into Vancouver at 7AM We want to rent a car and drive/ferry to Victoria. Where do we dock? Is there a place to rent a car or do we need to go to the airport? Thanks. Marlyne

[thinfool]

We sail into Vancouver at 7AM We want to rent a car and drive/ferry to Victoria. Where do we dock? Is there a place to rent a car or do we need to go to the airport? Thanks. Marlyne

 

What ship? It makes a difference.

 

Or you can call Enterprise...they will "pick you up".

 

Google 'car rental vancouver' to see what is available. Picking up a car at the airport could work well if you are eventually leaving from the airport....avoiding any 'drop off' charges.

 

FYI, we found it cost effective to take the ferry without a car, then rent (Enterprise, again :) ) when we got to Swartz Bay (Vancouver Island). This means a taxi to the ferry. (a 40 minute +/- ride, depending on traffic)

 

The ferry ride is about 45 min. if memory serves. Large snack bar onboard. In the summer, some ferries have a naturalist onboard who gives an informative description of your ride. We didn't see any whales, but a few dall porpoise on our way over and back.

[Putterdude]

We sail into Vancouver at 7AM We want to rent a car and drive/ferry to Victoria. Where do we dock? Is there a place to rent a car or do we need to go to the airport? Thanks. Marlyne

 

There are two cruise terminals in Vancouver, the main one being Canada Place and the other Ballantyne Pier. Avis, Budget and National all have kiosks at Canada Place but there are no rental companies at Ballantyne. However all the major companies have locations in downtown Vancouver and all will pick you up from either terminal and then you can drop the car back downtown or at the airport. I am going to attach the BC Ferries link and would advise a reservation if you are making this trip during the summer months, you will be going via the Tsawwassen/Swartz Bay route.

http://www.bcferries.com/

[scottbee]

We sail into Vancouver at 7AM We want to rent a car and drive/ferry to Victoria. Where do we dock? Is there a place to rent a car or do we need to go to the airport? Thanks. Marlyne

 

Marlyne;

There are numerous car rental companies in the downtown core, but you might want to consider not taking a car on the ferry, and renting on the Victoria side. Also, realize that it's a 4-5 hour journey from downtown Vancouver assuming there's not lineups at the ferry.

 

An alternate is to fly Harbour Air/Westcoast Air/Helijet (who are right next to the Canada Place cruise ship terminal) into downtown Victoria, which takes 40 minutes. It's more money, but you wont waste an entire day travelling.

[M&T]

Are you saying that the Tsawwassen/Swartz Bay route is 4-5 hours including driving from the rental car place to Tsawwassen and from Swartz Bay to Victoria? We are arriving at 7 AM on the Celebrity Millennium June 12, 2009. After Butchart gardens and a whale watch, we will be transporting to Seattle to fly home on the morning of the 14th. I have thought of doing taxi and ferries, or as suggested, rent a car after arriving on Vancouver Island. Is there any problem with luggage on the ferries? I understand that there is a ferry direct to Seattle. We have a lot to figure out. Thanks for your help. Marlyne

[thinfool]

Are you saying that the Tsawwassen/Swartz Bay route is 4-5 hours including driving from the rental car place to Tsawwassen and from Swartz Bay to Victoria?

 

From our experience in August 2007, the trip without a car, from downtown to Swartz Bay should be no more than 4 hours. We used the city bus...it wasn't great, but we were lightly packed so it wasn't too bad. Rather entertaining, in a way...;) I used to live in NYC, so getting around on public transportation works for me.

 

Let me see....45-60 min. Downtown to ferry, 90 minute ferry ride to Swartz Bay. Allow another hour for whatever...waiting if your ferry isn't docked yet, etc.

 

The ferry will have no trouble with your luggage. If you can pack it, there is plenty of room for it.

 

I like the idea of no car until you get to Swartz Bay. I can still remember the extremely long lines of vehicles, cars, big trucks, busses, waiting in the hot sun for their turn to get onto the ferry (a reservation is necessary to get a vehicle onto the ferry). Pedestrians don't need reservations, just walk up, buy a ticket and get on the next ferry.

 

We called Enterprise (nope, I don't work for them, but we did have a reservation) and they picked us up in 10-15 mins after we got off the ferry in Swartz Bay.

 

You should be in Swartz Bay in time for a late lunch, and it's another 30 mins or so to Victoria. Butchart Gardens is in between Swartz Bay and Victoria.

 

We stayed the night (Victoria) and went to Butchart Gardens the next morning. What an awesome place!

Great choice!! :)

 

Others can comment on the ferry to Seattle.

[M&T]

Thanks so much for the great information. Do you know where the Millennium may dock? Marlyne

[thinfool]

Thanks so much for the great information. Do you know where the Millennium may dock? Marlyne

 

It appears that Ballantyne Pier is the spot. You can find a ship calendar link on this page. http://www.vancouver.com/webcam/

[Putterdude]

It appears that Ballantyne Pier is the spot. You can find a ship calendar link on this page. http://www.vancouver.com/webcam/

 

Celebrity did use Ballantyne this year but that varies from year to year. Last year for instance Celebrity's Mercury used Canada Place. I would suggest that you check the link in the new year to determine what pier your ship may be using.

[Putterdude]

Are you saying that the Tsawwassen/Swartz Bay route is 4-5 hours including driving from the rental car place to Tsawwassen and from Swartz Bay to Victoria? We are arriving at 7 AM on the Celebrity Millennium June 12, 2009. After Butchart gardens and a whale watch, we will be transporting to Seattle to fly home on the morning of the 14th. I have thought of doing taxi and ferries, or as suggested, rent a car after arriving on Vancouver Island. Is there any problem with luggage on the ferries? I understand that there is a ferry direct to Seattle. We have a lot to figure out. Thanks for your help. Marlyne

 

Your drive time from from downtown Vancouer to the Tsawwassen terminal is about 45 min. The sailing time to Swartz Bay is 1hr 35 mins then you have about a 35 min drive into Victoria, deduct about 15 mins to the gardens. So if you you made perfect connections it would be about 2 hrs 45 mins, so allow 4.5 hrs even with a reservation. There is no problem with luggage on the ferry, you can check it and pick it up on the other side if you choose not to drive. There is the Victoria Clipper that runs from Victoria to Seattle and Horizon Air, Alaska Airlines feeder flies from Victoria to Seattle.

http://www.clippervacations.com/

[Putterdude]

It appears that Ballantyne Pier is the spot. You can find a ship calendar link on this page. http://www.vancouver.com/webcam/

 

 

The correct link is:

http://www.portvancouver.com/vanAlaCruise/content/schedule/index.php

[M&T]

Thanks everyone. Is there a ferry that leaves from downtown Vancouver to Vancouver Island/is it Sydney where it docks? Thanks again. Marlyne

[thinfool]

Thanks everyone. Is there a ferry that leaves from downtown Vancouver to Vancouver Island/is it Sydney where it docks? Thanks again. Marlyne

 

It would be nice, but, in short, no.

 

Here is a link to the Mainland-Vancouver Island ferry map showing your options. http://www.bcferries.com/schedules/maps/maps-mainland.html

[Putterdude]

Thanks everyone. Is there a ferry that leaves from downtown Vancouver to Vancouver Island/is it Sydney where it docks? Thanks again. Marlyne

 

Years ago when I was a child there was ferry service from Vancouver harbour to Victoria's harbour but alas this hasn't existed since the late 1950's or early 60's. I can't recall how long the trip took in thoose days but it was probably closer to double the time this routing does today.

[M&T]

So, if we don't rent the car until we get to Swartz Bay, do you recommend a taxi to the ferry dock? About how much will that cost? Again, many thanks. Marlyne

[Putterdude]

So, if we don't rent the car until we get to Swartz Bay, do you recommend a taxi to the ferry dock? About how much will that cost? Again, many thanks. Marlyne

 

I would only be quessing but likley $75/$100. The other alternative is Pacific Coach Lines either to Swartz Bay or even the gardens. Here is a link for them.

www.pacificcoach.com/

[notentirelynormal]

Just a word of advise on renting from an off site location. We used a rental place off site once. Thrifty. We were told to call once we were ready to get off the ship and someone would meet us immediately. We called - then they told us they were very busy and to call once we were waiting at the curb. Apparently they were now very busy, and said the wait would be around 30-60 minutes before they could leave to pick us up. We took a taxi to their facility. Now we had to wait in line again for them. There was another half hour of our time. All in all it took us over two hours to get the rental. Now, we reserve from a company at the pier. You get off, walk to the booth, get your keys, go down to the parking lot and you are off. Simple as pie.

[scottbee]

Are you saying that the Tsawwassen/Swartz Bay route is 4-5 hours including driving from the rental car place to Tsawwassen and from Swartz Bay to Victoria? We are arriving at 7 AM on the Celebrity Millennium June 12, 2009. After Butchart gardens and a whale watch, we will be transporting to Seattle to fly home on the morning of the 14th. I have thought of doing taxi and ferries, or as suggested, rent a car after arriving on Vancouver Island. Is there any problem with luggage on the ferries? I understand that there is a ferry direct to Seattle. We have a lot to figure out. Thanks for your help.

 

Yes, I did it every weekend for 4 years, I'm well practised, on a really good day, walking on (which allows you to arrive 10 mins before departure), walking off the car deck so I'm the very 1st person off the boat, I had it down to 3:35 on a good day. If you drive on, you'll need to be at the ferry terminal at least 30 minutes prior to departure (if you fork out the extra $ for a reservation), if you don't reserve, it could be anywhere from arriving at the ferry 20 mins to 4 hours before departure due to the ferries filling up (depends a lot on what season it is).

 

 

Example of a really good timing;

 

dep Victoria downtown: 16:00

arr Swartz Bay: 16:45, park car

dep Swartz Bay: 17:00

arr Tsawwassen: 18:35 (1h35 ferry ride)

walk off: 18:40

get picked up at Tsw: 18:50

arrive downtown Vancouver 19:35

 

If you want to make life low stress from Vancouver -> Victoria (via the Tsawwassen - Swartz Bay ferry), Pacific Coach lines offer one way coach service, including the ferry for approx $40/ea. You put your luggage on the bus in Vancouver and take it off in Victoria.

 

Now; as for Victoria-Seattle; probably your best bet is QX/Horizon Air, who fly 5-6 flights daily from the YYJ/Victoria Intl to SEA/Seattle. There is a high speed passenger ferry (Victoria Clipper)

[scottbee]

sorry; I didn't get a chance to add these to my previous posts;

 

Vancouver -> Victoria

Pacific Coach Lines; http://pacificcoach.com/

BC Ferries; http://bcferres.bc.ca/

West Coast Air (floatplane) http://westcoastair.com/

Harbour Air (floatplane) http://www.harbour-air.com/

Helijet (helicopter) http://helijet.com/

 

Victoria -> Seattle

Horizon Air; http://horizonair.com/

Victoria Clipper (Vic Seattle passenger ferry); http://www.clippervacations.com/

Kenmore Air (float plane Victoria-Seattle);

http://www.kenmoreair.com/

Blackball Coho (Victoria - Port Angeles, followed by a 3 hr drive on the WA state side); http://cohoferry.com/

Sidney - Anacortes ferry (followed by a 2 hr drive on the WA state side); www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries

In summary; if you were looking to save time, and do it for a reasonable cost; I would recommend;

Vancouver-Victoria; Pacific Coach Lines http://pacificcoach.com/ which leaves from the old Pacific station in Vancouver, a couple of miles (<$10 cab) from Ballantyne, and takes you right downtown Victoria (the bus station in Victoria is on the same piece of property as the Empress Hotel)

The ferry ride is really quite nice, and worth doing at least one way. Also easy with luggage as it loads on the bus in Vancouver, and it's just there at the Victoria end.

 

Victoria - Seattle; Fly Horizon Air http://horizonair.com/ which leaves from the YYJ/Victoria Intl airport, 25 mins north of Seattle and you end up at Seattle airport. Although you'll have to take a bus/shuttle to Vic airport, at least on the Seattle side, you'll already be at the airport. Again, easy with your luggage. Also, if you're flying on United airlines, UA offer a daily direct YYJ-SFO flight which may be useful to you. You may find it's easy to change your flight, then again, maybe not.

 

 

[M&T]

Thanks again. Wow! A lot of ideas to consider. Marlyne

[scottbee]

Victoria - Seattle; Fly Horizon Air http://horizonair.com/ which leaves from the YYJ/Victoria Intl airport, 25 mins north of Seattle and you end up at Seattle airport.

 

Of course the Victoria airport is 25 mins north of VICTORIA not seattle <duh>