Travel Answers

How do I travel from Woodlands Road Sooke to Swartz Bay Ferry by BC transit?

I am coming in on a cruise ship at 7pm that leaves at midnight. Can anyone recommend something fun and uniquely Canadian to do in that range of 4-5 hours?

Where is there a bar or club or lounge etc. in Victoria that has a minimum age of 18? I have no intent of underage drinking, and just want to have a fun night out. Is there anywhere at all that will let me in for just a night of dancing?

Anybody fancy a VT meeting in the upcoming weekend (May 6 or 7) or even before that a joint dinner somewhere and a first Inner Harbour exploration for myself.? Still jetlagging now, but hopefully that's gone later this week. PJ

is it hard to load a 25 foot long travel trailer towed by a 1 ton dually truck? thanks lary

Have booked a trip from Seattle to Victoria on the Victoria Clipper, with US Passports, how long does it take for custom's proccessing? Looking forward to getting of the boat and exploring Victoria, plus making timed reservations. Would like to know how soon can I be off the boat and into Victoria, thanks!

Hi Another question I have deals with which whale watching company a local might prefer. I have done the internet thing and read all the reviews I could but what one do you guys like and why? Thanks Doug

Hi I could use a local's opinion..what is the likelihood of seeing/photographing eagles in Goldstream Park during my visit June 25th? Any other locations nearby where eagles might be viewed that time of year? Thanks in advance. Doug

I will be visiting Victoria for 5 days and will be travelling to UVIC each day. Which hotels are close by? I will be travelling by taxi each day. Thanks

Looking for suggestions to get the most out of our day in Victoria. We're coming in on a cruise on May 13th, arriving at 8 AM, staying until midnight, so we'll have an entire day to see the sights. I've booked an excursion through the cruiseline to Butchart & Butterfly Gardens, but am having second thoughts. Wondering if it would be worthwhile at that time. The excursion leaves at 8:30 and gets back to the ship at 12:30. Also considering the double decker bus tour. It's description says it is an hour trip, so it doesn't seem to be the Hop On / Hop Off that I've read about on this site. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hello, I need some help to choose an hotel in Victoria, so many hotels with reviews on tripadvisor. I have a hard time to decide where to stay, is it in downtown or inner harbour the best place to be around the tourist places ? Thanks for your help.

Hii, all, Myself Vishal from India. I have a query regarding the visa requirement for travel to Victoria. I have planned for a travel to Victoria next month.I have visa for Victoria. I have got my air-tickets booked and my flight will land in victoria international airport which is situated in Sidney. Do I need any kind of visa for Sidney also ?

I just. Learned that the Royal Museum is closed from the25th through the28th. What else will be closed during that time period? Will many groceries be open on Christmas day? Or restaurants?

I am visiting a friend in Seattle in December, and have decided to add a detour to Victoria for two days, via the Victoria Clipper. I've been bringing my passport to Seattle for over a year now and have not yet done a trip to Canada during one of these Seattle excursions! I had planned to visit Buchart Gardens just to see their Christmas Lights show. However, to add that tour onto the Victoria Clipper trip is some52 US, but the admissions price is only25 Canadian. Therefore, it seems to me it would be cheaper to do my own trip there. However, Google maps seems to put Buchart Gardens waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay north of Victoria. I had always heard that Victoria was not a place you really needed to have an automobile, and so I am wondering if this is the correct place, or if somehow Google maps is grasping the wrong location. I've attempted to look for Buchart Gardens tips on VT, but havent been that impressed by what I have found so far. For example: "Visit Buchart Gardens - among..." - Attractions Tip by Kisa is the first tip that comes up in a VT tip search. I'm sure there are some very good and well written tips about this famous tourist attraction, but I haven't yet found them! If the Buchart Gardens is well outside the city, as Google Maps seems to show, how does one get from the Clipper to the Gardens by bus? This is particularly a problem since I curently only have Can$2 from a previous trip, so I will have to aquire bus fare someplace. Is there a ticket vending machine or other fare media system somewhere near the Victoria Clipper terminal? None of the transportation tips I have run across seem to cover that particular item. One other item I am considering for this trip is taking the train from Victoria up to Courteny, just to see more of the area. Google maps seems to show the Victoria train station as being just across the bay railroad bridge and kinda/sorta nearby the Victoria Clipper terminal, but not exceptionally close. Is this the correct location, or is it throwing me a curve ball? Thanks for any thoughts anyone has on any of this.

What would be the best time of year to visit Bouchard Gardens (assume this is the same as Butchart Gardens)? Are hotel rooms more scarce after school is out in June? Thanks.

How can I rent a car from the Inner Pier where the clipper ship will let us off

I am coming to Canada during 11th May-22nd July,2010. I want an accomodation near University of Victoria for my stay during this period at reasonable cost. Please suggest me if anyone has information regarding the same. What is the best way to travel from Vancouver to Victoria? Thanks dave

Hi guys, we'll be in Victoria only from 7-12 on July 19 from a Carnival cruise. I'd like to know where the ship docks and the best way to get to the Craigdarrach house. The "excursions" are so$$$$ and I'd rather explore myself. Thanks for any help

Hello again! Thanks for all your answers regarding the afternoon tea! And now I have another question... There are three things we want to do that aren't in the main downtown area: Butchart Gardens, Craigdarroch Castle, and Ross Bay Cemetery. I'm thinking we'll do these things all on the same day, and start in the morning, so we'd theoretically be done by the afternoon. And I'd like to do them in that order, leaving from the Empress hotel. I'm not very good at figuring out bus routes and whatnot, even with the website, so I was wondering if any of you could help me figure it out? Thanks :)

Hey everyone. I'll be visiting Victoria from March 10-14 and staying at the Empress (don't worry, I got a REALLY GOOD deal!). I've read a lot about the Empress and the afternoon tea. A lot of people (including my mother in law) think it's great, a very unique experience, etc. But, a lot of people also think it's overpriced, etc. I'm the type of person that likes to try things that I wouldn't do normally, things that people would say "Oh, you have to go do _____ when you're in ____", and to me this seems kind of like one of those things. So, is it worth it to go for the experience, even though it's pricey? Or no?

I am going to Victoria for a few days with my fiancee. I have read that whale watching is frowned upon there. Is this true? We would like to see the whales, but as a biologist myself, I don't want to contribute to irresponsible activities. Thanks and have a great day. Nathan from Tampa

IS THE INNER HARBOR LOCATED NEAR THE CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL. IS A TAXI NEEDED TO GO FROM THE SHIP TERMINAL TO THE INNER HARBOR

What are the other places to see in & around Butchart garden apart from the Butterfly park ? Moreover places to see on the way to Butchart garden from Swartz bay ferry terminal

Is there a practical way to get transportation to Swartz Bay B.C. Ferry terminal from Victoria? Would a taxi be cost effective, or is there a shuttle or bus transportation available in both directions (to and from Victoria)?

What is the most expeditous way to get from downtown Vancouver to Butchart Gardens (other than flying). It seems there is no way to avoid a 3.5 hr trip each way. If doing a day excursion, this leaves little time to actually see the gardens. any suggestions? Would you recommend a stay over in Victoria (we have a few days before heading north to Alaska). Right now the best way seems to be the Vancouver Bus Terminal/PacificCoach -BC Ferry Term-Swartz Bay-local bus to Butchart. Is there a better way???

We will be in Victoria this summer - 2 couples traveling together. Can anyone recommend a place to stay that will have 2 separate bedrooms and a living room joining them? We don't need a full kitchen, but 2 bathrooms would be ideal. Ideally we would like a 2 bedroom suite so we can have a "common room". Thanks in advance for your help.

My wife and I are going to spend about four days in Victoria as part of a 7 night Vancouver/Victoria vacation package. We are staying at the Empress on Government street. What time of year is your favorite and why? We have a weekend available for Vancouver or Victoria. Which place would you prefer to spend a weekend? We don't want any on the water activities (sea sick issues) or extreme physical activities. This is going to be a relaxing, music, walking, visually stimulating, reasonably priced dining type of vacation. What are some of your suggestions along those lines? Any input is welcome. It will be our first time in this part of the world.

Can I purchase a gift certificate for "tea"? How much is tea per person?

My husband and i visited Victoria on our first overnight getaway five years ago. WE stayed at a fantastic B&B on a hillside above the harbor right next to a park. It had a contemporary style, approximately 4 rooms, was spacious, had a private hot tub in the room, and a shared hot tub on the deck. for the life of me i can not remember the name. I have been looking on line and can't locate it. Naturally i would ask my husband but i am attempting to plan a surprise birthday trip for him. Does this B&B sound familiar to anyone? please help. if not any suggestions would be appreciated. Ideal B&B clean lines, contemporary style, few rooms, private. thank you

Just wondering if any one has experience with any of the (many) whale watching tours out of Victoria? Any recommendations?