Vancouver Island Travel Forum

hello everybody
we have been travelling around canada for past 4 months
and hav the last 3 weeks in july in vancouver islands.we have 5 days booked in victoria and are trying to plan the rest.
any suggestions on how long to spend in each place and is it possible to see everything using public transport or should we rent a car,bearing in mind we are on a budget.
thanks alot

If you want to wander around Vancouver Island you will definately need a car. You won't need one in Victoria but for the rest of your stay you will. Not a lot of choices when it comes to public transit on the Island.

As YVR said

The best parts of VC Island are the bits in bewteen the towns. You really need a car, otherwise a boat would be the next best thing. Relying on public transport will restrict what you can do and see, it will also most likley work out to be more expensive.

Just curious about the last posters statement about seeing Vancouver Island by boat. Is that by renting a boat or going on BC Ferries? If it is BC Ferries it certainly is not the 2nd best option, all you are going to see is water, as the ferries do not travel inland on the island.

I meant renting a boat. I hear the sea kayaking is great from the island. I agree with you that BC Ferries are pants.....in saying that if you do rent a car buy the BC ferries circle ticket as it will allow you to start your journey from Vancouver to Victoria and then you can return from the Campbell River to Powell River and drive down the sunshine coast on your way back to Vancouver.