UnderTheStars

Hi!,

I am planning a family vacation for 5, my husband and I plus our 2 adult children and DIL and have questions about transportation and want critiques on the itinerary please. I know we have packed several things into each day (this is our wish list) and will no doubt need to refine the list.

Day 1 - Arrive via air to Vancouver International Airport. We would like to go to Victoria with a 2 night stay. If we take the Ferry over to Victoria, what is the best method of transportation to the Inner Harbour area? Do we need a minivan rental or is there public transportation? Possibly stay at Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour.

Day 2 - Eagle Wing Whale Watching Tour in AM and Butchart Gardens in the afternoon. Can we take public transportation to these locations? Possibly stay at Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour.

Day 3 - Go to Vancouver via Ferry? and stay in Vancouver for 2 nights. Visit Canada Place (IMAX Theater) and Gastown in AM, go to Grouse Mountain in afternoon with dinner at the Observatory Restaurant. Is there public transportation to Grouse Mountain? Possibly stay at Carmana Plaza.

Day 4 - Vancouver - City Tour, Stanley Park, Vancouver Aquarium, Granville Island Brewing Co Tour in the afternoon. We definitely want to rent a car this afternoon for tomorrow. Possibly stay at Carmana Plaza.

Day 5 - Drive to Banff - Yes, we are planning to do this in one LONG day! Possibly stay at either Fox Hotel & Suites or Banff Caribou Lodge.

Day 6 - Banff - Gondola & Upper Hot Springs, did I read somewhere about an evening wildlife tour or horseback riding? Possibly stay at either Fox Hotel & Suites or Banff Caribou Lodge.

Day 7 - Banff - Lake Louise, Lake Moraine, drive to Yoho National Park (Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake) Possibly stay at either Fox Hotel & Suites or Banff Caribou Lodge.

Day 8 - Drive Icefield Parkway to Jasper, Peyto Lake Lookout, Columbia Icefield Explorer, Athabasca Falls, stay in Jasper. Possibly stay at Patricia Lake Bungalows.

Day 9 - Lake Maligne 90 minute boat trip and Class II Raft Trip Athabasca River "Heritage Run", drive to Edmonton in late afternoon/early evening, stay in Edmonton. Possibly stay at Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden.

Day 10 - Edmonton - shop till you drop day at West Edmonton Mall. Possibly stay at Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden. Would you drop the rental minivan off tonight or in the am - we have a flight in the 7am hour.

Day 11 - Fly home

Thank you in advance for your input. I'm looking forward to suggestions for transportation and itinerary help!

NWWanderer

A couple comments on the first part of your trip...with 5 people, it may be less expensive to rent a car for your trip to Victoria than to take the PCL bus/ferry combination (which is what I'd suggest with luggage, etc rather than taking public transportation). I'd price each and see (but remember to add the cost of the car rental and the ferry fare for a true comparison).

Yes, you can take public transportation from the Inner Harbour to Butchart Gardens, but again with 5 people, a car may be easier.

UnderTheStars

Thanks NWWanderer! I will check that out. I was hoping to avoid that 17.5% tax on car rentals by NOT renting within 24 hours of my flight into Vancouver. But like you said, this still MAY be the least expensive alternative.

Do I need a car in Victoria and Vancouver? Or is public transportation easy and readily available? I guess my main transportation question is how to get from Vancouver International Airport to Victoria Inner Harbour area on Day 1 & then from Victoria Inner Harbour to downtown Vancouver on Day 3.

Minivan rentals also seem so expensive and was hoping to rent one from Day 4 in Vancouver and return on Day 10 or 11 in Edmonton. Any suggestions where I may find a deal for the minivan rental?

NWWanderer

No, you don't *need* a car in Victoria or Vancouver, but it may be less expensive. Otherwise, PCL (Pacific Coach Lines) is the best option for not renting a car to get from YVR to Victoria and from Victoria to Vancouver--sorry if that wasn't clear from my previous post. Google PCL and check rates for 5 people, then compare it to renting a car for the days you're in Victoria and the RT ferry (I'd drop it off when you get to Vancouver then rent another car on Day 4 for the trip to Banff etc).

One way rentals are generally expensive--did you try Budget? They often will have the best rate but not always.

UnderTheStars

Thanks NWWanderer! I hear you! Great suggestion about renting cars on two different days - hadn't thought of that! I'll check out Budget.

Tootsall

I'd see if I could PCL from YVR to Victoria, rent a car downtown (or near your hotel) for around that area, then PCL back to Vancouver. After that it's up to you. You don't need to have a car on the ferry so why pay for it both ways? Avoids drop-off fee too and leaves time to sit and enjoy the sights while riding the bus.