Do we need a car? - Victoria Forum - Tripadvisor

Do we need a car?

14 posts
Do we need a car?

My husband and 3 teen sons will be visiting for the first time this summer and I so excited to visit, but am getting overwhelmed with planning! We will be in Olympic National Park first, and will have about 7 nights to explore BC before heading to Seattle to catch a plane home. I was thinking we would return our rented car in Port Angeles and take the ferry to Victoria. Spend 2-3 nights in Victoria before heading to Vancouver for 3 nights, then take the Amtrack to Seattle. Or should we keep the car? I see that the ferry terminals when traveling to Vancouver aren't right in Victoria/Vancouver. Is it tricky to take public transportation to the terminals? Also, would it be worthwhile to keep the cars to do day trips out of the cities? We were thinking of taking a ferry for a day trip to Galiano Island- do we need a car to explore the island, or could we rent ebikes or mopeds? Thanks for any help!

3 replies to this topic
Vancouver, Canada
Destination Expert
for Vancouver
Level Contributor
13,958 posts
215 reviews
434 helpful votes
1. Re: Do we need a car?

I'd keep the car. Too many folks to herd.

Calgary, Canada
Level Contributor
13,980 posts
26 reviews
8 helpful votes
2. Re: Do we need a car?

The Island is 12, 400 sq mi in size, too big to see on a bike or mopeds. But you don’t have enough time to see it all anyway.

Agree with post #1, keep the car but you MUST make ferry reservations.

However that also depends on where you are picking up and dropping off as you could incur a one way drop fee.

Richmond, Canada
Destination Expert
for Vancouver
Level Contributor
15,472 posts
66 reviews
106 helpful votes
3. Re: Do we need a car?

I love Galiano Island but it seems awfully rushed as a day trip. You definitely would want a car though because the island is big and extremely hilly. I've taken my bike to Galiano once with my dad and sister when I was 14 and, well... never again! But it's one of my favourite places go to and spend a long weekend or even a week to unplug and be at one with nature. Maybe do two nights in Victoria, two nights on Galiano, then 3 nights in Vancouver. Keep the car.

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