My wife and I (30 somethings) are planning to do some travelling in BC in June of this year. Looking for suggestions on an itinerary for a 1 1/2 to 2 week trip. Is it worth starting in Calgary (not during the stampede). Thinking of doing Vancouver, Whistler (I think Banff is too far) and then possibly hoping a plane to Seattle.
Does anyone suggestions on travel itineraries for travelling in this area? Thanks.
Not sure where you are thinking of taking the plane from to Seattle. If it is from Vancouver, the one way price is very expensive. Here are a few alternatives.
Amtrak, two trains a day, early morning and early evening. visit to their web site. The earlier you purchase tickets the less expensive it is.
amtrak.com
Bolt Bus, a division of Greyhound. Nice buses, wifi, washroom, comfortable seats. Numerous buses a day. The schedules come out 4/5 weeks prior to departure date. The earlier you purchase tickets the less expensive. Also join their loyalty program even if this is a one time experience. That will put you in the boarding group 1
boltbus.com
Just moved to BC last year. Initially I was planning to fly into Calgary and drive to Vancouver, but timing didn't allow it. But I did look into that option and I'd say go for it. And Banff is on the way so definitely go there, and on to iconic Lake Louise. Jasper if you can fit it in to. The nice thing of starting from Calgary is that you will drive over the mountains through fruit country. Looks like a great drive.
I would then say come over to Vancouver Island. Ferry from Horseshoe Bay will take you into Nanaimo. It's a 3 hour drive to Tofino and Ucluelet. Be sure to stop in Cathedral Grove Forest on the way.
To get to Seattle my advice would be to drive to Victoria and catch the ferry from there. Victoria a lovely city too. Stop in Duncan on the way to check out the totems. I've also heard the whale watching is better from Victoria than Tofino.
Good luck
Cliff offers good advice, you can also detour and drive from Kamloops to Whistler via Lillooet over the Duffey which is a great drive, then head to Vancouver.
I'm not sure how you're planning on travelling in BC but I would highly recommend trying to, for example, start in Calgary, spend time in the Canadian Rockies, pick a scenic route across BC to the coast and enjoy mountainous country in the Kootenays, Okanagan or whatever along the way. (or opposite direction) Experiencing a taste of both the interior mtns. and the coast is a great intro trip to BC that is the way to go in my opinion.
Alternatively, you could rent a car out of Calgary for a week or so and see the interior mtns and then rent a car in Vancouver and Whistler and Vancouver Island (eg Tofino etc).
Coming to the coast via "the Duffey" (ie the northern portion of Hwy. 99 north of Whistler) and down through Whistler, is, as stated above, a nice option.
If you can jam it in as well time-wise, Tofino/Pacific Rim National Park is a great side trip.
Rented car or rented RV offer the best flexibility. My guess is that the RV rental places may be used to Calgary to Vancouver one way rentals but you'd have to check. May there's something on that in this forum.
Hey Nadnutz,
1.5 - 2 weeks is not very much time to see and do everything that you've outlined. You would be spending a lot of time travelling from one place to another, so that is something to keep in mind. If you enjoy travelling in that fashion then you can definitely fit it all in the time you have allotted, if not, perhaps you could share with us some of the things you and your wife enjoy doing on holiday and that would narrow down the best places for you to stop.
Additionally, while renting a car or rv and driving across two provinces and into the US is great, you need to consider the cost. Especially if you plan to drop off the vehicle in a different location, this might be a consideration if you have a specific budget in mind.
Cheers,
Will
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