Kelowna vs Kamloops stopover Banff to Vancouver
May 14, 2014, 2:30 pm
#1
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Kelowna vs Kamloops stopover Banff to Vancouver
We are flying in to Calgary in July, spending one night there (very late arrival) then 5 nights in Banff, leaving there around noon on our last day there and driving to either Kamloops or Kelowna for a one-night stay, then flying out of Vancouver the next evening. Not looking to do a whole lot in the town, just dinner, breakfast and maybe a short activity in the morning. Which is the better drive and better place to hang out for about 20 hours? Will either be using certs at the Fairfield in Kelowna or points at the Doubletree in Kamloops.
Last edited by VickiSoCal; May 14, 2014 at 2:57 pm
May 14, 2014, 4:24 pm
#2
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If you like wine - Kelowna
An hour and a half longer that Kamloops you can head through wine country. There are some north of Kelowna but most are further south between Penticton and Osoyoos (about 100). The drive from Kelowna to Vancouver through Penticton (or down to Osoyoos where you meet up with the Crows nest Hwy.) is way nicer than Kamloops/Van (Coquihalla Highway).
May 15, 2014, 3:56 pm
#3
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An hour and a half longer that Kamloops you can head through wine country. There are some north of Kelowna but most are further south between Penticton and Osoyoos (about 100). The drive from Kelowna to Vancouver through Penticton (or down to Osoyoos where you meet up with the Crows nest Hwy.) is way nicer than Kamloops/Van (Coquihalla Highway).
May 17, 2014, 5:57 pm
#4
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There is no question about it.
Go to Kelowna.
Better restaurants, better scenery, better entertainment options and pretty much better everything for a tourist.
I have to go to both places regularly and always enjoy my time in Kelowna.
Go to Kelowna.
Better restaurants, better scenery, better entertainment options and pretty much better everything for a tourist.
I have to go to both places regularly and always enjoy my time in Kelowna.
May 18, 2014, 10:43 am
#5
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The drive from Kamloops to Vancouver is shorter than from Kelowna, and the highway from Kamloops to Merritt is more scenic than the road from Kelowna to Merritt.
May 18, 2014, 11:30 am
#6
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Depending on time, the traffic going through Kelowna can be nightmarish (well, heavy and slow at any rate). This includes anything seen as rush hour (starts at 3 when the trades people - lots here - call it a day) and weekends especially in summer.
The Marriott/Fairfield at least is towards the north end of town so you don't have to face too much traffic getting there from the direction of Vernon, though the highway there is closed more than one would expect due to serious road accidents.
The Marriott/Fairfield at least is towards the north end of town so you don't have to face too much traffic getting there from the direction of Vernon, though the highway there is closed more than one would expect due to serious road accidents.
Jun 1, 2014, 7:54 am
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Just a suggestion that you might consider breaking Banff up into 3 nights in Banff and then 2 in Lake Louise. Although LL is more pricey.
Jul 9, 2014, 8:25 pm
#9
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We are back and had a wonderful evening in Kelowna, kids played in the lake a bit, walked the waterfront and had an ice cream. Little traffic but the highways definitely move slower in Canada than the US so drives overall took longer than I'd predicted. Thanks for all the advice.
Jun 25, 2016, 12:00 am
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If I'm headed to either Kelowna or Kamloops to burn a Marriott cat 4 night (both are Fairfields, only cat 4s in BC), which is the better choice? BC interior sunshine, water, and the beach won't mean much compared to what I'm used to.
Looking for some outdoor activities like hiking and rafting.
Looking for some outdoor activities like hiking and rafting.
Jun 25, 2016, 8:56 am
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Jun 25, 2016, 6:56 pm
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Jun 26, 2016, 7:53 am
#13
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In that case I would say Kamloops. Kelowna is the nicer city, but Kamloops is closer to hiking and rafting.
Rafting on the Thompson river or in the Fraser Canyon to / from Kamloops (hence the question about driving as you can head to / from Kamloops via the Fraser Canyon).
Hiking at Sun Peaks or all over the place, really.
If you google up these two you'll see lots of hits.
Rafting on the Thompson river or in the Fraser Canyon to / from Kamloops (hence the question about driving as you can head to / from Kamloops via the Fraser Canyon).
Hiking at Sun Peaks or all over the place, really.
If you google up these two you'll see lots of hits.
Jun 27, 2016, 6:25 pm
#14
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In that case I would say Kamloops. Kelowna is the nicer city, but Kamloops is closer to hiking and rafting.
Rafting on the Thompson river or in the Fraser Canyon to / from Kamloops (hence the question about driving as you can head to / from Kamloops via the Fraser Canyon).
Hiking at Sun Peaks or all over the place, really.
If you google up these two you'll see lots of hits.
Rafting on the Thompson river or in the Fraser Canyon to / from Kamloops (hence the question about driving as you can head to / from Kamloops via the Fraser Canyon).
Hiking at Sun Peaks or all over the place, really.
If you google up these two you'll see lots of hits.