Vancouver Island Train
Apr 28, 2006 | 11:01 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Merritt Island, FL USA
Programs: AA, BA, DL, SPG and Marriott
Posts: 143
Vancouver Island Train
http://www.viarail.ca/trains/en_trai_roch_vico.htm
Is this a tourist trap or should I rent a car?
Is this a tourist trap or should I rent a car?
Apr 29, 2006 | 7:05 am
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 13,344
Via Rail is not a tourist trap. It is a Crown Corporation and our national rail service. Basically the Canadian equivalent of Amtrak.
The journey itself between Victoria and Courtney is beautiful (I have only done it by car). As the train goes away from the main highway, I would think it is even more spectatular.
For $27 a person, that is a good deal. If there are 3 or more of you, a car might be cheaper.
The only thing you would miss out is the ability to stop in some of the smaller town along the way.
The journey itself between Victoria and Courtney is beautiful (I have only done it by car). As the train goes away from the main highway, I would think it is even more spectatular.
For $27 a person, that is a good deal. If there are 3 or more of you, a car might be cheaper.
The only thing you would miss out is the ability to stop in some of the smaller town along the way.
Apr 29, 2006 | 4:26 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB PLT again afater a decade as plebian
Posts: 22,946
The Esquimalt and Nanaimo line is one of the few public rail services left in B.C. so take it while you still have a chance. The other service of note, the Cariboo Prospector between North Vancouver and Prince George (some spectacular scenery on the route) was permanently discontinued a few years back.The others are West Coast Express which is a commuter train between Vancouver and the northern Fraser Valley 'burbs, and the Via Rail services between Vancouver and Edmonton (Canadian), and Prince George to Prince Rupert (the Skeena)
May 1, 2006 | 9:43 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,810
>Is this a tourist trap
No, it's quite a scenic little train.
>or should I rent a car?
That depends - What are you trying to do? Just a return trip on the train or are you actually trying to go somewhere? A car may have advantages depending on what you're doing.
Cheers,
Geoff Glave
Vancouver, Canada
No, it's quite a scenic little train.
>or should I rent a car?
That depends - What are you trying to do? Just a return trip on the train or are you actually trying to go somewhere? A car may have advantages depending on what you're doing.
Cheers,
Geoff Glave
Vancouver, Canada
May 1, 2006 | 5:11 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Merritt Island, FL USA
Programs: AA, BA, DL, SPG and Marriott
Posts: 143
I have found out that I cannot take a car on ferry from Orcas Island to Victoria-it is passenger only. We will take the Kenmore seaplane from Lake Union to Orcas island, ferry onto Victoria then fly back to Seattle on the seaplane.
May 1, 2006 | 8:12 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Seattle
Posts: 259
I don't think that's correct. As I read the Washington state ferries site (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/sche...route=ana-sid), you can take a car from Orcas to Victoria (Sidney), but not from Sidney to Orcas.
Basically, you can take a car on the route as long as you don't get off until the last destination, but not if you're planning to get off mid-route (ie, anywhere in between Sidney and Anacortes.)
You do need to make reservations (and the reservations site does let you book a car from Orcas to Sidney): https://secure1.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/webres/
All that said, your life will definitely be much easier if you skip the car -- the lines to get from Anacortes to Orcas via car ferry can be brutal.
Basically, you can take a car on the route as long as you don't get off until the last destination, but not if you're planning to get off mid-route (ie, anywhere in between Sidney and Anacortes.)
You do need to make reservations (and the reservations site does let you book a car from Orcas to Sidney): https://secure1.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/webres/
All that said, your life will definitely be much easier if you skip the car -- the lines to get from Anacortes to Orcas via car ferry can be brutal.
May 2, 2006 | 10:21 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: YEG/SFO
Programs: AC, UA, HH, MR, and the other usual suspects
Posts: 360
It's not a tourist trap, it's a term of confederation!
An ex- of mine who is a BC historian told me that one of the terms of Vancouver Island joining the Confederation was that there be a fixed rail link maintained between Victoria and central Canada. The E & N and the ferry service serves as this link. During previous threats to cancel the E & N service, the issue of breaking the terms of Confederation were raised. So the E & N isn't only a beautiful ride, but is also essential to the unity of Canada!
Not that Vancouver Island separatists are that much of a threat, but regardless...
Not that Vancouver Island separatists are that much of a threat, but regardless...
May 2, 2006 | 10:33 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,810
>We will take the Kenmore seaplane from Lake Union to Orcas island
You can also ferry to Port Townsend, drive to Port Angeles, and take the ferry to Victoria:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/info...fm?region_id=2
http://www.cohoferry.com/
Cheers,
Geoff Glave
Vancouver, Canada
You can also ferry to Port Townsend, drive to Port Angeles, and take the ferry to Victoria:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/info...fm?region_id=2
http://www.cohoferry.com/
Cheers,
Geoff Glave
Vancouver, Canada
May 3, 2006 | 4:26 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Merritt Island, FL USA
Programs: AA, BA, DL, SPG and Marriott
Posts: 143
We are definitely going by seaplane, only using the ferry to link between Orcas and Sidney. I called the Orcas Chamber of Commerce today and they assured me that there are scooter and car rentals available on Orcas. Thats the part of the trip that Im most concerned about mobility since the bus doesnt start running there until Memorial day weekend.
Thanks to all!
Thanks to all!