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Welcome to Hipfig's Video Guide Series on Victoria, British Columbia.
In this DIY video we'll be showing you how to get to Victoria using BC Ferries
Victoria is located on the island of Vancouver in the province of British Columbia on the west coast of Canada
Famous for its stunning panoramic views, Victoria is a major attraction in Canada
and the capital of the province of British Columbia. The only way to get to
Victoria is by plane or by boat. A picturesque, convenient, and faster
way to get to Victoria is by BC ferries. from Vancouver. You can walk on or if you
have a car, drive it on to the ferry. If you come from Vancouver BC, you can
take the BC ferry from Tsawwassen ferry station (terminal) to Schwarz Bay ferry station
which is near Vancouver. The ferry ride will take about an hour and a half. Make
sure to make a reservation online in the summer if you're taking a car into the
ferry. Athough making a reservation is an additional fee, it reserves your space
on the ferry for this specific time you choose and will save you time in the
summer waiting in line. In the summer months there are also discounted sail times
usually these are the first and last sailings on specific routes. Check on BC
Ferries official website for detailed information. There are also private tours
which offer flights and boat tours from Seattle and Vancouver BC. Look below in the
description section for the links for these tours to Victoria. If you are
coming from the Seattle area in Washington State in the United States
You can take the Washington State Ferries from Anacortes ferry station to
Sydney ferry station in the Victoria area. The ferry ride from Anacortes to Sydney
will take about three hours. You can also take the Black Ball ferry line from Port
Angeles, Washington if you wanted to combine it with a visit to the Olympic
Mountains. This ferry will take you to Victoria's Inner Harbor. This ferry ride
takes about an hour and a half and will get you right into downtown Victoria. If
you're visiting downtown Seattle, Washington in the United States, you can
take Victoria Clipper from downtown Seattle to the Inner Harbor of Victoria
This ferry ride will take you about three hours. If you're visiting the
Nanaimo, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, or Tofino area on Vancouver
Island and along with it you want to visit Victoria, you can take the BC
Ferries from Horseshoe Bay ferry station in West Vancouver to Departure Bay
station in Vancouver Island. When we want to visit Victoria we usually choose BC
Ferries from Tsawwassen since it takes less time to get to Vancouver Island and it's
a beautiful ride. Once you arrive at Tsawwassen ferry station, pay for your fare
at the toll booth. There is a fee for your car and each passenger. Then you'll
be directed to a specific line. Drive to your row and wait until directed to
board the ferry. If you're walking on, pay for your ferry inside the ferry
terminal and walk on to the ferry when directed. Once on the ferry, park and lock
your car and walk up the stairs to the top decks of the ferry for some
spectacular views. There are also elevators available
Please use caution as you walk between cars. Please make a note of where you
parked so you don't get lost when you have to return to your car. Once on the
passenger deck, you'll see plenty of seating inside and outside of the ferry.
The ferry ride is about an hour and a half. The ferry is clean and comfortable
with a cafe, play area for kids, and even a gift shop. The best part of the ferry ride is
the view. As the ferry sails through the straits of Juan de Fuca past the Gulf
Islands, it will go through a narrow strait between Galiano and Mayne islands
and then past Prevost and Salt Spring islands. Here you'll see homes near the
bays and sailing vessels around the area
Once you arrive at Schwartz Bay you will drive about a half hour or more
depending on traffic to downtown Victoria. Follow the signs to Patricia
Bay highway also known as BC -17 to downtown Victoria and your hotel. If you're a walk on passenger and
don't have a car, there are buses you can take from the ferry terminal to downtown
Victoria.
You can purchase bus tickets from the gift shop on the ferry. Please purchase
them as soon as you get on the ferry. You can take the BC transit number 70 or
number 72 bus which are normal city buses. They make many stops but are cheap
and will take you into the touristy part of downtown Victoria near the Empress
Hotel and government area. You won't miss it or if you not sure ask the bus driver
These buses are good for those who don't have a lot of luggage. You can also take
the Pacific Coast lines or BC Connector which are private bus service from the ferry to
downtown Victoria or you can also catch these bus from downtown Vancouver . Recommended to make a reservation.
If you have lots of kids and luggage it might be a good idea to call an app service like
uber or a taxi service such as Victoria taxi to pick you up from the ferry
terminal. You'll have to prearranged a taxi as there are no taxi stands in the
ferry terminal area. To catch the bus, follow the signs through the terminal to
the bus stop. However you get to Victoria it will be a beautiful trip.
Happy Travels
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