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Author	Topic: Car ferry from Seattle?
hibbeln TUG Member Posts: 511 From: Rochester, MI Registered: Jan 2001	posted 04-02-2004 08:07 This seems to be a hot topic! We are arriving July 3 (Saturday) and will be flying into SEA-TAC airport (11 a.m.). What is a reasonable amount of time to pick up luggage, rental car and get to the dock? We are pretty efficient about you-go-get-the-luggage-while-I-get-the-car. Is there a car ferry from Seattle, or do we need to drive to Anacortes or Port Angeles? Any idea what the websites are (I'm assuming I would be smart to make a reservation at that time of year!). THANK YOU! IP: Logged
asp TUG Member Posts: 150 From: Nanoose Bay, BC, Canada Registered: Jan 2001	posted 04-02-2004 12:03 Car ferries to the Island leave from Anacortes and Port Angeles. they have limited schedules - once a day from Anacortes. There is a fair drive to reach the Port Angeles (Black Ball) ferry, and only one ship, but it lands in downtown Victoria. I am not sure who services the Anacortes ferry - it may be Washington State???? BC Ferries www.bcferries.com travels from Tswassesen (sp?)to Victoria hourly in the summer. It will land you about 30 minutes from Victoria. Seatac Airport is south of Seattle, but on Saturday the traffic shouldn't be TOO bad. Time depends on which dock you choose! But, July 1 is a CDN holiday, so between those making it an extra long weekend and July 4 traffic, it may be busy at the border. [This message has been edited by asp (edited 04-02-2004).] IP: Logged
LisaH TUG Member Posts: 846 From: SF Bay Area Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-03-2004 22:25 Can you rent a car in Seattle and drive it to Canada? When I rent cars at Seattle, I remember seeing warnings about prohibiting driving a rental car to Canada. I'd like to know for sure as we'll be visiting Vancouver Island next summer. ------------------ LisaH IP: Logged
glenn1000 TUG Member Posts: 1229 From: Orinda, CA Registered: Feb 2002	posted 04-04-2004 11:37 We've rented a car in Seattle before and taken it on the ferry to Vancouver Island. I don't remember any warnings but you should check with the rental car companies about that in case things have changed recently. Our experiences from Port Angeles have varied since we did not have ferry reservations and sometimes had a long wait. IP: Logged
rustynspike TUG Member Posts: 80 From: Redmond, Wa-owner whiskijack bc & worldmark Registered: Nov 2003	posted 04-04-2004 13:12 You might want to check the Washington state ferry website too. Http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries or just google your way to the site. I'm not sure if the car ferries make the run to Victoria in the afternoon. We're planning a trip there the last week of April. Cheryl IP: Logged
snelson TUG Volunteer Posts: 6520 From: Belly-View, WA. Owner: Embassy Poipu (floating); Winners Circle (Week 52), Raintree Vacation Club; Club Regina Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-04-2004 13:41 Be aware that a Port Angeles crossing involves two car ferry trips. The first is to cross Puget Sound to the Olympic Peninsula. ------------------ Steve Nelson My Seattle Mariners blog ** I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy. IP: Logged
rustynspike TUG Member Posts: 80 From: Redmond, Wa-owner whiskijack bc & worldmark Registered: Nov 2003	posted 04-04-2004 13:42 I just got off the phone with the WA ferry system and have some information for you. The only WA car ferry to BC leaves from Anacortes. In the Summer they have two runs around 8am and around 2pm. My best guess is Anacortes is 2-2 1/2 hours from Seatac. Their number is 1 888 808 7977. In the Summer, the Black Ball ferry leaves from Port Angeles at 8:20, 12:45, 5:15 and 9:30. The trip is 95 minutes and Port Angeles is about 2 1/2 hours from Sea Tac. Their number is 360 457 4491. I would highly recommend planing and having reservations. Every holiday the news is filled with stories about backed up ferry lines. Cheryl In the summer the Tsawwassan ferry leaves hourly for Victoria. The trip to the boarder is about 3 1/2 hours and I'm not sure how much farther to Tsawwassen. The line at the boarder can be a few minutes or MANY minutes. The truck route crossing is faster, but then you miss the Peace Arch. I think you can get up to date crossing information by phone from the Washington State DOT. I don't have that number yet. there is also a passenger only ferry from Seattle 1-800-888 2535. Hope this helps, Cheryl IP: Logged
rustynspike TUG Member Posts: 80 From: Redmond, Wa-owner whiskijack bc & worldmark Registered: Nov 2003	posted 04-04-2004 13:53 Steve, I think you can also get to Port Angeles by taking the Tacoma Narrows, then up the Peninsula. [This message has been edited by rustynspike (edited 04-04-2004).] IP: Logged
clipper TUG Member Posts: 97 From: BC, Canada Registered: Jul 2002	posted 04-05-2004 23:06 quote: Originally posted by LisaH: Can you rent a car in Seattle and drive it to Canada? When I rent cars at Seattle, I remember seeing warnings about prohibiting driving a rental car to Canada. I'd like to know for sure as we'll be visiting Vancouver Island next summer. It depends on the car rental company. When I was comparing rental companies, I remember that one said that you can't drive a car rented in the US into Canada and vice versa. Another one said that if you rent a car in the US or Canada, you can drive the car across the border but you have to return it at one of their offices in the country you rented it from. Mercedes IP: Logged
hibbeln TUG Member Posts: 511 From: Rochester, MI Registered: Jan 2001	posted 04-06-2004 06:47 WOW! Thanks for all the great info! I knew I could count on TUG-gers! Rustynspike - Do you know if there is any way to make reservations on the BlackBall Ferry line? Their website said no reservations, which is a little worrisome. Probably it wouldn't be a problem, but maybe it would be........! IP: Logged
snelson TUG Volunteer Posts: 6520 From: Belly-View, WA. Owner: Embassy Poipu (floating); Winners Circle (Week 52), Raintree Vacation Club; Club Regina Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-06-2004 06:57 quote: Originally posted by rustynspike: Steve, I think you can also get to Port Angeles by taking the Tacoma Narrows, then up the Peninsula. [This message has been edited by rustynspike (edited 04-04-2004).] Yes you can, but it's also much quicker to take either the Bainbridge or Kingston ferries. ------------------ Steve Nelson My Seattle Mariners blog ** I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy. IP: Logged
Debbyd57 TUG Member Posts: 325 From: Port Orchard, Wa-owner at Brookes Hill, Fairfield and Worldmark Registered: May 2002	posted 04-06-2004 12:49 Another option for you if you can not take the rental car to Victoria is to park it at Port Angeles and walk on either the Black Ball ferry or you can take the smaller boat called the Victoria Express. This Express boat only takes 1 hour to get to Victoria and is much quicker to get through customs than the larger boat.You will need to make reservations for this boat their number is 1-800-633-1589 or you can go to their website www.victoriaexpress.com If you park at Port Angeles drive past the ferry landing and go an extra block as the parking rates differ between all of the lots. Victoria is pretty easy to get around and they have a very good transit system. We have never taken our car over there as we find it less hassle to not have to put our car in line early so that we can make the ferry. Their is a city bus that goes to Buchart Gardens that you can board on the road that is behind the Empress Hotel. I believe it was only a couple of dollars to ride out to the gardens, which is much cheaper than doing the tours,and they drop you off right at the entrance. The buses run quite often and you can sightsee the city better instead of having to drive through the traffic. Craigmont Castle was also very interesting to see and it is about a mile from the main downtown area, you can either walk to it or take a bus. We also enjoyed the Crystal Gardens and the Tallyhoe City tour. We had an Entertainment book and recieved many 2 for 1 discounts on the attractions. It also had alot of good coupons for restaurants. Paul IP: Logged
krisj TUG Member Posts: 2112 From: Seattle WA, USA Owner: 6 weeks in Whistler, BC Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-06-2004 22:55 Just another thought... For our recent trip to Victoria, we found it cheaper and MUCH more convenient and relaxing to take the passenger-only Victoria Clipper from downtown Seattle to Victoria. We didn't have to pay for the car ferry, consume vacation time waiting in ferry lines, didn't have to pay for parking in Victoria (at the Empress it would have cost $22/day), and got to enjoy Victoria on foot and by bus. If you do need a car on Vancouver Island, perhaps you could rent one once you got there. I think Seattle has high car rental taxes. Just another option to consider :-) Kris IP: Logged
Karen G Moderator TUG Volunteer Posts: 2928 From: Bellevue, WA; own in New York, Hawaii, Mexico, South Africa, Texas (RCI Pts.) Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-06-2004 23:16 quote: Originally posted by krisj: Victoria Clipper from downtown Seattle to Victoria. This is an outstanding suggestion! You wouldn't have to face long lines at the border crossing either. IP: Logged
Cyndi TUG Member Posts: 470 From: Kirkland, WA USA Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-11-2004 00:46 Did anyone mention flying? By the time you consider the 2 hour wait in line before the ferry leaves and the cost of the car and the passengers etc, the flights look increasingly less expensive. I live in Seattle and can get to California or Las Vegas faster than Victoria by car/ferry in the spring and summer. It took us 6 hours to get to Orcas Island a few years ago. I could be in Cabo in 6 hours ------------------ Cyndi IP: Logged
hibbeln TUG Member Posts: 511 From: Rochester, MI Registered: Jan 2001	posted 04-16-2004 10:45 Hmmmmmm, now you have me thinking...... KrisJ, we DO need a car in Vancouver because we'll actually be out Sooke way and plan to do a lot of driving about. But the thought of flying in or renting a car once we're THERE is very tempting, but how do we get to and from the ferry dock....?? Hmmmm. I was kind of looking forward to the ferry ride, we were hoping to have nice weather and see some whales! Maybe that's just a happy little dream??? IP: Logged
krisj TUG Member Posts: 2112 From: Seattle WA, USA Owner: 6 weeks in Whistler, BC Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-16-2004 14:49 Well, the Victoria Clipper is much like a ferry, only faster. I think we were on the boat for ~2.5 hours, and although we didn't see whales we DID see seals and eagles. The boat docks right in downtown Victoria, which is also where the seaplanes land, so I'm guessing there are rental cars within walking distance, or that there are shuttles that will meet you at the Clipper dock. We find the Clipper to be a really comfortable alternative to the car ferries (which we've also used quite often), and you won't spend nearly as much time in transit. You could spend the extra times on a whale-watching tour and greatly increase your chances of spotting lots of whales... Kris IP: Logged
John Cummings TUG Member Posts: 2178 From: Murrieta, California Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-17-2004 00:15 Having lived in Victoria for many years and visiting it several times, I have taken just about every route that exists, except for the Victoria Clipper. I have sailed from downtown Victoria to Seattle and back on the old Princess ships but they were retired years ago. The more I think about it, the more I am liking the Victoria Clipper from Seattle to downtown Victoria. You certainly do not need a car in Victoria itself. I would plan my activities in such a manner so that I only rented a car as needed. If I were to choose one of the ferries, it would be the Anacortes to Sidney, BC ( metro Victoria ) ferry. My choice is because of the scenery going through the San Juan Islands. My last choice would be the Black Ball ferry from Port Angeles. It is 77 miles from downtown Seattle to Anacortes and yes you do have to be in line early but it is worth it. ------------------ John [This message has been edited by John Cummings (edited 04-18-2004).] IP: Logged
John Cummings TUG Member Posts: 2178 From: Murrieta, California Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-17-2004 00:19 quote: Originally posted by clipper: It depends on the car rental company. When I was comparing rental companies, I remember that one said that you can't drive a car rented in the US into Canada and vice versa. Another one said that if you rent a car in the US or Canada, you can drive the car across the border but you have to return it at one of their offices in the country you rented it from. Mercedes I have rented cars in the US and driven them into Canada several times with no problem at all. I asked the rental companies first and there were no restrictions. ------------------ John IP: Logged
hotmike98 TUG Member Posts: 206 From: Huntington Beach, CA Registered: May 2003	posted 04-20-2004 11:40 We took the Victoria Clipper last summer, and rented the car a couple of days after arrival in Victoria for a week long rental up island. The exchange rates make renting in Canada ideal! You can get to the Clipper dock in downtown Seattle via city bus, airport shuttles, or limo (I believe the limo fee is about $50). Victoria Clipper has a website (can't remember the site, as I'm not at home, but it's in the AAA book, or you can do a Google search). IP: Logged

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