VICTORIA - Vancouver and Victoria - page 256

Bay. Most travelers don't make reservations but simply arrive and prepare themselves
to wait for the next ferry if the first one fills. Both terminals have shops with food and
magazines as well as summertime booths selling everything from crafts to mini donuts.
From Washington State
From downtown Seattle (Pier 69), Clipper Navigation (800/888-2535,
www.clippervacations.com , adult US$92 one-way, US$155 round-trip) runs passenger-
onlyferriestoVictoria'sInnerHarbour.Insummer,sailingsaremadefivetimesdaily,with
theservicerunningtherestoftheyearonareducedschedule.Travelisdiscountedoff-sea-
son and year-round for seniors and children.
North of Seattle, Anacortes is the departure point for Washington State Ferries (206/
464-6400, 250/381-1551, or 888/808-7977, www.wsdof.wa.gov/ferries , adult US$18,
senior US$9, youth US$14.40, vehicle and driver US$47.90) to Sidney (on Vancouver Is-
land, 32 kilometers/20 miles north of Victoria), with a stop made en route in the San Juan
Islands. Make reservations at least 24 hours in advance.
The final option is to travel from Port Angeles to Victoria. The MV Coho (250/
386-2202or360/457-4491, www.cohoferry.com , adultUS$17,childUS$8.50,vehicleand
driver US$61) runs year-round, with up to four crossings daily in summer.
BUS
The main bus depot (710 Douglas St.) is behind the Fairmont Empress. Pacific Coach
Lines (604/662-7575 or 800/661-1725, www.pacificcoach.com ) operates bus service
betweenVancouver'sPacificCentralStationanddowntownVictoria,viatheTsawwassen-
Swartz Bay ferry. In summer the coaches run hourly, 6am-9pm; rates are $44 one-way,
whichincludestheferryfare.Thetriptakes3.5hours.Thissamecompanyalsorunsbuses
to the Victoria depot from downtown Vancouver hotels ($48 one-way, $90 round-trip) and
from Vancouver International Airport ($48 one-way, $90 round-trip).
Most central attractions can be reached on foot. However, the Victoria Regional
Transit System (250/385-2551, www.transitbc.com ) is excellent, and it's easy to jump on
and off and get everywhere you want to go. Pick up an Explore Victoria brochure at the
information center for details of all the major sights, parks, beaches, and shopping areas
and the buses needed to reach them. Bus fare for travel within the entire city is $2.50 per
adult, $1.60 per senior or student. Transfers are good for travel in one direction within 90
minutesofpurchase.ADayPass,validforoneday'sunlimitedbustravel,costs$5perper-
son.