Vancouver開始自己揸車玩ok嗎?

[Miss Kwok]

我同兩個朋友想由Vancouver開始自己揸車玩Calgary, Columbia Icefield ...... ok 嗎?

揸右軚車難適應嗎?

我地三個都係女仔，危險嗎?

[hy]

I rented from Avis last year and found that a 17% tax would apply to the whole journey if we rented a car on the day of arrival. If we picked up a car from airport, it was automatically assumed that we were renting on the day of arrival and that 17 % applied. If we picked up a car from downtown, we needed to declare and sign a form saying that we were not renting on the day of arrival in order to avoid the tax.

Hope this would help you save some money and enjoy your trip.

p.s. To drive on the other side, advise you go slow and try to follow other cars if you could. It would take you one or two days to get use to the new road conditions depending on your own driving experience. In north American, you can turn right on the right lane even at red light IF THERE IS NO PEDISTRIAN AND CAR.

If you can rent a GPS. At Avis, it costs about 10 dollar a day. It is worth it to keep you informed around and drive safe. But it is advisable to dismount and hide the GPS from stealing when you park.

[skier]

1. I rented from Avis last year and found that a 17% tax would apply to the whole journey if we rented a car on the day of arrival......

2. In north American, you can turn right on the right lane even at red light IF THERE IS NO PEDISTRIAN AND CAR....

Your point (1) -- good to know

Your point (2) -- same with Canada. For specifics see:

http://www.johncletheroe.org/usa_can/driving/right.htm

[snsleung]

You need time to get used to drive in left hand side especially to turn left or right. In Vancouver, you can still turn right if the traffic light is red, if you want to turn left on green light, you have to move your car in the middle zone the of intersection, you may think so dangerous.

Summer is the busiest season in Rockies, I suggest you better check and book the hotel in advance.

I will go the the Banff, Lake Louise at the end of June too. If you need any information, you can ask me to see if I can help. :)

[Miss Kwok]

Well, thanks for the information given.

Actually we have a friend living in Calgary, we may stay at her home for a few days and drive to play around. We are now comparing the cost of joining the local tour with the cost of renting a car for self travelling. Of course, we know the total cost must be lower for local tour, but we also want to be more flexible.

Oh, GPS, if we got our own PDA/mobile phone with GPS function, we don't have to rent one, right?

Some more questions:
1. Is it popular to ride on a coach travelling from Seatle to Vancouver?
2. Is Columnbia Icefield freezing? Do we need to wear jacket (down) there? Or actually, it is not necessary to have one.

[Mike]

If you pick up the car from the Airport, you have to pay a surcharge. Is that what you are referring to?

Has your PDA/mobile phone loaded with the Canadian road map?

When are you planning to go to Columbia Icefield - summer or winter months?

[Miss Kwok]

When are you planning to go to Columbia Icefield - summer or winter months?

Summar ar~, end of July.

BTW, my friend just told me that she decided not to drive!

[Rene Cai]

Summar ar~, end of July.

BTW, my friend just told me that she decided not to drive!


Your friend had made a good decision.
Here, they still haven't alerted you about the renting car insurance full coverage charge per driver per day...........

[snsleung]

You don't have to worry everything if you join tour. You can join tour from Vancouver or Calgary. Many choices. The columbia icefield is icefield, it's cold. You may not wear down jacket but at least a goretex is better.

[stillskiing]

Regardless that you and friends join tours or take the courage to drive, it will be one of your most memories trip. I have driven the same trip a few times. It is best, if you can drive, then one can stop at will to catch all the scenary and there are many stops of interest which will be miss by group tour.

This year, being such a unsual weather; I would suggest mid July.
Last night, the low temperature at the Vancouver was a great 9C. Just last week, Mt. Washington, a ski resort at Vanouver Island had snow. The freezing level was down to about 1k meter.

We have a new month.......Junuary.........

Clothing wise, I recommend a good waterproof shell and layer for warmth such as a fleece jacket or vest. When you travell up to the high mountain pass, it will be chilly and snow is a very command sight.

Enjoy...!

[Miss Kwok]

Thank you all.

Well, I, too, don't enjoy guided tour, especially in developed countries. I think many other people does. We are now planing to visit our friend in Calgary first, hope she will be available.

About the weather and clothing, thanks for the advice.

I received a good news from my friend today, the Canadian Dollar is cheaper than before:).

[stillskiing]

Since you have friends in Calgary, and you are planning to stop there, may I offer you a travelling plan.
Fly into Calgary from YVR and start you Canadian Rockie tour from there. From Calgary, start north to Edmondton then west ward to Jasper by taking HWY 16; stay for a day or two. (there are many small town along the way). Use Japer or small towns as your base and do side day trips.
From Japer, take HWY 93 south along the mountain into Lake Louie or futher to Banff. I suggest staying at Lake Louie. From there to Banff is a short drive; then back to Calgary.
This will tour the most famous and scenic part of the Canadian Rockies. From there, you can either fly back to VYR or join a tour for the B.C. Rockies enroute to Vancouver.
If you are into dinosaurs , a side trip to Drumheller is a must to this world famous pre-historic natural history museum. It is about two hour and a half drive NE of Calgary.
Check it out.........just bring extra battery for your camera.......enjoy this great mother nature's playground.

[Miss Kwok]

Wao! Thanks a lot for your information Mr Stillskiing.

Your information is processing. This is my virgin trip to Canada, I totally have no idea about it.

Two of us will fly from HK to Seattle, and will spend a few days there. Canada trip will be started after leaving Seattle. BTW, what is "YVR"?

If we take Greyhound Bus from Seattle to Vancouver/Calgary, do we have to reserve on-line? Is the bus ticket supply tight?

[stillskiing]

For each city, there is a the international code for the airport; in this case is the symbol for the airport of Vancouver is YVR. People just use it for the city instead.
Greyhound to Vancouver is very frequent; I think there are many daily buses to and from between SEA & YVR.(check it out on the net). I suggest bus trip to YVR rather to CAL, otherwise it is a VERY long bus ride and you'll miss all the good spots along the way.

[Miss Kwok]

I searched from the internet that rail (Amtrak) is an alternative from Seattle to Vancouver. It takes only 4-5 hrs only. Is this a good choice?

Are the rail stations remote from the spots, say the Park/Lake/Icefield? If it is, any public transport?

[stillskiing]

Greyhound buses has more frequent trips to Vancouver and the exprss is faster in travelling time.
Have you consider visiting Victoria?

[Miss Kwok]

Victoria? the Beason Hill Park's, Chinatown ... We want to skip this.

Why asking? Worth visiting?

Well, the last resort seems to be joining the local tour ...... :(

[stillskiing]

If you enjoy nature, then it is worth your while to visit. The city is very green. The Burchard Garden is a must. Britiania Beach, outside Victoria, on a low tide, one can walk for quite a distance on the beach coverd with marine life; star fish, shell fish, crabs.....
If you really want to see the West Coast beauty than, Tofino,located on the west coast of the Vancouver Island, is worth to spend a night. The latest in touristism in Tofino is the Winter Storm Watch. One can watch the winter storm comming off the Pacific and hiting the first landfall. It is very spectacular.
I spent a couple of summer doing commercial gill-net fishing in that area. It is prestine.
There are a couple of nice Pubs in downtown Victoria that is very enjoyable and if food and micro brewery beer is your "thing".
...........

[B2L2]

My HK friend just did the train trip from Vancouver to Calgary. Not cheap but good experience from what he told me. All of his pictures from Banff and surounding are just so excellent.

- Brian

[Miss Kwok]

My friend also told me that Victoria is a city of flowers, but we have only 7 days for Vancouver, Rockies .... You know, sometimes choices are not good thing (when the time is so tight). Anyway, thanks again for your advice and information.


My HK friend just did the train trip from Vancouver to Calgary. Not cheap but good experience from what he told me. All of his pictures from Banff and surounding are just so excellent.

- Brian

I think it is not "not cheap", it should be expensive, right?

BTW, are you the "Brian"? I mean I knew you.

[stillskiing]

Sorry, I am NOT Brian.....

But the train trip would very very nice.......
B.C. is a mother nature's play ground, if you have time, there are many things to see.
If you need more info, just drop me a line.

Cheers,

Just post lots of photos; better yet, create photo travell log

[B2L2]

I think it is not "not cheap", it should be expensive, right?

BTW, are you the "Brian"? I mean I knew you.

It is like $1500 CAD for a 4 nite package if I remember. Yes, expensive in a way.

"Brian" is my real name and I live at Vancouver though. Am I the one that you know? :)

- Brian

[Mike]

I think it is not "not cheap", it should be expensive, right?


The shortest trip by train between Calgary and Vancouver takes two days and begins in Calgary or Vancouver each Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from early April to mid October.

The lowest price for a the days journey per person (based on double occupancy) is just under C$1,000, which includes breakfast and lunch on train. I believe dinner and overnight hotel stay are extra.

So, is it cheap? Or expensive?

[Miss Kwok]

The shortest trip by train between Calgary and Vancouver takes two days and begins in Calgary or Vancouver each Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from early April to mid October.

The lowest price for a the days journey per person (based on double occupancy) is just under C$1,000, which includes breakfast and lunch on train. I believe dinner and overnight hotel stay are extra.

So, is it cheap? Or expensive?

I like trip by train.....

C$1,000 for two days !? For me, it is expensive! For something it is defined as cheap/expensive is comparative, right? May be the quality of the trip worth the cost, I won't prefer to spend C$1,000 for a two-day trip.

[Miss Kwok]

It is like $1500 CAD for a 4 nite package if I remember. Yes, expensive in a way.

"Brian" is my real name and I live at Vancouver though. Am I the one that you know? :)

- Brian


Sorry, the "Brian" I know from here is living in HK. Anyway, nice to meet you - another Brian - here.

[Miss Kwok]

Sorry, I am NOT Brian.....

But the train trip would very very nice.......
B.C. is a mother nature's play ground, if you have time, there are many things to see.
If you need more info, just drop me a line.

Cheers,

Just post lots of photos; better yet, create photo travell log



Train trip? no lar~.

For sharing of the pics, why not? But in what way?

[stillskiing]

Well, Summer has FINALLY arrived. This wknd , being the long wknd, the weather is co-operating. the temperature climb up to the high 20's and low 30's inland. So I think you will have some nice summer weather accompany you on your journey. Have fun......
If yo need anything just drop me a line and I will try to lend a hand,

Cheers,

[Miss Kwok]

Well, Summer has FINALLY arrived. This wknd , being the long wknd, the weather is co-operating. the temperature climb up to the high 20's and low 30's inland. So I think you will have some nice summer weather accompany you on your journey. Have fun......
If yo need anything just drop me a line and I will try to lend a hand,

Cheers,

Thanks for your kindness. :)

I'm ready for the sunshine - I bought SPF 50+ PA+++ Sun Protector lotion :cool:. Hope that I won't be burned. I believe it would be much fun ......

Best wishes ;)

[HKSDC2]

driving part would depend on your skills la
well up there in cad dun think u have much to even hit with.... lol
driving on left side is the same

[snsleung]

Just return from Lake Louise. We spent 2 nights in Chateau Lake Louise, this is one of the hotel I really like it. On the first day, we drove from Vancouver to Salmon arm (around 6 hours) and stay 1 night there. The 2nd day from Salmon arm to Lake Louise took around 4 hours. Sunset time is around 10pm, you have lot of sunshine. Weather was good, hot. We drove to Banff for dinner with my Calgary friends but unfortunately we forgot the time difference (+1 hr), so we were late. On the last day, we spent the whole morning in the hotel, had the buffet breakfast, took pictures, etc. and started our 10-hour drive all the way to Vancouver. This trip was lucky because we saw the bear on the road 2 times.