Vancouver Island Travel Tips - Research Before Coming

Vancouver Island should be a part of any extended visit to western Canada. Located off the southwestern coast of British Columbia, "thee Island" is accessible mainly by ferry. However there are also three significant airports on Vancouver Island, a major international airport in Victoria (YYJ), a smaller regional airport near the small city of Nanaimo (YCD), and the Comox Valley Airport (YQQ).

The ferry terminals on Vancouver Island are numerous, although many of them only serve the smaller outlying islands off the coast of Vancouver Island. But tourists on the mainland that are looking to get to Vancouver Island via ferry can do so directly from Prince Rupert, Horseshoe Bay (north of Vancouver on the Sea-to-Sky Highway), Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal (south of Vancouver), Port Angeles in Washington State, Seattle, or Powell River. 

One adventurous way to get to Vancouver Island is by using the Tsawwassen ferry terminal to connect to Salt Spring Island. After spending some some time there you could then connect to the town of Crofton on Vancouver Island. 

The Tsawwassen ferry terminal can be re

Salt Spring Island by Shawn from Airdie CDN Aviator

ached using public transportation. Furthermore, Salt Spring Island has its own public transportation system while the town of Crofton also has public transportation connecting it to either Duncan or Chemainus. Those two towns both are served by the inter-city bus lines, meaning that you don't need your own car to take this adventurous route!

Read more about Vancouver Island: Vancouver Island Vacation.

Read more about Salt Spring Island tourism: Salt Spring Island tourism.

YEG Travel Information - Edmonton's International Airport

Edmonton's International Airport (YEG) is located outside the city of Edmonton's boundaries. It's closer to the small city of Leduc or the town of Nisku. A cab ride into the city should cost $50 to $60 with cheaper options available using shared-ride services or city transit.

Online resource for YEG: Edmonton International Airport travel tips.

Western Canada in Less Than a Month: Budget, Travel, and Itinerary Tips - Free Introduction

Introduction to Western Canada in Less Than a Month: Budget, Travel, and Itinerary Tips

Available on Amazon: $2.99 CAD

Amazon USA's link

Introduction:

"Canada, the second largest country in the world in terms of total area, has ten provinces and three territories. Each section of Canada, from the maritime provinces in the far east to the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean in the west, has numerous tourist destinations that have attracted visitors from all points of the globe. However Canada is so large that it is often difficult for tourists to visit the country in depth on just one visit. Typically those who come to Canada on their annual vacations must therefore select a handful of places to visit of the dozens of Canadian destinations that might pique their interests.

In this book I draw upon my personal resources, whether in regard to personal travel experience or professional work experience as a tourist industry employee, to put together a feasible and cost-effective trip through Alberta and British Columbia that can be enjoyed in less than one month. Western Canada is where I have spent the bulk of my life so far as a 36-year old Canadian and hence travel in western Canada is where I can advise with expertise. I have worked and/or lived in Edmonton, Vancouver, Calgary, Prince George, Banff, Jasper, Nanaimo, and Tofino. As a result I have an abundance of travel knowledge about those destinations and the surrounding areas.

Those that read this ebook should benefit from the travel tips and information that you will get from a local writer, hospitality employee, and traveler, information that you cannot really get from travel reviews - at least not without reading thousands of them. It’s my opinion that tourists to a region can certainly impart knowledge on future tourists however the local travel workers are the highest authorities when it comes to regional knowledge. I have enjoyed a career working in the hospitality industry, including in management, and I have also worked for travel websites in the past. As such, I am familiar with the issues that travelers face and I was cognizant of them as I wrote this ebook. I do not assume that travelers have a limitless budget and if I think a tourist attraction is overrated, instead of trying to market it as many other writers do, I state why I think it should be avoided.

What is offered in the pages that follow is not only a guide to tourists of western Canada but an itinerary for people who need advice on where to visit when time limitations are a factor. For most people, limited vacation time is a fact of life and it’s my opinion that many people who visit western Canada may have less than one month to enjoy themselves before having to return to their home for work, school, or family. The itinerary set forth in this publication is by no means one that must be rigidly followed. Rather prospective tourists can use it as a guide and a resource that will help them become more aware of what western Canada offers.

Admittedly, when I wrote this itinerary I had the British or European traveller in mind more than others. However I think all readers, regardless of where they are from, can extract useful information and travel tips from the itinerary as there are certainly facts that can educate all prospective tourists to western Canada. If you are not sure what to visit and what to skip on your limited time in western Canada, then this ebook provides at least food for thought if not a feasible trip with up-to-date pricing on services following a major update to the ebook in November of 2013, one that had the 2014 season in mind.

In composing this book, my acknowledgements are few as I have relied heavily on my own personal experience. I do consult websites for pricing of services and I list those websites at the end of each “day” in the itinerary as I think it helps connect tourists to businesses or websites that help tourists.....

I am critical of some travel guides for being too lengthy and it is my belief that prospective tourists do not want to spend more time researching their destinations than they actually spend visiting them. Accordingly, I aimed to keep this guide readable in two sittings. All prices mentioned in this ebook are CAD (Canadian dollar) and were accurate as of November 2013. If you are reading this in 2014 or even 2015* then do not expect the prices to have jumped that significantly. Let us now begin our journey through western Canada with Edmonton, Alberta our starting point."

*Note that as of July 2016, the Canadian dollar is weak, something that should appeal to tourists

European Traveler to North America - Choose Canada for Better Exchange Rates

Bow Lake by Gary on Flick

Canada and the USA are very different countries geographically and climatically. If you are looking for fluffy white sand beaches in a blazing hot sun, then the USA will offer that much more than Canada. However, Canada has many highlights too, one of which is a less urbanized settlement pattern which creates relatively quiet resort towns like Tofino, Squamish, and Jasper.

But the main reason to visit Canada in 2016 is simply the weak Canadian dollar. At time of writing 1000 Euros bought $1112.94 USD according to xe.com (July 4th). Conversely 1000 Euros equated to $1432.59 CAD. If you are paying the same number in terms of absolute value, then the Canadian price will be much cheaper when it comes to settling your credit card bill at vacation's end.

For example, an $8000 family vacation in Canada will cost you about $5581 Euros according to prevailing exchange rates (subject to change). Conversely an $8000 vacation in the USA will cost you $7188. How about visiting Canada this year and visiting the USA at another time, when maybe the exchange rates will be more in your interest to go there?

Looking for an Adventure in Whistler - Read their 2016 Fall/Summer Activity Guide Online

Whistler is up the sea-to-sky highway (route 99) from Vancouver, BC. It's a major skiing destination and one of the premier resort towns of western Canada, if not for all of North America and the world. Winter activity is certainly a big part of what the town has to offer, however there's tons to do in the summer as well. Read an online 64-page magazine on the topic of Whistler for the 2015/16 tourist season:

Whistler's Best Activity Guide

Drumheller, Alberta - A Lesser-Known Tourist Destination in Western Canada

Hoodoos by Gorgo

Drumheller, Alberta is a small town in western Canada that is a lesser light for tourism when compared to the nearby Rocky Mountain parks. However, for a prairie destination and for those that like to visit the areas that many others might overlook, a couple nights in Drumheller could be a part of a more extended trip to western Canada.

Located to the northeast of Calgary, Drumheller is known for things called Hoodoos and for the mesmerizing Horse Thief Canyon. No visit to Drumheller is complete without learning about dinosaurs - a topic that a lot of kids will love.

Read their 2016 online visitor's guide! 

Low Canadian Dollar Promises to Attract Many Summer Visitors - Areas Near American Border

If you are an American and looking for a budget-friendly summer vacation, then think of Canada this year. Unless there are major changes in exchange rates, Americans will get a favorable one during the summer of 2016.

You do not have to go too deep into Canada to find tourist-friendly destinations. Sticking to western Canada, there's always Vancouver with northward connections to Squamish and Whistler. Furthermore, from Seattle or Port Angeles you can connect by ferry to Vancouver Island, with Victoria, Tofino, and many other destinations there.

Tofino Area by Joltex

Also close to the American border in western Canada there's Waterton National Park (near Montana), the town of Osoyoos with Osoyoos Lake (from Highway 97 in Washington), and Christina Lake in BC (Washington Highway 395).

For a larger town, there's Cranbrook, British Columbia which is an extension of Highway 95 north of Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Crankbooktourism will help you plan your trip if you want to head to this town.

Waterton National Park in Alberta, Canada - Near the American State of Montana

Waterton National Park is one of three national parks located in the Alberta rockies and among many other parks in the greater region. Located in very southern Alberta, the park borders the American state of Montana. For an excellent resource on Waterton National Park, visit the following website: Waterton National Park.

Waterton National Park - Southern Alberta

VIA Rail Route Map for Western Canada - Connections for Edmonton, Saskatoon, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Kamloops, and Vancouver

VIA Rail is an alternative to highway travel in western Canada. The routes are slower, however that often gives travelers a better chance to enjoy some amazing scenery. The trains have dining, more leg room than the bus, and elevated areas with bubble-top glass viewpoints. The leg between Edmonton and Vancouver is particularly famous for the view of Mount Robson and Hell's Gates.

The route map is below, which came from VIA Rail's home page. Go there to check their prices and to make bookings: VIA Rail.

VIA Rail western Canada route map. The fragmented line between Vancouver and Seattle is by bus.