Canada fly-drive general advice

[a311]

Currently considering options for what we class as ‘our big annual holiday next year.’ Canada is on our short list, one of the reasons for this is my Mrs has been promising her aunt in BC she’d visit her for years, no problem with this free accommodation!

We like fly drive holidays, done several in the US and other parts of the world, just enjoy moving from place to place seeing different things, with the journey being as enjoyable as the destination. Canada is obviously huge so we’re just going to concentrate on BC.

Main question is we also like to ski and I’m wondering whether or not to come at a time of year when this will be available but will offer nice weather elsewhere around BC. Skiing is avaiible in places like Whistler up until May so think early April? Or we can stick to skiing in Austria as usual and just dedicate the time to doing other stuff.

Considered flying into Calgary and driving out toward Vancouver, will have 2 to 3 weeks to play with. What is the general cost of things over there? (hotels, eating out, fuel etc)I'm assuming it's not great due to the Canadian $ being strong vs £.


Would appreciate any feedback from people who’ve done the same. The opportunity to do this type of holiday will be a thing of the past in the next 12 month to 2 years (she wants kids) so I want to spend my hard earned £ and leave on something worth while.

Thanks in advance.

[Allanv]

We are doing something similar to that this year.

Flying into Calgary and our first 2 nights are in Banff
Then:

1 x night in Lake Louise
1 x night Jasper
then cross into BC

1 x night in Clearwater
1 x night in Kamloops
1 x night in Whistler

Hire car is a one way drop off and all the insurance we will ever need, the total cost with return flights was £2000 that includes the hotels for the both of us.

Food is cheaper and somewhat on a par with the states so me and the wife share a meal, they are designed for folk 3 times the size of us both.

Fuel is around $1.50 so taking that and the exchange rate is better than ours.

[a311]

Who have you booked your flights with? Did you DIY or go for a package? Had a look at it more this weekend. Assuming we go when we ski we're looking to start in Banff then make our way to Vancouver over about 11 nts then split the rest of the time in Vancouver and Vancouver Island to take us up to 3 weeks in total.

Flgihts seem expensive about £1500 for the two of us flying into Calgary then back from Vancover. Hire car for 3 weeks is £650, would probably be worth just having a car for the duration, a 4x4 would be about £900 need to investigate at that time of year if a 4X4 is essential or not. Accomdation coming to around a grand so looking at 3k-ish before spending money.

[adsvx220]

We are flying from heathrow to Toronto, and returning after 12 nights from Montreal. Our flights are £1,100 for two people. May be because it's not so far to fly, but £1,500 seems a little expensive.
We booked through travel counsellors. They booked our accommodation and car hire too. But the best deal for car hire was £600 for the 12 days in a 4x4, so quite expensive, but that includes the fee for dropping it off at a different location-make sure you double check when you book your car for this fee- it can be around $300.

Adam

[a311]

Cheers Adam,

I'd when prices came up Toronto was showing about £450 return. Not 100% sure but maybe Vancouver isn't much of a hub airport so more limited flights where I can see Toronto being busier. Will have a look at the company you suggest.

[Thunderace]

We first visited BC in 1996 and were so taken with the place that we've been back at least once a year ever since. This year will be 3 weeks in September, starting in Calgary and making our way across to Vancouver and Tofino.

Flights are almost certainly going to be cheapest through Canadian Affair. Hire car is usually a toss up between Canadian Affair and Car Hire 3000/Rentalcars.com.

[adsvx220]

What we tend to do with travel counsellors is find a holiday that we like, say with virgin, then call travel counsellors, who usually find a better deal, usually in better hotels.
If you're planning your own unique itinery, get your prices and then see if they can beat it.

Adam

[Allanv]

a311 said:

Who have you booked your flights with? Did you DIY or go for a package? Had a look at it more this weekend. Assuming we go when we ski we're looking to start in Banff then make our way to Vancouver over about 11 nts then split the rest of the time in Vancouver and Vancouver Island to take us up to 3 weeks in total.

Flgihts seem expensive about £1500 for the two of us flying into Calgary then back from Vancover. Hire car for 3 weeks is £650, would probably be worth just having a car for the duration, a 4x4 would be about £900 need to investigate at that time of year if a 4X4 is essential or not. Accomdation coming to around a grand so looking at 3k-ish before spending money.

We have used for the past few years www.canadianaffair.com but it is better if you ring them and get them to sort out the deal personally.

The original cost of everything was £2400 IIRC and but they rang a week after booking and told us that the price of a couple of the hotels had changed for the cheaper and here have £300 back very nice.

The cost also included the car so for what we paid only spending money is required and fuel, the parks pass is $180 for the year and allows you to drive into all the parks, pay for the year it is cheaper and sell it at the airport or on ebay when you get home.

I kept last years so I am good on that one.

But there is a downside for the price and that is GATWICK!

I see Thunderace has already suggested them.

Edited by Allanv on Monday 25th June 09:23

[louiebaby]

When chatting to the hire car people in Calgary, a lot of people fly into Calgary and out of Vancouver, so a lot of hire cars go that way. If you do the opposite, you could score a great free/cheap upgrade by helping them out with getting them back to Calgary.

Kamloops isn't much special we didn't think, but our night at the Dreamscape Ranch was very nice. Very friendly place, where they do B&B in the owner's house. They love Brits too.

Also, spend a day doing the full Athabasca Glacier Hike, you see way more than when you just go on the big bus, and it's quite educational too.

[Big Worm 1]

I raised a similar thread last year which you might find interesting.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[a311]

Big Worm 1 said:

I raised a similar thread last year which you might find interesting.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[marcosgt]

Banff and Lake Louise are very close together (about a 45 minute gentle drive down a motorway - Pretty views, though).

Not a problem if you want to visit both towns, but not so good if anyone else is looking at the earlier agenda and thinking it's even steps across the country.

M.

[Allanv]

marcosgt said:

Banff and Lake Louise are very close together (about a 45 minute gentle drive down a motorway - Pretty views, though).

Not a problem if you want to visit both towns, but not so good if anyone else is looking at the earlier agenda and thinking it's even steps across the country.

M.

We know we have been every year for the last 7 but the wife wanted to stay in a mountain hotel ontop Lake louise.

We are to obey