This 8-night Vancouver and Victoria itinerary combines the vibrant coastal city of Vancouver with the historic charm of Victoria on Vancouver Island, for the ultimate introduction to British Columbia. With five nights in each city, a scenic ferry crossing between the two, and car hire included throughout, you'll have the freedom to explore everything from Stanley Park and Grouse Mountain to Butchart Gardens and the Gulf Islands at your own pace. Charter Travel are leading holiday specialists, established in 1988. ABTA and ATOL Protected.
Duration: 8 nights
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Itinerary Highlights:
Based on 2 adults sharing.
Vancouver and Victoria Itinerary: A 8-Night Adventure through British Columbia
This 8-night Vancouver and Victoria itinerary showcases the vibrant city life of Vancouver and the charming, historic atmosphere of Victoria, for the ultimate holiday in British Columbia, Canada. With 4 nights in Vancouver and 4 nights in Victoria, you’ll have ample time to explore each destination at your own pace uncovering cultural gems and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you're interested in outdoor adventures, local cuisine, or rich history, this Vancouver and Victoria itinerary promises an unforgettable holiday.
Fly to Canada with one of our airline partners like Air Canada, and upon arrival pick up your pre-arranged car hire for the freedom to explore Vancouver and Victoria on your own schedule. From the bustling city to peaceful lakes and forests, you can experience the best of British Columbia with this holiday!
Accommodation in Vancouver - Holiday Inn Vancouver Centre by IHG
Begin your holiday in Vancouver, a stunning coastal city that blends the hustle and bustle of city life with the surrounding natural landscape. With the Pacific Ocean on one side and towering mountains on the other, Vancouver offers a range of activities, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Accommodation in Vancouver - Hotel Grand Pacific
After enjoying Vancouver, take a scenic ferry ride to Victoria, the charming capital of British Columbia located on Vancouver Island. Known for its colonial architecture, picturesque gardens, and laid-back atmosphere, Victoria is the perfect destination for relaxation and exploration.
To make the most of your trip, we’ll arrange car hire for you, allowing you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Having a car in Vancouver means you can easily reach nearby attractions like Grouse Mountain or take day trips to Whistler and the Sunshine Coast. In Victoria, your rental car will allow you to explore the scenic drives around Vancouver Island, from the Gulf Islands to the Cowichan Valley.
This Vancouver and Victoria itinerary combines the best of city life, natural beauty, and cultural experiences, making it the perfect holiday for travelers looking for a well-rounded adventure. From exploring the bustling streets of Vancouver to unwinding in Victoria’s tranquil gardens, and even venturing into the wilds of Vancouver Island, this 8-night itinerary offers an unforgettable journey through British Columbia’s most iconic destinations.
All our holidays are tailor-made and can be adapted by changing hotels durations and destinations to suit the individuals tastes and requirements – please do get in touch so we can start planning.
Ten nights works well for this route, split evenly as five nights in Vancouver and five in Victoria, giving you time to properly explore both the city and Vancouver Island without feeling rushed. It's enough to fit in a day trip or two from each base — Whistler or the Sunshine Coast from Vancouver, and the Gulf Islands or Cowichan Valley from Victoria. As with all our trips, this is fully tailor-made, so we can shift the balance toward whichever city you're more drawn to.
The classic route is a scenic BC Ferries crossing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, taking around 1.5 hours across the Strait of Georgia, with your pre-arranged hire car travelling with you on the ferry. It's a relaxed, low-effort transfer with views of the Gulf Islands along the way, and it's built into this itinerary as standard. It's a genuinely enjoyable part of the trip in its own right, not just a means of getting from A to B.
Yes — despite the similar name, Victoria is a separate city from Vancouver and sits on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, roughly a ferry crossing away from the mainland. Victoria is British Columbia's capital and has a distinctly different, more historic character than Vancouver, known for its colonial architecture and gardens. This itinerary covers both, giving you a proper introduction to Vancouver Island as well as the city of Vancouver itself.
A hire car isn't essential within either city centre, but it opens up day trips that are otherwise difficult to reach, including Whistler, the Sunshine Coast, the Cowichan Valley wineries, and the wider stretches of Vancouver Island. It's included as standard in this itinerary so you have the freedom to explore at your own pace. If you'd prefer to rely on public transport and skip the car, we can tailor the itinerary accordingly.
Summer (June to September) offers the most reliable weather for hiking, whale watching and exploring Butchart Gardens at their peak, and is the most popular time to visit. Winter has a different appeal, with skiing and snowboarding at Grouse Mountain and Whistler, though day trips further afield can be more weather-dependent. Butchart Gardens is worth visiting in any season, with a dedicated winter light display over the festive period.
Prices depend on your travel dates, hotel choice, and any extra day trips or add-ons, so this itinerary is quoted individually rather than sold at a fixed price — similar trips on our site start from around £1,995pp as a general guide. Get in touch with our travel advisors for a free, tailored quote based on your exact requirements.
