Canada 2015

Tamara_2

We've just heard that relatives of ours will be working in Canada (near Vancouver) for two years, from next year, and we've been invited to visit. Have never looked into going to Canada before and would love some advice. Have had a quick look on Trip Advisor and will do some more research myself, but just to give us a starting-point - when would be the best time of year to visit, and is there a time when flights are cheaper/more expensive? What's a reasonable price to expect to pay for a flight? Any must-see tourist sights/experiences?
We'll be staying with the rellies so don't need accommodation, but we're not expecting them to take us everywhere as they'll very likely be working, but we're quite prepared to hire a car and go further afield on our own.
Thanks!

jackieblack

'Best' depends on what you want to do.....
Best, for skiing and other winter sports would be Dec/Jan
Best for whale watching would be July/August, for bears September/October.
Flights will be more expensive during school hols and in the summer.

Flying in/out Seattle can work out cheaper than Vancouver, but not always, if you don't mind the drive or train.

We loved Vancouver. Stanley Park is stunning and the market on Granville Island is amazing.
Whistler is about a 2 hour drive, Vancouver Island is well worth a few days as a side trip and the San Juan Islands are simply stunning and easily accessible by ferry from Anacortes, between Vancouver and Seattle.
We paid about £800 each for BA LHR-SEA on the first Saturday of the school summer hols in 2011, same flights for 2014 are currently showing at £1000-£1100.

blindman

Tamara wrote: »

We've just heard that relatives of ours will be working in Canada (near Vancouver) for two years, from next year, and we've been invited to visit. Have never looked into going to Canada before and would love some advice. Have had a quick look on Trip Advisor and will do some more research myself, but just to give us a starting-point -
when would be the best time of year to visit,

June-Nice weather and before the tourist rush of July so cheap hotels empty(ish)roads)

and is there a time when flights are cheaper/more expensive?
What's a reasonable price to expect to pay for a flight?

Any must-see tourist sights/experiences?

Countless-but mostly NOT in Vancouver

We'll be staying with the rellies so don't need accommodation, but we're not expecting them to take us everywhere as they'll very likely be working, but we're quite prepared to hire a car and go further afield on our own.
Thanks!

We flew in to Vancouver (airline FF miles-via Chicago) then drove up past Whistler to the Ice fields parkway-Jasper and Lake Louise (stunning!) then on to Calgary then flew home (well Via Montreal for a few days)
One way hire car had no drop off fee

Did a side trip to Seattle from VC with a side trip to the Boeing Factory (who said geek :cool:)

Vancouver itself was a bit run down IMHO so trips away are a must.

Never got to Vancouver Island but supposed to be nice.

Tamara_2

Thanks, both, that gives us somewhere to start from. June 2015 is looking good, and that gives us plenty of time to save up for the flights!

jaydenmoorie

Their are so many places to visit in Canada near Vancouver. Some of them are Capilano suspension bridge,Granville Island,BC place,Kitsilano. These are the most popular places near Vancouver.

Tamara_2

Thanks for taking time to reply, I will check them out.

travellerboy

When checking prices of flights don't forget to compare the cost to fly to Seattle instead of Vancouver, it is significantly cheaper. It is easy to travel between both cities by ferry, train, coach or car hire. Car hire is 40% cheaper in the US than Canada with no restrictions when crossing the border.

Tamara_2

That's a great tip about the flights, thank you!

withabix

blindman wrote: »

Vancouver itself was a bit run down IMHO

You went to the wrong bits!

withabix

Try Canadian Affair for flights. Usually around £700 return from UK to Vancouver with Air Transat.

Otherwise BA, Air Canada or KLM. KLM often come out best for price for the scheduled carriers.

mildredalien

Vancouver is an amazing city, I visited this October and loved it. I can see what blindman is saying about it being a little run down - there is a large issue with homeless people in Vancouver and some areas are suffering. We explored a LOT of the city and overall really liked it - as others have said, Stanley Park and Granville Island are both fab but there is plenty to see and do all over the city. We went out to Kitsilano and Commercial Drive areas which were really interesting, and the Capilano suspension bridge was beautiful. I'd go back in a heartbeat!

We traveled in October and got flights for ~£600 which I thought was pretty reasonable but flew with KLM who were... not great. The price is obviously reflected in the tiny seats, crappy food and no real comforts included in the flight! However if you're ok with 9 hours of mild discomfort it's not that bad