Koop:visitor info: Difference between revisions
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2) Sea planes [http://www.harbour-air.com/home/index.php Harbour Air] or [http://westcoastair.com/ West Coast Air]: | 2) Sea planes [http://www.harbour-air.com/home/index.php Harbour Air] or [http://westcoastair.com/ West Coast Air]: | ||
Seaplane terminals are found a short distance away from the Vancouver internation airport (Richmond) and run roughly 3 times a day between 7AM to 5pm and are weather dependent. There are also baggage limitations. If you have a student card you can go standby for half fare (roughly $55 Canadian). If the weather is good it is a very beautiful and quick way to get from the airport (or downtown Vancouver) to downtown Victoria (45 minutes). Both seaplane companies have terminals in downtown Vancouver or in Richmond (which is a short cab ride from the airport). Check the websites and comfirm details with these companies before flying. This might be something to do for a little adventure once you are settled in here. | |||
3) Helicopter [http://www.helijet.com/ Helijet]: This is a fancy way to travel. It costs $140 from the airport to downtown one way ($35 minutes). | 3) Helicopter [http://www.helijet.com/ Helijet]: This is a fancy way to travel. It costs $140 from the airport to downtown one way ($35 minutes). | ||
Revision as of 00:45, 20 February 2007
Visitor information
Note: These are just some general guidlines and may not suit everyone. Please check with your Koop lab contact before coming. Feel free to email anyone with questions
The Koop lab is on an island. The easiest option is to book your flight into Victoria International airport.
When you arrive at the Victoria Internation Airport:
You can catch a shuttle bus (roughly $15) or a cab (roughly $45) downtown. Ground transportation at the Victoria Airport also offers car rentals, as well as BC Transit (city) Bus services. The airport shuttle bus (Ph: (250) 386-2525; Toll Free: 1-877-386-2525) provides daily half-hour service to and from the airport to the University of Victoria and all hotels and motels in Greater Victoria. Cost is about $15.00 CDN one way, $10/person for groups of 3 or more coming to campus. Campus drop-off/pick up is at the Student Union Building and parking lot #5, which is beside the registration office of Housing, Food and Conference Services (off Sinclair Rd.), the UVic Residences, and conference centre. Note: if returning to the airport via the airport shuttle bus, please phone a day in advance 386-2525 between 4:30 am and 11:30 pm to make return reservations.
A cab from the downtown hotels to the University of Victoria is about $17.00 CDN. Parking: Parking at UVic costs $5.00 CDN per day (Canadian coins, VISA or MASTERCARD) Monday to Friday. Permits may be purchased at automated coin/credit card dispensers located in every numbered parking lot outside of Ring Road.
If you fly into Vancouver and decide not to book a flight onward to Victoria there are other options. Here are a few of them:
1) BC ferries: The ferries are the way most people travel to Victoria from Vancouver. They run at least every other hour from 7AM to 9pm. The scenary is very nice especially if its sunny. You can buy a ticket and catch the Pacific Coastlines bus from the Vancouver International Airport to downtown Victoria ($37 one way). The bus will take you onto the ferry and drive you to downtown. The trip from the airport to downtown Victoria is roughly 4 hours.
2) Sea planes Harbour Air or West Coast Air: Seaplane terminals are found a short distance away from the Vancouver internation airport (Richmond) and run roughly 3 times a day between 7AM to 5pm and are weather dependent. There are also baggage limitations. If you have a student card you can go standby for half fare (roughly $55 Canadian). If the weather is good it is a very beautiful and quick way to get from the airport (or downtown Vancouver) to downtown Victoria (45 minutes). Both seaplane companies have terminals in downtown Vancouver or in Richmond (which is a short cab ride from the airport). Check the websites and comfirm details with these companies before flying. This might be something to do for a little adventure once you are settled in here.
3) Helicopter Helijet: This is a fancy way to travel. It costs $140 from the airport to downtown one way ($35 minutes).
4) You could also rent a car but then you have to pay to take it on the ferry.
If you are coming to the Koop lab for an extended stay and are looking for a temporary place to live contact one of the lab members for advice. Depending on your budget and tastes it may be best to book a hotel or a hostel until you get settled. We can help you find longer term accomodations through the University of Victoria or other places such as Craig's list Victoria which can end up being more pleasant and economical.
Accomodation
Some cheaper hotels that are located in a conventient area downtown that are easily accessible by bus to and from the University. These are basic (inexpensive and clean; i.e. liked by grad students/postdocs and their supervisors back home). There are of course fancier places. Lab guests have stayed at the following):
Other stuff
We may be able to set you up with some sort of bicycle once you are here. You need a helmet to ride in Victoria so if you are keen you might want to bring your own.
