Population:
74,125
Elevation:
56 feet
Time Zone:
Pacific
Standard Time (the same as California and Oregon.) When it is Noon in New York
City, it is 9:00 AM in Victoria.
Temperatures:
Month
High
Low
January
41F
32F
February
44F
34F
March
50F
37F
April
58F
40F
May
64F
46F
June
69F
52F
July
74F
54F
August
73F
54F
September
65F
49F
October
57F
44F
November
48F
39F
December
43F
35F
What to
Pack
Take
lightweight clothing and a rain jacket for summer travel. For fall and winter,
select clothing that can be layered. Also pack an umbrella, waterproof shoes or
boots, and a waterproof jacket. Clothing is casual: jeans are the norm even in
expensive restaurants.
Taxes
There are three levels of
taxation in Victoria. A 7 percent provincial sales tax (PST) is levied on most
goods and services. In addition, there is a general, federal tax on the same
items (GST). PST is not charged on accommodations. Instead, there is a 10%
accommodation tax. With receipts (each for a minimum total of $50.) US and
international visitors to Victoria can apply at Canadian Customs to have the GST
returned to them, in full, when they leave the country. Mail-in forms are also
available. Contact Revenue Agency’s Visitor Line at (800) 668-4748 for rebate
rules. There are commercial sites (often in shopping malls and airports) that
advertise “immediate GST refunds.” Be aware that these non-governmental
businesses charge a fee for refunding the GST.
Holidays
Jan. 1
New Year’s Day
Spring Holiday
Easter Monday
May 24
(or closest prior Mon.)
Victoria Day
July 1
Canada Day
August (first
Mon.)
British Columbia Day
September
(1st Mon.)
Labour Day
Oct.
(2nd Mon.)
Thanksgiving
Nov. 11
Remembrance Day
Dec. 25 and 26
Christmas
and Boxing Day
Getting There
By Air
Victoria International Airport
is located 30 minutes from downtown Victoria
and serves daily flights from
Vancouver International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma Airport, as well as direct
flights from points throughout Canada and the US. Charter flights for
sightseeing, wildlife viewing, hiking and fishing excursions, and to more remote
Vancouver Island locations are also available.
By Sea
Victoria is connected to
mainland British Columbia and Washington State by vehicle and passenger ferries
and high-speed catamarans. These provide breathtaking views of the rocky
coastline, forested islands, inlets and often of marine wildlife.
Washington State Ferry
Scheduled ferry service
(passenger and vehicles) between Anacortes, WA. and Sidney, BC.
By Ground
Scheduled bus service is
available for travel from Vancouver and Seattle to Victoria, as well as to and
from other Vancouver Island destinations via the ferry.
Rail service is offered between
Victoria and Courtenay (north of Victoria), with several stops along the way.
Travel options around Greater
Victoria and surrounding areas include taxi and limousine service, airporter bus
and public bus transportation. Car, RV, bicycle, motorcycle and scooter rentals
are also offered at various locations in the Victoria area.
Quick Shuttle
Frequent daily service
year-round to Sea-Tac Airport, downtown Seattle, Bellingham Airport and
Vancouver International Airport.
Getting Around Victoria
Buses are an excellent way
to get around the area and it will take you just about anywhere you want to go
around Greater Victoria, Sidney and Sooke. They run frequently so you don't have
to worry about wasting time waiting for one to arrive. Also the buses include
bicycle racks and handicap-friendly features to make it even easier to get
around. So, strap your bike on to the rack on the front of a bus and head out to
the country to cycle. Transit service operates seven days a week, 365 days a
year.
Victoria
