Rental car in Victoria

My wife and I will be visiting Victoria on May 18th onboard the Infinity. She is in a wheelchair and cannot get into busses of any kind, only regular cars. I am thinking of renting a car to be able to visit Butchart Gardens and the Butterfly Gardens on our own. From what I've read, there is a Budget location on Wharf street where I can go to rent a car. It looks like the closest to the dock and looks like walking distance. Has anybody rented a car in Victoria recently? Is it as easy as it seems? I want to go pick up the car and then come back and pick up my wife at the dock. Any help would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

Dan Bertellotti

Dan

I just spoke to the Victoria Budget office. Here is the skinny.

They have a toll free number that gets you right into the local office.

1 800 668 9833

During the cruise ship season, they offer a free courtesy vehicle from the

terminal to the rental location from 8am to 5pm. At other times, there is a

direct courtesy line at the pier.

In your case, the agent said that if you booked directly with them at the above

number and explained the circumstances, they could probably pick you both

up using the car that you would be renting, saving any additional transfers.

Just let them know which ship and expected arrival time.

Sounds like a win-win to me. If you need any more information about this

area, let me know. We are right here and these are all local calls for me.

We will be back here May 7th. after our Summit Panama Canal cruise. We leave

here April 16th.

If you want to e-mail me, you just have to solve my address puzzle. I am at

c-to-sea at shaw dot ca

Cliff

Would you tell me which Budget location is the best to use for crusie passengers?

I booked Douglas Street but I see there is one on Courtney St. WHich should I use?

DaveOKC

You will love the Gardens!!! I was fortunate enough to spend 2 weeks in Vancouver and Victoria in 1986 celebrating the Expo.

They are very wheelchair friendly you should have no trouble. And if you want HIgh Tea at the Empress Hotel, you should call ahead and book. Its wonderful!

Use the courtney site it is alot closer to the dock.

Cliff:

Thanks very much for the fantastic information. We will contact the office directly and see if we can work out them picking us up right at the dock. Thanks again! And really looking forward to visiting Victoria (our first time; we were in Vancouver about a year and half ago).

Dan

Here's another hint for you. When you get to Butchart Gardens, make sure to tell them (when you're paying to get in) that your wife is in a wheelchair and they will direct you to the wheelchair parking lot that is closest to the entrance.