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Travel information

 

Airport

For more information about the Victoria International Airport , please visit the airport’s website.

Getting to and around Victoria Canada

The suggested mode of travel from Victoria International airport to City of Victoria is by taxi. There are no shuttles provided by local hotels .

To discover Victoria in all its splendor, visit the Tourism Victoria website.

Shuttle between hotel and University of Victoria

There will be a free bus shuttle service available between the Inn at Laurel Point Hotel and the University of Victoria on Thursday October 12 and Friday October 13. If you do not have any other transportation needs, then you do not need to rent a car.

The shuttle will be waiting for you in front of the Inn at Laurel Point Hotel. If you are at another hotel nearby, you will need to walk to the Inn at Laurel Point to catch the shuttle.

Here is the shuttle service schedule:

    • Thursday October 12 at 6:30 AM : departure from hotel to UoV (in time for breakfast)
    • Thursday October 12 at 7:30 AM : departure from hotel to UoV
    • Thursday October 12 at 7 PM: departure from UoV to networking event and after, at the hotel (1 larger bus)
    • Friday October 13 at 6:30 AM : departure from hotel to UoV (in time for breakfast)
    • Friday October 13 at 7:30 AM : departure from hotel to UoV
    • Friday October 13 at 4:30 PM departure from UoV to hotel
    • Friday October 13 at 5:30 PM departure from UoV to hotel

Car Rentals

Cars can be rented at the Victoria International airport or in Victoria from local or international companies. All cars are left-hand drive.

Parking

Inn at Laurel Point
Parking is $24 plus tax per night for registered guests.
Parking is $3 per hour up to a maximum of $12 plus tax per day for daytime parking. This parking option expires at midnight

University of Victoria
Parking is $2 per hour up to a maximum of $9 per day for daytime parking.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

Here are some ideas that you may want to include on your visit for things to do in Victoria:

Climate & Clothing

October in Victoria is sometimes sunny but a little chilly. Generally pleasant with daily temperatures with an average ranging between 8ºC (46ºF) and 15ºC (59ºF). We recommend bringing a range of clothing and dressing in layers. It can be warm in the daytime and chilly in the evenings.

Banks

Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and sometimes on Saturdays. You will find automated teller machines almost everywhere.

Currency

The Canadian dollar is the national currency. Automatic teller machines and exchange offices are readily available. Most hotels, restaurants and shops accept major credit cards.

Electricity

Electrical outlets in Canada operate on 120 volts / 60 Hz. If you are traveling from Europe or elsewhere, you will need an adapter to use small appliances designed for a different standard (220/240 V).

Health Insurance & Hospitals

Hospitals and medical services in Canada are excellent. The vast majority of hospitals are publicly managed and rates are set by provincial and hospital authorities. Hospital care for non-residents of Canada is charged at a daily rate or on the basis of the medical condition and length of stay. Charges vary from province to province and from hospital to hospital. It is therefore important to obtain travel health insurance before leaving home, since it is possible your regular health insurance does not include coverage outside your country of residence.

Languages

The official languages of the Conference will be English and French. Simultaneous translation services will not be offered. In public places in Victoria, English is spoken mostly, but French is also spoken.

Time zone

Time zone in Victoria is GMT-7 in October.

Sales Taxes

Goods and services

In British Columbia, a sales tax called the HST is charged on most goods and services. The HST is a combination of the federal Goods and Service Tax (GST) and Provincial Sales Tax (PST). It is 12% of the total cost of the item or service being purchased.

Accommodation

The combined tax for hotel rooms in Victoria is up to 17%. A PST of 8%, GST of 5% and Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) of 3% will be assessed. Depending on the hotel, you may be assessed an additional Destination Marketing Fee (DMF) of 1% as well.

Shopping

Most shops are open Monday to Wednesday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday 10:00 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are usually closed on legal holidays.

The legal drinking age in B.C. is 19 years.

In British Columbia … as in all of Canada … alcohol can only be purchased in liquor stores or government approved outlets such as vineyards or breweries.  They can either be government run or privately owned … but unfortunately you can’t buy alcohol in the grocery stores like you can in other areas of the world.

Liquor stores across B.C. can operate between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily. The extended hours are for in-store shopping only. Liquor delivery is still restricted to after 9 a.m. daily. The province notes that these rules come secondary to any requirements issued by municipalities or First Nations.

You can bring your empty bottles or cans back to the liquor store where that product is sold and you will receive a deposit refund.

Bars and restaurants

The legal drinking age in B.C. is 19 years.

You can take home an unfinished bottle of wine from a bar or a restaurant, provided one of the servers re-seals it before you leave. If you are leaving by car, you must ensure it is not readily accessible to anyone in the vehicle while driving  (store it behind the seat or in the trunk, etc.).

Tipping

It is customary to tip approximately 15-20% on the total bill before tax, less for poor service, more for truly exceptional service. Many restaurants may charge an automatic 15-18% gratuity for larger groups. This is up to the individual establishment but is usually applicable to groups of 8 or more. Just ask when you are not sure if tip is included. Taxi drivers, hairdressers, etc. are also normally tipped 15%. Coffee and food counters often have a tip cup next to the cash register; spare change is always appreciated.

In Canada, hotels generally expect tips. You should tip the porter a gratuity of between 2$ and 5$ per bag depending on its weight. You can tip the housekeeper between 2$ and 5$ per day. Leave the tip on the bed or the side table. You can also leave note saying ‘thank you’ with your tip. If your concierge provides excellent service, you can tip him between 10$ and 20$. Tip him at the end of your stay, in an envelope. It is also customary to tip your valet a few dollars.

Here is a great tipping guide for Canada.

CMVA Liability

The Organizing Committee shall not be held liable for personal accidents or losses or damage to private property of registered participants to any CMVA Conference. Participants should make their own arrangements with respect to personal insurance.

 

CONTACT US

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Phone

(416) 622-1170

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