Trying to plan a trip to whistler. All I can find transfer wise (with bike bags) is $400 limo vans, and several people moaning on the net that this is expensive. As it's a 1.5 hour trip, this seems a rip off.

Does anyone know of a cheaper method?

I've looked into a hiring a mini van, and I can do that for 77 quid (dropping off in Whistler the next day). Anyone tried this?

if your hiring straight from the airport consider getting a cab to just outside the airport where we found a few hire firms(the same companies that are based in the airport),their depots are based here and a whole lot cheaper than the airport desk.
you'll just have to check if there is an office in whistler though as we used enterprise but they don't have an office in whistler so we had to have it for the week.

from the airport, getting through the city and the drive to whistler(stopping to grab a coffee from squamish etc) will take 2.5-3 hours.

there is a train upto whistler, you could try that.

We've done it twice with a one way hire. 3 of us with bikes and luggage.

Get a Perimeter Coach from the airport.

I think Perimeter went bust last year.

You can use these GUYS

Or if you are not posh you can use the greyhound. They normally let you take bikes on, although it depends how much cargo the coach is already carrying.

What about the train from Vancouver to Whistler? Looks like it'd be a nice way to do the trip. Takes 3 or so hours for about $130 canadian.

http://www.rockymountaineer.com

Would be a shame not to stop off in Vancouver for a few days and sample the Northshore etc.

Just book a bus. There are links on the Whislter web site. Most busses in BC are bike friendly and dont think you would have any trouble if bikes were in bags. Plus if you get a good driver he will give a running comentry of the trip…and to your right.

Avis are the only rental place in Whistler, one way drop offs will have an additional fee.

$400 for a private mini bus is pretty good.

Gas is $90 each way in one of those vehicles, its a 6 hour round trip for the driver and they have fees at the airport… so after fuel/wages, they take $100 but that's without paying for the other vehicle expenses, admin staff, reservation systems etc!
Basically they have to run a fare paying service each way to make it worth while.

Plus, they seat 10, so if you fill it thats £20 per person.. thats pretty cheap IMO. (Our van does 7 people plus driver with 7 bikes and luggage)

Alternatively, a scheduled bus – Pacific Coach at about $65 ($40) per person….

Cheapest transfer is to book a weeks holiday package with us.. transfer is free that way 😉

same as coogan, one way drop off. twice. It worked well for us, no hastle and the whistler fee wasn't that dear.