Advice please! Flying through ORD to Vancouver for Wonder cruise

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I knew I could come to the knowledgeable Transportation thread and someone could probably help me! I'm hoping some of you that travel through ORD can offer some advice or guidance to me!

We are going on the Disney Wonder out of Vancouver in June and I booked two, one way flights since it was easiest and the cheapest. Traveling outbound we are on United and connect through Chicago ORD *but* we have 1 hour 10 mins to connect. In the research I've done, it appears we will be flying to Vancouver through terminal 5 which is the International terminal and we will obviously not land at terminal 5 since we were will be arriving w/in the US. Looking at the airport map - I believe we *have* to take the train to get to terminal 5 for the flight to Vancouver. Some old information I found stated that if you took the train to another terminal, you'd have to go through security again. Is this correct? If so, that makes me feel very nervous about making the connection. Is taking the train pretty straightforward and easy? Any advice or suggestions would be great. We will be arriving on a GoJet/United Express flight so I'm sure it will be the farthest from terminal 5! The other flights have the same connections that day so it's not possible to change.

Coming home from Vancouver back to the US we are on American connecting through DFW and we have 1 hr 35 mins which is also tight but again, it's all they offered. I understand we will have to go through customs and recheck luggage and I hope we make it. I've read really favorable reviews of their train system and everyone said to take the train to help cut down on time. Any suggestions?

I greatly appreciate any advice or suggestions you want to offer!

Thanks,
Heather

 

[WIDisneyFan]

I fly United on a pretty regular basis with a fair amount of international travel. Based on my experience (and a quick look at the flight status for flights today from Chicago to Vancouver) your flight will depart out of Terminal 1.

I am not aware of any United flights that depart from Terminal 5 - for United Terminal 5 is an arrival location for International flights as you need to clear customs and immigration before continuing your travels in the USA.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

We are going on the Disney Wonder out of Vancouver in June and I booked two, one way flights since it was easiest and the cheapest. Traveling outbound we are on United and connect through Chicago ORD *but* we have 1 hour 10 mins to connect.

United flights from Chicago-O'Hare (ORD) to Vancouver, BC Canada (YVR) depart from United's regular, domestic gates. United has a huge footprint at O'Hare, involving multiple concourses across Terminals 1 and 2, but they're all within the same secure area. You should not exit from the secure side, and you will not have to take a train. It can be a long walk. If only one of your flights uses Concourse C, you'll have to use underground moving sidewalks between Concourse C and Concourse B or a bus between Concourse C and Concourses E and F.

See http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/airport/maps/ord.aspx

70 minutes is plenty of time to connect from one United flight to another.

Of course, delays can and do happen. You should be fine even if the 70 minutes drops to 40 minutes due to a delay on the first segment.

United pads their arrival times to allow for minor delays, so if your flight leaves on time and there are no air traffic issues, you could even arrive at ORD 20 minutes early.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I fly United on a pretty regular basis with a fair amount of international travel. Based on my experience (and a quick look at the flight status for flights today from Chicago to Vancouver) your flight will depart out of Terminal 1.

I am not aware of any United flights that depart from Terminal 5 - for United Terminal 5 is an arrival location for International flights as you need to clear customs and immigration before continuing your travels in the USA.

Awesome!!! Thank you so much That makes perfect sense Terminal 5 is for arrivals! I appreciate your info.

United flights from Chicago-O'Hare (ORD) to Vancouver, BC Canada (YVR) depart from United's regular, domestic gates. United has a huge footprint at O'Hare, involving multiple concourses across Terminals 1 and 2, but they're all within the same secure area. You should not exit from the secure side, and you will not have to take a train. It can be a long walk. If only one of your flights uses Concourse C, you'll have to use underground moving sidewalks between Concourse C and Concourse B or a bus between Concourse C and Concourses E and F.

See http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/airport/maps/ord.aspx

70 minutes is plenty of time to connect from one United flight to another.

Of course, delays can and do happen. You should be fine even if the 70 minutes drops to 40 minutes due to a delay on the first segment.

United pads their arrival times to allow for minor delays, so if your flight leaves on time and there are no air traffic issues, you could even arrive at ORD 20 minutes early.

Phew! I'm feeling so much better now and you both helped confirm we will be w/in the same general area and although I know they can be a 'brisk walk' between the concourses - but much better than traveling over to Terminal 5! I know once I get closer to June I can get a better estimate of the gates for arrival and departure.

I really appreciate both of your responses - thanks again!

Heather

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

More good news for you. United States Customs operates preclearance at Vancouver International Airport. In other words, you'll go through U.S. Customs & Immigration at Vancouver Airport before you board your flight to Dallas. So allow enough time for that. Then, when your flight lands at DFW it's treated as a domestic flight and you just make a direct connection to your next flight.

NOTE: This service may also be offered at the cruise terminal in Vancouver when you get off your ship. I'm not sure how that works as it would require a secure transfer from the port to the airport. So if you're taking a taxi or the train to the airport post-cruise, don't think you can use the cruise terminal preclearance. But you can definitely use the service in the airport itself as there is no choice.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

More good news for you. United States Customs operates preclearance at Vancouver International Airport. In other words, you'll go through U.S. Customs & Immigration at Vancouver Airport before you board your flight to Dallas. So allow enough time for that. Then, when your flight lands at DFW it's treated as a domestic flight and you just make a direct connection to your next flight.

Good point!

NOTE: This service may also be offered at the cruise terminal in Vancouver when you get off your ship. I'm not sure how that works as it would require a secure transfer from the port to the airport. So if you're taking a taxi or the train to the airport post-cruise, don't think you can use the cruise terminal preclearance. But you can definitely use the service in the airport itself as there is no choice.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance at the Vancouver cruise ports is for passengers boarding cruise ships that call on ports in Alaska. The process occurs at the beginning of the cruise, not at the end. It has nothing to do with flying from Canada to the United States after the cruise.

 

[Lewisc]

NOTE: This service may also be offered at the cruise terminal in Vancouver when you get off your ship. I'm not sure how that works as it would require a secure transfer from the port to the airport. So if you're taking a taxi or the train to the airport post-cruise, don't think you can use the cruise terminal preclearance. But you can definitely use the service in the airport itself as there is no choice.

BobK/Orlando

There was a service called US Direct. You booked cruise line transfers. You went from the airport directly to your boat.. Instead of going through customs in the airport you followed the signs to an area where you boarded a bus. The bus was "sealed". It was almost like you never entered Canada.

The service operated in reverse for guests ending their cruise in Canada. Instead of going through Canadian customs you took a "sealed" bus directly to the airport. It was like you never entered Canada.

You weren't literally cleared by US Immigration since you never fully entered Canada. There was some simplified checking which occurred. Not everyone on a cruise is a US citizen.

This service was discontinued a few years ago.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

More good news for you. United States Customs operates preclearance at Vancouver International Airport. In other words, you'll go through U.S. Customs & Immigration at Vancouver Airport before you board your flight to Dallas. So allow enough time for that. Then, when your flight lands at DFW it's treated as a domestic flight and you just make a direct connection to your next flight.

NOTE: This service may also be offered at the cruise terminal in Vancouver when you get off your ship. I'm not sure how that works as it would require a secure transfer from the port to the airport. So if you're taking a taxi or the train to the airport post-cruise, don't think you can use the cruise terminal preclearance. But you can definitely use the service in the airport itself as there is no choice.

BobK/Orlando

That is more great news!! Woohoo! That certainly makes me feel a lot better and more knowledgeable so thank you!!

Good point!



U.S. Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance at the Vancouver cruise ports is for passengers boarding cruise ships that call on ports in Alaska. The process occurs at the beginning of the cruise, not at the end. It has nothing to do with flying from Canada to the United States after the cruise.

Interesting - thanks for sharing!

There was a service called US Direct. You booked cruise line transfers. You went from the airport directly to your boat.. Instead of going through customs in the airport you followed the signs to an area where you boarded a bus. The bus was "sealed". It was almost like you never entered Canada.

The service operated in reverse for guests ending their cruise in Canada. Instead of going through Canadian customs you took a "sealed" bus directly to the airport. It was like you never entered Canada.

You weren't literally cleared by US Immigration since you never fully entered Canada. There was some simplified checking which occurred. Not everyone on a cruise is a US citizen.

This service was discontinued a few years ago.

Oh bummer!! LOL I knew not to get too excited thinking it could ALL be done at the port - but no worries, knowing we can clear customs in Vancouver leaving, instead of DFW is a huge lifesaver!

Thanks to all!
Heather

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Thanks to all! Heather

Have a great cruise!

BobK/Orlando

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Be sure you have plenty of time to clear immigrations and customs in Vancouver, both arriving and departing. The lines can be incredibly long - waits of 1+ hours.

 

[Lewisc]

I hope the OP isn't flying in the day of her cruise. I won't disagree with the posters who said she has enough time for her connection but if for any reason her first flight is delayed due to mechanical or weather issues all bets are off.

Travel Insurance might not be applicable.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Have a great cruise!

BobK/Orlando

Thank you! We can't wait for Alaska...

Be sure you have plenty of time to clear immigrations and customs in Vancouver, both arriving and departing. The lines can be incredibly long - waits of 1+ hours.

We plan to disembark the ship in Vancouver as soon as we can and head straight to the airport. Our flight departs at 12:10pm so based on what I read that should be sufficient. I aim or hope to be at the airport around 915am.

I hope the OP isn't flying in the day of her cruise. I won't disagree with the posters who said she has enough time for her connection but if for any reason her first flight is delayed due to mechanical or weather issues all bets are off.

Travel Insurance might not be applicable.

No way, Jose!! My personal opinion - I wouldn't do that even departing from Port Canaveral with a 1.5 hour direct flight from NC so there is no way we'd do that flying that for the West Coast! We are actually flying in 2 days early so we can see a few sights in Vancouver before leaving on the Wonder. I did buy Travel insurance but you're right, I'm not going to test it!

Thanks for the concerns and help!

Heather

 

[Lewisc]

My concern about trip insurance...Many (most) policies don't kick in unless your flight is delayed a certain number of hours. People who book tight connections and/or flights the day of their cruise, might find the delay is long enough to miss their cruise but not longer enough to qualify for coverage under the trip delay or missed connection terms of their policy. Sometimes the delay only has to be a few hours but some policies only offer coverage if the delay is at least 12 hours.