Taxi in Vancouver

[Donna M]

I have never used a taxi before and 2 of us will be flying into Vancouver. I have found the price, but is that per person or total?

 

[Marc D]

A taxi in Canada is always in total, not per person.

BTW, we landed in Vancouver yesterday and chose to take the train from the airport. The cost is 8$ per person. If you are flying in the day of the cruise (which you should never do) or staying at a hotel near the pier (which is one of the nicest parts of Vancouver), it a totally viable solution as long as you are not handling too much luggage. It is quick, efficient and there are plenty of other cruisers around you all the way.

 

[Donna M]

Thanks for your quick reply. I am an uber planner and want to take the Skytrain. I have watched lots of videos, and used Google street view to ¨walk¨ our way from the Waterfront exit to our hotel. An issue would be if it is raining too hard since we´ll have the luggage.

 

[Cruzin’Sisters]

A taxi in Canada is always in total, not per person.

BTW, we landed in Vancouver yesterday and chose to take the train from the airport. The cost is 8$ per person. If you are flying in the day of the cruise (which you should never do) or staying at a hotel near the pier (which is one of the nicest parts of Vancouver), it a totally viable solution as long as you are not handling too much luggage. It is quick, efficient and there are plenty of other cruisers around you all the way.

Any suggestions for hotels that you would recommend?
TIA

 

[Marc D]

Thanks for your quick reply. I am an uber planner and want to take the Skytrain. I have watched lots of videos, and used Google street view to ¨walk¨ our way from the Waterfront exit to our hotel. An issue would be if it is raining too hard since we´ll have the luggage.

If it is raining, you can change plans. Taxis are plentiful on both ends of the journey.

 

[Marc D]

Any suggestions for hotels that you would recommend?
TIA

The most common answers are the Fairmount Waterfront and Pan Pacific. The first one is across the street from the terminal. The second is situated over the pier, with an elevator bringing you directly to the terminal. Both offer a luggage transfer service to the ship if you would like that.

We are at staying at the Pan Pacific right now. It is expensive for what it offers room-wise, but you can’t beat the location. We went down to see our ship docking this morning at 6AM, after seeing it arrive from our room. When I looked at rooms to book, it was one of the least-expensive double rooms in this part of town, after using my Expedia points. It seems the restart of Alaska cruising brought the room prices way up.

There are some parts of Vancouver to stay away from, for safety reasons. Being close to the pier, in Coal Harbour, solves any issues concerning that. We walked all the way to Denman St and back yesterday and it was a wonderful stroll.

Finally, if you like authentic Korean, Japanese or Chinese food, Vancouver is a foodie paradise. I would arrive a day or two early just to enjoy a bunch of asian restaurants.

 

[otten]

I have never used a taxi before and 2 of us will be flying into Vancouver. I have found the price, but is that per person or total?

It’ll be total. But don’t discount the train as an option. It’s often faster to the airport than a taxi depending on traffics. You can tap your credit card at the turnstiles to pay so it’s super easy.

 

[otten]

Where is your hotel? Some can access the sky train without really going outside.

I’m a Vancouver local. Ask me anything

Thanks for your quick reply. I am an uber planner and want to take the Skytrain. I have watched lots of videos, and used Google street view to ¨walk¨ our way from the Waterfront exit to our hotel. An issue would be if it is raining too hard since we´ll have the luggage.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

Where is your hotel? Some can access the sky train without really going outside.

I’m a Vancouver local. Ask me anything

Have they done away with the compass cards for skytrain/busses? They were great to use, but a pain to go get one every day at the pharmacy across the street. BTW - LOVE Vancouver mass transit

 

[Marc D]

Have they done away with the compass cards for skytrain/busses? They were great to use, but a pain to go get one every day at the pharmacy across the street. BTW - LOVE Vancouver mass transit

The system is now hybrid. You can still recharge you Compass card, but you can also tap your credit card/Apple pay device at both ends of the journey.

 

[starvenger]

It’ll be total. But don’t discount the train as an option. It’s often faster to the airport than a taxi depending on traffics. You can tap your credit card at the turnstiles to pay so it’s super easy.

I remember the last time I was in Vancouver. We stayed at Carmana Plaza (I think it's a hybrid hotel/condo?) near Robson/Nelson and the traffic lights (not the traffic) in the area were terrible. Basically you'd get a green at one intersection, only to hit a red at the very next one. Maybe it's changed in 5 years, but my point is this: if you take a cab, you'll likely incur a lot of idling charges.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

I remember the last time I was in Vancouver. We stayed at Carmana Plaza (I think it's a hybrid hotel/condo?) near Robson/Nelson and the traffic lights (not the traffic) in the area were terrible. Basically you'd get a green at one intersection, only to hit a red at the very next one. Maybe it's changed in 5 years, but my point is this: if you take a cab, you'll likely incur a lot of idling charges.

I believe taxi fares from the airport to downtown Vancouver are on a zone system (flat rate), rather than metered. I thought that was the case when we took a taxi from the airport to the Hyatt Regency prior to our cruise to Hawaii this past spring.

 

[tvguy]

If you are flying in the day of the cruise (which you should never do)

I agree 100%, however my last cruise on Celebrity was in October 2019 I booked everything through the cruise line and they absolutely would not book me the day before. They were throwing in 100% trip interruption insurance coverage for $25 a person, and their rep absolutely guaranteed we would make the ship. Their air fare was half of what I would have paid on my own, and their routing was nuts. Sacramento to Los Angeles, change planes on to Vancouver. Yup, 400 miles out of my way to Los Angeles, then 400 miles back flying back over Sacramento to Vancouver. Added 2 hours to my travel time, left Sacramento at 6 am, but darned if they didn't have me eating lunch on the ship by 1 pm.
Wonder with the current mess with air travel delays whether they still won't allow you to fly in the day ahead?

 

[starvenger]

Could be. I've only driven in Vancouver or taken public transit, so can't speak to actual cab fares.

 

[JWelch62]

We like staying in the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. It's centrally located, an easy walk to the pier, shops, dining. It's an old building (built in 1939, I believe) but we like the style. Taxis are readily available.

 

[lilsonicfan]

I believe taxi fares from the airport to downtown Vancouver are on a zone system (flat rate), rather than metered. I thought that was the case when we took a taxi from the airport to the Hyatt Regency prior to our cruise to Hawaii this past spring.

This is correct; taxi from the airport to anywhere in Vancouver proper, or in Richmond, is on a zone metered system. One could search "yvr taxi rates" to access the PDF map.

But taxis to the airport are not on this metered system. It is also cheaper to take Canada Line when going TO the airport rather than FROM the airport b/c there is a $5 "addfare" for travellers taking Canada Line out of the airport.

 

[Drfate102]

Any suggestions for hotels that you would recommend?
TIA

We stayed at the Pan Pacific, it was awesome and you can call their Bell Service to take your bags straight to the cruise terminal. The next time we do Alaska, we will stay there again in a heartbeat.

 

[Marc D]

I agree 100%, however my last cruise on Celebrity was in October 2019 I booked everything through the cruise line and they absolutely would not book me the day before.

That’s strange. We are Elite on Celebrity and have often compared airfares, including their offer. They have always allowed us to arrive a few days before the cruise. The online tool allows you to search by calendar. It defaults to departure day, but you can change it to a few days before.

 

[tvguy]

That’s strange. We are Elite on Celebrity and have often compared airfares, including their offer. They have always allowed us to arrive a few days before the cruise. The online sDarcy tool allows you to search by calendar. It defaults to departure day, but you can change it to a few days before.

This was in October 2019 and we booked with Celebrity direct, as in on the phone, not online. Called about 830 pm pacific time on a Saturday night to ask questions, they answered right away. When I hung up 30 minutes later, everything was booked.

 

[TestingH2O]

We stayed at the Pan Pacific before both of our Alaska cruises. When we stayed there a couple of weeks ago, we were honestly pretty disappointed. The rooms have not been updated, the bed are doubles not queens, there are a ridiculously small number of outlets in the room, and the bathrooms are looking pretty sad. Add in the fact that 2 of the 4 elevators weren't working, and it just was not worth the price we paid even with the convenience of luggage service.

After the cruise this time we stayed at the Hampton Inn Downtown Vancouver on Robson street. It was really wonderful. The hotel looks brand new, wifi and breakfast are included, the front desk staff is so nice and helpful, and catching a taxi is easy and affordable. Plus, the rooms were about half the price of the Pan Pacific. Hopefully we will do another Alaska cruise, and we would definitely plan to stay at the Hampton again.