Transportation suggestions - Vancouver port to airport?

[aroundtheriverbend]

Hi all, we arrive in Vancouver this Saturday for the 6/6 Alaska cruise, we're all squared away on the beginning part of the trip but not so much the end. We fly home the morning we dock (1:45pmish flight). We will probably have a decent amount of luggage so don't really want to go the train route. What would people suggest for getting from the port to YVR? Knowing that it's always a toss up with security, has your experience been that you really need the 3 hours ahead of time for international departures? Thanks!

 

[WestFamily]

Just take a cab. The line goes quickly and they are big enough to accommodate your luggage. As long as you don't have a giant suitcase per person, that is. If you do have a lot of luggage, taxi vans pull up everynow and then as well. I don't remember the fee but it wasn't much (maybe 35 or so) and it was fairly fast and very easy.

 

[xlxo]

$35 ($28 USD) cab carload....

• 1:45pm flight.... you don't need to be at airport until 10:45am for your 3 hour pre-flight check-in, customs and security check (hand, body, carry-on, baggage, liquids, food, weapons, ULU's, and WMD's)
  • 3 hours is a good contingency if you run into problems... getting lost
  • the time is also helpful if you get caught behind problem travelers who are lost
• You don't need to be in a cab until 10:15am.
• You don't need to debark until 9:30am.

I recommend enjoying your debarkation breakfast and casually stroll off the Wonder when the mad-rush is over after 9:15pm. If you get the 2nd feeding (late seating)... you get to sleep in for an extra hour for the time zone change for your breakfast.

 

[Bluecat74]

I just did the train this morning and it was very easy. All ages were walking with suitcases – about two blocks. But if you have lots a cab would be a great idea. Security lines were not bad at all

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Thanks - how long did the train take? Are you dropped off at a convenient place at the airport?

 

[xlxo]

Downtown to airport is 25 minutes. You are dropped off 5 minutes from the US check-in counters.

Potential bottlenecks

• figuring out how the ticket machines work
• which train? Look for the Canada Line.... the Expo Line takes you to India (Surrey)
• The Canada Line serves both the airport and China (Richmond). The wrong train can add another 30 minutes as you back track to the airport.
• getting to the Waterfront station from your hotel. From the cruise terminal.... add another 8 minutes for the 3 block walk.

I like the cab convenience with luggage. $35 ($28 USD) for the carload.

 

[bumbershoot]

Cab!

Knowing that it's always a toss up with security, has your experience been that you really need the 3 hours ahead of time for international departures? Thanks!

Take the 3 hours. You'll be clearing airport security AND US customs before your flight, so just go ahead and get there early. It's a beautiful airport.

 

[tnshsms]

I agree with leaving by 9:30 from the ship. That gives you enough time to grab a cab, get to the airport with potential traffic and get everything inside with a tiny bit of time to spare before check in. We just did Alaska with all carry on's last week so we didn't have to check any bags and were able to get thru the security and such before the 3 hours. Its only if you check a bag. Customs took about 10 min and security took about 30 min at 9-9:30 Monday morning. We had a 12:50 flight and by the time we got off the bus (we did DCL transfers for convienence sake) and got a potty break in, it was close to our 3.5 hours before our flight anyway. i personally wouldn't do the train with all the luggage. We did the train going to the hotel after landing and it was fine but you're tired after vacation and i wouldn't want the hassle. If the line for the cab is long (was about a 30 min wait when were there at 8:30ish) then go upstairs to the Pan Pacific or across the street to the Fairmont. There are reports that you can get one faster there.

 

[Saamh]

We just took a cab on Monday. We had late dining so our breakfast was at 845. We ate and as we finished up, all groups were cleared to disembark (probably about 930-945). There was no line to leave the ship and we picked up luggage and went through customs. The taxi line was long but moved pretty quickly. They were pulling parties of 3 or less to the front to fill smaller cabs. We were at the airport by 1115 and at our gate by 1145.