Vancouver: DCL transfers or cab back to airport?

[Luckymommatoo]

We are a family of 4 with a 12:45 flight to San Francisco. We will each have a checked bag. In this scenario, would you use DCL transportation or just take a cab/Uber/Lyft?
thanks,
-e

 

[bcwife76]

Uber/Lyft is not in Vancouver......yet. Supposedly we are getting UBER by this Christmastime (which might be too late for you if you are sailing this summer!) A cab is a flat $35 (CDN) fee back to the airport but after a cruise a LOT of people are looking for cabs so the line can get very long. Are you travelling with small children? If it's not too cumbersome I would take the Skytrain (Canada Line) to the airport, it's a 2 block walk to the station and stops right at the terminal. This is what we do; we live here (45 minutes from downtown) and it's cheaper for us to drive to the aiport, pay to park there and then take Canada Line to downtown then it is to take a cab to the port from our home (obviously not $35 for us!)

 

[WildEyed]

We are also planning to take the SkyTrain as our flight leaves at 12:30 and we don't want to depend on DCL transportation or trying to get a cab along with hundreds of other people.

 

[Luckymommatoo]

Uber/Lyft is not in Vancouver......yet. Supposedly we are getting UBER by this Christmastime (which might be too late for you if you are sailing this summer!) A cab is a flat $35 (CDN) fee back to the airport but after a cruise a LOT of people are looking for cabs so the line can get very long. Are you travelling with small children? If it's not too cumbersome I would take the Skytrain (Canada Line) to the airport, it's a 2 block walk to the station and stops right at the terminal. This is what we do; we live here (45 minutes from downtown) and it's cheaper for us to drive to the aiport, pay to park there and then take Canada Line to downtown then it is to take a cab to the port from our home (obviously not $35 for us!)

Our kids will be 11 and 13 so this may be doable for us. Is it easy to buy tickets with a credit card at the station? Thanks so much for the info!

 

[bcwife76]

Our kids will be 11 and 13 so this may be doable for us. Is it easy to buy tickets with a credit card at the station? Thanks so much for the info!

Absolutely! We never have change/cash on us; we took the skytrain downtown two weeks ago and my hubby paid with our debit card but the machines also take visa/mastercard.

 

[sdjen]

We used the bus and it was fairly quick. Once a bus was full, it left for the airport. I did notice the line for taxis was super long so I wouldn't do that if you are looking to save time. We also rode the train (not back to the airport though) and it is very clean and easy to do.

 

[amberwc]

I'd advise against the cab line. We stood in line for over an hour.

 

[Luckymommatoo]

Oh wow, this is great info! So definitely DCL or train. Thanks, all!

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

Another vote for train. We even did it with a wheelchair and toddler.

 

[bcwife76]

We are also planning to take the SkyTrain as our flight leaves at 12:30 and we don't want to depend on DCL transportation or trying to get a cab along with hundreds of other people.

We're on the same Alaskan cruise as you, see you on board

 

[WildEyed]

We're on the same Alaskan cruise as you, see you on board

Yes we are! Excited to meet you!

 

[jrabbit]

We drive up to Vancouver from the North West and we park at the Vancouver Airport and take the Sky Train into the port and back. Very easy. Even with a couple of larger suitcases. (non rush hour - don't know what that would be like)

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

We've done two DCL Alaska cruises and never had any issues getting a taxi after the cruise and heading back to YVR. We didn't even wait at all and there were plenty lined up but of course YMMV. We sailed in 6/2013 and 8/2016. If it matters, we caught the taxi inside or underground not out front up at street level if that makes sense.

Thanks,
Heather

 

[coloradocutie]

Ditto on the sky train. Did it with a 1 year old and a 4 year old and 2 suitcases. Super easy and cost effective. Enjoy your cruise!

 

[sharksfinatic17]

We did walk off on our cruise, grabbed a cab (no line) and were to the airport by 9:30 AM. Super easy!

 

[Bluecat74]

I also loved the train.....easy walk with suitcase and quick ride to airport. I did walk off with my bag so no waiting.

 

[xlxo]

Thoughts....

• I like the cab in general. But cab lines vary depending on when you get off the ship and how many ships are docked.
• if the cab line is long and you plan to take the subway. On the way to the subway, you will walk past two hotels (Pan Pacific & Waterfront Hotel). The cab line may be shorter there.
• It's not fun watching people in front of you trying to figure out how to get tickets out of a vending machine.
• the cab is so scenic.... the train runs underground 75% of the trip there.