**** Vancouver FAQ Thread **** A few updates in main post!

[mellers]

We are gettign in on the train about 11:40 the day before the cruise. We also are planning a group meet for our group that night at about 6. Fort the locals - will we have enough time to get to Grouse Mountain. Just to ride the gondola and maybe do Eye of the Wind and get back in time? Looks like dinner will be at Red Robin so we won't necessarily need to do any more than just freshen up.

If the train is pretty much on time and you don't dally at the hotel, you might be able to do it (although you'll be pretty rushed). You'd basically have to high-tail it to the hotel, drop your stuff and hustle, though.

 

[rsjj]

It depends upon where you are staying in Richmond. If you're staying near Lansdowne Shopping Centre (which is where I usually stay), you'll have no problems at all--there is a Canada Line station right next to the shopping centre. The FourPoints Sheraton Vancouver Airport and the La Quinta Vancouver Airport are in this neighborhood--there may be others as well.

Also, remember, most Richmond-area hotels have free shuttles to the airport--if you prepurchase FareSaver tickets on the Canada Line, I don't think you have to pay the airport surcharge: http://www.translink.ca/en/Fares-and-Passes/FareSaver-Tickets.aspx

(BTW--I should have thought to post this before--if you are primarily planning to use public transit during your trip, these books are worth getting.)

That should get you around nicely.

thanx mellers! one more question...are there costco in canada? specificly, in richmond? i saw it on a google map, but it wasn't listed on the costco website. maybe it's not there anymore? again, thanx for taking the time!!

 

[mellers]

thanx mellers! one more question...are there costco in canada? specificly, in richmond? i saw it on a google map, but it wasn't listed on the costco website. maybe it's not there anymore? again, thanx for taking the time!!

There probably is a Costco, but I don't know where. You would probably do well to make a shopping run to Zellers in the Lansdowne Shopping Centre--it's like Target.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

thanx mellers! one more question...are there costco in canada? specificly, in richmond? i saw it on a google map, but it wasn't listed on the costco website. maybe it's not there anymore? again, thanx for taking the time!!

We definately have costco in Canada and there is one not far from the airport.
9151 Bridgeport Road
Richmond.

There is also one downtown Vancouver.

 

[rsjj]

There probably is a Costco, but I don't know where. You would probably do well to make a shopping run to Zellers in the Lansdowne Shopping Centre--it's like Target.

thanx, mellers! it's really not for any shopping purposes. it's really for DH. you see, he loves costco! and whenever we go anywhere, it's his one stop! he jsut loves to see what stuff they carry at the many different costcos. it's a "must do" on our list...actually on his list! i think it's a guy thing! maybe it's just "my DH" thing!!

again, thanx!

 

[rsjj]

We definately have costco in Canada and there is one not far from the airport.
9151 Bridgeport Road
Richmond.

There is also one downtown Vancouver.

thanx! i just looked it up again! ooohhh...DH will be so excited!!

 

[rsjj]

ok...more questions...

i'm thinking of going to grouse mountain. looks like an interesting place filled w/many different activities. our DSs (who will be 12 & 9) might be interested. the sky gondola thing in itself is thrilling enough! any thoughts on this is much appreciated.

so i mapped out on the translink website, going from our hotel to grouse mountain. it says we need to take the sky train, then the sea bus, than another bus. sounds a lot, but it actually only takes around an hour. anyways, the fare for adult says $2.50. for all 3 different types of transportation?!!? am i reading it correctly?

ok...now to my questions...
1) approximately how many hours do i need to spend up on the mountain?
2) all those "activities"...i'm assuming we need to pay for, on top of the grouse mountain admission? or do they come included. (not talking about the zipline & such, but just the stuff we can see, like the wood chopping thing, the wild nature thing, the sled ride (which is in winter time, but in summer, i think it's something else)
3) is it safe to ride public transportation in the early evening? (around 6 pm)...i'm just asking, b/c i'll have kids w/me. and if it's not safe, maybe i shouldn't even think about this.

the idea of taking public transportation (which we don't do back at home, really), w/all these different types of transfers (from a sky train, to a sea bus, to a regular bus) is really exciting to me, and i think our boys would get a kick out of it!

again, thank you so much for taking the time to ease my mind, and answering all my endless questions. pls forgive me, as our trip is getting closer, i'm getting more anxious about "planning"...

 

[mellers]

ok...more questions...

i'm thinking of going to grouse mountain. looks like an interesting place filled w/many different activities. our DSs (who will be 12 & 9) might be interested. the sky gondola thing in itself is thrilling enough! any thoughts on this is much appreciated.

so i mapped out on the translink website, going from our hotel to grouse mountain. it says we need to take the sky train, then the sea bus, than another bus. sounds a lot, but it actually only takes around an hour. anyways, the fare for adult says $2.50. for all 3 different types of transportation?!!? am i reading it correctly?

ok...now to my questions...
1) approximately how many hours do i need to spend up on the mountain?
2) all those "activities"...i'm assuming we need to pay for, on top of the grouse mountain admission? or do they come included. (not talking about the zipline & such, but just the stuff we can see, like the wood chopping thing, the wild nature thing, the sled ride (which is in winter time, but in summer, i think it's something else)
3) is it safe to ride public transportation in the early evening? (around 6 pm)...i'm just asking, b/c i'll have kids w/me. and if it's not safe, maybe i shouldn't even think about this.

the idea of taking public transportation (which we don't do back at home, really), w/all these different types of transfers (from a sky train, to a sea bus, to a regular bus) is really exciting to me, and i think our boys would get a kick out of it!

again, thank you so much for taking the time to ease my mind, and answering all my endless questions. pls forgive me, as our trip is getting closer, i'm getting more anxious about "planning"...

I'd recommend being off public transit by 8-8:30 (mainly because that's usually about the time that schedules change--although local Vancouverites would know better than me). I'm not sure about the prices, but the transit site should be right. You also might want to try to pick up the transit books at the airport or a drugstore.

Kids love the SkyTrain and SeaBus--even I love them, and I'm 41!

As far as the cost of various activities go, I'd check their website:

http://www.grousemountain.com/

Same goes for time--it depends upon how many, and what type of, activities you want to do.

 

[rsjj]

I'd recommend being off public transit by 8-8:30 (mainly because that's usually about the time that schedules change--although local Vancouverites would know better than me). I'm not sure about the prices, but the transit site should be right. You also might want to try to pick up the transit books at the airport or a drugstore.

Kids love the SkyTrain and SeaBus--even I love them, and I'm 41!

As far as the cost of various activities go, I'd check their website:

http://www.grousemountain.com/

Same goes for time--it depends upon how many, and what type of, activities you want to do.

thanx for the heads up on schedule changes! the transit books you mentioned, is that the same as the faresaver books you mentioned previously?

i'm so excited!! just ran the idea to DH...about taking the various transportations & checking out grouse mountain.

thanx for taking the time!! it is much appreciated!!

 

[mellers]

thanx for the heads up on schedule changes! the transit books you mentioned, is that the same as the faresaver books you mentioned previously?

Yes, exactly the same. (Also, you're very welcome--enjoy your cruise!)

 

[disney_guest]

We are planning on doing grouse mountain and the suspension bridge. From what I can gather the bridge is a 2-3 hours trip and the mountain is basically as long as you want (probably 4 hours+). I would like to know about the cost of activities as well - if you hear anything can you post. Also, we were thinking of doing the aquarium and park. Any ideas on how long this would be? Specifically how long to see the aquarium?

 

[mellers]

We are planning on doing grouse mountain and the suspension bridge. From what I can gather the bridge is a 2-3 hours trip and the mountain is basically as long as you want (probably 4 hours+). I would like to know about the cost of activities as well - if you hear anything can you post. Also, we were thinking of doing the aquarium and park. Any ideas on how long this would be? Specifically how long to see the aquarium?

The aquarium takes my family and me about 2-4 hours, depending upon whether or not we eat lunch there. As to the cost of activities, my suggestion is to go to the Grouse Mountain website.

 

[disney_guest]

Thanks for the quick reply

 

[DenverVal]

If you are taking the Canada Line from the airport, and if this is not behind security--you want to go here first:

Pharmasave #22
Vancouver International Airport, Domestic Terminal Bld Level 1
Richmond, BC
V7B 1X8
(604) 303-7033

And purchase a FareSaver book for the Canada Line--this will eliminate the airport surcharge.

I was just looking for dealers in Richmond when I came across this.

So if I "pre-purchase" the Fare-Saver book at this location, then the fare charged will be the normal $2.50, but if I bought tickets at the train station it will be $7.50? What is it talking about when it says they must be validated before use, and where do you have this done?

We are staying a few days at Canada Place and I was wondering if carting the luggage on the train would be a problem. Where do you stow it? Can a day pass be purchased to take the SkyTrain from YVR to Canada Place and then used to tour the city for the rest of the day?

Along the same "lines" ( ), if I were to use tickets from the book to get to the aquarium and spend a couple of hours there, then head to the Capilano Bridge or Grouse Mountain or wherever, because the break in travel was longer than 90 minutes, it will require an additional fare? In that case, would a day pass be cheaper and less brain damage?

Bus service where I live is just not a way of life, so I'm a little unfamiliar with the ins and outs.

Here is a link to the airport maps: http://www.yvr.ca/en/navigating-yvr/terminal-maps.aspx
Pharmasave is in the domestic terminal, outside security. There's also a 7-11, which should sell them too, if I read the website right.

 

[mmmears]

Vancouver Aquarium:

Any must sees / must dos while visiting?

Any suggestions as to how we should get there from Canada Place?

 

[mellers]

So if I "pre-purchase" the Fare-Saver book at this location, then the fare charged will be the normal $2.50, but if I bought tickets at the train station it will be $7.50? What is it talking about when it says they must be validated before use, and where do you have this done?

We are staying a few days at Canada Place and I was wondering if carting the luggage on the train would be a problem. Where do you stow it? Can a day pass be purchased to take the SkyTrain from YVR to Canada Place and then used to tour the city for the rest of the day?

Along the same "lines" ( ), if I were to use tickets from the book to get to the aquarium and spend a couple of hours there, then head to the Capilano Bridge or Grouse Mountain or wherever, because the break in travel was longer than 90 minutes, it will require an additional fare? In that case, would a day pass be cheaper and less brain damage?

Bus service where I live is just not a way of life, so I'm a little unfamiliar with the ins and outs.

Here is a link to the airport maps: http://www.yvr.ca/en/navigating-yvr/terminal-maps.aspx
Pharmasave is in the domestic terminal, outside security. There's also a 7-11, which should sell them too, if I read the website right.

In that case, a day pass would probably be better (along with a hefty bottle of asprin ), but I don't know if day passes are available at the airport or not.

 

[mellers]

Vancouver Aquarium:

Any must sees / must dos while visiting?

Any suggestions as to how we should get there from Canada Place?

I like it all, quite honestly--my one "must see" would probably be the sea otters.

As to how to get there, try this link: http://tripplanning.translink.bc.ca/

 

[DenverVal]

In that case, a day pass would probably be better (along with a hefty bottle of asprin ), but I don't know if day passes are available at the airport or not.

Found it:
Canada Line YVR AddFare
The $5 Canada Line YVR AddFare is applicable to travel departing from any of the stations on Sea Island (YVR-Airport, Sea Island Centre and Templeton) destined for Bridgeport Station or points beyond. The Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) at the three Sea Island Stations are programmed to charge the additional YVR AddFare automatically on applicable transactions.

Canada Line customers who buy their fare zone ticket from a TVM using cash, debit or credit card must pay the $5 YVR AddFare. This includes Concession (seniors and student) fares. Children under the age of five can ride transit for free and are not subject to the YVR AddFare.

Exemptions
Customers who use prepaid fares such as DayPasses, Monthly FareCards, FareSaver tickets, West Coast Express weekly and 28-day passes, U-Passes, Employer Passes and Government Bus Passes are exempt from the Canada Line YVR AddFare. If you are at the airport, DayPasses can be purchased at the 7-Eleven or the Pharmasave on Level 1, Arrivals. DayPasses and FareSavers don't have specific dates for travel, so they can be purchased in bulk for future travel dates.

http://www.translink.ca/en/Fares-and-Passes/Canada-Line-YVR-AddFare.aspx

 

[mmmears]

I like it all, quite honestly--my one "must see" would probably be the sea otters.

As to how to get there, try this link: http://tripplanning.translink.bc.ca/

Thanks for the quick answer -- you're always very helpful and I appreciate it.

 

[DenverVal]

Video of train from YVR to Waterfront Station: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgH5zIkztX0