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

[buddywesley]

What is the earliest DCL shuttle that leaves from there?

I'm wondering about this part of the question? We booked transportation with DCL from the Fairmont Airport and I wondered what time they get you to the port? Anyone know? THANKS

 

[parrothead365]

There is both a money exchange and an ATM near the baggage claim area, near where you exit for the ground transportation and the Skytrain.

Many Thanks!!!!

 

[vpalmer]

We didn't do the Big Bus Tours but we did the Vancouver Trolley Tour. It has that same Hop On - Hop Off feature. It cost us $35 for a two day fare as we bought it at the hotel (which just happened to be one of our stops).

What did you think about the trolley? We are planning on doing this and I was wondering if you would do it again. What were the best stops for hopping off?

 

[I<3EvilQueen]

What did you think about the trolley? We are planning on doing this and I was wondering if you would do it again. What were the best stops for hopping off?

Yes I think I would do it again. We were in Vancouver for three days before the cruise, and we didn't have a car. So the Trolley was a great way to see the city (that and walking as it is really a nice walking city). The best stops to take advantage of is the one near Granville Island, Stanley Park (as it is as big a downtown), and Canada Place (as from there you can get a shuttle up to the Suspension Bridge and other tourist locations).

We got our two day ticket at our hotel and we got it for the price of one day. $36. You also get a coupon booklet with the tour and we used a few of those coupons as well ($5 free to spend at one of the local casinos).

 

[tanyaewa]

Grouse Mtn ziplining is pretty amazing. The snow is rapidly disappearing - but there may well be some still. Which makes it rather fun too!

jlwhitney - Glad you had a great time in my hometown!

 

[DenverVal]

Should I reserveve Grouse Mountain zip lining ahead of time, or is there daily availability during the summer?

 

[HiMagicFan]

Does anyone know if there is a money exchange office at the Vancover Airport? I need to get some Canadian cash for tips and such for our upcoming cruise.
Thanks
Doug

Hmmm...I thought I had read that US$ was acceptable...should I be concerned about changing money for tips for the land portion? I was just gonna tip US$.

Airport, Cab, Restaurant etc...

 

[I<3EvilQueen]

Hmmm...I thought I had read that US$ was acceptable...should I be concerned about changing money for tips for the land portion? I was just gonna tip US$.

Airport, Cab, Restaurant etc...

When I was growing up I used to go to Canada all the time and they used to take US$ all the time with no problem. But with the US$ being weaker now you might have some blow back.

I didn't want to risk it, so just took out about $60 out of the ATM, so that I had Canadian money to spend during my time there.

Otherwise I used my debit card for gifts, resturants, and Skytrain fare.

 

[staffieri]

We are planning on ziplining @ Grouse Mountian too. I hope the snow has melted.

We are thinking about ziplining in Vancouver. Is Grouse Mountain the place to go?

Hope you all have a great time. Would love to hear any reviews of GROUSE MOUNTAIN!!! We are planing on going there when we get off the ship.

 

[rsjj]

We took the Canada Line
$7.50 from the Airport to the WaterFront Station (Around the corner from Canada Place)

$2.50 from Waterfront Station back to the Airport. It took us about 25 mins to get to the airport from the port.

if i may ask...why is going one way more expensive than the other way around? or maybe i'm just not reading it correctly?

 

[mellers]

if i may ask...why is going one way more expensive than the other way around? or maybe i'm just not reading it correctly?

There's a special fee for departing the airport if you don't have a day pass purchased from an outside vendor (there are a couple in the airport.)

 

[rsjj]

There's a special fee for departing the airport if you don't have a day pass purchased from an outside vendor (there are a couple in the airport.)

ok...i recall something like that. and i think you answered questions for me as well. so remind me, to bypass the fee, i needed to purchase that booklet from a vendor (cvs type pharmacy?) in the airport, right?

 

[HiMagicFan]

When I was growing up I used to go to Canada all the time and they used to take US$ all the time with no problem. But with the US$ being weaker now you might have some blow back.

I didn't want to risk it, so just took out about $60 out of the ATM, so that I had Canadian money to spend during my time there.

Otherwise I used my debit card for gifts, resturants, and Skytrain fare.

Thanks! Didn't think about the dying dollar.

Sounds good $60....gotta make note of that.

I am definitely using credit card for the rest just hadn't thought about the tips. Appreciate it!

 

[jilljill]

Thanks! Didn't think about the dying dollar.

Sounds good $60....gotta make note of that.

I am definitely using credit card for the rest just hadn't thought about the tips. Appreciate it!

Don't forget to notify your bank you will be travelling out of the country. Also, many credit cards charge a 1-3% conversion fee for all foreign charges. You'll want to check with your issuing back to see what their fees are.

 

[buddywesley]

Anyone ever been to Playland? Or know anything about it? Is it worth going?
THANKS

 

[mellers]

ok...i recall something like that. and i think you answered questions for me as well. so remind me, to bypass the fee, i needed to purchase that booklet from a vendor (cvs type pharmacy?) in the airport, right?

PharmaSave #22 in Terminal Bldg Level 1. Someone else also mentioned a 7-11.

 

[mmmears]

Don't forget to notify your bank you will be travelling out of the country. Also, many credit cards charge a 1-3% conversion fee for all foreign charges. You'll want to check with your issuing back to see what their fees are.

Very true. My MasterCard charges 3% on all transactions, but my AMEX charges nothing. It can make a big difference, depending on how much you spend.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Anyone ever been to Playland? Or know anything about it? Is it worth going?
THANKS

Its 'ok' - fair type rides - its all we have for a theme park here. If you are looking for top notch attractions, this is not the place - but if you want a wooden roller coaster and 'fair' rides, it can be fun. We live here and never go, if that says anything.

 

[HiMagicFan]

Don't forget to notify your bank you will be travelling out of the country. Also, many credit cards charge a 1-3% conversion fee for all foreign charges. You'll want to check with your issuing back to see what their fees are.

Very true. My MasterCard charges 3% on all transactions, but my AMEX charges nothing. It can make a big difference, depending on how much you spend.

Thank you both...was gonna take my Disney card but will check to see which one has the lessor %...thanks for the heads up

 

[richmo]

if i may ask...why is going one way more expensive than the other way around? or maybe i'm just not reading it correctly?

You're reading it correctly. From SkyTrains originating from the airport, there's a $5 surcharge. The reverse isn't true. If you're planning on getting some kind of multi-ride pass, you can get around the surcharge by buying the pass at an airport vendor (I think I remember reading there's a 7-11 and a drug store in YVR that sells them)

And a question a few posts back, I understand that the time it takes to get from YVR to Canada Place by SkyTrain is about 25 minutes.