Vancouver airport transfer

We will be arriving in Vancouver on board the Noordam on May 6 at 7am. We have a transfer with HAL to the airport. Does anyone have any idea what time we should arrive at the airport? Our flight to the UK is not until 6pm and we're hoping we'll have enough time to go back in to Vancouver to see a little of the city before our flight. Otherwise it could be a long and boring wait at the airport!

Thanks for any info.

With HAL transfers, you have to wait until the bus is full -- which might take a while.

By the time you get to the airport, check your luggage and go through security, you may not have as much time as you think -- thus going back into Vancouver and then getting back out to the airport -- I wouldn't risk it.

Have a good lunch and relax.

Do you have a direct transfer to the airport? If so, perhaps you would consider changing it to one that includes sightseeing before taking you to the airport. Something like that is usually for those with flights after 3 PM and you would get a nice view of the Vancouver area.

I believe the Vancouver Airport does not allow check in for flights prior to 4 hours ahead of departure. I took a Celebrity transfer last summer and was at the airport before I was allowed to check in. There is very little seating at the check in area. If I remember correctly I was at the airport by 9AM and my flight was a 2PM.

Time to the airport also depends on day of the week and how many ships are in that day.

Whatever you do I recommend arriving there 2 and 1/2 hours to 3 hours before the flight.

Keith

We did a HAL transfer that also included a city tour because we had a later departing flight. So that is one way of filling out your day. Grayline also does very good tours of the city and surrounding area.

If you can store your luggage, the metro link between downtown and the airport is so easy that you can get around on your own and comfortably get back to the airport too in time for your later flight. When do you think you could check into your flight and get rid of the bags, or find a hotel bell desk close to the port that can store your bags for you, even if you are not a desk? Don't know if they have a bag storage option at the cruise terminal, but Vancouver port people do try to be very accommodating to cruise passengers. .

More info about the metro link between the airport and downtown:

Public Transit

The SkyTrain’s Canada Line provides rapid rail service linking YVR to downtown Vancouver and parts of Richmond. Trains leavthe airport station approximately every seven minutes during most times of the day. There are 16 stops along the line, with downtown Vancouver stops including Yaletown, Vancouver City Centre and Waterfront—the terminus for the line.

The trip from YVR to downtown Vancouver takes only 26 minutes on a two zone fare of $3.75, plus the $5.00 Canada Line YVR AddFare. The YVR AddFare is waived if you have a pre-purchased fare, e.g. a day pass, monthly pass or a Fare Saver ticket. Check the TransLink website for maps, schedules and fare information.

Easy to get back downtown but what will you do with your luggage? doubt you can check it that early

A quick google for 'left luggage YVR' results in: http://www.cdsbaggage.ca/ who have 2 locations at YVR and the Website mentions they have a seasonal location at Canada Place.

Maybe a quick phone call would prove they are still in existance?

If still operating I would consider cancelling the pre booked transfers and using the left luggage depository at Canada Place and then later use Canada Line metro to the airport. Subject ofcourse to the number of bags you have. Metro riders are well used to travellers with suitcases.

Or use the depository at the airport and go back to city on metro.

More info about the metro link between the airport and downtown:

Public Transit

The SkyTrain’s Canada Line provides rapid rail service linking YVR to downtown Vancouver and parts of Richmond. Trains leavthe airport station approximately every seven minutes during most times of the day. There are 16 stops along the line, with downtown Vancouver stops including Yaletown, Vancouver City Centre and Waterfront—the terminus for the line.

The trip from YVR to downtown Vancouver takes only 26 minutes on a two zone fare of $3.75, plus the $5.00 Canada Line YVR AddFare. The YVR AddFare is waived if you have a pre-purchased fare, e.g. a day pass, monthly pass or a Fare Saver ticket. Check the TransLink website for maps, schedules and fare information.

Not sure which website you copied & pasted from, but it's over five years out of date with those prices! While the route hasn't changed, it's now $4.10 for a 2 zone fare (and no need for an AddFare if you are going TO the airport).

OP - cancel the transfer. It will take you when the bus fills, probably arrive around 9-10am depending which disembarkation group you're in, and you'll be stuck unable to check your bags (no more than 4 hrs preflight with any airline) at YVR all day. Yes, as airports go it's a nice one but not that nice!!! Coming back downtown by SkyTrain is cheap & easy, but you've still wasted the time getting out there in the first place, plus the time coming back downtown again - at least 60mins, more likely 75-90 eaten away out of your very limited touring time. Store bags downtown instead.

CDS Baggage do still operate the exclusive pier franchise. Big suitcases cost $8, smaller bags $7. Or hand them over to the Pan Pacific bell staff upstairs from the pier - they charge $5 per bag. Even if you don't like the thought of schlepping bags on SkyTrain, a cab will cost about CAD$35 from pier to airport - basically the same as HALs US$29 PER PERSON fare for their buses. Towncars cost about $70, so about the same price as a cruise transfer for 2... for 4+, a stretch limo is equally affordable!

With your bags stashed at the pier, go enjoy the city and have a nice lunch. Come back for your bags ~3pm and head out to YVR then. Since all the poor schmucks with airport transfers - even the ones with a tour included - will already be at YVR before 2pm, the queues will be MUCH lighter when you roll in at 3:30-4pm. A UK-bound flight is quicker to board than a US-bound (no immigration preclearance) so 2+ hours early at that time of day should be plenty.

Thank you all so much for this information. I'll double check the bag storage options and then make a final decision. Thanks again.