vancouver luggage storage at train station

[OC PAT]

Hi, we will be cruising on the Coral Princess leaving from Anchorage to Vancouver arriving on 5/31/14. We will be taking the evening train to Seattle. We do not want to rent a car. Does the train station have a luggage storage? Can anyone help us with the logistics? We wanted to tour Vancouver via the trolley. Should we store at the Canada Place and then do our thing, coming back for our luggage or go to the train station right away and store the luggage there (if they have such a thing) and then sight see? The ship tours end up at the airport so that's out. Appreciate your help and advise.

OC Pat

[OC PAT]

Anyone?

[mapleleaves]

I know that the Seattle station will hold luggage for passengers. So I looked at the Amtrak web site and it indicates there is storage at the Vancouver station:

 

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=am/am2Station/Station_Page&code=VAC

Edited January 3, 2014 by mapleleaves

[Cruise_More_Often]

We did this last May after our Alaska cruise. We stored our luggage at Canada Place (it's right before you exit the building to catch a taxi), toured for the day and returned just before they closed to retrieve our luggage and catch a taxi right outside the door to the train station.

 

We felt it was much simpler than heading to the train station and then back into downtown Vancouver, then back out to the train station in the afternoon. Plus, we felt the luggage was more secure at Canada Place than sitting at the train station.

Edited January 4, 2014 by Cruise_More_Often

[scottbee]

There is some storage at the train station in Vancouver. I however would call to confirm the hours, as the VIA website only lists hours for Canadian destination trains.

 

http://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/stations/rockies-and-pacific/vancouver

[keiko618]

We did this last May after our Alaska cruise. We stored our luggage at Canada Place (it's right before you exit the building to catch a taxi), toured for the day and returned just before they closed to retrieve our luggage and catch a taxi right outside the door to the train station.

 

We felt it was much simpler than heading to the train station and then back into downtown Vancouver, then back out to the train station in the afternoon. Plus, we felt the luggage was more secure at Canada Place than sitting at the train station.

 

What was the service charge?

[OC PAT]

First of all sorry that I posted the question in the Alaska site. Brain fart. Second I am please that we can leave the luggage at Canada Place. I feel safer that way. Appreciate everyone's help.

[mapleleaves]

From the Port web site. Call Priority Baggage for specifics.

 

<<< Baggage Storage

Baggage handling is worry-free. Baggage can be checked upon arrival with the longshore staff at the cruise terminal for direct delivery to the passenger's cabin. Longshore staff begin receiving baggage at 10:30am. Passengers disembarking in Vancouver are able to claim their baggage in the Customs area in the terminal. Complimentary, individual baggage carts are readily available. Priority Baggage provides storage services at Canada Place only and can be reached at 604-683-3696. See Priority Baggage to learn more. For security reasons, short-term baggage storage is available to cruise passengers only. Storage services are not available at Ballantyne terminal.>>>

[OC PAT]

One concern resolved.

[pizzalady1]

We disembarked at Canada Place in 2012, took a taxi to the train station and they did, if fact, store our luggage. I believe it was $4 per piece. We spent the day at Granville Island and got back to the station around 4pm. We retrieved our luggage and had it with us while we stood in line for the train. We were given our seat assignments then went to board, and the train porters took our luggage from us. Very easy. We plan on doing the same thing this May.

[zephyr17]

Via will store luggage for the Amtrak Cascades, although you cannot check it with them. You must retrieve it from Via and check it with Amtrak during the boarding process. It is CAD 4 per bag.

[OC PAT]

What is VIA?

Do we need Canadian currency or will US be accepted?

Having never been to lovely Vancouver what does the group think should we store our luggage or at the port or train station? We will be doing sightseeing via the trolley during the day. Again, thanks to all for your advise.

[Vexorg]

VIA is the Canadian rail line that operates out of the station in Vancouver. When we arrived in Vancouver and took the evening train last year we stored luggage at Canada Place. It tends to be a bit of a line during disembarkation, but it wasn't too bad. Just note that they only stay open until 4, so you need to arrange to pick up your bags before then.

[zephyr17]

Via Rail Canada is Canada's national passenger rail service, similar to Amtrak in the US. Via staffs the station at Vancouver. I don't know if they accept American currency, but they do take credit cards for the service charge.

 

The Via baggage day check in Vancouver station is open until the evening Amtrak Cascades (train 517) leaves.

Edited January 7, 2014 by zephyr17

[OC PAT]

So VIA and the Amtrack Cascade are basically the same service just different names for different countries, right? It must be the cold getting to my slow moving brain.

[zephyr17]

So VIA and the Amtrack Cascade are basically the same service just different names for different countries, right? It must be the cold getting to my slow moving brain.

 

Amtrak and Via are entirely different, Amtrak contracts for some services from Via at Vancouver, since it uses Via's station and Amtrak has no station staff there. Via runs its own train, the Canadian, to Toronto from Vancouver.

 

Amtrak is entirely responsible for the operation of the Amtrak Cascades under contract with the State of Washington. Via Rail has nothing to do with the operation of the train, other than hosting it in Vancouver. It is run by American Amtrak crews based in Seattle all the way to Vancouver.

Edited January 8, 2014 by zephyr17