Vancouver Airport and Transfers

[damiross]

As an aviation enthusiast, I would like to be able to take some pictures of the aircraft at Vancouver Airport (YVR).

 

We have a transfer through Princess to the docks from YVR. Do we have to go through customs and then go immediately to the van or can we wait an hour or two before the transfer? Our light arrives at 11:30 a.m. The ship departs at 4:30 p.m.

[Colo Cruiser]

As an aviation enthusiast, I would like to be able to take some pictures of the aircraft at Vancouver Airport (YVR).

 

We have a transfer through Princess to the docks from YVR. Do we have to go through customs and then go immediately to the van or can we wait an hour or two before the transfer? Our light arrives at 11:30 a.m. The ship departs at 4:30 p.m.

 

The Princess reps will be meeting incoming flights all day.

You should check in with them and advise them of your plans.

[bigenna]

Too bad you have already booked the transfer. It is so easy to just hop on the skytrain right at the airport and go to waterfront station, right at the cruise terminal. Only takes about

half an hour and then you could go when you want.

Edited July 31, 2014 by bigenna

[NukeIT]

Was going to suggest heading to the Flying Beaver. Where you can sit front row and watch the sea planes land and take off.

 

 

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[cruisequeen4ever]

Check in with Princess and tell them what you want to do. They will likely warn you of the approximate time the last bus will depart and that they won't be responsible for you if you don't show up in time because you chose to delay your transfer. Then, go enjoy yourself but be back at the meeting point at least an hour before the deadline to be safe. Remember that although the ship sails at 4:30, all aboard is usually an hour and a half before that on embarkation day, so the last transfer may leave the airport around 2:00. Good luck from one aviation enthusiast to another!

 

 

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[skf]

Too bad you have already booked the transfer

If you decide on something other than a Princess transfer it should only take a phone call to cancel it. Give it a try, the worst that can happen is their feelings get hurt.

[LovesCruising]

we took a cab in the opp direction - cruise port to the airport and it was $30 for the 4 of us

[dougypk]

As an aviation enthusiast, I would like to be able to take some pictures of the aircraft at Vancouver Airport (YVR).

 

We have a transfer through Princess to the docks from YVR. Do we have to go through customs and then go immediately to the van or can we wait an hour or two before the transfer? Our light arrives at 11:30 a.m. The ship departs at 4:30 p.m.

 

Depending on how long it takes to get through customs taking an hour (but probably not two) before getting on the bus should be fine. If everything is on time you could probably just skip checking in with the greeter, go do your thing, then come back and say you were being interviewed by customs the whole time. ;) Princess will have buses going to the ship all afternoon and most folks are trying to get there as fast as possible, so you won't be upsetting the system.

 

Alternatively, if you're comfortable carrying your own luggage for a few blocks then as another poster noted it's crazy-easy to use the train to get from the airport to the port (about $9 each, note the trains can get full during the journey but you'll be getting on at the first stop and getting off at the last). The walking path to the ship's check-in isn't well marked but go to the car entrance to the Cruise Terminal and use the walkway on the left... it leads down to parking and bus & taxi drop-off area with big signs saying "Cruise ships this way". Here's a picture, don't go UP the stairs use the walkway beside them to go down--> Google Maps photo of entrance to Cruise Port Check-in

 

You'll want to be getting on the train say 2 hours before all-aboard, that's one hour for train plus walking to the port, so that you're checking in one hour in advance. You don't want to cut it much tighter in case something goes wrong (trains break down and you have to catch a cab, etc.).

 

Here's something to whet your appetite. I can't think of a way to get to this park and back to the terminal without a car but maybe you're more clever than I. Clicky Link: YVR's Flight Path Park

 

And if float planes are good enough for you the ship has a view of CXH. Its control tower is the only one in Canada that doesn't have any runways (random fact). You'll see float planes taking off and landing every 15-20 minutes or so flying passengers to Vancouver Island. Sadly the view of landings and take-offs is better from the west side of Canada Place and Princess usually docks on the east side, but you can still watch them on final (and listen if you bring a scanner). The harbour is chock full of boats going every which way on a sunny day and it's amazing to watch the float planes "thread the needle" during take-off and avoid all the FOD (aka pleasure craft).

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

 

Doug from Vancouver

Edited August 2, 2014 by dougypk

[dougypk]

...one more possibility: Little known fact is that using the SkyTrain between stations on the airport is FREE, and supposedly Templeton Station is not a bad place for plane-spotting (disclaimer: I've never gotten off at that station so I can't vouch for the viewing).

 

If your travel partner wants to stay in the terminal with the luggage and maybe have a bite or a pint, you could easily ride the train to Templeton and come back 45 minutes later. Getting to the train is easy: once you're finally spit out of the secure customs area into the general terminal, keep walking forward through the doors, once outside cross the two roads (there's crosswalks) to the parking structure and then take the elevator to the top. The train is right there and it runs every 12 minutes.

 

Templeton Station is adjacent to the employee parking lot and not much else.

 

 

Doug