Earliest Flight from Vancouver

[Lml513]

Our ship the Sapphire Princess is scheduled to arrive in Vancouver at 7:30 AM. If we book our own airfare, what is the earliest flight we can safely book?

[captainron]

A lot depends on your day of arrival, If it's Mon-Thur, then you should be going the opposite way from most of the rush hour traffic. That being said, you haven't indicated if you are planning on a cab, airport shuttle, or Princess transfer.

 

If there's more than one ship at Canada Place, then cabs can be at a premium. Best bet is to stand in front of the Pan Pacific Hotel and have the concierge or doorman hail you a cab.

 

I'd recommend nothing earlier than noon for your dep flt from YVR. Once you go ashore you have to find your bags then get in the lineup to go through Canada Customs and Immigration. Cab to the airport I'd count on 45 mins to an hour depending on traffic. Once at YVR you will have to:

a. check in at your airline;

b. proceed through security; then

c. Proceed through US Customs and Immigration (Homeland Security)

 

If you have your self-booked air itinerary confirmed and booked, be sure to talk to the Customer Service Desk onboard and advise them of your flight times to ensure that you get an earlycolour to go ashore.

 

Ciao for now!!!

[cruiseryyc]

Noon would be the absolutely earliest anyone should book their departure from the Vancouver airport.

[DrivesLikeMario]

I agree. YVR can be a night mare at times.

[Atomica]

Sapphire docks here on the weekend. Noon would be the absolute earliest time you'd want to take.

 

Don't plan on taking a cab either - the lineup this past weekend for taxis was absolutely unbelieveable. Follow captainron's advice if you must take a cab, and walk up to the Pan Pacific and have them hail you one.

[wrp96]

Noon if you can use US Direct. 1pm if you aren't able to use US Direct.

 

Use this link to find out if your airline participates in US Direct http://www.portmetrovancouver.com/about/cruiseandtourism/usdirectprocess.aspx