Vancouver answers from a Vancouverite

[scottbee]

Originally Posted by movingimages

Opinions on whether we should bring some Canadian currency?
We'll be in Victoria for one day (cruise ship port) and staying in Vancouver 2 nights, departing from airport for return to U.S. Will need to use transportation.

Just take what you need out of a bank machine when you arrive.

[Putterdude]

Originally Posted by movingimages

Opinions on whether we should bring some Canadian currency?
We'll be in Victoria for one day (cruise ship port) and staying in Vancouver 2 nights, departing from airport for return to U.S. Will need to use transportation.

You will find that almost all retailers, services, and taxis in both Vancouver and Victoria will accept $US. If you were just in Canada for a few hours I would be inclined to say don't bother getting $CDN, however given the amount of time you are spending here you may find it convenient to get a little Canadian funds. One of the issues you could encounter is exchange rates, right now the the $CDN is worth 1.25 cents more than the $US but a merchant might charge you 5 cents exchange or more. Another thing you will find is that if you do use $US you will likely get your change in CDN. At the end of the day, it really comes down to a courtesy matter.

[em-sk]

Originally Posted by Putterdude

Yes, this has been dicussed in a number of threads if you do a search. Remember though if you do the Amtrac Bus it is a bus and not the train. Evidently there is only one train in either direction each day. So you may want to do some checking on priceing from other bus lines or shuttles. Here is a website that I have copied from the Port of Vancouver's web site: http://www.quickcoach.com/ and they will take you right to the cruise ship terminal thus saving cab fares when you get to Vancouver.

I belive they switched to two reaql trains a day. However the others are on a bus.

[Putterdude]

Originally Posted by em-sk

I belive they switched to two reaql trains a day. However the others are on a bus.

Wow, I am not sure you went back to find that post but, yes, they have been offering two trains in each directions for a couple of years now. However, late this winter they did remove some of the cars for maintenance and substituted cars that did not have business class available. Perhaps someone like Ut or Zephyr 17 can fill in the blank as to when these cars are expected back.

[em-sk]

Originally Posted by Putterdude

Wow, I am not sure you went back to find that post but, yes, they have been offering two trains in each directions for a couple of years now. However, late this winter they did remove some of the cars for maintenance and substituted cars that did not have business class available. Perhaps someone like Ut or Zephyr 17 can fill in the blank as to when these cars are expected back.

I did not go back. But have done the train between Vancouver and Seattle a couple of times over the years. Nice trip.

[Putterdude]

Originally Posted by em-sk

I did not go back. But have done the train between Vancouver and Seattle a couple of times over the years. Nice trip.

Sorry, that particular post of mine was #9 in this thread and was made on 2/27/08. That is more than 4 years ago and that is going back.

[movingimages]

Originally Posted by Putterdude

You will find that almost all retailers, services, and taxis in both Vancouver and Victoria will accept $US. If you were just in Canada for a few hours I would be inclined to say don't bother getting $CDN, however given the amount of time you are spending here you may find it convenient to get a little Canadian funds. One of the issues you could encounter is exchange rates, right now the the $CDN is worth 1.25 cents more than the $US but a merchant might charge you 5 cents exchange or more. Another thing you will find is that if you do use $US you will likely get your change in CDN. At the end of the day, it really comes down to a courtesy matter.

Thanks Putterdude and Scottbee. I researched and found that the cost to convert currency at home is about the same as an ATM fee, so I'll just get some in Vancouver at the bank machine and reduce the amount of cash I need to carry pre-BC. I would like to be courteous.

[Putterdude]

Originally Posted by movingimages

Thanks Putterdude and Scottbee. I researched and found that the cost to convert currency at home is about the same as an ATM fee, so I'll just get some in Vancouver at the bank machine and reduce the amount of cash I need to carry pre-BC. I would like to be courteous.

If you have any left over, just leave it in an envelope with my name on it at the front desk and I will look after it until you come back.

[burtie]

Hi,
This subject has probably already been discussed, but I do not feel like looking through all of the pages so am taking a short cut asking again.
We are taking a cruise on Princess departing from Canada Place and am wondering about available long term parking in that area. The last time we cruised out of Vancouver, we parked at a place that was a few blocks south of the pier and they bussed us to the pier, but I cant remember the name of the lot.
I am looking for any information.
Thanks,
Burtie

[Putterdude]

I believe the lot that you are referring to was just a bit east of Canada Place and was a surface lot. It is now closed and the parking is at Canada Place and operated by Vinci Parking...it is expensive, about $185 for a week.

If arriving a day before your cruise there are a couple of hotels that offer Stay & Park packages including the Hampton Inn on Robson St., Best Western - Downtown on Drake and the Coast Plaza on Denman & Comox.

Another alternative would be a hotel out by the airport. The Accent Hotel people operate properties both by the airport and in Burnaby that offer Stay & Park packages with a shuttle to the pier.

Last but not least you could park your car at the economy lot at the airport and catch the Canada Line into Waterfront Station which is about 3 blocks from Canada Place.

http://www.vinciparkcanadaplace.ca/

[burtie]

Putterdude,
Thank you VERY MUCH! I'll check them out.
Burtie

[burtie]

Just wanted to let you know what I found out--parking at Canada Place for 14 days was $347.21. Two rooms, parking, transfers for 4 to Canada Place and transfers for 4 back to hotel totaled $307.32. This is for a hotel at the airport and/or one in Burnaby.
Thanks again for the info.
Burtie

[Putterdude]

Well when you spread the cost over 4 people you don't save a ton and you have to weigh that against the convenience of having your car a Canada Place and being able to leave directly from the ship....but then again it depends whose $40 it is. Just grist for the mill.

[Putterdude]

Oops, just dawned on me coming from Spokane you were likely going to need two rooms anyway....so it was a bit like hitting the jackpot for you....I think.

[burtie]

Yes, it was a good savings, well over $100 THANKS to YOU!!!
Thanks again,
Burtie

[ollinolli]

Help ! can you tell me do you use american dollars in Vancouver or will i need to get Canadian dollars for using on the busses etc ?

[Putterdude]

In Vancouver we do not use $US as it is not legal currency in Canada however it is widely accepted by merchants and services as a courtesy to visitors. About the only place you can't use it is on transit. If you are going to be in the city for any length of time you would be advised to get some $CDN when you get here either by exchanging your $US at a Canadian bank or at one of their ATMs.

[mimisandy45]

Putterdude:

We will be taking the coastal cruise from Vancouver on 9/29/12. We will be coming into town on the 27th and need information about possible hotels. We would like to be closer to town, but so far the amount is too much for us. I am looking for suggestions. Right now, we have booked an airport hotel (Best Western airport on Bridgeport Rd.) and plan to use the sky train for transportation downtown since we only have 1 day to spend in the downtown area. Does this sound feasible? Do you know what the cost for sky train is? Do you have any suggestions? We planned to ride the HOHO all day Fri. the 30th. It seems to go pretty many places. We have never spent time in Vancouver and have just begun to research. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Sandy

[scottbee]

Originally Posted by mimisandy45

We will be taking the coastal cruise from Vancouver on 9/29/12. We will be coming into town on the 27th and need information about possible hotels. We would like to be closer to town, but so far the amount is too much for us. I am looking for suggestions. Right now, we have booked an airport hotel (Best Western airport on Bridgeport Rd.) and plan to use the sky train for transportation downtown since we only have 1 day to spend in the downtown area. Does this sound feasible? Do you know what the cost for sky train is? Do you have any suggestions? We planned to ride the HOHO all day Fri. the 30th. It seems to go pretty many places. We have never spent time in Vancouver and have just begun to research. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Skytrain from Bridgeport station will be $3.75 into downtown (two zones). For not much more than a couple of rides, you could buy a day pass for $9 (good on Skytrain/Bus/Seabus), which would get you everywhere the HoHo goes, plus a lot more (like QE park, the UBC Grounds/Museums, and Capilano/Grouse Mountain).

Another area that's an option for hotels is listed as the 'city hall' area, Broadway and Cambie, just south of downtown, and also on the Canada Line Skytrain line from the airport.

[mimisandy45]

Scottbee: Wow! Thanks for the tips. Those were good ideas. I'll get right on it.

Sandy