Canada Place - YVR transportation ??

We (4 adults one toddler) will be arriving from a cruise into Canada Place and will not have a carseat with us. Will we have any problems using a taxi for this, also are their van type taxi's available too :confused:

Not interested in the SkyTrain with toddler & luggage ;)

There's an exemption in Canadian law where you are not required to use a car seat when taking a taxi. If you really don't want to take a taxi with your kid not strapped into a car seat, you could consider the cruise ship's airport transfer (since it will be by bus).

Another vote for taxi.... taxi's are classified as "professional drivers" so they are exempt for car seat requirements.

Depending on how much luggage you have... you might need to split the party across two vehicles or wait for the high demand luggage friendly minivan.

I agree the subway is not the best choice with luggage. Budget $35 for the carload.

As mentioned you don't need a car seat for taxi or limo transfer - all buses, whether public transit or chartered coaches, are also exempt from car seat requirements as long as the driver is a paid professional.

5 of you will need a van taxi - almost every other local taxi is a prius which will in theory seat 4 adults but unless you travel very, very light not have room for your suitcases as well. No additional charges, but a small % of our fleet and they are the only ones fit for wheelchair users - depending how many ships the day you arrive, how many larger groups, how many wheelchair users there may be notably more demand for the minivan cabs so factor in a long potential wait.

If time is a factor for getting your flight, three suggestions spring to mind - take 2 regular cabs; send some of your party by Skytrain while the toddler-wranglers wait for a regular cab; take a limo (comparable in price to 2 cabs but a fixed price - 6 pax vehicle would be $77+5%+tip where a regular metered cab is around $35+tip to airport).

There's an exemption in Canadian law where you are not required to use a car seat when taking a taxi. If you really don't want to take a taxi with your kid not strapped into a car seat, you could consider the cruise ship's airport transfer (since it will be by bus).

We're using RCI bus transfers on arrival into YVR to get to Canada Place...just thought it might be better to use a taxi to get back to the airport. Our flight home doesn't leave until 1:15pm and usually those shuttle buses get you to the airport a bit early..would rather not to have to rush on their timeframe.

As mentioned you don't need a car seat for taxi or limo transfer - all buses, whether public transit or chartered coaches, are also exempt from car seat requirements as long as the driver is a paid professional.

 

5 of you will need a van taxi - almost every other local taxi is a prius which will in theory seat 4 adults but unless you travel very, very light not have room for your suitcases as well. No additional charges, but a small % of our fleet and they are the only ones fit for wheelchair users - depending how many ships the day you arrive, how many larger groups, how many wheelchair users there may be notably more demand for the minivan cabs so factor in a long potential wait.

 

If time is a factor for getting your flight, three suggestions spring to mind - take 2 regular cabs; send some of your party by Skytrain while the toddler-wranglers wait for a regular cab; take a limo (comparable in price to 2 cabs but a fixed price - 6 pax vehicle would be $77+5%+tip where a regular metered cab is around $35+tip to airport).

Thank you so very much...lots of helpful info :)

Another vote for taxi.... taxi's are classified as "professional drivers" so they are exempt for car seat requirements.

 

Depending on how much luggage you have... you might need to split the party across two vehicles or wait for the high demand luggage friendly minivan.

 

I agree the subway is not the best choice with luggage. Budget $35 for the carload.

Thanks so much...and glad you agree with the Skytrain...exactly what I thought with luggage & toddler and we do all want to stay together but taking two taxi's will be no big deal...just didn't want some to take taxi and some Skytrain..

We're using RCI bus transfers on arrival into YVR to get to Canada Place...just thought it might be better to use a taxi to get back to the airport. Our flight home doesn't leave until 1:15pm and usually those shuttle buses get you to the airport a bit early..would rather not to have to rush on their timeframe.

If you can cancel the transfers do so - you'll save almost enough to pay for 2 cabs each way! Unless RCI have hugely cut their transfer rates (cruiseline transfers have generally been $29 a person, with some going as high as $39), while fixed rate cabs inbound are $35+tip. If you can find a minivan cab on the way in you can take two metered cabs on the way back, hit bad traffic, and still end up ahead of the game...

If you can cancel the transfers do so - you'll save almost enough to pay for 2 cabs each way! Unless RCI have hugely cut their transfer rates (cruiseline transfers have generally been $29 a person, with some going as high as $39), while fixed rate cabs inbound are $35+tip. If you can find a minivan cab on the way in you can take two metered cabs on the way back, hit bad traffic, and still end up ahead of the game...

I haven't booked the transfers yet so no problem...but was just considering it. It's $37.00pp...sounds like I should just use a taxi to get us to Canada place...are the minivan cabs more expensive or just the same as a regular taxi ?

I haven't booked the transfers yet so no problem...but was just considering it. It's $37.00pp...sounds like I should just use a taxi to get us to Canada place...are the minivan cabs more expensive or just the same as a regular taxi ?

Same price by law - a cab is a cab is a cab, doesn't matter the size or the company operating it. Every cab company in the area uses the exact same metered rates - and of course now that it's fixed-rate inbound from YVR you don't even have any variability due to traffic, it will be exactly $35+tip to Canada Place. Since you want to leave downtown a little later on the way back you might actually get a metered fare slightly less than that as you can avoid rush hour entirely.

Same price by law - a cab is a cab is a cab, doesn't matter the size or the company operating it. Every cab company in the area uses the exact same metered rates - and of course now that it's fixed-rate inbound from YVR you don't even have any variability due to traffic, it will be exactly $35+tip to Canada Place. Since you want to leave downtown a little later on the way back you might actually get a metered fare slightly less than that as you can avoid rush hour entirely.

Thank you so very much you have been so helpful...traveling with a toddler (our 19 month old grandson and family) gives us more to think about and consider than when there is just the two of us.

We'll be staying at The Moda Hotel for two nights post cruise. Is a cab still the best option to get to YVR or would the SkyTrain work? 4 adults with luggage. Thanks!

We'll be staying at The Moda Hotel for two nights post cruise. Is a cab still the best option to get to YVR or would the SkyTrain work? 4 adults with luggage. Thanks!

Four is tricky in a cab with luggage - if it's a minivan, no problem, but if it's the vast majority of vehicles (Prius) there's no way you'll fit in one vehicle.

Cabs TO the airport are also no fixed rate - meter will probably be around $30-35 per cab (same fee regardless of vehicle type).

Skytrain is 6 min walk from the Moda, similar on the other end to get from the train to the terminals - Google has up-to-date transit info, directions here.

There is plenty of space for even large suitcases on the Canada Line, with lots of legroom and underseat storage and level platforms you can roll suitcases on and off the train. Cost is $4pp (unless you're going after 6:30pm in which case it's only $2.75pp).

So helpful, martincath! Thank you! Canada Line - is that the SkyTrain?

So helpful, martincath! Thank you! Canada Line - is that the SkyTrain?

Yes - it's the Skytrain line that goes to the airport. Like pretty much every city in the world with multiple light rail lines, they have names to ensure you go to the right stations - and use the right platforms for the stations with multiple lines. They're all Skytrain, but only the Canada Line goes to the airport.

Vancouver City Centre only has the Canada Line, but it's worth noting that the same underground mall runs from it to Granville station, through which the other Skytrain lines run. Signs do specify which station but it's best to be aware so you don't just see 'Skytrain' and assume it's the correct one without looking for more info on the sign.

In short you should always use the terminology Canada Line, or Canada Line Skytrain, to ensure that you don't get sent to the wrong place by a helpful local if you ask for directions.

We'll be staying at The Moda Hotel for two nights post cruise. Is a cab still the best option to get to YVR or would the SkyTrain work? 4 adults with luggage. Thanks!

Four is tricky in a cab with luggage - if it's a minivan, no problem, but if it's the vast majority of vehicles (Prius) there's no way you'll fit in one vehicle.

 

Skytrain is 6 min walk from the Moda, similar on the other end to get from the train to the terminals - Google has up-to-date transit info, directions here.

 

There is plenty of space for even large suitcases on the Canada Line, with lots of legroom and underseat storage and level platforms you can roll suitcases on and off the train. Cost is $4pp (unless you're going after 6:30pm in which case it's only $2.75pp).

• from that hotel I recommend the cab option... let dispatch know how much luggage you have and how many passengers. They can decide to send you a van vs two cabs for the $35 carload.
  
• From the VCC station going to the airport... it will not be easy to get a seat or space for heavy luggage travellers on a busy train. You might have to fight your way on board with other locals trying to get past your luggage during the trip.
  

Dear Vancouverites!

Been reading a few notes on the Translink fare for Skytrain and just trying to clarify what I'm reading:

YVR to Canada Place is a 2-zone fare Mon-Fri before 630pm but a 1-zone after 630pm and on weekends?

So...for two adults and a senior paying at the fare machines (and getting hit by the YVR Addfare one-way. Both trips on weekends):

From YVR 7.75+7.75+6.75=22.25

To yvr 2.75+2.75+1.75= 7.25

Total $29.50

But I'm seeing some suggestions to go to a store in YVR and buy a book of ten 1-zone tix for $21. We'll only use 6 tix for the three people there and back but save $8.95. :)

Is this still a valid deal?

Dear Vancouverites!

 

Been reading a few notes on the Translink fare for Skytrain and just trying to clarify what I'm reading:

 

YVR to Canada Place is a 2-zone fare Mon-Fri before 630pm but a 1-zone after 630pm and on weekends?

 

So...for two adults and a senior paying at the fare machines (and getting hit by the YVR Addfare one-way. Both trips on weekends):

 

From YVR 7.75+7.75+6.75=22.25

To yvr 2.75+2.75+1.75= 7.25

Total $29.50

 

But I'm seeing some suggestions to go to a store in YVR and buy a book of ten 1-zone tix for $21. We'll only use 6 tix for the three people there and back but save $8.95. :)

 

Is this still a valid deal?

Yes. Good job on the research and arithmetic! The loss of the senior discount is more than offset by avoiding the AddFare. Both pharmacies are FareSaver ticket dealers.

You can also give away the remaining tix for karma, or ask for donations of face value or less from fellow cruisers (just don't do it around the stations lest ye be accused of selling on used tickets which is verboten)

Thanks. First time I've been complimented on my math. :-)

Is it $21 for the tix straight, or is there HST on top? (and btw, what is the HST percentage in BC?)

Thanks again.

Dear Vancouverites!

 

YVR to Canada Place is a 2-zone fare Mon-Fri before 630pm but a 1-zone after 630pm and on weekends?

 

So...for two adults and a senior paying at the fare machines (and getting hit by the YVR Addfare one-way. Both trips on weekends):

 

From YVR 7.75+7.75+6.75=22.25

To yvr 2.75+2.75+1.75= 7.25

Total $29.50

 

But I'm seeing some suggestions to go to a store in YVR and buy a book of ten 1-zone tix for $21. We'll only use 6 tix for the three people there and back but save $8.95. :)

 

Is this still a valid deal?

• In general fare saver tickets need 8 or 9 rides to break-even.
  
• having fare saver tickets saves you the yvr surcharge
  
• Senior discount needs to be 65 or older. Bring proof of age if you get challenged by security. Note the senior can ride with an adult ticket. You just paying a little more, but it means you don't need to get a separate ticket book for them.
  
• Or is a $35 taxi carload easier that includes door to door luggage service.
  

There is no longer a HST in BC - the citizens voted to repeal it and return to the previous system which is - we have the 5% federal GST on most goods and services and a 7% provincial sales tax on most goods. When we had the HST it was 12% on just about everything.

Public transportation is exempt form the GST and PST.

Hope this answers your question.

Cheers!

Dennis

This might be alittle off topic but what would be the best way to get from hotel near YUL to the port of Montreal. We are old and can't drag our bags all over the place on public transportation. Thx.

This might be alittle off topic but what would be the best way to get from hotel near YUL to the port of Montreal. We are old and can't drag our bags all over the place on public transportation. Thx.

Posting to the Anything Montreal thread would get more info quicker, what with Vancouver being c. three thousand miles west not many folks will be browsing this thread looking for Qs about Montreal!

However you're in luck since you've discounted transit your options are now very, very simple: taxi or limo. Direct from hotel you're metered in cabs, traffic is notorious so fare could be anything from CAD$40-60, and you'd also have to negotiate with limo companies for a rate.

If, like most hotels, there is a shuttle you can go back to YUL and get a cab or limo from there at a fixed rate. Cabs are all CAD$40, limos are CAD$55 or 60 depending on luxuriousness (towncars the former, actual limos the latter).

Thanks. First time I've been complimented on my math. :-)

 

Is it $21 for the tix straight, or is there HST on top? (and btw, what is the HST percentage in BC?)

$21 all in.

Just remember to validate your tickets in the machine before heading to the platform. The validation machines (on Canada Line) are stainless steel boxes about 30cm x 30cm.

Thanks to all the Vancouverites who answered my Faresaver Qs. Thanks for reminding me about validating the tix. Just like the validation system on York Region Transit in Markham. Insert the ticket and it spits it back out stamped with a time, right?

Also: heading back to YVR on the Canada Line...we have to make sure the Skytrain actually says YVR on the front as alternating trains head to Richmond, correct?

Can't wait to see beautiful BC again. Too bad this cruise doesn't have a stop in Victoria.