LONG Vancouver layover before flight - suggestions?

[shandean]

I know you guys have seen it all, so I'm reaching out for suggestions...

 

We finish up our cruise on the morning of Sat. 6/20 (I'm guessing around 7AM like other cruises I've been on). I have a feeling that we'll be BEAT after 12 days of activity, and ready to get home. However, our flight to RDU isn't until 11:30PM that night. Was thinking we should get a hotel reserved so that we can check in as soon as they let us (hopefully closer to noon than the usual 3PM!), should we need it. That way we can hang out in the hotel and rest.

 

And if we don't need it, and are feeling full of energy and ready to hit the town for 15 hours, I'll cancel it!

 

I've found a hotel that's somewhat close to the airport that has a free shuttle to the airport and have reserved that. Should we look for a shuttle from the cruise port to the hotel? Or do a cab?

 

Wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and, if so, what did you do to handle the LONG layover?

[Kamloops50]

I know you guys have seen it all, so I'm reaching out for suggestions...

 

We finish up our cruise on the morning of Sat. 6/20 (I'm guessing around 7AM like other cruises I've been on). I have a feeling that we'll be BEAT after 12 days of activity, and ready to get home. However, our flight to RDU isn't until 11:30PM that night. Was thinking we should get a hotel reserved so that we can check in as soon as they let us (hopefully closer to noon than the usual 3PM!), should we need it. That way we can hang out in the hotel and rest.

 

And if we don't need it, and are feeling full of energy and ready to hit the town for 15 hours, I'll cancel it!

 

I've found a hotel that's somewhat close to the airport that has a free shuttle to the airport and have reserved that. Should we look for a shuttle from the cruise port to the hotel? Or do a cab?

 

Wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and, if so, what did you do to handle the LONG layover?

 

The Fairmont at the airport has day rooms for rent. You have to pre book these rooms.

 

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[shandean]

That's a great idea! However, it looks like a rate of $145 for only a 6 hour use of the room. I'm thinking we will need longer than that... and I've found nice rooms for around $130. Would be nice if we could stay there for the 12 hours necessary for that price.

[xlxo]

Some ideas....

• post cruise tours that take your luggage. I think they drop you off at the airport store luggage at airport and then head to Richmond for dinner
  http://vancouvertours.com/tour/pre-cruise-vancouver-city-tour/
  http://vancouvertours.com/tour/post-cruise-sea-to-sky/
  
• drop luggage at Pan Pacific... then catch Grouse Mountain shuttle. Followed by Capilano Suspension bridge on your return. Return to get your luggage after dinner for the airport. Check out this vid for Vancouver highlights.
  

 

[YOUTUBE]txO8VK4LaLQ[/YOUTUBE]

Edited June 4, 2015 by xlxo

[yknot13]

I would suggest finding a room downtown. This will save you time.

Depart the ship as soon as possible.

From Canada Place you can catch a free shuttle to either Grouse mountain or Capalino for the morning then head back downtown.

Otherwise stay downtown for the day, their is so much to see and do.

Then cab out to the airport, if your flight is at 11:30 you should be fine leaving at 8:30 to get to the airport and check in.

We did this on our arrival day and had a fantastic day.

[BCHappyGal]

There is lots to see in Vancouver to fill your day...

 

As soon as you disembark start with the attraction "Fly Over Canada" which is at Canada Place - the dock

then I would head to Grouse Mountain and follow that up with Capilano Suspension Bridge

 

But here are lots of ideas!

Info on Vancouver from a local!

 

My favorite must do attractions are

 

1) Grouse Mountain – http://www.grousemountain.com – this is a wonderful scenic mountain only about 15 mins from downtown Vancouver. Ride the airtram to the top for lots of fun activities that include a loggers show, birds of prey show, 2 movies (1 about the Vancouver area and 1 about the 2 Grizzly Bears who make their home on Grouse Mtn) ride a chair lift higher up the mountain to visit the wind turbine that generates approximately 30% of the power required for Grouse Mountain Resort and visit with 2 live Grizzly Bears. Thrill to a 2 hour Zip Line Tour. Enjoy a meal in any of the restaurants. Caveat only spend the money to go up on a clear day.

2) Capilano Suspension Bridge – http://www.capbridge.com – this is Vancouver’s oldest tourist attraction and I still enjoy visiting it! Located on Capilano Road just before you reach the Grouse Mountain parking lot. Walk across a suspension Bridge over the Capilano Gorge, wonder the trails thru the rain forest, walk thru the treetops on the new Tree Top Adventure, traverse a Cliff Top walk, visit the trading post for a huge selection of souvenirs, watch native weavers and/or carvers at work.

3) Capilano Fish Hatchery is also located on Capilano Road and is a great place to view salmon jumping up the fish ladders to get around the Cleveland Dam. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capilano_River_Regional_Park

4) Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge – http://www.lynncanyon.ca - is also located in North Vancouver and is much less touristy than Capilano but it also is not as spectacular. The bridge is slightly higher above the water but much shorter in span. Located in a Provincial Park this bridge comes with some nice hiking trails and you will find an ecology centre in the park as well as picnic tables and a food concession outlet. Should you choose to enjoy the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge always cross the suspension bridge first and then hike down the trail to the lower (Twin Falls wooden) bridge to cross back over the Lynn Valley River and return to your car – that way you are hiking downhill rather than uphill. It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/ - is the crown jewel of Vancouver's parks. As one of North America's largest urban parks, covering over a 1000 acres and offering an abundance of activities. Enjoy the totem pole collection near the Brockton Point Light House, hiking trails, beaches, water parks for the kids (young & old), rose gardens, miniature train, petting zoo, aquarium –http://www.vanaqua.org – many view points, and several restaurants.

6) Vancouver Aquarium – http://www.vanaqua.org – is Canada’s largest aquarium and is committed to the conservation of marine life and education. Located in Stanley Park this is a fun place for the family to visit.

7) Fly Over Canada incorporates state of the art technology in an Imax theatre to show you supernatural Canada, Fly from coast to coast taking in breath stealing views of Niagara Falls, Lake Louise, The Rockies & more. Spectacular! http://www.flyovercanada.com

8) Gas Town – the location where Vancouver originated. The name is derived from a very colorful character named Gassy Jack who was one of the first settlers in the area and a salon keeper – while in Gas Town don’t miss your photo op with the statue of Gassy Jack and by the Steam Clock.

9) At the start of Gas Town is the Harbor Centre Tower http://www.vancouverlookout.com a great spot to start your tour of Vancouver with a birds eye view of the city. Either take the elevator up to the lookout level or go to the top and enjoy a meal in the revolving restaurant.

10) China Town is only about 6 blocks over from Gas Town and is the largest China Town north of San Francisco. While in China Town enjoy a visit to the Dr Sun Yat Sen Classical Gardens http://www.vancouverchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

11) Granville Island – http://www.granvilleisland.com – is a huge public market area which not only sells fruit & veggies but you can also buy frozen fish to be shipped to your home. Many artists make this their home and you can watch them at work in their studios – making this a great place to buy unique souvenirs. The Granville Island Brewery is also located here and you can stop in for a free tour & tastes. There are theatres for live performances and many fine restaurants. A fun way to get to Granville Island is via the Aquabus – http://www.theaquabus.com

12) Burnaby Village Museum – http://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca – is an open air museum with over 30 restored homes, shops, school, church and a 1912 carousel situated on 10 acres

13) Gulf of Georgia Cannery – http://www.gulfofgeorgiacannery.com – is a restored fishing cannery located in the historic fishing village of Steveston (part of Richmond). Here you see exhibits that showcase the history of the fishing industry in British Columbia. Once finished in the museum it is great fun to walk along the fishing docks and see the fishing boats which are selling their catch. There are also some excellent restaurants located here.

14) The Vancouver Maritime Museum located on the shore of English Bay is fun for the whole family with lots of hands on exhibits for the kid in all of us. Here to you will find the ship St Roch which the RCMP sailed from Vancouver to Halifax via the Northwest Passage and then completed the return journey in 1944. You actually get to tour this ship. http://www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com

15) Queen Elizabeth Park http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/queenelizabeth The 130 acre (52 hectare) park is one of the most beautifully maintained public parks in the world. Second only to Stanley Park in annual visitations, it receives nearly 6 million people a year who marvel at its superior standard of garden plantings.

The park was originally quarried for its rock which served to build Vancouver's first roadways. In 1929 the Board proceeded to acquire the property which had become an abandoned eyesore but still served as the site for two holding reservoirs for the City's drinking water. Dedicated as a park by King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth (the present Queen's mother) on their much lauded visit to Vancouver in 1939.

16) Fort Langley is the restored wooden fort built by the Hudson’s Bay Company as a trading post. It is the origin of British Columbia and was the first capital. This Fort is operated by the Federal Parks Board. http://www.fortlangley.org

17) If you are a wine lover you might want to rent a car and spend a day visiting a few of the many excellent wineries located in the Fraser Valley only about a 1 hour drive from your hotel. Almost all of the wineries offer free tastes & tours. Two of the wineries have excellent restaurants on the premises. This makes for a very fun and relaxing day. Check out the Fraser Valley Wine Association web site for a map of winery locations and a brief description of each winery http://www.fvwa.ca

18) VanDusen Botanical Garden is a scenic 55- acre garden of international renown – a living museum of plants collected from around the world and artistically displayed amidst rolling lawns, woodlands and five tranquil lakes, all in the heart of Vancouver and just 15 minutes from downtown.

Due to Vancouver’s mild climate, plants bloom at the Garden year-round. This same climate creates a unique environment where plants from varying climate regions thrive and grow – at VanDusen you will see plants from the southern hemisphere, tropical areas and the high Arctic tundra along side native species. The Elizabethan Maze (one of only six in North America) provides year-round fun.

19) UBC Botanical Garden located at the University of British Columbia covers 110 acres and includes an Alpine, Asian, Native, Food, and Japanese Gardens. http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org There is also a treetop walk which is great for “fit” explorers who are not afraid of heights – however I would not recommend it for anyone who has any mobility issues. Also these gardens are not as well maintained as I would expect a botanical garden to be!

20) Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Vancouver. The Gastown tour starts in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the statue of Gassy Jack in Gastown. The Downtown tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Olympic Cauldron. The China Town tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Chinese memorial statue. All of these tours start at 11am. The Granville Island Tour starts at 3pm at the bus stop just at the entrance to Granville Island. Check these tours out at http://www.tourguys.ca The Tour Guys have added an afternoon walking tour of Granville Island and 2 evening tours….

21) A new addition I have just found for the FOODIES in the gang! Check out 2 companies that offer food tasting tours http://www.foodietours.ca and http://www.offtheeatentrack.ca – both offer an excellent tour http://www.foodietours.ca visit much more high end restaurants in the heart of the west end of Vancouver while http://www.offtheeatentrack.ca concentrates on more casual eateries in the historic original section of Vancouver! (Gastown)

I just enjoyed Foodietours “Guilty Pleasures Gourmet Tour” and was very impressed with the organization, quality of restaurants & refreshments, guides knowledge of foods and the eateries we were visiting as well as the area we were walking in. Felt it was excellent value for the money provided you did not spend the extra $20. For the alcohol! This company also offers a tasting tour on Granville Island Public Market and of the Vancouver Street Food Carts.

As for Off the Eaten Track - this company offers culinary tasting tours of various areas of Vancouver. This company has now expanded and offers a brunch tour and a dinner tour. I did the Railtown Urban Eats tour and it was Fabulous! This tour would blend well with the free walking tour offered by http://www.tourguys.ca … you could easily do the free walking tour and then meet up with this tour company for this tour for your lunch - the food is plentiful & wonderful you will not leave this tour hungry!

 

 

 

 

 

Vancouver has a bunch of hop-on hop-off buses

 

http://www.vancouverpinkbustours.com/

 

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/tours/hop-on-hop-off

 

http://bigbus.ca/home/

[shandean]

Thanks for your awesome ideas. I will look into these options.

[Putterdude]

In addition to the tours mentioned in an earlier post, which are excellent, there is also the option of a HOHO tour if you feel up to it. You can check your luggage with the luggage checking service at Canada Place who will even transfer if out to YVR for you....all for a fee of course. Or you can take it to the bell desk at the Pan Pacific or the Fairmont Waterfront hotel across the street and with a nice tip ask that they hold it in their lock up....and off you go.

 

My recommendation for people with a short time in Vancouver is a HOHO tour. There are several that operate from in front of or close by Canada Place. My fave is the Vancouver Trolley which operates from Canada Place and offers live narration. When you feel you have had enough sightseeing you return to Canada Place via the HOHO and claim your luggage. At that point you have the option of taking a cab out to YVR for about $35 or taking the Canada Line to YVR station from Waterfront Station which is about a 3 block walk from Canada Place and the fare is $4.

 

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/

[mapleleaves]

Wear yourself out so you'll sleep on the plane !

I'd leave my luggage at the pier (find out how late they're open) then do the HOHO, walk or ride rental bikes along the seawall at Stanley Park for a few hours, visit Grenville Island, for a few hrs, have dinner, then head to the airport.

[shandean]

I was able to find a very reasonable hotel (Sandman Hotel for $150) that has a free shuttle to the airport. The best thing is that they are letting us check in at 8AM, instead of the usual 4PM! Also reserved a car at Alamo for $60 (full size so we can fit all our luggage in). We can get the car right at the terminal and drop it at the airport. This seems to be the way to go for us, as we can have time to rest, as well as a car to do some sightseeing or drive to any activities we decide to do.

 

Now I'll be researching to find things to see or do along the route from the terminal to the airport... or somewhat so.

Edited June 4, 2015 by shandean

[zqvol]

I know you guys have seen it all, so I'm reaching out for suggestions...

 

We finish up our cruise on the morning of Sat. 6/20 (I'm guessing around 7AM like other cruises I've been on). I have a feeling that we'll be BEAT after 12 days of activity, and ready to get home. However, our flight to RDU isn't until 11:30PM that night. Was thinking we should get a hotel reserved so that we can check in as soon as they let us (hopefully closer to noon than the usual 3PM!), should we need it. That way we can hang out in the hotel and rest.

 

And if we don't need it, and are feeling full of energy and ready to hit the town for 15 hours, I'll cancel it!

 

I've found a hotel that's somewhat close to the airport that has a free shuttle to the airport and have reserved that. Should we look for a shuttle from the cruise port to the hotel? Or do a cab?

 

Wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and, if so, what did you do to handle the LONG layover?

 

 

Last summer we were able to check in immediately after leaving the ship and got our room. Don't waste your day in Vancouver even if you are tired. You can always sleep on the longggggggg flight back to RDU.

[martincath]

I was able to find a very reasonable hotel (Sandman Hotel for $150) that has a free shuttle to the airport. The best thing is that they are letting us check in at 8AM, instead of the usual 4PM! Also reserved a car at Alamo for $60 (full size so we can fit all our luggage in). We can get the car right at the terminal and drop it at the airport. This seems to be the way to go for us, as we can have time to rest, as well as a car to do some sightseeing or drive to any activities we decide to do.

 

Now I'll be researching to find things to see or do along the route from the terminal to the airport... or somewhat so.

Not exactly much to see directly en route - it's less than ten miles! But you could deviate from the most direct route just a little and see Queen Elizabeth Park (various attractions inside for no more than the cost of parking, e.g. the Quarry Gardens, plus a pay one - the Bloedel) and Van Dusen botanical gardens (modest fee). QEs gardens may not be *quite* as nice as Butchart, but they are infinitely better value!

 

Wasn't sure which Sandman you booked - there are two very close to each other - so they're both on the above route. Before or after checking in you could also go see the various attractions on and around the UBC campus without having to come back into downtown (more gardens, two museums, even a nude beach if that's your thing...)

 

Another popular place on the south side of town is Steveston village, a rather Ye Olde part of Richmond that looks much more English Seaside than Oriental. The cannery museum here is much, much better than anything I've seen in Alaska.

 

Almost all the above links, and many more, can be found in BCHGs post a few above this one - just repeating here for your convenience.

[Miss Dot]

I was able to find a very reasonable hotel (Sandman Hotel for $150) that has a free shuttle to the airport. The best thing is that they are letting us check in at 8AM, instead of the usual 4PM! Also reserved a car at Alamo for $60 (full size so we can fit all our luggage in). We can get the car right at the terminal and drop it at the airport. This seems to be the way to go for us, as we can have time to rest, as well as a car to do some sightseeing or drive to any activities we decide to do.

 

Now I'll be researching to find things to see or do along the route from the terminal to the airport... or somewhat so.

 

Thank you so much for this thread & now idea! Since our flight was changed to MUCH later we have been trying to decide what to do; was leaning toward HOHO. Now we too are renting a car for the day! Pick up at dock & drop off at airport

[shandean]

Thank you so much for this thread & now idea! Since our flight was changed to MUCH later we have been trying to decide what to do; was leaning toward HOHO. Now we too are renting a car for the day! Pick up at dock & drop off at airport

 

So glad my thread helped someone else! Have a great trip!

[shandean]

Wasn't sure which Sandman you booked

 

It is the Sandman closest to the airport. Gosh, thank you so much for all the great ideas!

[shandean]

even a nude beach if that's your thing...)

 

Might be my husband and 12 year old son's thing! :)

[Kamloops50]

Thank you so much for this thread & now idea! Since our flight was changed to MUCH later we have been trying to decide what to do; was leaning toward HOHO. Now we too are renting a car for the day! Pick up at dock & drop off at airport

 

Vancouver isn't very car friendly. Most attractions are in the downtown core. Parking runs about $10 per hour.

 

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[Putterdude]

Thank you so much for this thread & now idea! Since our flight was changed to MUCH later we have been trying to decide what to do; was leaning toward HOHO. Now we too are renting a car for the day! Pick up at dock & drop off at airport

 

To each their own, however most of us Vancouver types really don't recommend touring the city in a rental car. Unfortunately or fortunately the city some 35 or 40 years ago decided against highways and freeways in favour of transit....but they forgot to implement the transit. Current councils have been closing traffic lanes on streets in favour of bicycles and then throw in the normal summer utilities reconstruction, the general building boom and you have the recipe for grid lock. Parking is often hard to find at attractions and can be expensive.

[shandean]

To each their own, however most of us Vancouver types really don't recommend touring the city in a rental car. Unfortunately or fortunately the city some 35 or 40 years ago decided against highways and freeways in favour of transit....but they forgot to implement the transit. Current councils have been closing traffic lanes on streets in favour of bicycles and then throw in the normal summer utilities reconstruction, the general building boom and you have the recipe for grid lock. Parking is often hard to find at attractions and can be expensive.

 

We've been talking more and more about the day we have in Vancouver, and have decided to venture to Grouse Mtn or Lynn Canyon Park, as opposed to touring around downtown. We have spent time in Vancouver in the past and it's a beautiful city, but we're more 'nature' people. Therefore, a rental car is the way to go for us. We won't have to worry about our luggage and other logistics, and we're on our own schedule.

[xlxo]

I have a feeling that we'll be BEAT after 12 days of activity, and ready to get home. However, our flight to RDU isn't until 11:30PM that night. Was thinking we should get a hotel reserved so that we can check in as soon as they let us (hopefully closer to noon than the usual 3PM!), should we need it. That way we can hang out in the hotel and rest.

 

And if we don't need it, and are feeling full of energy and ready to hit the town for 15 hours, I'll cancel it!

Keep in mind.... after 48 hours stuck on a ship with a sea day.... you want to explore to Vancouver. Go sleep on the plane.

[xlxo]

We've been talking more and more about the day we have in Vancouver, and have decided to venture to Grouse Mtn or Lynn Canyon Park, as opposed to touring around downtown. We have spent time in Vancouver in the past and it's a beautiful city, but we're more 'nature' people. Therefore, a rental car is the way to go for us. We won't have to worry about our luggage and other logistics, and we're on our own schedule.

There is one thing to consider about rental cars with luggage stored inside.... break-in's... especially downtown. I say save your money and store the luggage with cruise terminal or Panny (later pickup) to avoid the stress.

http://vancouver.ca/police/CrimeMaps/tfauto.pdf

 

If you still want a rental.... seriously look at how much luggage you have and decide early if you need a minivan. Minivan will inhale that luggage, but are short supply. Alamo/National is the preferred cruise terminal car rental and they run out of minivan's very early in their small fleet. I find I need book weeks or months in advance at times.

[shandean]

There is one thing to consider about rental cars with luggage stored inside.... break-in's... especially downtown. I say save your money and store the luggage with cruise terminal or Panny (later pickup) to avoid the stress.

http://vancouver.ca/police/CrimeMaps/tfauto.pdf

 

If you still want a rental.... seriously look at how much luggage you have and decide early if you need a minivan. Minivan will inhale that luggage, but are short supply. Alamo/National is the preferred cruise terminal car rental and they run out of minivan's very early in their small fleet. I find I need book weeks or months in advance at times.

 

We will not be downtown, so I think we'll be fine. If by chance there is a break-in, thank goodness for insurance! And we have a full-size car in which all of our luggage should fit. :)

[martincath]

We will not be downtown, so I think we'll be fine. If by chance there is a break-in, thank goodness for insurance! And we have a full-size car in which all of our luggage should fit. :)

xlxo's point remains relevant even if you're not downtown - it's just different police jurisdiction (RCMP are pretty much the only cops outside Vancouver in the whole province). While downtown is more likely to have casual opportunistic break-ins, many of the tourist spots between here and Whistler still have thefts from cars. You'll probably spot warning signs - do pay attention to them. Lock all your luggage in the trunk where it cannot be seen, and do not leave the car unlocked or windows open ever. I also subscribe to the 'leave the glovebox open to show there's nothing in it' theory as well.

 

We do at least have polite thieves - a colleague who moved up from Seattle operated on the 'never lock your doors and never leave anything in the car' principle, having had his car broken into so many times. Replacing broken side windows was costing him money for his deductible too often - this way they try the handle, it opens, they check for stuff, find none, and leave (obviously if they wanted to steal *the car* he was making it easier, but it was a crappy enough car he wasn't worried).

 

First night after he moved to Vancouver he parked downtown same way - and next morning the car door was locked. "Odd," he thinks, "I never lock the door," and when he opens it and gets in he sees a post-it note on the wheel with a note. The note read along the lines of 'I checked your car for stuff to steal. You shouldn't leave it unlocked 'cos druggies will shoot up in the back seat, leave needles, and probably **** their pants too. I'm locking it for you this time. Enjoy Vancouver'

[xlxo]

Replacing broken side windows was costing him money for his deductible too often - this way they try the handle, it opens, they check for stuff, find none, and leave (obviously if they wanted to steal *the car* he was making it easier, but it was a crappy enough car he wasn't worried).

 

First night after he moved to Vancouver he parked downtown same way - and next morning the car door was locked. "Odd," he thinks, "I never lock the door," and when he opens it and gets in he sees a post-it note on the wheel with a note. The note read along the lines of 'I checked your car for stuff to steal. You shouldn't leave it unlocked 'cos druggies will shoot up in the back seat, leave needles, and probably **** their pants too. I'm locking it for you this time. Enjoy Vancouver'

Yep... I sometimes drive for people and a previous driver left the doors unlocked. The next morning we found a few homeless comfortably sleeping inside one vehicle... I think one felt to was too cold to go outside to relieve himself. I'm quit on the spot.

[xlxo]

One other thing about rental cars.... try to demand the reservation has a "local" license plate. Thieves will look for out of province plates to target as they often contain valuables nice packed with a handle to quickly remove from vehicles.