First-timer Vancouver Hotel & Ground Transportation

[Steve in Omaha]

We're flying to Vancouver on a Sunday and our Norwegian cruise leaves the next day. I realize the hotel we chose will somewhat determine ground transportation options. The cruise company is arranging our flights so I don't know what time we arrive.

 

HOTEL - We are accustomed to $150-ish rooms. We're there for 1 night, so we don't need to sleep where the Queen does. What are some good hotel options? Should it be close to the cruise terminal, or is that not important? Do any hotels offer complimentary transportation to the terminal?

 

GROUND TRANSPORTATION - Is it worthwhile to have a hotel on the train line? How easy is the walk from the terminal's train station to actually board the ship? Besides a taxi, is Uber or some other company a viable option? Both from the airport to a hotel, and from the hotel to the cruise terminal.

 

Are there other hotel or transportation options that I'm not thinking of?  Thanks for any help you can offer!

[martincath]

2 hours ago, Steve in Omaha said:

We're flying to Vancouver on a Sunday and our Norwegian cruise leaves the next day. I realize the hotel we chose will somewhat determine ground transportation options. The cruise company is arranging our flights so I don't know what time we arrive.

 

HOTEL - We are accustomed to $150-ish rooms. We're there for 1 night, so we don't need to sleep where the Queen does. What are some good hotel options? Should it be close to the cruise terminal, or is that not important? Do any hotels offer complimentary transportation to the terminal?

 

GROUND TRANSPORTATION - Is it worthwhile to have a hotel on the train line? How easy is the walk from the terminal's train station to actually board the ship? Besides a taxi, is Uber or some other company a viable option? Both from the airport to a hotel, and from the hotel to the cruise terminal.

 

Are there other hotel or transportation options that I'm not thinking of?  Thanks for any help you can offer!

First off, just in case you haven't checked the small-print for your combo of cruise & flights, make very sure you are not paying for transfers already airport-hotel and hotel-pier! If it turns out you are - cancel them! They are insanely overpriced by every single line here in Vancouver given the short distances, fixed rate cabs from airport, and most downtown hotels being within a mile or so to the pier. Even if 'we' are just a couple, you can find up to CAD$150 'free' money by transporting yourselves around locally compared to the cruiseline packaged transfers - almost doubling your hotel budget right there!

 

Often the cheapest modern hotel anywhere in the region is also one of the best-reviewed at ANY pricepoint - the YWCA Hotel in Yaletown. But even it can easily exceed CAD$250 a night for a double/twin room with private bath in cruise season! Airport hotels tend to run similar or pricier than the Y; anything downtown that isn't very, very basic (like no elevators, no A/C basic) is always going to be pricier than the Y except in very rare circumstances.

 

If the Ys sold out, and you do want some Mod Cons, likely an airport hotel is your best bet - even if not super close to SkyTrain, all the airport hotels have shuttles and you can ask to be dropped at the train instead of the airport for heading to the pier next day. Canada Line to the airport easily handles bags - and if you can walk from the baggage claim to the curb, you can also walk from Waterfront to the pier it really is negligibly different, under a quarter of a mile. Just remember that you shouldn't block the aisles with bags - slide big ones under the seats, and the very generous legroom means even tall folks can usually sit comfortably with a carryon in front of them.

 

We do have Uber & Lyft, prices (without Surge) run a smidge higher than cabs when you first get in, break even within just a mile or so for typical metered cab trips, and end up a few bucks cheaper on longer runs - it's really about availability, comfort using the apps rather than unfamiliar cab companies etc. rather than big cash differences. Only the airport uses fixed fare zones (and only leaving from YVR, not trips to it), but every cab firm by law uses the same meter and zone pricing so it doesn't matter which you jump in. From an airport hotel to the pier - metered cab probably over $40, there's ALWAYS some traffic near the pier, compared to the fixed price $38 from YVR itself; Uber might save 10% compared to a cab.

[em-sk]

Only thing I would add ...

 

If the Y is fully booked I have frequently stayed at the Days Inn in downtown Vancouver on Pender.  Short walk to the cruise terminal.  Unlike the Y this is 100+ year old hotel that has been refurbished, very much like many of the smaller hotels you find in European cities.  Clean, safe, good neighborhood, low cost but the rooms are small.

 

If you looking for a modern mid-market hotel that is reasonably priced that would be in Richmond near the airport.  Many of these will offer shuttles from/to the airport.  Most of these are going to be brands you recognise across North America.  Local Canadian brands would be Sandman and Coast Hotels and they would be on par with a Holiday Inn.

 

The more unique ones .  River Rock Hotel & Casino sometimes has good rates.  It is next to skytrain that will take you  to within bocks of the cruise ship terminal.  Abercorn Inn is another independent in that area that is on par with a Holiday Inn.  

 

From Richmond to the cruise ship terminal you can take public transit (skytrain) or uber, lyft or a taxi.  

  

 

 

[dawnvip]

+1 for the River Rock in Richmond if you can snag a deal. Lovely rooms and very quiet. There are a few dining options in the hotel and a casino too if that interests you. It is very easy to get from airport via skytrain and just as easy getting from hotel to port!

[doone]

How far is the ride from Vancouver Airport to the pier or Robson Street?

[dawnvip]

2 hours ago, doone said:

How far is the ride from Vancouver Airport to the pier or Robson Street?

It is 17 km (10.5 miles) and takes anywhere from 30 - 50 min to drive depending on traffic and time of day. If taking the Canada Line Skytrain, it's 26 minutes from YVR to Waterfront station. Trains leave ever 6 or 8 min, lots of room for luggage.

[doone]

1 hour ago, dawnvip said:

It is 17 km (10.5 miles) and takes anywhere from 30 - 50 min to drive depending on traffic and time of day. If taking the Canada Line Skytrain, it's 26 minutes from YVR to Waterfront station. Trains leave ever 6 or 8 min, lots of room for luggage.

Thank you

[xlxo]

On 5/1/2023 at 6:29 PM, Steve in Omaha said:

What are some good hotel options? Should it be close to the cruise terminal, or is that not important?

Can you share your hotel travel date?  We can make better suggestions based on availability and price.

 

Another vote for the River Rock casino if the price is right.  Close to the airport.  Ride the train/subway to Waterfront station for a 3 block luggage drag into the cruise terminal for $4.45 CAD the next morning.

[Nightowl11]

Does anyone know what the procedure is to gamble at the River Rock Casino?  Do you use your credit card?  We are from the US so do they accept US dollars?