Drive or Fly across border?

[MissPoovey]

We are taking a 7 day Alaska cruise on Holland - Ryndam -Vancouver roundtrip (inside passage) from Kansas City, Missouri (flying, I mean, lol)

 

Question: Should we fly or drive from Seattle to Vancouver?

Drive = flying in a day early into Seattle the drive will give us time to explore. But... what are the draw backs? (rental across the border and charges thereof)

Fly = Could fly from Seattle to Vancouver same day and explore on foot/bus/taxi. But... what are the draw backs to that?

We are staying a day before the cruise and a day after (nervous about missing the ship do to unforseen circustances).

 

Thank you in advance for your help ( I did do a search and found way too many responses to read through for answers )

:confused:

[LeftcoastBC]

Both cities a very similar except Vancouver is where your ship leaves from.

 

Rental cars no problem anymore between the cities (either way) There are other ways eg. Quick Bus and Amtrak (train or bus) I recommend the train but at present there is only one train a day in each direction North early am and south dinner time. This may change to two trains but thats a strong rumour only at this point.

 

The border can be an issue if it's a weekend or particularly a long weekend depending on which way and time of day you are heading and who has the holiday or it's shared.

[MissPoovey]

Thank you for your informative answer. I believe we will drive across and back. The flights were 200 each roundtrip. Thats 400 dollars to save/spend, lol

I was just worried that the customs would be bad for rental cars, or that there would be a high drop off fee, for renting the car one way (each way).

Thanks again, if your around in July, let me know and we'll meet you and buy you a beer for the helpful info. :D

[Fore67]

Careful, lots of us like beer and can also assist in details. . .

 

Cheers,

Mike

 

PG 2001, 2004

[Urban trekker]

Make mine a Coors Light

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[LeftcoastBC]

:) :)

[BCHappyGal]

Dear MissPoovy

 

While you are in Vancouver here is my list of fun things to do

 

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 and visit with 2 live Grizzly Bears. 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, 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 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. http://www.lynncanyonparkguide.bc.ca It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/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 at Brockton Point, hiking trails, beaches, water parks for the kids (young & old), rose gardens, miniature train, petting zoo, aquarium – http://www.vanaqua.org – hollow tree, many view points, and several restaurants.

6) 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.

7) 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.

8) 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.classicalchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

9) 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. May 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

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

11) 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.

12) 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

13) Queen Elizabeth Park – http://www.greatervancouverparks.com/QEPark01.htm -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.

14) 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.pc,qc.ca/fortlangley

15) 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.

16) If you are a real animal lover than here is my latest find “Mountain View Conservation & Breeding Centre” It is located in Fort Langley about an hour drive from downtown Vancouver. Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre is a leading non-profit Canadian facility that breeds endangered species in family groups for re-introduction back into their natural habitat in Canada and around the world. This facility is not a zoo their goal is to breed rare and endangered wildlife and re-introduce these animals back into their natural habitats. Presently Mountainview hosts over 50 species of the world’s most threatened animals and birds. See animals such as the spotted dog from India, Giraffes, and much much more. Here you do not wonder around as in a zoo rather you are given a guided tour with commentary on each animal group. Check it out at http://www.mtnviewconservation.org

[MissPoovey]

Thanks for the info, thats great.

Coors light is our brand also... now we just need to set a day/time...

:D

[Putterdude]

On a summer weekend I would be planning on a 2 to 3 hour wait at the border, 1 to 2 hours during the week. The earlier you arrive at the border in the morning generally the less you wait. There certainly no problem with rental cars and at that time you should be able to avoid drop charges. Have your passports ready, it just saves time and extra questions and don't even think of bringing any kind of gun into Canada, it will be confescated by Canadian Customs.

[MissPoovey]

Thanks to BC (printed that info for use) and thanks Putter, being from Missouri, we are gun kinda ppl. But flying from there to Seattle prevents the carrying of weapons anyway (I'll feel soooo naked! lol). We will be crossing during the week and no hollidays on the calendar, so with luck we will be across in short order (passports at the ready).

Thanks to all of ya'll, I needed that information and this website is the best!

Beer in Vancouver on Tues. night the 8th of July... now where? :D

We will be staying somewhere there before sailing on Wed., close to the pier, but prefer smoking...can ya do that in bars in Canada? hmmm now I have more questions.. it never ends, lol

[LeftcoastBC]

Well there's lots of beer in BC :) Quite a few good brew pubs.

 

Smokin' now there's a dying art on the West Coast. BC will even have stiffer rules in by the time you get here. End of next month they are putting more rules in eg. No smokin' within certain distances of doorway and exits to public places even.

 

Some bars still have some smokin' area's but most restaurants and public places are just "Non Smoking" now.