Vancouver answers from a Vancouverite

[Putterdude]

You have it right...go to the head of the class!:D

[AkSusan]

Another quick question, do your ATMs take a 4 digit or 5 digit pin number? Ours take 4 but have found some in Europe that took 5. So if I need another digit, I'll need to talk to my Credit Union.

 

Susan :)

[Putterdude]

Good question, with my CDN ATM card I use 5 digits but down here my US card is only 4. Check with your credit union as all that may be imporant is to have the numbers correct.:confused:

[Urban trekker]

I use 4 for my ATM here in Vancouver with my bank which is the Royal.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[scottbee]

So what do I do with all those hundreds of Canadian $ I get in change? Oh-I know, I can leave them somewhere for you or mail them to you.

 

Any decent bank in the US should take it. It's one of the most traded currencies in the USA.

[AkSusan]

Good question, with my CDN ATM card I use 5 digits but down here my US card is only 4. Check with your credit union as all that may be imporant is to have the numbers correct.:confused:

And guess what, I asked the Credit Union rep the question and I got complete silence. She said she had never been anywhere that she needed 5. I said I had been in London and at that time I needed to use 5. She said she thinks my 4 is going to work. Since I can't get any in town guess it will be a good idea to stop at the Currency exchange in the airport. Know you don't necessarily get the best rate or more fees, but that's what may work out best.

 

Susan :)

[dunaldo]

Any decent bank in the US should take it. It's one of the most traded currencies in the USA.

Wow did you just get blindsided and shot down and by a fellow Vancouverite or is it Vancouverer?

[Urban trekker]

"Vancouverite"

 

That's the correct name for us Vancouver types.

 

Cheers

[Putterdude]

I use 4 for my ATM here in Vancouver with my bank which is the Royal.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

 

OK then thats the answer it can be either 4 or 5, I deal with the RBC as well.:)

[Putterdude]

Wow did you just get blindsided and shot down and by a fellow Vancouverite or is it Vancouverer?

 

I don't think he saw the humour in our posts.;)

[AkSusan]

OK then thats the answer it can be either 4 or 5, I deal with the RBC as well.:)

Thanks guys. My Credit Union is tied in with Plus (Visa) and I looked and it shows that I can use my card at a RBC ATM. Got to get some local cash so we can pay for those martinis our 3 nights pre cruise :D

 

Susan :)

[Putterdude]

Thanks guys. My Credit Union is tied in with Plus (Visa) and I looked and it shows that I can use my card at a RBC ATM. Got to get some local cash so we can pay for those martinis our 3 nights pre cruise :D

 

Susan :)

 

Oh, you didn't tell me about the martinis...which bar, I will make a point of dropping by.:D

And I just checked with DW and she also only uses 4 numbers for her RBC ATM card so I am the odd man out.:eek:

[AkSusan]

Oh, you didn't tell me about the martinis...which bar, I will make a point of dropping by.:D

 

And I just checked with DW and she also only uses 4 numbers for her RBC ATM card so I am the odd man out.:eek:

Not sure which bar yet as I'm still working on Priceline to get our hotel roomm, but heck come on down, I'll buy you one :D.

 

I've been starting at $80 for a 4 star downtown and it comes back and tells me if you bid $22 for then they should be able to get me one. Been looking at downtown 4 stars for the time we're there and they start at $169 (Delta Vancouver) to I think $232 for the Marriott Pinnacle. Try $85 next and add the 3 1/2 star and no hit. But I'm thinking that the $102 for those nights is pretty good and I just may do it so we'll have the rooms out of the way!

 

Susan :)

Edited March 23, 2009 by AkSusan

[Putterdude]

At 4* in Vancouver Dowtown you should end up with a pretty good hotel.:)

[AkSusan]

Well was successful last night on Priceline and got the Westin Bayshore for $102+tax a night.

 

So for all of you locals, any favorite restaurants or water holes over in that area?

 

Got our airfare and hotel done so now another question how much is an airport shuttle or taxi going to cost from the airport? We're not coming in until close to midnight so I'm wondering if shuttles would even be running then.

 

Will have to start researching to see what we want to do our two days pre cruise.

 

Thanks for all your help so far!

 

Susan :)

[krogerlady]

Limojetgold is the contracted limo service for YVR and have a stand right at the curb with 24 hour service. They say you do not need a reservation and their fee as per their website is $39 for their sedan and 3 people. I think that is what we are going to do as we are arriving late also. Just posted a question about restaurants open late as I am thinking we will all be hungry and my answer from Putterdude was we may be out of luck as most places close at 11. He suggested we grab a bite to eat or take with us before we leave YVR. The last thing we want to do after an 8 hour flight is be looking for a cab to take us some where to scarf something down because we will be too tired to worry about much else.

http://www.yvr.ca/pdf/guide/limojetbrochure.pdf

[AkSusan]

Limojetgold is the contracted limo service for YVR and have a stand right at the curb with 24 hour service. They say you do not need a reservation and their fee as per their website is $39 for their sedan and 3 people. I think that is what we are going to do as we are arriving late also. Just posted a question about restaurants open late as I am thinking we will all be hungry and my answer from Putterdude was we may be out of luck as most places close at 11. He suggested we grab a bite to eat or take with us before we leave YVR. The last thing we want to do after an 8 hour flight is be looking for a cab to take us some where to scarf something down because we will be too tired to worry about much else.

http://www.yvr.ca/pdf/guide/limojetbrochure.pdf

Thanks for the link. We splurged and are flying first class so we'll get fed something from Anchorage to Seattle and then my Mom always carries granola bars, nuts, etc.

 

Oh, actually this year she'll be at my house so guess we'll be going through my snacks to pack :D

 

Susan :)

[Putterdude]

Well was successful last night on Priceline and got the Westin Bayshore for $102+tax a night.

 

So for all of you locals, any favorite restaurants or water holes over in that area?

 

Got our airfare and hotel done so now another question how much is an airport shuttle or taxi going to cost from the airport? We're not coming in until close to midnight so I'm wondering if shuttles would even be running then.

 

Will have to start researching to see what we want to do our two days pre cruise.

 

Thanks for all your help so far!

 

Susan :)

 

Well that is just a great deal you got on the Bayshore, it is on the water down near Stanely Park and has some great views of the park, the Coal Harbour Yacht basin, the harbour and the North Shore Mountains. There is a seawalk that extends both east and west from the park. One of my favourite restaurants in the area that you can walk to is Carderos which is an upscale marine pub, there is the Boathouse on English Bay which is about a 10/15 min walk along Denman St. or the the Fish House in Stanley Park which I would recommend a cab for.

 

A cab fare from YVR to the Bayshore will run you about $35 or there is LimoJet Gold...for about $10 more. The shuttle does not operate that late.

 

 

http://www.vancouverdine.com/carderos/home.html

 

http://www.boathouserestaurants.ca/vancouver-restaurant-locations.php

 

http://www.fishhousestanleypark.com/

 

http://www.limojetgold.com/

[msg_girl]

I'd like some advice please. I'm travelling with my parents (seniors but still reasonably active) and we have two and a half days to explore Vancouver, would you advise day passes for public transport or just paying for each journey? Thanks, G.

[AkSusan]

Well that is just a great deal you got on the Bayshore, it is on the water down near Stanely Park and has some great views of the park, the Coal Harbour Yacht basin, the harbour and the North Shore Mountains. There is a seawalk that extends both east and west from the park. One of my favourite restaurants in the area that you can walk to is Carderos which is an upscale marine pub, there is the Boathouse on English Bay which is about a 10/15 min walk along Denman St. or the the Fish House in Stanley Park which I would recommend a cab for.

 

A cab fare from YVR to the Bayshore will run you about $35 or there is LimoJet Gold...for about $10 more. The shuttle does not operate that late.

 

 

http://www.vancouverdine.com/carderos/home.html

 

http://www.boathouserestaurants.ca/vancouver-restaurant-locations.php

 

http://www.fishhousestanleypark.com/

 

 

As always, thanks for the great help and advice.

 

Susan :)

[Putterdude]

I'd like some advice please. I'm travelling with my parents (seniors but still reasonably active) and we have two and a half days to explore Vancouver, would you advise day passes for public transport or just paying for each journey? Thanks, G.

 

Our transit system does offer an all day pass for $9 which is an excellent deal when fares can be in the region of $2.50 to $3.75 each way. So yes I would be be very inclined to recommend the pass route. The other option would be one of the 2 HOHO shuttles which at some $32/$35 pp is more expensive then transit but the tickets are good for 2 days and it does take you many of the highlights in the downtown area, provides you with the opportunity to get off at those that interest you then catch the next trolley/bus that comes along. Here are some links for your convenience:

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/

http://www.bigbus.ca/

http://tripplanning.translink.bc.ca/hiwire?.a=iTripPlanning&.s={$SID}

[scottbee]

I'd like some advice please. I'm travelling with my parents (seniors but still reasonably active) and we have two and a half days to explore Vancouver, would you advise day passes for public transport or just paying for each journey? Thanks, G.

 

With proof of being a senior (>65), a single ticket, good for 90 minutes on any transit (bus/skytrain/seabus) is $1.75, $2.50 or $3.50 depending on how many zones. On weekends it's 1.75 flat fee. A day pass (senior) is also available for $7. The thing with the tickets, they're good for 90 minutes, not one ride.

 

http://translink.bc.ca/Transportation_Services/Fares_Passes/fare_pricing.asp has more details. Either way, it's pretty cheap vs cabs or hop on hop off buses (and go a lot more places)

 

If you're arriving after labour day, this includes the new airport subway (which is zone 2) to downtown. $2.50 one way for a senior. $2.50 from the airport terminal to 2 blocks from the Canada Place cruise terminal. It couldn't be better for cruise passengers

[Putterdude]

As always, thanks for the great help and advice.

 

Susan :)

 

You are most welcome...hope you have a great time in our city and a wonderful cruise.:)

[ukbballfan]

Well was successful last night on Priceline and got the Westin Bayshore for $102+tax a night.

 

So for all of you locals, any favorite restaurants or water holes over in that area?

 

Got our airfare and hotel done so now another question how much is an airport shuttle or taxi going to cost from the airport? We're not coming in until close to midnight so I'm wondering if shuttles would even be running then.

 

Will have to start researching to see what we want to do our two days pre cruise.

 

Thanks for all your help so far!

 

Susan :)

 

AkSusan

 

I also won 3 rooms at the Bayshore on Priceline. Thats the one I wanted but was nervous until my acceptance screen poped up! I called to make a couple room requests and found out that they will pick you up at the airport for like $13.00...not sure if thats US or Cd $$.... but a nice deal either way.

[Putterdude]

AkSusan

 

I also won 3 rooms at the Bayshore on Priceline. Thats the one I wanted but was nervous until my acceptance screen poped up! I called to make a couple room requests and found out that they will pick you up at the airport for like $13.00...not sure if thats US or Cd $$.... but a nice deal either way.

 

That is a reasonable price as a cab for 2 (you might squeeze in 3) will run you about $35. :)