I will be traveling to Italy this spring from Seattle via Vancouver and Munich.
My flights are booked on one ticket from Vancouver to Italy, but I have not yet booked my flight to Vancouver.
Given that I will have checked luggage and will be traveling on two separate tickets, how long should I allow for transfer in Vancouver? I assume I will have to collect my luggage and then recheck-in?
I have never split up the tickets for an international flight like this before, nor have I been to the Vancouver airport.
My flight leaves Vancouver at 6:30, the most obvious arrival options in Vancouver are 2:05 or 4:25.
I feel like the correct answer is the 2:05 arrival to be safe, but that feels like such an excessive layover so close to home (I’ve considered driving, but do not want to deal with long term parking, or driving that far home alone after an international flight.)
Thanks for your input!
Posted by
Western Canada
3098 posts
Hi.
You should plan to arrive at the earlier time just to be safe.
Canada requires at least two hours from checking in to actually taking off.
Our airport here in Vancouver is very comfortable, and lots of places to eat, and sit comfortably.
You will have to go through Canadian Customs on arrival, which can sometimes be busy.
Then claim your bag if you have one, and make your way upstairs to the international airline check- in desks, and through security. Again, the security for this point can be busy too.
You just never know, so better to be safe than sorry.
There are lots of people working as Volunteers , dressed in bright green fleeces or jackets, to ask if you need help!
Here's the airport website.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7049 posts
Just curious if you've ever considered taking the Bolt Bus to Vancouver from Seattle (I take the same bus between DC and NYC, and it's worked out great for me). It takes 4 hours but costs about ~ $20 if you book early enough. Maybe it's not worth the bother, but I'm just putting it out there.
Vancouver Airport is very nice. Compared to, say LAX or SEATAC, it was a lot less busy but it depends how many flights are arriving (mostly from Asia) at the same time.
In any case, I'd be happy to spend a few hours in the Vancouver Airport (give the two options, I'd definitely plan for the 2:05pm arrival).
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11150 posts
I feel like the correct answer is the 2:05 arrival to be safe,
You are correct.
By the time you do all you need to do, you will not have all that much time to kill
Posted by
OP
Seattle
3 posts
Agnes, I hadn’t but I will now! Thank you for the recommendation. I had looked into the train but the times were even worse.
It seems like everyone was in agreement about the earlier flight.
Thanks!
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
The 2.05 definitely!!! I wouldn’t even consider that one myself( I am risk adverse ) .
Posted by
Portland, OR
355 posts
We've flown out of Vancouver for our last couple of trips to Italy. We leave our car with friends in White Rock and still give 4 hours. We travel with only carry on and, of course, go through immigration at the crossing north of Bellingham.
The Vancouver airport is one of our favorites. Good food, pleasant and not to crazy.
Take the 2:05 or if there is an earlier one.
Posted by
Western Canada
3098 posts
I would not take the Bolt Bus, unless you are prepared to get on a city bus or take a taxi from where the Bolt Bus drops you, (near downtown) out to the airport from there.
That would take another 30-40 minutes.
Just another added hassle.
If you can afford it, flying is the easiest, or driving.
If you look online, there are sometimes coupons for a bit of a discount on long term parking at the airport.
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
850 posts
Seriously? I'd drive. My rule of thumb is to drive anywhere that's less than 300 miles. It's faster. And Customs at the boarder is going to be faster too. You're less than three hours from the Vancouver airport with the normal wait at the boarder. Driving to SeaTac, parking, getting to the terminal, checking in, going thru an even longer TSA check, waiting for your flight, flying; by then you could already be in Canada.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7049 posts
unless you are prepared to get on a city bus or take a taxi from where
the Bolt Bus drops you, (near downtown) out to the airport from there.
The bus drops you off by the Main Street-Science World Station on the light rail line. It is an additional 40 minute ride via light rail to the airport from there, but super easy and cheap (as is the bus itself, beats the cost of driving and parking). If you want to get there the day before, I could recommend a good hotel (YWCA Hotel Vancouver - basic but affordable).
Posted by
OP
Seattle
3 posts
I definitely strongly considered driving, but I have a free ride to the airport, and my car will stay at my house (so no fees), so while the hassle of getting to the airport is a pain, it will definitely involve less stress for me to fly, and probably be cheaper.
Also, thanks all for the additional info on the bus, I had looked into it briefly after it was mentioned here, but hadn't figured out the transfer from downtown to the airport.
Someone else mentioned finding an even earlier flight, that one arrives at 10:45, which seems like some serious layover overkill at almost 8 hours.
Thank you all so much for your help. I think that the flight that arrives at 2:05 will be my best bet, and the least pain, which will probably be worth the slightly increased cost vs bus.