For those taking a Vancouver to Alaska cruise, getting to the cruise port from the airport is relatively easy. Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is located on Sea Island, Richmond, just south of Vancouver.
The Vancouver cruise ship terminal is downtown at Canada Place, on the Burrard Inlet waterfront. With a distance of 8.5 miles or 13.8 km to the cruise port, cruise passengers won’t have the stress of travelling too far after their plane has landed.
Since the port of Vancouver only sees cruise ships during spring and summer, the airports lack the shuttles services commonly found in Miami, Los Angeles, and other United States hubs. While airport shuttles exist, cruise passengers need to book one in advance.
In this article, discover the other options for ground transportation from YVR airport. Cost, the amount of luggage you’re carrying, time of arrival, or accessibility may factor into your choice.
Transportation Options
There are various options for transportation to the Vancouver cruise port from the airport. The number of people in your party, time of arrival, and ease of transport may factor in your decission.
Grab A Taxi
Anyone arriving in Vancouver, British Columbia, can grab a taxi on level 2 at the airport. A Vancouver taxi to Canada Place or the cruise terminal costs CAD 46. Without traffic congestion, expect the ride to take around 30 minutes.
Authorized taxis leaving the airport have fixed zone fares, and riders should confirm the rate. So, if you arrive in rush hour, you won’t be paying more to sit in traffic.
However, taxis charge a metered time and distance rate when returning to the Vancouver International airport from downtown Vancouver. Expect to pay significantly more on the return journey if traffic is slow or there are roadworks.
When traveling to the airport for a return flight, taxis are plentiful downtown. Although, if there are multiple ships in port, we found the queues quite long.
If you have limited time between disembarkation and your flight, a taxi may not be the fastest option.
Use Uber Or Lyft
The city of Vancouver has ride share. Lyft and Uber services are readily available but rates will vary upon availability. Wait until you’ve collected your luggage before requesting a ride with their smartphone app. Then wait outside on level 2, in the designated rideshare area.
International travelers can use the airport’s free Wi-Fi to use the app without roaming charges.
With Uber, you can choose from an UberX or Uber XL. UberX can accommodate up to four people, and the latter can take up to six. Lyft offers a similar choice with a smaller and larger vehicle option (that takes up to five).
However, if you’re traveling as a group of four, it’s recommended you get a larger vehicle. The smaller one may not accommodate all of your luggage. Bear in mind, that smaller vehicles are more plentiful, so you may wait longer for an UberXL or Lyft XL.
An UberX or Lyft costs CAD 30, and the larger vehicles CAD 48. Both Uber and Lyft will drop off passengers at the same area at the Canada Place cruise terminal. With a difference of CAD 6 between rideshare and taxi services, the savings may not be worth the wait.
Uber and Lyft pricing is based on availability. We have disembarked later and found the prices can double when there are fewer vehicles.
Book A Cruise Line Shuttle
Most cruise lines offer a shuttle service from the Vancouver airport to the cruise port. Cruise ship passengers need to pre-arrange their shuttles to the city center, and prices vary by the cruise line.
Alternatively, Ace Charters Vancouver offers a shuttle from the airport to the cruise terminal or vice versa. Their rates for spring 2024 are CAD 18.00 per person.
Shuttle pricing is always quoted as “per person.” So, depending on the size of your travel party, it could be cheaper to travel another way.
Take The Skytrain
My preferred means of public transportation is Skytrain. Skytrain, or Vancouver’s rapid transit system, is easy to use, inexpensive, and provides the best way to get downtown. Follow the directions at the airport to the trains.
You’ll want to purchase a ticket to the “Waterfront Station” at the end of the “Canada Line.” The train service starts at 5:07 am, and the last train leaves at 12:56 am.
Tickets cost under CAD 9.25 for adults, CAD 8 for seniors and children 13 yrs. or older, and under 12 are free. Trains leave every 7 minutes and expect the journey to take 25 minutes.
There are twelve stops from the Vancouver Airport to the Waterfront Station, with Waterfront being the last. During rush hour, Skytrain travelers will get to their cruise ship faster than those using a taxi or Uber.
If there are line-ups at the ticket machines, you can use a credit card to tap in when you enter Skytrain and tap-out when you exit. The tap-in and out system makes it super fast. However, you will need a separate credit card per person.
Once you arrive, exit the building, turn right and walk one block to Howe Street. Turn right and it’s a short walk to the city’s cruise terminal. Canada Place and the Vancouver cruise terminal will be in front of you.
If you walk around from one side to the next, you’ll probably see your cruise ship. To access the Canada Place cruise ship terminal, follow the ramp that slopes down into the parkade. Signs clearly mark the directions for cruise passengers.
Alternatively, you can enter Canada Place and take an elevator down to the cruise terminal.
The Skytrain’s Canada Line provides an inexpensive option and the best choice if you can walk a few blocks and manage your luggage. Obviously, it doesn’t work if you’re mobility challenged, or your plane arrives outside of operating hours.
Although, if your plane arrives around midnight, I’d suggest staying at the Fairmont Airport Hotel inside the terminal, and taking the Skytrain to the cruise ship terminal the following morning.
Try A Limousine Service
If you want to arrive in style, Vancouver offers limousine service. Here are a few private transfer options from the airport to the Vancouver cruise port. A limousine service is a great option for a larger travel group.
Time Limousine Service (604)340-9200
Ritz Limousines (604)937-7480
My Limo Ride (604)597-9040
Long Term Parking Options
For those who live within driving distance of downtown Vancouver, the cruise terminal offers long-term parking. However, cruise passengers pay a premium for the convenience.
Instead, we prefer to park at the Value Long Term Lot at the Vancouver International Airport and take the Skytrain downtown. The Value Long Term Parking lot is accessed at 3211 Grant McConachie Way, with a Skytrain station (Templeton Station) in the lot.
The lot is huge and always has plenty of spaces. There are spots near the Skytrain station for electric vehicles too. It’s cheaper to pay online rather than at the lot.
While the price varies dependent upon demand, we usually save 50% off the downtown parking prices.
Hotels Close To The Cruise Port
Many travelers stay in downtown Vancouver, near Canada Place (cruise terminal), if they’re flying into Vancouver a day or two before their cruise. As a first-class destination, Vancouver offers many things to do.
However, Vancouver is an expensive city so expect to pay top dollar at most hotels. There are many hotels within walking distance of Canada Place.
For pure convenience, the Pan Pacific shares its address with the cruise port. Hotel guest can have their luggage picked up from their room and delivered to the luggage check-in downstairs.
The Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Auberge Hotel, and Fairmont Pacific Rim are also good options that are close to the port.
Alternatively, these hotel have some extra perks.
Hampton Inn & Suites Vancouver at 111 Robson Street. Guests staying at the Hampton Inn enjoy a complimentary hot buffet breakfast.
Pinnacle Hotel At The Pier, at 138 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver. A stay at this North Vancouver hotel includes a sea bus transfer to Canada Place.
The Holiday Inn Express Vancouver in Richmond has a deal for you for those who need a park and stay. Located at 9351 Bridgeport Road, a stay includes seven days of free parking.
If you need more than 7-days parking, additional guests can purchase more days. The Holiday Inn has a complimentary airport shuttle, which is helpful if you wish to use the Skytrain to get downtown.
Final Thoughts
As the demand for Alaska cruises from Seattle and Vancouver grows, Vancouver will need to build another cruise port that can accommodate bigger ships like the Norwegian Bliss or the Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas.
Cruising to Alaska from Vancouver allows you to visit a world-class city and enjoy the calmer waters of the inside passage.
With its cruise port close to the international airport, guests have easy access without the high cost of a cruise line transfer. You’ll also enjoy sailing by Stanley Park, voted as one of the best urban parks globally.
Post-pandemic, it’s advisable to fly into Vancouver, Canada at least one day before your cruise. With flight cancellations and delays, it’s better to pay for one night in a hotel than to risk missing your vacation.
