For those taking a Vancouver to Alaska cruise, getting to the from the airport is relatively easy. (YVR) is located on Sea Island, Richmond, just south of Vancouver.
The is at , on the Burrard Inlet waterfront. With a distance of 8.5 miles or 13.8 km to the , passengers won’t have the stress of travelling too far after their plane has landed.
Since the Vancouver cruise port only sees cruise ships during spring and summer, the airports lack the shuttles services commonly found in Miami, Los Angeles, and other major hubs. While airport shuttles exist, cruise passengers need to book one in advance.
However, there are other options for ground transportation from YVR. Cost, the amount of luggage you’re carrying, time of arrival, or accessibility may factor into your choice.
Grab A Taxi
The traditional way of travel was by taxi, and anyone arriving in Vancouver, Canada can find them on level 2 at the airport. A Vancouver taxi to Canada Place or the cruise terminal costs CAD 36. 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 from the Vancouver cruise port, taxis are plentiful downtown. However, if there are multiple ships in port, passengers may have to queue for one.
If you have limited time between disembarkation and your flight, a taxi may not be the fastest option.
Use Uber Or Lyft
Lyft and Uber services are readily available in Vancouver. 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.
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.
Book A Cruise Line Shuttle
Most cruise lines offer shuttles from the Vancouver airport to the cruise port. Booked 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 2023 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
In Vancouver, my preferred means of transportation is Skytrain. Skytrain, or Vancouver’s rapid transit system, is easy to use and inexpensive. 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.” Trains start at 5:07 am, and the last train leaves at 12:56 am.
Tickets cost under CAD 9.35 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.
Once you arrive, exit the building, turn right and walk one block to Howe Street. Turn right and walk one more block to the waterfront. 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 cruise terminal, follow the ramp that slopes down into the parkade. Signs clearly mark the directions for cruise passengers.
The Skytrain’s Canada Line provides an inexpensive option if you can walk a few blocks and manage your luggage. Obviously, it doesn’t work if you’re traveling with too many suitcases, you’re mobility challenged, or your plane arrives outside of operating hours.
Although, if your plane arrives around midnight, I’d suggest staying at a hotel near the airport, 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 providing transfers from the airport to the Vancouver cruise port. A limousine service is a great option for a larger travel group. Prices are current for spring 2023.
Time Limousine Service (604)340-9200 charges CAD 95 to 130.
Ritz Limousines (604)937-7480 charges CAD 110+.
My Limo Ride (604)597-9040 charges CAD 135.
Long Term Parking Options
For those who live within driving distance of downtown Vancouver, the cruise terminal offers long-term parking. However, cruise passengers need to pay CAD 32.00 a day. That gets expensive when a 7-day cruise costs an additional CAD 232 in parking, 14-days cruises CAD 456.45, etc.
Most of the parking is due to fees. The rates include a CAD 7.50 convenience fee, 24% transit levy parking tax, 5% goods, and services tax, and a 7% provisional sales tax on the convenience fee.
Instead, I 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.
A 7-day stay costs CAD 99, and a 14-day stay costs CAD 169.25. The Skytrain ticket to get downtown is under CAD 10 per person.
Hotels With Free Shuttles To The Cruise Port
Many travelers stay in , near (), if they’re flying into Vancouver a day or two before their . 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.
The Pan Pacific, Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Auberge Hotel, and Fairmont Pacific Rim are examples.
If you’re flying in the night before your cruise and arriving late, the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel provides luxury accommodation without leaving the terminal.
With an in-house restaurant, spa, and lovely rooms, you can rest the moment you land and make your way to the cruise port in the morning.
A couple of hotels offer complimentary shuttles to the port. These are:
Hampton Inn & Suites Vancouver at 111 Robson Street. Guests staying at the Hampton Inn enjoy a complimentary hot buffet breakfast.
Atrium Inn Vancouver at 2889 East Hastings Street. This hotel also offers a complimentary hot buffet breakfast, although it’s not downtown.
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 days cost CAD 15 a day. The Holiday Inn has a complimentary airport shuttle, which is helpful if you wish to use the Skytrain to get downtown.
Final Thoughts
While Vancouver once used two ports, the Ballantyne Pier is no longer used by cruise ships. As the demand for Alaska cruises 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.
Happy travels ~ Karen