witchileiz

So booked flights to land in Vancouver and then onto Victoria.

We land around 17.20 and I have estimated 2-3 hrs in immigration/baggage claim, etc. Would you say that was about fair (those who have done similar landings)?

The thing is; we will be booking a flight, probably with the dreaded Air Can, with whom we have a massive 15% discount for a 10 hr delay (- don't get me started...), but I see they have hourly flights.

Thinking of not booking and just 'winging it' and paying at the desk for the next available flight, rather than estimating the time it might take and then getting highly stressed and possibly missing said connection.

I see with AC we could pay another £50 ea for more flexibility with times, but don't really want to fork out twice the price...

Add 2-3 hrs onto 17.20 = 20.20 estimate and then poss 30+ more mins until next flight and an 8yr old on British time... could get stressful...

We are landing as PRs from the FSW btw.

Has anyone else simply waited and paid/booked the next available to the island after landing?

Thanks as always for info...

Oh and anyone any advice as to when the whole selling up, selling worldly goods, quitting, giving notice, saying goodbye, booking flights/transport/hotels, organising new life, finding new house, preparing to work in new place stuff gets easier? We are soooooo stressed out right now, with 2.5 weeks to go, and me working to the wire.... people coming to buy things and being picky about £15 items.... cannot wait to feel normal again! I know the answer obviously, but needing to share!

scrubbedexpat091

If your worried about the connection, and book to just Vancouver, you can always try Harbor Air to Victoria, they depart off the Fraser River just south of the airport, about 10 minute shuttle ride from the main terminal or a 10 cab ride or so.

They might even be cheaper the buying Air Canada at the counter.

Or just book a connection to Victoria on the last flight of the day, and if you get done early try and get onto an earlier flight as stand by, but there might be a fee attached.

The4BellsLondon

Or stay the night in Van .... Either at airport then fly out next day , or downtown And get a float plane

Siouxie

+1

I would definitely stay overnight, there are hotels near the airport for under $100 for the night including taxes. Have a relaxing evening and a good sleep after your flight and then get a flight the next morning. If you are flying Air Canada, you could see if you can get it as an add-on (discounted perhaps), otherwise just do a google search.

scrubbedexpat091

Or since at the airport already, just stay in the area and take a float plane from the Fraser River adjacent to YVR...

http://www.harbourair.com/book-a-fli...ncouver-(yvr)/

Aviator

If booking a connecting flight, the baggage allowance you check in with at POD follows you to the destination. If you book separate legs on your own, your 2nd flight may have a lower baggage allowance and extra costs for over weight/qty.

Float service to YWH is a much more limited baggage allowance, and extra bags are shipped on standby at extra cost.

Island Air Express go from YVR to YYJ for around $133 taxes incl. Baggage again is limited, so phone ahead if using this route.

rivingtonpike

I would stay the night in Vancouver. If you get in at 5pm, then customs, immigration, then flight to Victoria, then 35minute ride into town - or wherever you're going, it is going to be a VERY long day. Why not have a pleasant night in Van and then take a flight in the morning. Float plane is nice, but luggage allowance is less than "normal" flights. Not usually an issue though as planes not always full. Nice views too.

The4BellsLondon

Good point on the luggage ! Hadn't thought of that !

witchileiz

Thanks all

Yes - we went via Harbor Air last year, and that (luggage allowance) is one reason I had decided not to go with them - I remembered the luggage allowance (which was fine for holiday, but I imagine we may have too much this time around).

I need to check into that.

Also, as I was initially intending to get to Vic the same day/night, they don't fly after something like 5pm at this time of year....

However, I think you are all right about maybe booking a hotel room in Van. I had just wanted to get to Vic ASAP, so that in the morning we were ready to move with things (feeling the pressure of having only a few days to get everything sorted before I start my new job). But realistically, we will be so drained, that I agree: a night in a hotel and an early start with a quick trip over via float plane might be the solution. Will check on the whole luggage thing though.

Another option I suppose, if we stay in Van first, is to hire a care and take the ferry over... but then that feels like a half day wasted...

Anyway, grateful to hear your thoughts... helps clear mine as so much stuff going on... Thanks again!

The4BellsLondon

Id stay at one of the airport hotels then take an A flight the next day from YVR so you don't have to worry bout luggage allowance .

You could always sky train into Vancouver that night if you particularly wanted to go out down town

rivingtonpike

I remember when we landed for good we stayed a night in Vancouver. Time differences meant we were up at the crack of dawn, hired a car and took a ferry at about 7.30am. The time saved having a car from the outset more than compensated for the ferry time of 1hr 35. Luggage issues not a problem either.

Lychee

Alternative is to go with Pacific Coach Lines, who depart from the Vancouver Airport:


http://www.pacificcoach.com/Bus-Coac...er-to-Victoria

They have departures fairly frequently, and it's a piece of cake. They store your luggage in the coach cargo, drive south to Tsawwassen, and are the first on the ferries. You disembark the coach while on the ferry, enjoy the 90 minute ferry ride, board the coach while approaching Vancouver Island... the coach is the first off the ferry, and then it's a 35 minute drive into downtown Victoria. All in all, a fairly stress free way of getting there.

prairiechicken

I'd book a hotel. That way you don't have to stress about immigration time, and once you get through you will only be a really short time away from being able to eat dinner and crash out. You will be tired especially with an 8 year old.

Also, that way you can be up early next day, fresh and rested, to go that last little bit, whether you decide to do it via ferry or plane.

When we arrive in the summer we will have to get to Van Island too, but will most likely just stay over at an airport hotel and then take the ferry. That's what we did when we visited last year for a month. We had lots of luggage but it wasn't an issue on the ferry. We were going to Nanaimo but I'm sure the ferry to Victoria is similar. Our son was 10 and he was absolutely shattered when we reached Vancouver. He couldn't even eat. I think it would have been pretty awful having to try and get all the way to the island that night too.

rivingtonpike

If you don't want/need a car, Lychee's idea is an excellent one. We've had lots of friends come over on Pacific Coaches over the years and we've either met them downtown or directly off the ferry in Sidney.

Hawk13

If you're going to rent a car or even get in a cab, make sure it has snow tires as we have snow.

Followed a guy driving 30kph to work day. Welcome to the Island