YVR Transit question
May 15, 2010, 10:44 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 76
YVR Transit question
I will be flying on AC LAX-YVR-SYD. I am assuming that my luggage can be checked through from LAX to SYD and I will also get a 2nd boarding pass YVR-SYD. I arrive in YVR after lunch and want to visit a friend in Vancouver for a few hours.
I am assuming that it is ok to check my luggage all the way through to SYD but clear Canadian customs with just my carry-on gear and go into town in Vancouver...as long as I make it back in time for my flight to SYD!
I am assuming that it is ok to check my luggage all the way through to SYD but clear Canadian customs with just my carry-on gear and go into town in Vancouver...as long as I make it back in time for my flight to SYD!
May 15, 2010, 11:53 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,925
Provided you arrive between 9:00am and 8:00pm local time you might not have to collect your bags; they will be checked right through. Instead of proceeding through the international transit facility you should be able to go through Canadian customs and head into town. I entered your airline/routing information on the YVR website and came up with the following.
If you were connecting to the US, YVR has a process where they bring up a picture of your baggage as you head through US customs. I don't know if they do something similar at Canadian customs for US-Int'l connections. If they do, this might be a problem as your baggage may sit in limbo if you do not go through the connection center. Although they say that you cannot exit the inernational departure area at YVR, I believe you actually can provided that you exit through Canada customs on the lower floor (and by that time your bag would have already been forwarded to your connecting flight).
http://www.yvr.ca/en/navigating-YVR/...rough-YVR.aspx
If you were connecting to the US, YVR has a process where they bring up a picture of your baggage as you head through US customs. I don't know if they do something similar at Canadian customs for US-Int'l connections. If they do, this might be a problem as your baggage may sit in limbo if you do not go through the connection center. Although they say that you cannot exit the inernational departure area at YVR, I believe you actually can provided that you exit through Canada customs on the lower floor (and by that time your bag would have already been forwarded to your connecting flight).
http://www.yvr.ca/en/navigating-YVR/...rough-YVR.aspx
USA Arrivals to International Departures
Based on your selection above, we have determined that you are a connecting passenger who is arriving from a city in the U.S.A. (e.g. New York) and connecting to an International city (e.g. Hong Kong).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Connection SummaryConnection Summary
1 Arrive at YVR
Most passengers will have their luggage checked-through to their final destination, so you will not claim your checked-bags at YVR.
Please ensure you have a boarding pass and baggage claim tags for your connecting flight – if you do not, follow instructions for Option 2.
Option 1: For passengers arriving between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. local-time
2 Proceed to International Transit Facility
Follow signs that state International Connections.
3 Canada Border Services
Present your passport, customs declaration and boarding pass to the Canada Border Services officer.
See the Customs & Immigration section for details on required documentation and forms.
4 Find Your Gate
Follow the signs to your designated boarding gate. Confirm your assigned gate and time for boarding on the flight information display screens.
5 Services & Amenities
See the Map and Services & Amenities tabs of this passenger guide to find out more about the shopping, food & beverage and passenger services available in your area.
Option 2: For passengers arriving before 9:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m. local-time, or without baggage checked-through to your final destination.
2 Proceed to Canada Border Services
Follow Canada Arrivals signs to Canada Border Services.
Proceed down elevators, escalators or stairs to Arrivals Level 2, to Canada Border Services area.
3 Canada Border Services
For passport inspection, wait in designated areas for next available Canada Border Services officer.
CANPASS Air and NEXUS Air members can utilize the self-service kiosks.
See the Customs & Immigration section for details on required documentation and forms.
4 Claim Baggage
Baggage can be claimed immediately following the Canada Border Services processes.
Check the information display screens to confirm your baggage carousel.
Find the numbered baggage carousel corresponding to your flight.
Free baggage carts are located in the baggage claim area.
Hand your declaration card to the Canada Border Services officer on your way out.
5 International Reception Lounge
Proceed out of baggage claim area with your checked baggage.
All passengers enter the International Reception Lounge area.
You may choose to access services in this area including tourism information and transportation or choose to proceed through the exit to the public greeting area.
6 Public Greeting Area
Follow the exit sign to proceed through automatic glass doors to public greeting area.
7 Proceed to International Departures
Take elevator or escalator up to International Departures, Level 3.
8 Check-in
If you already have a boarding pass and no baggage to check, go to step 10.
If you haven’t already checked-in online or at one of YVR’s off-site check-in locations, proceed to your airline’s designated check-in counters or kiosks.
Learn about your options for checking-in online, at YVR or at other locations.
9 Baggage Check-in
If you aren’t already at your airline’s check-in area, report there and follow their procedures for checking and dropping off your baggage.
10 Security Checkpoint
Follow the signs to your designated boarding gate – D – to find the security checkpoint.
For information on the pre-board screening process including packing tips and a list of permitted and non-permitted items, see the Security section.
11 Find Your Gate
Follow the signs to your designated boarding gate. Confirm your assigned gate and time for boarding on the information display screens.
12 Services & Amenities
See the Map and Services & Amenities tabs of this passenger guide to find out more about the shopping, food & beverage and passenger services available in your area.
Based on your selection above, we have determined that you are a connecting passenger who is arriving from a city in the U.S.A. (e.g. New York) and connecting to an International city (e.g. Hong Kong).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Connection SummaryConnection Summary
1 Arrive at YVR
Most passengers will have their luggage checked-through to their final destination, so you will not claim your checked-bags at YVR.
Please ensure you have a boarding pass and baggage claim tags for your connecting flight – if you do not, follow instructions for Option 2.
Option 1: For passengers arriving between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. local-time
2 Proceed to International Transit Facility
Follow signs that state International Connections.
3 Canada Border Services
Present your passport, customs declaration and boarding pass to the Canada Border Services officer.
See the Customs & Immigration section for details on required documentation and forms.
4 Find Your Gate
Follow the signs to your designated boarding gate. Confirm your assigned gate and time for boarding on the flight information display screens.
5 Services & Amenities
See the Map and Services & Amenities tabs of this passenger guide to find out more about the shopping, food & beverage and passenger services available in your area.
Option 2: For passengers arriving before 9:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m. local-time, or without baggage checked-through to your final destination.
2 Proceed to Canada Border Services
Follow Canada Arrivals signs to Canada Border Services.
Proceed down elevators, escalators or stairs to Arrivals Level 2, to Canada Border Services area.
3 Canada Border Services
For passport inspection, wait in designated areas for next available Canada Border Services officer.
CANPASS Air and NEXUS Air members can utilize the self-service kiosks.
See the Customs & Immigration section for details on required documentation and forms.
4 Claim Baggage
Baggage can be claimed immediately following the Canada Border Services processes.
Check the information display screens to confirm your baggage carousel.
Find the numbered baggage carousel corresponding to your flight.
Free baggage carts are located in the baggage claim area.
Hand your declaration card to the Canada Border Services officer on your way out.
5 International Reception Lounge
Proceed out of baggage claim area with your checked baggage.
All passengers enter the International Reception Lounge area.
You may choose to access services in this area including tourism information and transportation or choose to proceed through the exit to the public greeting area.
6 Public Greeting Area
Follow the exit sign to proceed through automatic glass doors to public greeting area.
7 Proceed to International Departures
Take elevator or escalator up to International Departures, Level 3.
8 Check-in
If you already have a boarding pass and no baggage to check, go to step 10.
If you haven’t already checked-in online or at one of YVR’s off-site check-in locations, proceed to your airline’s designated check-in counters or kiosks.
Learn about your options for checking-in online, at YVR or at other locations.
9 Baggage Check-in
If you aren’t already at your airline’s check-in area, report there and follow their procedures for checking and dropping off your baggage.
10 Security Checkpoint
Follow the signs to your designated boarding gate – D – to find the security checkpoint.
For information on the pre-board screening process including packing tips and a list of permitted and non-permitted items, see the Security section.
11 Find Your Gate
Follow the signs to your designated boarding gate. Confirm your assigned gate and time for boarding on the information display screens.
12 Services & Amenities
See the Map and Services & Amenities tabs of this passenger guide to find out more about the shopping, food & beverage and passenger services available in your area.
May 16, 2010, 12:22 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,607
You definitely don't normally pick up bags for a US->Intl connection. You go through Canadian customs/immigration via a different passageway. I did it just recently and it was very easy with no queue at all. In fact I thought the booth was empty at first and I would have to find someone.
I didn't get the impression there was any special computer equipment or anything. Conceivably they have a list of transferring passengers and check you off and pass it to the luggage handlers. But I doubt it. I assume they just expect the airline to check the passengers they board against the luggage they've loaded.
I didn't get the impression there was any special computer equipment or anything. Conceivably they have a list of transferring passengers and check you off and pass it to the luggage handlers. But I doubt it. I assume they just expect the airline to check the passengers they board against the luggage they've loaded.
May 16, 2010, 1:49 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*E, AS MVPG, AA Gold, PC Plt Amb, SPG, Avis First, National Executive
Posts: 113
Yes, your luggage will be checked through (I'm doing just that in YVR now for SEA-YVR-HKG) and you can simply proceed through customs and head to town. (The new Canada line makes heading to town much easier now).
Jun 2, 2010, 5:15 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 76
Thanks for your response, I suspected this was the case but always best to check. I suppose people who have a longish transit at YVR and want to use the Fairmont Hotel for a few hours to wash up and have a nap etc do this regularly.
Jul 21, 2010, 3:45 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: Via Preference Privilege, AC*A, Fairmont Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,334
Anyone know how this works for Intl->US connections? I'll be arriving off AC034 from SYD at 7:30AM and don't have a flight until 7:50PM out to SFO. Preferably I would like to check my luggage so I don't have to store it somewhere during the day.
For the connection US->Intl (SFO-SYD), If I get my baggage checked through I can follow what YEG USER posted for option #2 ignoring the part about picking up / rechecking luggage right? Any odd looks from customs for going through with so few bags?
For the connection US->Intl (SFO-SYD), If I get my baggage checked through I can follow what YEG USER posted for option #2 ignoring the part about picking up / rechecking luggage right? Any odd looks from customs for going through with so few bags?
Sep 15, 2010, 2:45 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SLC
Posts: 108
Does this mean for SFO-YVR-HKG and HKG-YVR-SFO, they won't have to claim their bags at YVR either way?
On the way back, will they go thru US immigrations at YVR or SFO? TIA.
Sep 15, 2010, 4:06 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYC
Posts: 4,035
However, either way, your parents will clear US CBP in YVR on the way back.
Sep 15, 2010, 5:18 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ZRH / SEA, DL PM
Posts: 1,165
Just returned from roundtrip SEA-SYD through YVR.
SEA-YVR-SYD
Bag was checked through. After arrival to YVR, I followed signs to International terminal. There was a checkpoint with one Canadian immigration officer, who looked at my passport and took Canadian customs form, which I filled earlier on the plane. Then elevator or stairs and I ended up in the International "zone". No security/scanners.
BEWARE: If you want to get out to the city before your SYD flight, disregard directions to International terminal and go with everyone else to Canadian immigration/customs/Exit-to-town. It is extremely difficult to leave International terminal once you get there. There is no simple exit and you'll need Air Canada agent to personally escort you to customs from there.
SYD-YVR-SEA
Bag was checked through. There was announcement on the plane that everyone with domestic connections has to collect bags and go through customs. No mention of international or US connections. OK, walking with everyone else towards immigration/customs when I hear "US connections, anyone with US connections, come here, come here..". The guy checks my baggage tags, making sure it was checked through and lets me go through secret stairs and I end up at special security checkpoint. After security, I am allowed into a small room, with several other connecting passengers. Lady scans our boarding passes and asks to wait until "our bags show up...". About 15-20 minutes, she calls my name and shows me picture of my bags. Wow! I confirm that these are indeed look like my bags and I am allowed to go through US immigration and customs. It was pretty amazing (the pictures of my bag!) and relatively painless experience. I did not see my bags until Seattle other then in pictures, but I suspect if customs want to do random or not-so-random search, they would pull bag for you and recheck it after search.
P.S. If you are in economy, eat well before flight. The food on the way to SYD was ok, but on the way back from SYD to YVR, it was really really bad. I was wondering if the food for return flight is flown from YVR to SYD and back...
SEA-YVR-SYD
Bag was checked through. After arrival to YVR, I followed signs to International terminal. There was a checkpoint with one Canadian immigration officer, who looked at my passport and took Canadian customs form, which I filled earlier on the plane. Then elevator or stairs and I ended up in the International "zone". No security/scanners.
BEWARE: If you want to get out to the city before your SYD flight, disregard directions to International terminal and go with everyone else to Canadian immigration/customs/Exit-to-town. It is extremely difficult to leave International terminal once you get there. There is no simple exit and you'll need Air Canada agent to personally escort you to customs from there.
SYD-YVR-SEA
Bag was checked through. There was announcement on the plane that everyone with domestic connections has to collect bags and go through customs. No mention of international or US connections. OK, walking with everyone else towards immigration/customs when I hear "US connections, anyone with US connections, come here, come here..". The guy checks my baggage tags, making sure it was checked through and lets me go through secret stairs and I end up at special security checkpoint. After security, I am allowed into a small room, with several other connecting passengers. Lady scans our boarding passes and asks to wait until "our bags show up...". About 15-20 minutes, she calls my name and shows me picture of my bags. Wow! I confirm that these are indeed look like my bags and I am allowed to go through US immigration and customs. It was pretty amazing (the pictures of my bag!) and relatively painless experience. I did not see my bags until Seattle other then in pictures, but I suspect if customs want to do random or not-so-random search, they would pull bag for you and recheck it after search.
P.S. If you are in economy, eat well before flight. The food on the way to SYD was ok, but on the way back from SYD to YVR, it was really really bad. I was wondering if the food for return flight is flown from YVR to SYD and back...
Sep 15, 2010, 6:33 pm
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Toronto YYZ UA-1K 1MM,QFgold
Programs: Royal Ambassador/ SPG Platinum 75/Marriott gold
Posts: 14,283
YVR has the most useless signage! they might have made the airport beautiful, but they forgot its an airport. Truly awful place to connect... I just did it this week. It would be so simple to fix. Get the airport authorities to get travelers to go somewhere and follow them.... very shortly YVR would fix its signage.
Perhaps YVR did it on purpose... by the time you have found what your looking for you have toured the airport.
Perhaps YVR did it on purpose... by the time you have found what your looking for you have toured the airport.
Sep 16, 2010, 8:09 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: Via Preference Privilege, AC*A, Fairmont Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,334
I did so without a problem. As above I was flying SYD-YVR-SFO, upon arrival in YVR I went through Canadian immigration (didn't take US connection line). Went and explored around town, than went through US immigration 6 hours later. Bag showed up as expected in SFO.
Real breeze with Nexus.
Real breeze with Nexus.
Sep 11, 2013, 1:04 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: East Coast, USA
Posts: 1,032
Great info.
One question: I have International -> YVR -> USA return trip. Would GE work in this situation (at the "special" US transit area), or do I have to go through customs/immigration agents as usual? Couldn't find this info anywhere.
One question: I have International -> YVR -> USA return trip. Would GE work in this situation (at the "special" US transit area), or do I have to go through customs/immigration agents as usual? Couldn't find this info anywhere.