We are arriving into YVR at 8:15am from SEA. Our goal is to be at Capilano University no later than 11:45am. Is this possible? Translink.ca seems to think public transit will take an hour - Canada Line to Seabus to bus 239. With two people and a bag is a taxi/car a better option or will traffic be difficult?
It should be very doable with 3:30 to play with. However, I would give 1 hr to get out of the customs hall given that you'll be arriving amidst the rush from Asia (unless travellers from there decide to stay home and avoid the Circus chaos).
I think the 60 minute estimate by Translink is optimistic. If the 25-30 minute RAV line ride to the waterfront station is true, you may have up to 1/2 hr wait between SeaBus ferries and a 10 minute ride across (maybe a lot less wait if all 3 SeaBusses are operating). Not sure how frequent service is to Cap College but I imagine it must be at least a 25 min ride. Research the timetables at Translink carefully.
I'd say it's about 45-60 mins by cab to the old Capilano College by taxi and closer to $50. Just tell the taxi driver to go via the 2nd Narrows bridge (they should know that). Go onto Marine Drive eastbound in Vancouver, north on one of the N-S streets, onto the 2nd Narrows and Cap College is no more than 5-7 minutes from the north end of the bridge.
If you do go by transit, see one of my last entries in the RAV line thread to avoid paying the $5 surcharge. You can buy 10 prepaid tickets for the 4 cash fares from the airport.