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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! |
Sadly no.
You will need to collect your luggage in YVR and clear customs with it. However, after clearing customs you can drop it off at the connections desk and then head into the city for a while. Enjoy your visit. |
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 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. |
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. |
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).
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My apologies themaninblack, I have only ever done this connection outside of the 9am-8pm time frame and always had to claim my bags. Another new fact learned.
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Originally Posted by Unclehippo
(Post 13965605)
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).
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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? |
Originally Posted by Unclehippo
(Post 13965605)
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).
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. |
Originally Posted by rtool
(Post 14663617)
Just double-checking for my handicapped parents:
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. However, either way, your parents will clear US CBP in YVR on the way back. |
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... |
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.:rolleyes: |
I am also having couple (>4) hours of transfers in YVR for my HKG-YVR-SFO flight. Can I step out of the airport and do some short sightseeing (at Richmond BC) before I heading back to the airport for my connecting flight?
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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. |
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. |
Originally Posted by radiowell
(Post 21427271)
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. If you are a US or Canadian passport holder, you can use the new Automated Passport Clearance machines in the US Pre-Clearance area if you are using the US transit area after arriving from an international flight. Similar to Global Entry, but you need to fill in your customs form still. |
Originally Posted by Jebby_ca
(Post 21427824)
Global Entry is only available if you enter the US Pre-Clearance area via the US check-in area.
If you are a US or Canadian passport holder, you can use the new Automated Passport Clearance machines in the US Pre-Clearance area if you are using the US transit area after arriving from an international flight. Similar to Global Entry, but you need to fill in your customs form still. |
Originally Posted by radiowell
(Post 21427864)
I could even venture into town and come back to YVR to catch my flight (where I could use GE, I presume).
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Originally Posted by radiowell
(Post 21427271)
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.
If so, you can use Nexus to enter Canada, then proceed upstairs to US Depatures and use GE to enter the US transborder area. |
Originally Posted by gglave
(Post 21428354)
Do you have Nexus in addition to GE? (i.e. did you get a retina scan?)
If so, you can use Nexus to enter Canada, then proceed upstairs to US Depatures and use GE to enter the US transborder area. Actually, I go to Canada (YVR, no less) enough times that I should consider getting NEXUS. I guess that's additional $50, oh well, but could be worth it. |
Originally Posted by radiowell
(Post 21428490)
No, unfortunately. Just GE.
Actually, I go to Canada (YVR, no less) enough times that I should consider getting NEXUS. I guess that's additional $50, oh well, but could be worth it. |
International-Domestic Question
I've transited YVR numerous times, and have been frustrated by the chokepoint at the security check from international-domestic flights. Everytime I've been back whether from HKG or NRT, it seems the hold-up at the mini security is longer than the walk. The line-ups aren't bad per se, at most, 10 to 15 people, but things clog up really badly once gets funneled into the line.
If I only have a carry-on, would it be advisable to exit the sterile area after the clearing the customs and immigration area and then "checking in" in the public departures area? Does YVR have the Canadian version of the TSA pre-check that YYZ offers? PS: I do have the NEXUS/GE combo, which worked just fine in the past; it's the security check afterwards that always makes connections dicey. |
Originally Posted by yqtyyz
(Post 22514736)
I've transited YVR numerous times, and have been frustrated by the chokepoint at the security check from international-domestic flights. Everytime I've been back whether from HKG or NRT, it seems the hold-up at the mini security is longer than the walk. The line-ups aren't bad per se, at most, 10 to 15 people, but things clog up really badly once gets funneled into the line.
If I only have a carry-on, would it be advisable to exit the sterile area after the clearing the customs and immigration area and then "checking in" in the public departures area? Does YVR have the Canadian version of the TSA pre-check that YYZ offers? PS: I do have the NEXUS/GE combo, which worked just fine in the past; it's the security check afterwards that always makes connections dicey. If flying AC, the domestic security has a separate Nexus line with an automated gate - scans your BP and also your Nexus card. However all it does is put you to the front of the regular line, so still stuck behind Joe and Jane Once-A-Year Traveller if you're unlucky. |
My experience with this has been the opposite.
I've always found the AC international / USA to domestic connection semi sterile security check (after the elevated walkway) to be much less congested than the regular screening point with all the kettles and families. I wouldn't advocate leaving a sterile area in the hopes that the public side would be less busy. But you may have other experiences. . . |
Thanks to you both for your insight. I've only experienced the mini-security area. There are 3 security lines, but only 1 has been in use when I'm there.
What prompted my curiosity was the fact that the SD from my NRT-YVR flight caught up to me while I was standing in line.
Originally Posted by CT1
(Post 22516240)
Yeah you can exit the sterile area (by heading left to the Exit instead of to the right towards Canada Connections) and enter the AC domestic area like a YVR-originating passenger, done this coming back from the U.S. In fact sometimes you have to as the mini-security and direct domestic access isn't always open. The walk is a little longer going outside - frankly I think it's a wash as I've done both.
If flying AC, the domestic security has a separate Nexus line with an automated gate - scans your BP and also your Nexus card. However all it does is put you to the front of the regular line, so still stuck behind Joe and Jane Once-A-Year Traveller if you're unlucky.
Originally Posted by worldtraveller73
(Post 22516836)
My experience with this has been the opposite.
I've always found the AC international / USA to domestic connection semi sterile security check (after the elevated walkway) to be much less congested than the regular screening point with all the kettles and families. I wouldn't advocate leaving a sterile area in the hopes that the public side would be less busy. But you may have other experiences. . . |
Originally Posted by worldtraveller73
(Post 22516836)
My experience with this has been the opposite.
I've always found the AC international / USA to domestic connection semi sterile security check (after the elevated walkway) to be much less congested than the regular screening point with all the kettles and families. I wouldn't advocate leaving a sterile area in the hopes that the public side would be less busy. But you may have other experiences. . . I've only gone US to domestic without leaving the sterile area once (and it was an accident - I didn't even know you could do this :p), but there was no line at security. |
Anyone know if duty-free alcohol bought from NRT is ok to continue through to SFO when transiting through YVR as carryon luggage? Or would I need to exit the sterile area and then check in another bag?
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Originally Posted by monserco1
(Post 24465064)
Anyone know if duty-free alcohol bought from NRT is ok to continue through to SFO when transiting through YVR as carryon luggage?
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Thanks- is there an opportunity to check an additional bag at an airline counter after arrival in YVR and before the security check point for US flights?
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Originally Posted by monserco1
(Post 24465171)
Thanks- is there an opportunity to check an additional bag at an airline counter after arrival in YVR and before the security check point for US flights?
If you do the internal transit you NRT arrival bags will be sent to US connections. You will be diverted upon arrival to head to US departure CBP. SO normally it would not work as your carryon will be subjected to CATSA who will confiscate the 100ml+ bottle. In order for it to work you would need to enter Canada with your checked bag through CBSA. Then you can place the dutyfree into the check bags and then head over to US departure with US-CBP and CATSA. Whether this works will depend on your Asian departure whether they will short check your bag to YVR as opposed to all the way to SFO. I heard that this is unlikely from YVR people who tried to take advantage of the cheaper ex-US TPAC flights and skipping the final leg. |
Awesome and very helpful answers.
I may try to keep a bag with me, buy duty free, pack it into the bag and then go to an Air Canada desk and ask them to check it gate-side through to SFO. I'll see if they're willing to do that first before buying anything. |
Originally Posted by monserco1
(Post 24465838)
Awesome and very helpful answers.
I may try to keep a bag with me, buy duty free, pack it into the bag and then go to an Air Canada desk and ask them to check it gate-side through to SFO. I'll see if they're willing to do that first before buying anything. We are giving you answers, probably not what you want to hear. If it is any consolation, IME one can find many liquids that are available at NRT FaSoLa dutyfree cheaper on US soil. |
Originally Posted by tentseller
(Post 24465948)
Gate-side is post CATSA so you need to get the bottles through CATSA first.
Is this special liquor unavailable in San Francisco? If so, you could just buy it in Japan and pack it into your checked bag before you head to the airport. |
Just an update-
After landing and clearing the connections security at NRT, I went to the Air Canada desk and they confirmed they could check a bag in for me here in NRT. I bought the duty free items, packed them into my luggage and went back to the Air Canada desk where a luggage tag was already waiting for me. The bag was checked through to SFO. Thanks again for all the help- maybe someone else in the future who is a fan of hard-to-find Japanese whiskey, wants to take advantage of a strong exchange rate and has a similar route through YVR to the US can use this information. |
Originally Posted by monserco1
(Post 24468771)
Just an update-
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