Flying from Hong Kong to Vancouver, then a 7-hour wait for flight to Toronto. Is that long enough to do something interesting? Too risky to leave the airport? How about shopping, a shower or massage? Or just break out the Kindle and read?

You could jump on the Canada line to Waterfront station (downtown, 20 min ride) walk 2 blocks to the Fairmont Pacific Rim (usually have some live music) and enjoy some sushi/rolls in their lounge OR across the street to Miku restaurant for sushi aburi (raw fish seared and with cedar smoke flavour, Mmmmm), then enjoy a stroll out on Canada Place pier or Convention centre and watch cargo ships being unloaded and great view of the port. A stroll back to Waterfront station and back on Canada Line to YVR to catch your flight.

thanks Rick, that sounds doable!

I would head out to Stanley Park and have a walk around. Stunning area along the sea wall. Easiest would be to take the Skytrain to Waterfront than grab a bus to the park. There's a good aquarium within Stanley Park if that sort of thing interests you.

You don't say what time of year your layover is, if its in the late Spring/Summer rain shouldn't be a problem for outdoor activities.

What about a four hour and 15 minute Vancouver layover in the Spring? Would love to see a little of Vancouver, having never been there. Ideas?

What time do you arrive and depart? Where are you arriving from, and departing to? What airlines are you flying?

...now that that is out of the way

I would take the Canada Line Skytrain from YVR to the Waterfront Station (25 minute journey), then make your way to Canada Place (look for the 'sails'). Walk around Canada Place - You'll get some nice views of the city and the harbour...



...then get back on the train and head back to YVR.

A standard response on FT is 'skip downtown and head to a Chinese Mall in the suburb of Richmond' but I'd advise against that. I just don't get the appeal of a big Chinese Mall.

I will be arriving at YVR at 11:55 AM from Shanghai, China, and departing at 4:10 PM to NYC (all on Air Canada).

gglave, your tip sounds good. Thanks.

You have a lot less than 4:15hrs. You did not mention that you are only arrival and US departure.

By the time you have cleared CBSA immigration and customs to enter Canada it will be 12:45 minimum. Since you are flying out of YVR to US you will need to clear US CBP Immigration and customs at YVR no later than 2:40pm. These time are realistic iff you are travelling with US or Canadian passport; otherwise leave more time.

You might also have to deal with check bags for you will be entering Canada and not transiting to US direct.

That's a good point. I will be travelling with US passport. So do you think if I realistically only have 1 1/2 to 2 hours I could see anything in Vancouver? Isn't there a place to store or check my carry on (in YVR) while going on this quick outing before my next flight?

Yes - But it depends if you want to spend some money -

You could jump in cab (or a town car, which might be better) and ask the driver to take you on a tour. Specifically, you could ask him to take you downtown via Cambie Street:



Then down Georgia street and around Stanley Park:



Exiting Stanley Park on Beach Avenue:



The back to the airport via the Granville Bridge.

Would probably take about 90 minutes, give or take. Not sure of the fare, but probably $90-$100 in a cab and $130-$150 in a town car. At least he wouldn't have to deadhead back to the airport.

There is baggage storage at YVR, or you could just take your bag with you.

Note - GGLAVE - excellent pix, stayed at the Westin on the waterfront back in 1986 & everytime we go back, Stanley Park bring back old memories ...

Unsmiley, assumption is that your inbound AC flight lands on time and you deplane quickly, being a 763 at the busy airport - join the line for CBSA immigration & custom inspection to exit, with your checked luggage & carryons. Then make your way quickly into downtown/waterfront, etc.

You need to allow time to return to the airport, go thru airport security screening - then proceed to pre-clear US CBP & custom, and re-check your luggage & proceed to the gate with your carryons. I'm thinking is 80 minutes adequate with check-in & BP for the continuation/connecting flight already issued?

So, flights land late but sometimes, they land early and you could get lucky with extra time, but it's anybody's guess until that day. You could have 2+ hours to see the city or might be left with 45 minutes or 1 hour to go outside the terminal building - barely enough time to catch a quick taxi ride to nearby Richmond for some hot dim sum (come from PVG ... maybe, after a 12+ hours flight, and maybe not.) For "laowai" - some consider it a nice treat while transiting thru YVR, others not so much so YMMV.

We last flew out of YVR in 2011 to ORD for our connections, and we left for the airport 3 hours early - just to play it safe - to drop off the rental car & to clear security, then US CBP & customs, luggage drops & the lines were pretty long and bad (the Alaska cruise ship season hasn't even started yet.) That was our experience, YMMV - keep an open mind & have your options available - as you might have also have to skip it and just stay inside the airport and explore whatever is there - YVR has changed a lot and expanded in the past 15-20 years.

I like this idea. We have roughly 8 hours to kill ICN-YVR-IAH. Can we use credit cards for everything or would we need cash for anything (train fare, lockers at YVR for bags, entrance to Stanley Park)?

Credit cards are widely accepted in Canada, but you won't need them for Stanley Park - it's a very big open space and there is no entry fee.

EmailKid

If you're OK with walking, another option would be to walk to Stanley Park from Waterfront Station along the Coal Harbour Seawall, which is quite pretty.

When you come out of Waterfront Station follow the signs for the convention centre and just follow the (paved) path next to the water.

This photo is taken from the convention centre and you can see Stanley Park in the distance:



Should be able to use credit cards for everything. Stanley Park is free.

Actually we probably would be up for a nice walk along the waterfront. We will have just done BNE-BKK-ICN-YVR in J and be well rested but needing to stretch our legs a bit. There is a fee to the Bloedel Conservatory (how can I pass up a chance to see exotic birds) so I think we may need cash for that. But we won't be back in Canada for quite a while if ever so we don't want to change too much currency.