Leaving Airport during 5hr Layover SFO-YVR-SYD

Moderators: richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR

Post Reply
 
Loubert
Topic Author
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2010 2:00 am

Leaving Airport during 5hr Layover SFO-YVR-SYD

Sat May 19, 2018 4:21 am

I am wondering if it's feasible for my wife and I to take a quick trip out of YVR on a USA to International connection. We have been to YVR before, but never arrived in the afternoon/evening. We land from SFO on AC at around 18:40, then our flight to SYD leaves at 23:50.

We are hoping to leave the airport on the Canada Line to putter about a for a few hours, so we'd like to figure out if that's feasible. Will we be:

    - Likely to be allowed to enter Canada?
    - Have problems getting back into the airport?

We will have our have US passports in hand, as well as presumably our YVR-SYD boarding passes. Also our Australian ETAs have been secured, though I think those would get checked back at SFO. Please let me know, your help is appreciated!
Top
 
alggag
Posts: 465
Joined: Tue Apr 20, 2010 6:34 am

Re: Leaving Airport during 5hr Layover SFO-YVR-SYD

Sat May 19, 2018 6:08 am

I've done this sort of thing once or twice and I had no issues at all. Someone might ask a question about exiting customs with no luggage and if so just tell them that you have a long layover and that you would rather pass the time in the city. The only real issue is just to make sure you leave enough time to get back to the airport and check in.

In my case I was on LAX-SYD-AKL and went into Sydney instead of hanging around in transit for 8 hours.
Top
 
LGAviation
Posts: 884
Joined: Thu Jul 30, 2015 10:14 am

Re: Leaving Airport during 5hr Layover SFO-YVR-SYD

Sat May 19, 2018 9:39 am

I've just done exactly that on a four hour layover on an AC DEN-YVR-FRA. Immigration was empty and traveling on German passports there wasn't the slightest issue involved. Took the Canada line train to Waterfront and spend an hour and thirty minutes by the harbour, the sunshine was such a contrast to the fog and cold we had in Wyoming and Colorado.
Also, I usually give myself intentionally long layovers in countries I haven't been to before or in cities that I like when I travel internationally and virtually all of them were no questions asked (MIA (but you had to go through passport control there anyway, YVR is different from North American airports), SVO, AUH, DOH, BKK, PVG, NBO, SIN, KUL, IST ans many more), the only ones where I got in but had some trouble were ADD back in 2011/12 when I was there for the first time and tried to introduce them to the concept of a stopover which funny enough they now sell and BAH on Gulf Air.
Top
 
Loubert
Topic Author
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2010 2:00 am

Re: Leaving Airport during 5hr Layover SFO-YVR-SYD

Sat May 19, 2018 6:23 pm

Thank you everyone for your responses; they are very helpful. Let's just hope that we're not delayed out of SFO!.
Top
 
PI4EVER
Posts: 904
Joined: Wed May 06, 2009 10:29 pm

Re: Leaving Airport during 5hr Layover SFO-YVR-SYD

Sat May 19, 2018 8:24 pm

If you end up loosing part of your full 5 hour layover due to a delay or weather is inclement, consider killing some time at the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel located directly above the US departures terminal. We spent over 2 hours in the bar simply enjoying a few drinks and food while we watched airplanes right outside our window. Day rooms are available as well, but may not be worthwhile for just a 5 hour or less stopover.
A spa is also available to use a pool, sauna, steamroom or receive a massage.
Staff were friendly and service top notch. A great way to kill some time talking, and reading while enjoying the food and beverages.
Top
 
dfwjim1
Posts: 2736
Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2011 8:46 pm

Re: Leaving Airport during 5hr Layover SFO-YVR-SYD

Sun May 20, 2018 7:49 pm

I would go with the Fairmont option at YVR as in reality you and the wife will only have 4 hours to sight see as it will take 20 minutes for your plane to get to the gate and boarding starts 40 minutes before departure. Take a dedicated trip to Vancouver sometime and take a few days to enjoy that great city.
Top
 
MCGYVR
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2017 6:05 pm

Re: Leaving Airport during 5hr Layover SFO-YVR-SYD

Sun May 20, 2018 8:49 pm

I would also recommend to take the Canada Line to bridgeport station and check out the River Rock casino or to templeton station (ticket is free to this stop) and explore the Mcarthur Glen outlets.
Top
 
User avatar
admanager
Posts: 374
Joined: Sat Aug 20, 2011 11:28 pm

Re: Leaving Airport during 5hr Layover SFO-YVR-SYD

Thu May 24, 2018 3:05 am

With limited time, spend the couple extra dollars and get a cab or (Uber) down to Granville Island. Then go eat at Edible Canada. You'll be on the waterfront, see a quaint area of Vancouver and get a fine Canadian meal.
Top
 
MCGYVR
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2017 6:05 pm

Re: Leaving Airport during 5hr Layover SFO-YVR-SYD

Thu May 24, 2018 3:10 am

admanager wrote:
With limited time, spend the couple extra dollars and get a cab or (Uber) down to Granville Island.

We're still waiting for UBER
Top
 
BAINY3
Posts: 328
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2017 4:42 pm

Re: Leaving Airport during 5hr Layover SFO-YVR-SYD

Fri May 25, 2018 2:53 am

As long as we're on this topic, how does checked luggage work when transiting Canada in this manner? I have an upcoming MSP-YYZ-AMS trip with a 7-hour layover. Would my checked bag be checked all the way through to AMS, or is it like entering the US where you have to claim it and drop it back off?
Top
 
MCGYVR
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2017 6:05 pm

Re: Leaving Airport during 5hr Layover SFO-YVR-SYD

Fri May 25, 2018 3:46 am

Check out this link: https://www.torontopearson.com/Connecting.aspx# .
You will need to collect and recheck your bag(s).
Top
 
225623
Posts: 319
Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2010 9:54 pm

Re: Leaving Airport during 5hr Layover SFO-YVR-SYD

Fri May 25, 2018 10:58 am

In Amsterdam you can book guided city tours durig layovers. In Singapore you can do the tour for free.
Top
 
BAINY3
Posts: 328
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2017 4:42 pm

Re: Leaving Airport during 5hr Layover SFO-YVR-SYD

Fri May 25, 2018 11:01 pm

MCGYVR wrote:
Check out this link: https://www.torontopearson.com/Connecting.aspx# .
You will need to collect and recheck your bag(s).

That guide doesn't actually mention checked bags. I guess my question was how to handle the layover when I don't want to go directly to the connecting gates and would like to go landside for a bit (not to leave the terminal entirely, but I at least want to waste time at the landside fitness center while I'm there). If I have to claim my bag before going through customs, I assume I can drop my bag back off for AMS without having to personally go through security first, right? In other words, is the connecting flight bag drop on the landside section of the terminal? I don't want to have to go through security twice during my layover and just wanted to make sure that's not going to be a problem.
Top
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Gfgdfgv and 40 guests

Popular Searches On Airliners.net

Top Photos of Last:   24 Hours  •  48 Hours  •  7 Days  •  30 Days  •  180 Days  •  365 Days  •  All Time

Military Aircraft Every type from fighters to helicopters from air forces around the globe

Classic Airliners Props and jets from the good old days

Flight Decks Views from inside the cockpit

Aircraft Cabins Passenger cabin shots showing seat arrangements as well as cargo aircraft interior

Cargo Aircraft Pictures of great freighter aircraft

Government Aircraft Aircraft flying government officials

Helicopters Our large helicopter section. Both military and civil versions

Blimps / Airships Everything from the Goodyear blimp to the Zeppelin

Night Photos Beautiful shots taken while the sun is below the horizon

Accidents Accident, incident and crash related photos

Air to Air Photos taken by airborne photographers of airborne aircraft

Special Paint Schemes Aircraft painted in beautiful and original liveries

Airport Overviews Airport overviews from the air or ground

Tails and Winglets Tail and Winglet closeups with beautiful airline logos