Well, I’m back in Vancouver, just on a layover on my way to Seattle for the holidays. It’s the busiest air travel day of 2011 and every flight was sold out! In the end, I hopped on a flight with ONE empty seat to Kelowna, and then waited for the later flight to Vancouver. Worked like a charm! But then, I still need to get to Seattle.
Flights were between $300 and $600, but it turns out a bus is only $40! So I bought a Vancouver city transit ticket and rode the Skytrain to Pacific Central Station. Thank goodness I’m a light packer! I’m waiting for the Amtrak bus to get me the rest of the way.
Here’s a tip for getting around on the cheap in Vancouver. If you go straight to the airport Skytrain station and buy a ticket, it’s $5, aka: the tourist rate. Instead, stop at the convenience store in YVR domestic arrivals before you leave the airport. It’s just down the escalator by the totem poles (there’s also a wine shop, if you need a quick gift). If you’ll be around for a while, it’s worth it to get a 10 pack of one-zone fares for $21. Then head to the Skytain and validate your $2.50 ticket like a local!
On the weekend, a one-zone fare will get you anywhere by bus, seabus, or Skytrain! During the week, you can upgrade your ticket to add another zone, if you need to. Even though I needed to switch trains, it was still only one zone to get from YVR airport all the way to Main Street Skytrain station.
Oh, one more thing. If you touch down to wet pavement in Vancouver and realize you forgot your rain coat, hit the tourist information booth in domestic arrivals. They have folding umbrellas for $5! They can also check the bus and train schedule for you.
I love traveling cheap, especially during the holidays when everything seems to be more expensive! If you have tips for me, leave a comment; I’d love to hear them! Happy holidays:)
71destinations 