2009 Vancouver Official Travel Planner Guide - (Page 52) Getting to & Around Vancouver Photography: Vancouver International Airport ©Tourism Vancouver/Vancouver International Airport; Helicopter flying over Vancouver ©Tourism Vancouver/Helijet Awards and Achievements Vancouver International Airport Is Airport of Choice Number Four Airport in the World: In Airports Council International’s 2007 global airport survey of international passengers, YVR was named number four airport in the world (in the 15–25 million passengers category), up from a number five ranking in 2006. Top Airport in North America: In a survey of international passengers conducted by U.K.-based Skytrax, YVR was named Top Airport in North America and number eight in the world. Additionally, the Air Line Pilots Association named YVR the top airport for 2007. Vancouver serves as the major gateway to Western Canada. And with plenty of nonstop flights to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Vancouver is easily accessible from all over the globe. Vancouver is located just 30 kilometres (19 miles) north of the Canadian/U.S. border at the southern edge of British Columbia. If your clients are flying to Vancouver, they’ll pass through Vancouver International Airport (YVR), a modern and fully updated facility offering access to Vancouver from around the globe. For more information on the airport, visit yvr.ca. If your clients are travelling to Vancouver from the United States, they can also drive across the border in their cars and RVs. Interstate 5 (I-5) from Seattle becomes Highway 99 across the Canadian/U.S. border. This highway will take them directly to Vancouver. Regular bus service from Vancouver’s city centre to Seattle’s Sea-Tac Airport is available via shuttle buses. By Air Located 13 kilometres (eight miles) south of downtown, YVR offers a host of domestic and international routes, providing easy access to the city. Additionally, floatplane service to the outlying islands offers an alternative form of travel to and from Vancouver. Building the YVR Gateway The Vancouver International Airport Authority is undertaking a $1 billion capital program to ensure YVR meets the growing demands for air travel and to continue developing the airport as a premier global gateway and economic generator for British Columbia. The program’s projects are designed to accommodate the 19 million passengers projected at YVR by 2010 and to handle the newer, larger aircraft of the future. The major projects in the Airport Authority’s capital program include: $420 Million International Terminal Expansion and Upgrades The four new gates that comprise phase one of the expansion officially opened in March 2007. The new wing celebrates the spectacular nature of the Pacific West Coast with a large aquarium with indigenous marine life, a jellyfish tank and a stream running through the centre of the building. $117 Million Link Building Connecting the International and Domestic terminals, the Link Building provides increased international check-in capacity, passenger screening, additional baggage systems and office space. This five-story building is connected to the Canada Line station via a covered walkway, and it will serve as a central hub for passengers travelling through YVR. Canada Line Funding Partner Canada Line is a new rapid-transit service that will provide direct connections between the Vancouver Airport, Vancouver and central Richmond. Travel time from the airport to downtown Vancouver is 25 minutes. The Canada Line will connect with the rest of the SkyTrain rapid transit network, the heliport and passenger ferry services to the North Shore at the downtown Waterfront Station, as well as with major east–west transit services along the route. Completion is slated for fall 2009. canadaline.ca By Rail Several rail lines operate out of Vancouver including VIA Rail Canada, Amtrak and Rocky Mountaineer Vacations. The main terminal for most rail routes is located downtown at Pacific Central Station. However, Rocky Mountaineer Vacations has its own facility at 1755 Cottrell Street, and the Whistler Mountaineer operates out of North Vancouver. By Coach There are plenty of options for group travel by coach, including regular routes to Victoria, Whistler, Vancouver International Airport and other destinations. A variety of companies listed in this section are ready to work with you to arrange coach transportation for your group, whether it’s two people or a group of 200. By Public Transit Visitors to Vancouver will enjoy the mobility options of a fully integrated transit network that efficiently connects all the major town centres and key attractions. This world-class multi-modal network includes SkyTrain — the regional rapid transit network; SeaBus — a passenger ferry service between Vancouver and the North Shore; and a comprehensive grid of bus services including high-frequency, limited-stop B-Line routes, express commuter routes, local bus service and community shuttles. For schedule and fare information, visit translink.bc.ca. By Water Whether your clients require a short water taxi ride or an Alaskan cruise, options abound. BC Ferries provides extensive service to Vancouver Island through its two mainland ferry terminals, Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay. By Taxi In most areas, flagging a taxi on the street is not difficult. Vancouver has several wellregulated taxi companies whose drivers must all pass minimum standards in a number of key service areas. The Ministry of Transportation recently developed a Taxi Bill of Rights outlining expectations of both taxi drivers and passengers. To find out more, go to taxirights.gov.bc.ca. 52 t o u r i s m va n c o u ve r. c o m / t ra d e http://yvr.ca http://translink.bc.ca http://taxirights.gov.bc.ca http://canadaline.ca http://tourismvancouver.com/trade
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