YVR transit, possible to go the city for brunch?

[albatross710]

I'll soon be embarking on a journey from BNE to LAS with a layover at YVR.6.5 hr My flight will arrive at YVR at 06:50 AM, and the LAS flight departs at 1:20 PM.

In terms of timing, I have plenty of time to catch a train to the city and enjoy brunch in the Gasworks area. However, I'm unsure about the best way to exit the airport without causing any issues with my transit.

If I choose to clear Canadian customs upon arrival at YVR, I'm curious about the handling of my checked bag. From what I recall, when I proceed to the international terminal for my transnational flight, I go through U.S. immigration, where they clear my bag into the USA. Can I exit the airport after this stage, having technically already 'entered' the USA?

The most straightforward approach, it seems, would be to check in at YVR, collect my bag, exit to the city, enjoy brunch, and then complete the check-in process upon returning to the airport.

Ideally, I'd like to streamline the YVR transfer process so that I have my BNE-YVR and YVR-LAS boarding passes, eliminating the need to collect my bag and check in again later in the day.

I'd greatly appreciate insights and advice from experienced travellers familiar with YVR procedures.

 

[Revenge]

In my last few times transitting international to domestic at YVR with AC, bags were checked through and I went through immigration and customs and then back through security. I'm thinking if you're transferring international to international your bags will certainly go through and you should be able to clear immigration and customs for your very short visit just with your hand luggage. Make sure you get an ETA!

As you say, it's plenty of time to catch the sky train to the waterfront, well worth getting out of the airport for.

 

[albatross710]

I'm thinking if you're transferring international to international your bags will certainly go through and you should be able to clear immigration and customs

thanks for the note. I will know in a few weeks.

 

[tomlee1986]

I'll soon be embarking on a journey from BNE to LAS with a layover at YVR.6.5 hr My flight will arrive at YVR at 06:50 AM, and the LAS flight departs at 1:20 PM.

In terms of timing, I have plenty of time to catch a train to the city and enjoy brunch in the Gasworks area. However, I'm unsure about the best way to exit the airport without causing any issues with my transit.

If I choose to clear Canadian customs upon arrival at YVR, I'm curious about the handling of my checked bag. From what I recall, when I proceed to the international terminal for my transnational flight, I go through U.S. immigration, where they clear my bag into the USA. Can I exit the airport after this stage, having technically already 'entered' the USA?

The most straightforward approach, it seems, would be to check in at YVR, collect my bag, exit to the city, enjoy brunch, and then complete the check-in process upon returning to the airport.

Ideally, I'd like to streamline the YVR transfer process so that I have my BNE-YVR and YVR-LAS boarding passes, eliminating the need to collect my bag and check in again later in the day.

I'd greatly appreciate insights and advice from experienced travellers familiar with YVR procedures.

the heading into town should be okay but the problem is the custom check departing out of YVR could take the time especially with the US CBP at YVR... need to consider that before making that decision

 

[albatross710]

the heading into town should be okay but the problem is the custom check departing out of YVR could take the time especially with the US CBP at YVR... need to consider that before making that decision

I guessing my APEC travel card isn't going to help. It didn't last year.

 

[albatross710]

As it turned out on the day I arrived, the weather looked terrible and I opted to stay at the airport.

There has been a step removed from the International Transfer process which makes leaving the airport in transit even easier btw. So next time, weather permitting, I'll be dressed for all weather.

The USA Maple Leaf lounge did serve up a couple of curve balls for my 6 hour layover.

Curve Ball 1: When entering at 6 hours, the lounge scanner said that I could not enter until 3 hours before my flight. A plea to the lounge human understood how that rule doesn't make sense on international long haul transfers.

Curve Ball 2: The one lounge shower was not available "all day" due to no rostered cleaning staff. Later in the day I asked again and the shower was available.

On this journey all of my AC flights were on time. 3 flights were missing the promised WiFi.