Metro Vancouver travellers headed to the airport, the Canada-U.S. border, and the ferry may face longer waits over the Labour Day long weekend.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is expecting more than 316,000 passengers during the long weekend from Sept. 1 to 4 — an increase of over 60,000 passengers compared to last year.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is also reminding travellers may see significantly more traffic this weekend. Over the Canada Day long weekend, its officers welcomed more than one million travellers across the border.
BC Ferries is also preparing for increased traffic and says it expects over 520,000 passengers and 200,000 vehicles on board from Aug. 31 to Sept. 5.
Tips for crossing the Canada-U.S. border
Check border wait times and other ports of entry.
- Border wait times are updated hourly, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Find out the most recent wait time information online.
- The CBSA encourages travellers to travel during non-peak times, such as early in the morning, to avoid long waits.
Have your travel documents ready.
- Whether you travel by air, land, or water, having your travel documents ready to show a border services officer will expedite this process. It may help to have them together in a small bag or travel envelope that you can easily access at security checkpoints.
Considerations for travelling with children.
- An accompanying adult should have a consent letter that authorizes them to travel with the child if they share custody or are not the parent or legal guardian.
- Border services officers watch for missing children. In the absence of the letter, they may ask additional questions.
Avoid importing raw poultry products or by-products.
- There are currently restrictions on imports of live birds, bird products and by-products from U.S. states affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.
- Canadians should avoid bringing poultry products into the country. It is not recommended to bring poultry products into Canada. Otherwise, be prepared to prove the origin of your poultry product at the border.
Tips for taking flights at YVR
Air passengers can do several things in advance of travel to save time at the airport.
- Travellers are encouraged to check flight details with YVR online or with their airline before arriving. By checking in before you arrive, you can avoid lining up to get your boarding pass and it will appear on your smart device. You may also print off a copy.
- Travellers to the United States can also "skip the line" by reserving a time slot via the new YVR Express program. You may reserve a spot up to 72 hours in advance.
- U.S. Customer Customs Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app: The U.S. Customs and Border Protection offers an MPC app that allows travellers to submit information digitally before they visit the border. By using the app, travellers may "experience shorter wait times, less congestion, and efficient processing."
- YVR advises travellers to arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before U.S. and international ones. However, you should give yourself more time — and more time on your commute to the airport — during inclement weather.
- If you are driving, be sure to pre-book your parking. To avoid the roads, consider taking the convenient Canada Line, which will take you directly to the airport from downtown Vancouver in 30 minutes.
- Use the new passenger journey tool to get through the airport in a breeze with step-by-step instructions.
- Use a new digital tool called YVR TimeLine to see if travellers may be at risk of missing their flights.
Use ArriveCAN to fill out your CBSA declaration in advance.
- Travellers can make their customs and immigration declaration to the CBSA before they arrive via the ArriveCAN app. Travellers who do this can use the express lanes to get to an airport kiosk or eGate faster, which is also useful in tight flight connections.
Tips for sailing with BC Ferries
BC Ferries says that peak travel times from travel from the Lower Mainland to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning. If travellers plan to drive on board without a booking, they should prepare for the "possibility of sailing waits."
Heading back to the Lower Mainland, Sunday and Monday will be the most popular travel times. If you are able to sail on Tuesday, there will be fewer people travelling.
- Arrive 45 minutes before your sailing if you have a booking
- Have your booking number ready at the ticket booth
- When you drive on board, follow the direction of the BC Ferries crew and park close to the vehicle in front of you to maximize space on board.
- If vehicle bookings are sold out, consider walking on board. You can try transit, ride-sharing or getting dropped-off at the terminal.
- Travel with sun protection for you, your loved ones, and your pets.
- There are water stations in the terminals
With files from the Richmond News.
