Travellers catching flights, ferries, or driving out of the Lower Mainland should brace for increased traffic over the Canada Day long weekend.
Traffic will be busiest leaving Metro Vancouver on Friday (June 28) and returning Monday, which is the Canada Day holiday. However, the weekend may see an uptick in travellers visiting from other areas.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) welcomed more than one million travellers across the Canada-U.S. border over the weekend in 2023.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) plans to welcome 7.8 million passengers over the summer and many of them plan to travel over the long weekend.
Air passengers who booked with WestJet should monitor their flights; some flights have been cancelled due to the strike action. The airline introduced flexible booking policies for flights and vacation packages for the long weekend.
Tips for driving across the Canada-U.S. border
The CBSA recommends that travellers cross the border at non-peak hours, such as the early morning. The agency says Mondays after holiday long weekends tend to be the busiest.
Drivers using a GPS application (such as Google Maps, Apple Maps or Waze) to get to a port of entry, should check different navigation options (such as fastest and shortest routes) to determine the best route.
- Check the border wait times web page before you leave: Travellers should check the U.S. border wait times well before they leave to see current conditions. Also, best to check the official CBSA Directory of Offices and Services for a port of entry’s hours of operation.
- Have your travel documents handy: Whether travelling by land, air or water, you can help speed things up by coming prepared with your travel documents.
- Special forms for dogs (and other animal pals): Anyone planning to bring a pet on holiday or import one back into the country must complete the requisite forms.
- Recommendations for travelling with children: When travelling with children, it is recommended that the accompanying adult have a consent letter authorizing them to travel with the child. Border services officers are always watching for missing children. In the absence of the letter, officers may ask additional questions, to help them identify the relationship between the child and the accompanying adult.
Tips for flying in and out of the Vancouver Airport (YVR)
Travellers should check weather conditions several days before their flight in their departure city and destination. If your flight is in North America, monitor major storms across the continent.
If possible, booking a backup flight provides an option during peak travel times when cancellations are likely. Depending on the fare class you book, you can cancel the backup flight and use the credit for future travel.
Always book travel insurance with trip interruption, trip cancellation, medical for over $5 million, and comprehensive baggage loss and delay. Read the fine print closely.
Save time with Advance Declaration
The CBSA advises travellers to save time passing through customs by making an advance declaration in the ArriveCan app. The advance declaration is admissible at the following airports: Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Winnipeg, Halifax, Quebec City, Ottawa, Billy Bishop, Calgary and Edmonton.
Using the ArriveCan app cuts a traveller's time at a kiosk or eGate by up to 50 per cent, according to CBSA data.
The pandemic-introduced app is also useful for travellers who need to make a tight connection in another Canadian city on the way to Vancouver. For example, if your first stop is at Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ), you must go through customs in Toronto before flying to YVR. Filling out your information in the app in advance will allow you to move through a priority lane.
Travellers should also check in with their airline before heading to the airport. This will speed up the process of checking in once they arrive.
YVR also offers several tips to help travellers save time at the airport.
Book your spot for security screening in advance
Consider using YVR Express to reserve your spot in security screening. The tool is available for those flying within Canada or to the U.S. and allows you to pre-book your spot up to 72 hours before your flight, even during peak holiday hours.
Use YVR's 'Journeys' tool
YVR offers a tool that allows passengers to view a step-by-step guide through the airport based on their specific flight information.
Parking at YVR or using other forms of transportation
There are a few different options available for air passengers looking to take advantage of long-term parking at YVR. All of them are priced based on convenience, meaning the faster you can get to the terminal from your car, the higher the cost of keeping your vehicle at the airport. Have a look at the pros and cons of these options.
Use your smartphone to speed up your time in line
Locals who plan to fly to the U.S. from Canada can submit their passport and customs declaration information through a free, secure app on their smartphone before they leave for a trip. It's called the U.S. Customer Customs Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app.
Tips for sailing with BC Ferries
BC Ferries says there is limited space available for customers looking to book in advance with a vehicle on routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast.
Thursday and Friday are expected to be the most popular times to travel from Metro Vancouver to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. Monday will be the most popular time for travellers returning to the Lower Mainland.
If you plan to drive on board without a booking during peak times, arrive prepared for sailing waits. To avoid sailing waits, walk on board. If you’re planning to drive, travel on off-peak days (Saturday and Sunday) and times (early morning or late night).
BC Ferries says travellers should check the current conditions and all routes at a glance for the status of their sailing on the day of travel before they head out.
Here are a few more tips for BC Ferries passengers:
- Arrive early for your trip: BC Ferries recommends arriving at the terminal approximately 45-60 minutes before their scheduled departure. Walk-on passengers should arrive 45 minutes before their anticipated sailing.
- Ride-share, if possible: Customers are encouraged to carpool or travel as a foot passenger. Vehicle deck space fills up quickly.
- Travel car-free: Take public transit to and from major terminals. For schedule information, visit TransLink online.
- Consider parking options: Parking lots at the major terminals fill up quickly during peak periods. If possible, choose public transit or arrange to be dropped off at the terminal to avoid traffic congestion.
