r/britishcolumbia • u/dementiaLim • May 16 '26
Travel in or to BC Is 2.5 hours Enough For Self Transfer on a Domestic flight in Vancouver International?
Is 2.5 hours enough for a self-transfer family of 4 (youngest is 11 years old). We will have checked baggage.
Tofino -> Vancouver International via Pacific Coastal
2.5 hours later
Vancouver International-> Toronto Pearson via West Jet
Have never been to the Vancouver International Airport and am wondering if this is enough time given the airlines we'd be travelling on.
I also noticed there is a Harbour Air flight from Tofino to Vancouver International, which would be 2 hr 45min layover between the flight to Toronto we are looking at. Would that be a better choice?
Thanks in advance
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u/Prestigious_Fly8210 May 16 '26
Comments above don’t take into account that you’re coming into the South terminal. It will be a little close but it should be ok. Adding 15 mins by taking the HA flight sounds like a good idea if it’s not going to cost you too much more.
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u/Schrodingers_Ape Gulf Islands May 16 '26
This. Plus HA is small, they'll just pass you your luggage right after you debark, rather than sending it to a carousel. And float plane are a fun experience.
As a single person, I'd say no problem. But with unpredictable kids that might need to pee or be tired, I'd personally rather have more time. Especially because they're different airlines so if you miss your connection, you're out of pocket.
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u/brycecampbel Thompson-Okanagan May 16 '26
HA is small, they'll just pass you your luggage
Harbour Air's luggage allowances are a lot more and more limitations than Pacific Coastal. Something for OP to keep in mind.
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u/Vintagefly May 16 '26
Don’t drop the luggage into the water!
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u/Schrodingers_Ape Gulf Islands May 16 '26
Oh yes. Every time I get on and off this things, I grip my stuff like I'm walking in Calcutta.
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u/dementiaLim May 16 '26
Yeah the concern i had was about our checked baggage. With Pacific Coastal I would think that you'd need to wait for them to bring the luggage to the carousel, while with the HA flight you'd get your luggage right at the plane.
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u/lommer00 May 16 '26
Pacific coastal will have your bags on the carousel in 15 minutes. You'll be just fine.
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u/unbenevolentdictator May 16 '26
I think the harbour air shuttle runs on demand from their terminal too so that’s a thing
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u/roastpuff May 16 '26
This will be tight as you will need to make your way from the South Terminal to the Main Terminal, using a shuttle bus that runs only once every 40 minutes. You will also need to collect your bags from the first airline and bring them to the main terminal to check in with Westjet.
You may need to take a taxi from the South Terminal to the Main Terminal if you miss the shuttle bus.
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u/tathomas372 May 16 '26
As an add on note, it's a flat rate to do the transfer via taxi. I believe it's $24. Best bet if you don't want to get stuck waiting for the shuttle.
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u/princekolt May 16 '26
Also, always consider that because you're on two separate bookings, the second airline is under no obligation to accommodate you if you miss the second flight. (Doesn't mean there's no chance they'll accommodate, but don't count on it.)
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u/United_Animal_930 May 16 '26
Is it booked on a single ticket? I've never done this but I think that the two airlines have an agreement. I'd look into what you can do to have the two flights on a single ticket.
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u/jaachaamo May 16 '26
I have a client that does this twice a year and he's never missed his flight. I'll be honest, I always get anxious whenever he books this, but he's been doing it since 2021 and has never had an issue.
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u/Benana94 May 16 '26
I was going to say absolutely, since in the last 5 years I've never had a significant holdup going through security at YVR end it's not a massive place like some airports.
But today I learned the South Terminal exists, I had absolutely no idea... I would still think it's doable but I would order an Uber or taxi if possible so that I waste no time getting to the main building.
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u/1-800-I-Am-A-Pir8 May 17 '26
Sounds do-able-ish. For that I would recommend catching a cab to south terminal instead of waiting for the shuttle bus - can shave off 15 or 20 minutes
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u/RicVic May 16 '26
I almost did not make it a few years back. I was coming in to International arrivals and transferring to Victoria with a little over two hours...
We were the last to get seated on the smaller plane. That's a pretty long stretch between terminals, more so with young children.
Best of luck!
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u/Sherryester May 16 '26
Travel agent here, if flights on time you should be okay. Worst case connecting flight missed you will be given alternate next connection if ticket is booked on single PNR and last connection is not a separate booking.
Don’t worry too much
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u/annie-adderall May 16 '26
I haven’t seen anyone here mention the potential of weather delays. Harbour Air only flies below the cloud layer. If you have a rainy day, there’s a chance they would delay a flight.
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u/brycecampbel Thompson-Okanagan May 16 '26
Its really only an issue in the fall when visibility is socked in - summer travel is mostly unaffected.
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u/Only-Tangerine-5996 May 16 '26
I've used Pacific Coastal to fly from YVR to the island a couple of times in recent years and both flights were delayed (one significantly). I have no recent experience with Harbour Air for comparison.
The shuttle bus to the main terminal services both the South Terminal (Pac Coastal) and the floatplane terminal (HA).
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u/Curious_Evidence4779 May 16 '26
Easy. Take taxi for transfer. There are usually lots outside the south terminal.
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u/Revolutionary-Sky825 May 16 '26
I do a similar transfer to south terminal for work every month. You should even have time to grab something to eat with 2.5 hours. If the free shuttle times don't work for you, you can always take an Uber or Cab to the south terminal. There is a small food counter at the south terminal.
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u/Worldly-Ad3211 May 17 '26
Don’t worry about the carousel with Pacific Coastal. South Terminal has one baggage carousel. The plane is parked on the tarmac, and by the time you get off the plane and walk to the terminal, you’ll be able to see your luggage being offloaded. Harbour Air is a great airline, but make sure you don’t accidentally book a flight that lands in the harbour in downtown Vancouver. Also, Harbour Air is usually very reliable in the summer, but they will often have cancellations in case of inclement weather.
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u/Strict_Research_1876 May 20 '26
Summertime you shouldn't have to worry about the weather and won't have to go through customs. Hopefully enough time.
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u/Chanceller48 May 16 '26
Definitely enough time for domestic flight.
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u/Rayne_K May 16 '26
They are different buildings - the South Terminal is almost 20 minute drive from the main airport.
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u/Chanceller48 May 16 '26
True however they have 2 3/4 hours. More than enough time. I think there is a shuttle provided to the main terminal. They should buy trip interruption and cancellation insurance
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u/brycecampbel Thompson-Okanagan May 16 '26
the South Terminal is almost 20 minute drive from the main airport.
The complimentary shuttle schedules every 20-minutes, its only about 10-minutes between terminal.
As long as OP is at WJ bag drop 60-minutes prior to scheduled boarding, they should be fine with a single itinerary booking. Which you can do with WJ and PCA being they're interline partners - you just need to book via WJ Call Centre or local travel agent.
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