Advice regards to air flight

[hkbaabaa]

I am in Vancouver and going to travel oversea the end of the month.

I did some research and there are some flight redirect to Seattle first.
So if I take the shuttle bus from Vancouver to Seattle then get on the flight, it does save a lot.

Anyone had any experience like that before? :twisted:

[gill2k]

I know quite a few people who do this often (not to Seattle specifically but just the "tactic" itself). A few of my co-workers here in Winnipeg drive down to Grand Forks for about two hours and catch an Allegiant Air flight to Vegas from there. Some even go as far as Minneapolis (8 hour drive) and catch NWA flights from there. I know some of our RFD-ers here drive down to Buffalo and catch a flight there.

If it saves you lots of money and the drive is not overly long, go for it. I"d personally do the Grand Forks drive myself when we finally do find time to go to Vegas.

[redbimmer]

+1. I often drive to Buffalo instead of using Pearson. On my last trip to Seattle, I saved $300 on airfare and all it cost me in return was half a tank of gas and a couple days parking in the long term lot.

[hkbaabaa]

+1. I often drive to Buffalo instead of using Pearson. On my last trip to Seattle, I saved $300 on airfare and all it cost me in return was half a tank of gas and a couple days parking in the long term lot.

This is the first time I've done this. So as long as I have my Canadian passport, I can drive down to US and get on the flight?

[HighFlyer]

yes

[nalababe]

My parents fly out of Buffalo to save money (instead of Toronto).

For us, it is a waste of time and the hassle is not worth it (unless it saves thousands)...then again, I don't like to fly many of the crappy US Airlines.

[hkbaabaa]

My parents fly out of Buffalo to save money (instead of Toronto).

For us, it is a waste of time and the hassle is not worth it (unless it saves thousands)...then again, I don't like to fly many of the crappy US Airlines.

I think it is going to be a hassle too but it's a saving of $350 per ticket for 2 people. I could use the saving of $700 to book my hotel and other things.

The only thing is that will it be too much trouble crossing the border with my luggage?! :|

[GangStarr]

This is the first time I've done this. So as long as I have my Canadian passport, I can drive down to US and get on the flight?

Better yet you don't even need a passport. Assuming you are flying within the US. You can fly with an Ontario drivers license. You'll need proof of citizenship to cross the border.

Also if you don't have checked luggage you can go straight to security with a printed ticket. No need for them to reprint an official airport looking ticket.

Always works well for me.

[HighFlyer]

The only thing is that will it be too much trouble crossing the border with my luggage?! :|

Not any more trouble than it would have been had you crossed at YYZ.

[redbimmer]

Better yet you don't even need a passport. Assuming you are flying within the US. You can fly with an Ontario drivers license. You'll need proof of citizenship to cross the border.

Also if you don't have checked luggage you can go straight to security with a printed ticket. No need for them to reprint an official airport looking ticket.

Always works well for me.

Which is your passport anyways? You could use your birth certificate, but then you'd have to carry an additional document and I wouldn't want to risk losing it anywhere. You can always replace a passport with your B/C, but it's much, much more miserable the other way around. And, as of June 2009, you MUST have a passport to drive into the US anyways.

[encinc]

I find there's less hassle involved in crossing the border by car than going through customs at the airport. When you pull up to the border crossing and they ask where you're going just tell them - we're driving to Seattle, then flying to XXX (whatever your overseas destination is). They'll probably ask how long you're going to be in the US and what you're bringing with you. My DH was once asked to show his flight ticket, but that doesn't happen often.

Same thing on the way back - just tell the truth, and you won't have any trouble at all.

Well worth the savings IMO!

[GangStarr]

Which is your passport anyways? You could use your birth certificate, but then you'd have to carry an additional document and I wouldn't want to risk losing it anywhere. You can always replace a passport with your B/C, but it's much, much more miserable the other way around. And, as of June 2009, you MUST have a passport to drive into the US anyways.

I very much anything will come from that June 2009 date. For the time being you can still get into the US without a passport.

Frankly I'd rather loose my citizenship card then my passport. At least if I loose my citizenship card I still have a passport for travel to countries beyond the US. Even if you were to loose your citizenship, your still getting back into Canada. Passports can be easily replaced, but why carry them if there is no need?

*shock* my citizenship card and drivers license fit into my wallet.

[i6s1]

I've flown out of Seattle twice, and flown out of Bellingham twice. You can take the bus from several pickup points between Vancouver and Surrey. You can also take the Amtrak train, it leaves Vancouver each evening and returns each morning, for $28USDpp.

The border is the same whether your flying or driving.

Flying from SEA can even save you time, if you can eliminate one connection.

If it saves you $700, it's a no brainer.