Visiting ETI -- arriving by air

**rbryan4** · 08-12-2014, 05:07 PM

I'd like to visit ETI for a day, probably sometime in mid-September, in order to sit in a 17, and get some ideas to finalize the build sheet. I'd be flying into Vancouver International. What's the best way to get to Chilliwack? Car rental or is there a cheap and easy bus?

gbaglo · 08-12-2014, 05:12 PM

I think you're renting a car. Otherwise you'd have to get to downtown Vancouver, then to the bus depot, then wait hours or days for a bus and then take a cab from the bus depot back to the exit where ETI is.
Besides, you want to spend some time in Vancouver, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mountain, Stanley Park, Museum of Anthropology at UBC, Granville Island.

Affinity · 08-12-2014, 05:51 PM

There is a shuttle between YVR and Chilliwack......but renting a car would likely be cheaper.....and easier!

tractors1 · 08-12-2014, 05:53 PM

Definitely a car. Otherwise you'll get so involved you'll miss the bus.

Zardoz · 08-12-2014, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

... Besides, you want to spend some time in Vancouver, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mountain, Stanley Park, Museum of Anthropology at UBC, Granville Island.

All are great recommendations. I think everyone should do the Grouse Grind at least once (but only once

) in their lives. Time yourself, and then compare that time to the records in your age class posted at the top; pretty humbling. To put it into perspective, it's a little hike where in some places, you'll use both your feet and your hands. But to their credit, they do sell beer and burgers at the top.

**rbryan4** · 08-12-2014, 07:48 PM

Thanks to all. Based on the feedback, I'll rent a car. There's a chance that my visit will coincide with that of some other forum members, so we may be able to share a ride. Maybe we'll land in seatac instead of Vancouver in order to avoid the traffic. I've visited Vancouver before and there is certainly alot to see, but this trip would be just a quick in and out to ETI.

KarenH · 08-12-2014, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Maybe we'll land in seatac instead of Vancouver in order to avoid the traffic.

Avoid the traffic? Seattle traffic is terrible. You could always fly into Bellingham...

**rbryan4** · 08-12-2014, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarenH

Avoid the traffic? Seattle traffic is terrible. You could always fly into Bellingham...

True, one is probably not much better than the other. I thought Vancouver would be quicker, but folks are saying it isn't. I've got quite a few reward ticket miles on AA, so the flight would be from Dallas to seatac or Dallas to Vancouver. Bellingham's not an option unless I book a puddle jumper out of seatac.

Brian B-P · 08-12-2014, 08:07 PM

If you really want to avoid traffic, you could fly to Abbotsford (which is halfway out to Chilliwack); unfortunately, only WestJet services that airport (in conjunction with some other airline for the San Antonio end), so there's won't be much of a choice of flights. You would then rent a car at the Abbotsford airport, but it's really small so you need to reserve the car in advance to get one.

There is something to be said to avoid driving in and out of Vancouver International.

JStelly · 08-12-2014, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbryan4

I'd like to visit ETI for a day, probably sometime in mid-September, in order to sit in a 17, and get some ideas to finalize the build sheet. I'd be flying into Vancouver International. What's the best way to get to Chilliwack? Car rental or is there a cheap and easy bus?

We are making this very trip this weekend. We are flying into YVR, renting a car, staying at West End B&B and making the drive to ETI on Saturday. It's a little over an hour and a very nice drive. Saturday night we are celebrating our anniversary and returning Sunday. It will be my wife's first time to see the Escape (my second!) and the plan is to put down a deposit on our trailer of choice for the summer of 2015. Then the wait can begin!

jamie beers · 08-12-2014, 09:11 PM

Just a heads up. Anyone driving to Chilliwack from Vancouver would ideally not attempt the drive on weekdays between 3 pm and 5:30 pm. Preferably even between 2:30 pm and 6 pm.

Jim Bennett · 08-12-2014, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbryan4

I'd like to visit ETI for a day, probably sometime in mid-September, in order to sit in a 17, and get some ideas to finalize the build sheet. I'd be flying into Vancouver International. What's the best way to get to Chilliwack? Car rental or is there a cheap and easy bus?

I did this myself, but it is differently. I took a quick flight into Abbotsford via WestJet from Calgary, and rented a car at the airport there, visited Tammy and Reace, and spent a few nights in Vancouver. Unfortunately for you, it is not an international airport. I would just rent a car if I was you, and go spend a few days in Vancouver. Lots to see and do there while you are in the neighbourhood.

A bit of a sidenote about the Abbotsford Airport. It took me about 3 minutes to disembark and go to the luggage carousel, and the darn luggage just about beat me there. Sure is way quicker than those huge airports, like the one in Calgary.

Brian B-P · 08-12-2014, 10:37 PM

It looks like Abbotsford International Airport gets WestJet service only from Calgary and Edmonton, so flying into there would mean connecting through Calgary. YVR is easier to arrange, but I woud avoid the drive from - and especially to - that airport in rush hour.

**rbryan4** · 08-12-2014, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

It looks like Abbotsford International Airport gets WestJet service only from Calgary and Edmonton, so flying into there would mean connecting through Calgary. YVR is easier to arrange, but I woud avoid the drive from - and especially to - that airport in rush hour.

Yup. West jet does do code share with American but not for award tickets. Its gonna be easier (and cheaper) just fly into SeaTac and deal with the traffic.

Rossue · 08-12-2014, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamie beers

Just a heads up. Anyone driving to Chilliwack from Vancouver would ideally not attempt the drive on weekdays between 3 pm and 5:30 pm. Preferably even between 2:30 pm and 6 pm.

And don't forget your GPS, because signage isn't the best around there we found. Also what looks like a freeway on a map is city streets in many places. Local knowledge goes a long way, and can cause problems without it. Great city if that's what you want.

gbaglo · 08-12-2014, 11:46 PM

Yup. No freeway through Vancouver. And, that's the way we like it.
Lots of bike lanes. Bring a bike.

BCnomad · 08-13-2014, 12:12 AM

Charter?

Vancouver to Chilliwack via Island Express Air

I'm sure there are others.

gbaglo · 08-13-2014, 12:16 AM

Or, just buy your own plane?

LeonardS · 08-13-2014, 01:13 AM

We visited ETI last summer. Flew into Seattle and drove. Quite a bit cheaper than into Vancouver. But we also were visiting wife's brother in Seattle so after spending the night there we were able to leave just after rush hour and it was smooth sailing all the way up. I think we had only a handful of vehicles in line ahead of us at the border.

If we were to do a return trip we'd probably do the same.

escape artist · 08-13-2014, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Or, just buy your own plane?

Hi: gbaglo... You wouldn't get as many custom mods by buying your own plane!!! Besides, every body's brother lives in Seattle. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

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