Visiting Nanaimo for REW's 2nd Annual Summit

Great post, Julie. I didn't even know about some of this stuff.

Thanks for this Julie, great summary. 

For all of our customers, members and potentials out there - if you are attending the conference but require some assistance with making you travel plans don't hesitate to call in to the office for assistance.  We are here to help!

Call us via tel at 250.753.9893 between the office hours of 9:00am PST to 5:00pm PST, Monday through Friday.

Holy cow Julie, nice work!

It's nice to be reminded of what a cool place this truly is ^_^

 

Great information Julie, thanks.  Now maybe Jessie won't get lost

What about taxi's to and from the airport/ferry?

 

Hi, Jennifer,

That's a great question.  There is AC Taxi, http://www.actaxi.ca/ (250-753-1231) and Swiftsure Taxi (250-753-8911)

Another point that people travelling to Vancouver Island should note is that we have a 10 digit phone system.  Every 7 digit number in Nanaimo needs to be prefaced with the area code 250.

Great post, should be moved to the head of the line before any others.

Is there AC Taxi in Vancouver, too? I think it's Vancouver you're asking about, Jennifer?

if i'm flying out of Vancouver to LA for the trip home, departing Vancouver at 9:20,  will I be ok with the flight leaving nanaimo at 7:30 and arriving at 8:00>

or should i book the 6:00 flight to arrive at 6:30 in Vancouver?

I scheduled flights before all this info was posted.

I would take the earlier flight Greg.

i was afraid of that.  Thanks

I'm realizing that getting to Nanaimo from seattle or vancouver is no small task...

Getting to Nanaimo from Seattle = easy!
   
    Fly into Victoria and then make the 90 minute drive from the airport to Nanaimo (rental car required, of course).
    Fly into Vancouver and then make a connection to Nanaimo one of two ways... first option is with Air Canada from the Main Terminal and the second option is via Harbour Air, Baxter Air, Tofino Air, etc. from the South Terminal OR from downtown Vancouver.

Don't hesitate to call into the office if you are looking for assistance in making your travel arrangements. 250.753.9893

where is nanaimo airport?   if i fly into nanaimo, how far am i from howard johnsons.  what's best way to get to howards?  Are there shuttles into the vacinity?

Hey Greg - you have some options.... and the Hojo appears to have a shuttle exclusively for hotel guests.  Please contact the hotel first and then look at #1 through #3 below.

#1 - Catch a taxi... this will run you somewhere around $50 each way
#2 - Catch a shuttle... this will be much less expensive but will be a longer excursion
     http://www.nanaimoairporter.com/
#3 - Rent a car... most expensive and most convenient, car rental available at the airport

Here is a link to directions as per your request: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Cassidy&1s=BC&1a=3350+Spitfire&2c=Nanaimo&2s=BC&2a=1+Terminal+Avenue

HOJO told me that they did not have a shuttle.  they referred me to AC Shuttle Service which is a door-to-door service.  250-758-2133.  $28 from hotel to airport.

I'm arriving in Vancouver July 29th at 11:30.  How I get to Nanaimo has not been decided.  but i think there are some people coming into Vancouver around the same time.

To Leave Nanaimo, I'm getting picked up at 4:30 AM to make the 6:00 flight to Vancouver to make the 9:20 flight to Los Angeles.  I don't know what i was thinking when i booked that 9:20 flight.  -- It was probably cheaper.

I'm packing very light.

 

The Hojo website mentioned the shuttle... annoying that it is incorrect.  AC Shuttle is quite good and the price is reasonable. 

The good news is that you clear customs at the Vancouver Airport, and you have plenty of time to catch your flight given the three hour layover at the airport.

Make sure to throw up a post in the REW Summit thread regarding your arrival, that will be your resource in making travel arrangements involving others.
http://www.realestatewebmasters.com/thread32905.html

Thanks, I'll do that.

When people talk about the ferries being packed, are they talking about walk-on traffic, or drive-on traffic.

The missing link for me is getting to Nanaimo from Vancouver.  I thought I'd enjoy the ferry.  Is it close to Vancouver airport? and is it close to HOJO on the other side?  or this is where the taxis come in.

 

If you are going to enjoy the ferry ride, you will probably want to catch the Horseshoe Bay sailing, in West Vancouver.  This is quite a ways from the airport and would be a small fortune in taxi fare... public transit would be an option but would be a long haul.

If you aren't set on the ferry ride simply catch a float plane from the airport's South Terminal to Nanaimo Harbour.  Free shuttle from the Main Terminal to the South Terminal on the river, good restaurant to kick back and enjoy some pub food (Flying Beaver) and a 20 minute flight over to downtown Nanaimo.  If you are packing light you could then walk to the Hojo in 10 minutes or less, or simply catch a cab.

Harbour Air --  http://www.harbour-air.com/
Westcoast Air -- http://www.westcoastair.com/

Should only be ~ $60 CAD one way.

Thank you Ryland.  I'm traveling light and the float plane to downtown is exactly what i needed to hear.  quick und inexpensive and something different.

 

how much time should i give myself from arriving in VAncouver, and departing on a float plane.  Factor in customs, shuttle, etc

You won't need to leave too much time -- after touching down in Vancouver (Main Terminal) and picking up your bags (or just heading out with carry-on luggage) your timeline will look like this:

a.) Shuttle/Taxi to South Terminal - 15 minutes (including any wait)
b.) Sufficient check in time - 30 minutes

You may want to budget slightly more time if stopping in for lunch at the restaurant.  Harbour Air has the following scheduled flights right around your Vancouver arrival:

 Flight #607 Jul 29, 2009 13:10 Vancouver Airport - Richmond 13:30 Nanaimo Harbour Passenger(s) $65.15  Flight #609 Jul 29, 2009 14:30 Vancouver Airport - Richmond 14:50 Nanaimo Harbour Passenger(s) $65.15

i wont have to pick up bags.  no waiting in customs or anything?

Numbers above assume that you have already cleared customs.  Depending on the number of international flights that have arrived that day you may be in line for 10 minutes or 45 minutes.

I would recommend booking the 14:50 flight from the South Terminal... at the very worst you will have extra time to enjoy your lunch on the river.

Ok Ryland.  thanks again for all your help.