Travel information

Canadian Currency

The facts about our money: The monetary system in Canada is based on dollars and cents. All prices quoted on this website are in Canadian dollars. International currencies (American dollars, pounds Sterling, French and Swiss francs, etc.) can be exchanged at any bank, or at the International Currency Exchange at the Vancouver International Airport. Major credit and charge cards are readily accepted in Canada including American Express, MasterCard and VISA. ATM machines (automated teller machines) are also widely available in banks and retail areas.

Taxes

Federal taxes on many purchases are charged as GST (goods and services tax (GST), currently 5%, paid on eligible goods and/or short-term accommodation while visiting Canada. For more information, visit the Canada Customs and Revenue website. Provincial taxes are 6.5% of purchase.

Hotels charge a 10% hotel tax that is not refundable. Provincial sales tax is 7.5%. There is no sales tax on food or restaurant meals. If a visitor purchases goods and has them shipped by the vendor directly to his or her home location outside of Canada, no taxes are charged. (This is subject to availability and dependant on whether the vendor offers this option).

Customs Information for Non-Canadians

The following information is provided to assist visitors in crossing Canadian borders with ease and minimal delays. All persons should carry a valid passport. In addition to a passport, there are a number of countries whose citizens also require a visa to enter Canada. Because visa requirements for countries change, we suggest that you visit the Canada Customs web site or call the Canadian Consulate or Embassy in your country at least three months before your visit to check on document requirements. For more specific information go to this website: http://canadainternational.gc.ca/

It is the responsibility of all delegates from international destinations to confirm their paperwork for each country through which they will be traveling. Please check the following Canadian government website if you are unsure of what you will need to enter Canada: Citizen and Immigration Canada

Please note that if you will be traveling to Canada through the United States of America, you will need to go through their customs agencies as well. For your convenience we have added this link for you: http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Travel.shtml

You can also find out more information about visiting Canada at the Canadian Tourism Commission

Letters of Invitation

Please use your receipt as proof of your conference registration if you need to apply for a Canadian entry Visa. Please refer to the Canada Customs websites above for entry requirements. Letters of Invitation will be considered on a case-by-case basis for approved speakers only. Please email the Conference Coordinator for the conference year that you are attending indicating what information you require and when you require it by. We regret that we are unable to send Letters of Invitation to general conference registrants.

Getting to and from the Vancouver International Airport

You can take a taxi, limousine or rent a car at the airport, catch public transit or use the Airporter Shuttle.

More information can be found here: http://www.yvr.ca/guide/toandfrom/index.asp

Airport Security bulletins are posted here - http://www.yvr.ca/latestinfo/index.asp?id=2

Car Rental Companies at the Airport - http://www.yvr.ca/guide/toandfrom/car_rentals.asp

Public Transit - http://www.translink.bc.ca/Transportation_Services/default.asp

Airporter Shuttle - http://www.yvrairporter.com

Driving to the Hotel?

Click here to access the map that is provided by the Coast Plaza Hotel . Please note that you may wish to contact the hotel about parking rates for guests in advance (please click here for contact information).

From the USA

You can check out the driving directions on the Hotel website above, or more information about driving from the USA can also be found here: http://www.bcpassport.com/vital/border.html . When returning to the USA, be sure you are prepared to meet that Government's customs needs. You may wish to check out this website: http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Travel.shtml

While In Vancouver

There are so many things to do in Vancouver that we can't fit them all on this page! Vancouver has been chosen as the most livable cities in the world on numerous occasions, so no doubt you will find something that interests you. For a start, take an online tour of Vancouver here. You can also visit the Tourism Vancouver website for detailed information about the city and surrounding areas.

How to get to Vancouver - http://vancouver.com/gettinghere/index.htm

Map of Downtown Vancouver - http://vancouver.com/accommodations/maps/downtown_vancouver/index.htm

Map of the surrounding cities (Lower Mainland) - http://vancouver.com/accommodations/maps/index.htm

Departure from Canada

Visitors departing Vancouver International Airport for US destinations should note that they clear US Immigration and Customs at Vancouver Airport. Please make sure that you leave enough time to clear customs before your flight departs. It is recommended that you allow no less than an hour after you check in for your flight to clear US customs and proceed to your departure gate.

Airport Improvement Fee

Everyone flying out of Vancouver International Airport has to pay the Airport Improvement Fee (AIF). The cost is $5 for passengers travelling to a destination within British Columbia or the Yukon, and $15 for all other flights. Click here to read about Airport Improvement Fees at the Vancouver International Airport

Disclaimer

The Imaginative Education Research Group (IERG) and Simon Fraser University will accept no liability for personal injuries sustained or for loss or damage to property belonging to delegates either during or as a result of the meetings). It is the responsibility of all delegates from international destinations to confirm all paperwork before they arrive.