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Re: Flying from YVR to STT vs EIS
[Re: bernk]
#262411
08/13/2021 07:28 AM
08/13/2021 07:28 AM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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Especially for West coast trips (I used to commute to Seattle weekly), I highly recommend flying to EIS. The ferry gets you into an island mode a little faster but after traveling so long I really just want to get there. Flying thru SJU to EIS is now my preferred route. I prefer to staying in the more efficient airport system instead of transferring to the ferries, there are multiple carrier options in case something goes wrong, no dealing with the crappy airport in STT, much better/reliable TSA Pre-check and Global Entry options, multiple food/drink options for the layover, etc... By the time I factor in taxis, tips, ferry cost, and baggage fees I find EIS to be the same cost.
From Seattle, I would break the trip into 2 days because I needed to work on Thursdays at least part of the day. Thursday was Seattle to Atlanta; stay overnight at one of the airport hotels connected to the Sky Train. Friday morning, first flight to SJU, then a connection to EIS. Was usually on the beach for lunch.
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Re: Flying from YVR to STT vs EIS
[Re: bernk]
#262448
08/13/2021 01:10 PM
08/13/2021 01:10 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,557 Toronto, Ontario
gordaguy2
Traveler
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Traveler
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,557
Toronto, Ontario
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Most of our relatives are on the west coast and they have flown the YVR to SJU route then on to EIS - it's a bit pricier than STT but it gets you there faster and with less stress.
GordaGuy2
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Re: Flying from YVR to STT vs EIS
[Re: Thistle]
#262451
08/13/2021 01:27 PM
08/13/2021 01:27 PM
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Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 72 Vancouver, BC
bernk
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 72
Vancouver, BC
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Thanks for the replies!
Changing where we charter is not an option at this point. Our charter and dates are fixed, which limits our flight options considerably.
It's just my girlfriend and I flying. Our charter group is four total, but our arrivals and departures are staggered.
Jason, thank you for your detailed insight. If we fly to EIS will we only have to clear customs once? My understanding is that flying to STT we would have to clear customs there, and again in the BVI. I'm not too worried about the entry as we have plenty of time. Our first night is a sleep aboard on the boat. I am worried about the exit with the testing requirements. I'd like to simplify that as much as possible.
Right now the itinerary I'm liking the most looks like this:
Outbound: 17:48 Vancouver > 18:50 Seattle 2h 55m wait 19:45 Seattle > 06:00 1Newark (next day) 2h 20m wait 08:20 Newark > 13:23 San Juan 2h 52m wait 16:15 San Juan > 17:00 Beef Island
Return: 12:00 Beef Island > 12:45 San Juan 3h 15m wait 16:00 San Juan > 19:50 Toronto 2h 30m wait 22:20 Toronto > 00:38 Vancouver
Scratch that. I made the mistake of leaving the number of travers set to one. It appears that itinerary is not available for two.
When looking at flights for 2 it appears there is a much better option into STT… How much more horrible is it, really, to come in through STT and have to deal with the ferries. We will only have one small backpack each. Are there any gotchas I might not be aware of?
Last edited by bernk; 08/13/2021 01:43 PM.
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Re: Flying from YVR to STT vs EIS
[Re: bailau]
#262650
08/16/2021 02:00 PM
08/16/2021 02:00 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 687 Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
caribbeangirl13
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 687
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
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I prefer SJU as well...if you leave from STT to go back and it is on a weekend make sure you get there in plenty of time and use your global entry if you have it and get and tip a porter to guide you through it You actually don't need the porter if you have global entry...they use the same line now.
Sue s/v Ripple Leopard 40
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Re: Flying from YVR to STT vs EIS
[Re: UncleLuff]
#262780
08/18/2021 11:36 AM
08/18/2021 11:36 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 972 Middleburg, VA
cwoody
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 972
Middleburg, VA
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We booked a charter in the BVI for June 2020. Finally getting there in January 2022. We are flying into EIS. Early on (in this covid mess) , this was the only way to get into the BVI.
When possible we prefer the "hybrid" approach. Charter out of STT and sail over to BVI. Lots of benefits to this itinerary. With the $$ we save on the ferries/taxis and/or direct flights into EIS, we add a couple of days onto the charter. Add a day on the front and back to do St John anchorages and 7 days in BVI.
Guess someday, when the borders open back up for sailing back and forth, we will revisit this option.
Chuck W.
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Re: Flying from YVR to STT vs EIS
[Re: CottageGirl]
#262832
08/19/2021 09:05 AM
08/19/2021 09:05 AM
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 350 Ottawa, Canada
UncleLuff
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 350
Ottawa, Canada
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We love staying at Scrub Island. Have done it on charter in the marina and land based for a few days. Nice - Never been myself and can't wait I am sure the better-halves will enjoy the facilities on day 1 and the night in luxury after 7 days on the yacht. (not that 7 nights on a brand new Elba 45 is slumming it!)
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