Sunday, June 18, 2017

Vancouver Travel Planning

Wi-Fi Hotspot Rental
Itinerary
  • 09/20 (Wed): 
    • Arrive: SJC to YVR (11:50-2:03 p.m.)
    • Hotel check-in: ???
  • 09/21 (Thu)
  • Stanley Park - aquarium, totem poles, etc
  • 09/22 (Fri) 
  • Capilano Suspension Bridge
  • Grouse Mountain
  • 09/23: (Sat)
  • University of British Columbia, Science World
  • 09/24-27 (Sun-Wed):
    • Sun:
      • Check-out: ???
      • Check-in: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
      • IROS Welcome reception (7:00-9:00 p.m.)
      • IROS Workshops only
    • Mon:
      • IROS Technical Sessions
    • Tue:
      • IROS Technical Sessions
      • IROS Conference Banquet (7:00-10:00 p.m.)
    • Wed:
      • IROS Technical Sessions
      • IROS Closing Reception (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
  • 09/28 (Thu)
      • Check-out: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
      • BC Connector to Victoria 
      • Check-in: Victoria...???
      • IROS Workshops only
  • 09/29 (Fri)
    • Victoria Island
  • 09/30 (Sat)
    • Check-out: ???
    • BC Connector to Vancouver
    • Check-in: Skwachàys (?)
  • 10/01 (Sun)
    • Vancouver
  • 10/02 (Mon):
    • Check-out: Skwachàys ???
    • Depart: YVR to SJC (2:30-4:45 p.m.)
Hotels
  • http://www.iros2017.org/registration-travel/accommodation
    • Conference rates:
      • Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown
        • $CAD 229 conference base rate (before taxes and fees)
          • $USD 176.51, as of 07/02/2017
          • 17.5% taxes and fees:
            • $CAD 269.08 ($CAD 229 * 1.175)
            • $USD 207.40 ($USD 176.51 * 1.175)
          • Out-of-pocket::
            • $CAD 228 ($CAD 41.08)
            • $USD 176 ($USD 31.4)
        • Room availability, as of 07/02/2017: only Friday and Wed-Sun nights left
      • Fairmont Hotel Vancouver: $CAD 249 conference base rate (before taxes and fees)
        • $USD 225.20 ($USD 191.66 base plus 17.5% taxes and fees)
        • Out-of-pocket: $USD 49.20
        • Commute:
          • 10-15 min public transportation
          • 10-15 min walk
      • Fairmont Waterfront: $CAD 299 conference base rate (before taxes and fees)
      • Fairmont Pacific Rim: $CAD 339 conference base rate (before taxes and fees)
    • Standard rates, by neighborhood:
      • Downtown
        • Days Inn Vancouver Downtown
          • $USD 199.75 ($USD 170 base plus 17.5% taxes and fees)
          • Out-of-pocket: $USD 23.75
          • Commute:
            • 15 min public transportation
            • 8 min walk
        • Skwachàys Lodge
          • $USD 260.85 ($USD 222 base plus 17.5% taxes and fees)
          • Out-of-pocket: $USD 84.85
          • Commute:
            • 15 min public transportation
            • 17-20 min walk
        • Kingston Hotel Bed & Breakfast
          • $USD 135.13 ($USD 115 base plus 17.5% taxes and fees)
          • Out-of-pocket: $USD 0.00
          • 4/5, #57 of 90 (TripAdvisor)
          • Commute:
            • 15 min public transportation
            • 17-20 min walk
        • Howard Johnson Hotel Vancouver Downtown
          • $USD 157.45 ($USD 134 base plus 17.5% taxes and fees)
          • Out-of-pocket: $USD 0.00
          • 3/5, #77 of 90 (TripAdvisor)
          • Commute:
            • 15 min public transportation
            • 25 min walk
        • Hotel Ambassador
          • $USD 122.20 ($USD 104 base plus 17.5% taxes and fees)
          • Out-of-pocket: $USD 0.00
          • 3/5, #79 of 90 (TripAdvisor)
          • Commute:
            • 15 min public transportation
            • 25 min walk
        • Executive Hotel Vintage Park
          • $USD 197.40 ($USD 168 base plus 17.5% taxes and fees)
          • Out-of-pocket: $USD 21.40
          • Commute:
            • 20 min public transportation
            • 30 min walk
        • GEC Granville Suites Hotel
          • $USD 202.10 ($USD 172 base plus 17.5% taxes and fees)
          • Out-of-pocket: $USD 26.10
          • Commute:
            • 15 min public transportation
            • 20 min walk
        • Sandman Hotel Vancouver City Centre
          • $USD 215.02 ($USD 183 base plus 17.5% taxes and fees)
          • Out-of-pocket: $USD 39.03
          • Commute:
            • 15 min public transportation
            • 20 min walk
        • Greenbrier Hotel
          • $USD 199.75 ($USD 170 base plus 17.5% taxes and fees)
          • Out-of-pocket: $USD 23.75
          • Commute:
            • 20 min public transportation
            • 20 min walk
        • Ramada Vancouver Downtown
          • $USD 205.63 ($USD 175 base plus 17.5% taxes and fees)
          • Out-of-pocket: $USD 29.63
          • Commute:
            • 15 min public transportation
            • 25 min walk
      • West End:
        • Sunset Inn and Suites
          • $USD 263.20 ($USD 224 base plus 17.5% taxes and fees)
          • Out-of-pocket: $USD 87.20
          • 4.5/5, #13 of 90 (TripAdvisor)
          • Commute:
            • 15-25 min public transportation
            • 30 min walk
        • Sylvia Hotel
          • $USD 148.70 ($USD 126.55 base plus 17.5% taxes and fees)
          • Out-of-pocket: $USD 0.00
          • 4/5, #34 of 90 (TripAdvisor)
          • Commute:
            • 35 min public transportation
            • 40 min walk
        • Buchan Hotel
          • $USD 98.70 ($USD 84 base plus 17.5% taxes and fees)
          • Out-of-pocket: $USD 0.00
          • 4/5, #35 of 90 (TripAdvisor)
          • Commute:
            • 20-25 min public transportation
            • 35-40 min walk
        • English Bay Hotel
          • $USD 150.4 ($USD 128 base plus 17.5% taxes and fees)
          • Out-of-pocket: $USD 0.00
          • 3/5, #76 of 90 (TripAdvisor)
          • Commute:
            • 25-30 min public transportation
            • 30-40 min walk
        • Sandman Suites - Davie Street
          • $USD 139.83 ($USD 119 base plus 17.5% taxes and fees)
          • Out-of-pocket: $USD 0.00
          • 3.5/5, #63 of 90 (TripAdvisor)
          • Commute:
            • 20-25 min public transportation
            • 25-30 min walk
        • Riviera on Robson Suites Hotel Downtown Vancouver
          • $USD 175 ($USD 149 base plus 17.5% taxes and fees)
          • Out-of-pocket: $USD 0.00
          • Commute:
            • 16 min public transportation
            • 20 min walk
        • Blue Horizon Hotel
          • $USD 263.20 ($USD 224 base plus 17.5% taxes and fees)
          • Out-of-pocket: $USD 87.20
          • Commute:
            • 16 min public transportation
            • 20 min walk
      • Fairview (across False Creek):
        • Holiday Inn Vancouver Centre
          • $USD 229.13 ($USD 195 base plus 17.5% taxes and fees)
          • Out-of-pocket: $USD 53.13
          • Commute:
            • 20 min public transportation
            • 50 min walk
        • Park Inn & Suites by Radisson Vancouver
          • $USD 173.9 ($USD 148 base plus 17.5% taxes and fees)
          • Out-of-pocket: $USD 0.00
          • 4/5 stars, #44 of 90 (TripAdvisor)
          • Commute:
            • 25 min public transportation
            • 52 min walk
IROS
Sight seeing
Meals and incidentals:
Transportation
  • Santa Cruz to/from Airport (SFO?)
  • Airlines
    • Flight price tracking:
    • SFO to/from YVR Flights (Note: direct flights only)
      • Air Canada
        • 561: 6:30-8:48 a.m. (2:18 direct)
        • 563: 11:50-2:08 p.m. (2:18 direct)
        • 569: 4:50-7:08 p.m. (2:18 direct)
      • Alaska
      • American
      • Delta (no thanks)
      • United (no thanks)
      • Virgin America
    • SJC to/from VRY Flights
      • Air Canada (Note: direct flights only)
        • 8113: 6:00-8:13 a.m. (2:13 direct)
        • 8115: 11:50–2:03 p.m. (2:13 direct)
        • 8117: 5:25-7:38 p.m. (2:13 direct)
  • Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to/from Hotel
    • IROS delegates can get to downtown Vancouver from YVR via Canada Line, a light rapid transit system for $9 (CAD)
    • Taxis: $25
  • Victoria Island
Government Resources
Pet Boarding:
Sites (Suggested)



International Conference Travel Checklist
  • Carry-on:
    • Eye-mask
    • Travel-sized toiletries:
      • Hair brush
      • Toothbrush
      • Toothpaste
      • Mini deodorant
    • Dry shampoo (recommended: Oscar Blandi)
    • Linen face blotters
    • Refreshing face spray
  • Electronics:
    • Laptop
    • Laptop Charger
    • International power adapters
    • Mini power strip
    • Cell phone
    • Cell phone charger
    • Flashdrive
    • Dongles which use regularly
    • Any adapters needed to connect your computer to a projector
    • Extra:
      • Kindle
      • Noise-canceling headphones
  • Traveling
    • Printouts 
      • Condense to one page; keep in wallet/passport bag:
        • Flight information
        • Hotel reservation (with address)
        • Maps
        • Location of the conference center
      • Travel reason proof, for border crossing:
        • Conference registration
        • Talk/poster acceptance letter
      • Water bottle
      • Guides
        • TripAdvisor
        • US Department of State
      • Identification
        • Passport bag around neck
        • Passport
        • Printed copy of passport
        • Boarding passes
    • Conference essentials
      • Business cards
      • Color copies of poster (if presenting one)
      • Note-taking:
        • Writing utensils
        • Notebook (for example, Moleskin)
      • Water bottle
      • Reusable travel mug
      • Umbrella
      • Small purse or bag (note: so don't have to lug laptop bag to dinner)
      • Snacks (granola bars, fruit, nuts)
      • Travel baby wipes, hand sanitizer (note: when bathroom essentials lacking)
      • List of people to introduce yourself to (note: search the program online in advance, workshop, lunch, or field trip)
    • Packing
      • Outfits for each day, plus backup (in case of wardrobe malfunction)
        • Underwear
        • Socks
        • Accessories: belts/leggings, jewelry
      • Outdoor wear
        • Coat
        • Jacket
        • Raincoat
        • Umbrella
        • Hat
        • Mittens
      • Shoes: comfortable, weather appropriate
      • Toiletries:
        • Toothbrush
        • Toothpaste
        • Deodorant
        • Soap
        • Shampoo/conditioner
        • Hair products/hair dryer
        • Nail clippers
        • Shaving needs
        • contact lenses/solution
        • feminine hygiene products
        • bite splints/retainers
        • makeup
        • medication
      • ID:
        • Passport
        • Travel visa (if needed)
        • Wallet
        • Debit/credit cards
      • Talk:
        • Backup (!)
        • Poster (with print-outs, in a poster tube with your contact info)
      • Good to have:
        • Mini sewing kit (for lost buttons, etc.)
        • Travel laundry bag (these are great)
        • Books, papers, or files you need to work while you travel (or finish your talk)
      • Location of lodging, conference center, flight information, transportation itineraries, etc.
  • Before you leave:
    • Notify credit card companies of where and when will travel
      • Citi
      • U.S. Bank - Email them, like a barbarian: login, contact us, email....
      • Golden One - Email them, like a barbarian: login, contact us, email....
      • Capital One 360 - Don't need to
      • Other (?)
Resources
Reimbursement:
Previously:

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