Travel Tips SALTS Summer 2017

Trip 4 - Pacific Swift BOARDING Date: Time: Location:

Thursday, August 10, 2017 Between 12:00 noon and 1:00pm Prince Rupert, BC Cow Bay Marina, 209 Cow Bay Road (map)

DISEMBARKING Date: Saturday, August 19, 2017 Time: 11:30 am Location: Port Hardy, BC Government Dock (Seagate Wharf), 8600 Granville Street (map) Although SALTS does not provide or arrange travel before or after trips, we hope the following information will be useful as you finalize your travel plans. • Book flights and accommodation (as needed) ASAP. Summer can be a busy time in these beautiful places! • Make sure you are familiar with travel and accommodation provider’s policies regarding check in times, identification required at check in, baggage limits, and minors travelling alone. • Always confirm schedules directly with the travel provider via their website or by phone closer to the departure date. Most state that schedules are subject to change without notice!

Prince Rupert Trainees will board the Pacific Swift in the scenic port of Prince Rupert, located on the mainland of British Columbia just south of Alaska. The ship will be docked at the centrally located Cow Bay Marina which is a 10-15 min walk from the airport shuttle bus terminal at the Prestige Prince Rupert Hotel. We expect that most trainees will be arriving by air on the morning of August 10th at Prince Rupert Airport (YPR) on Digby Island, where the Airport Bus meets all scheduled flights and transports passengers to downtown Prince Rupert via a small ferry crossing - about a 45 minute trip. There is no fee for both the Airport Bus and the Digby Island Ferry as the cost is included in the ticket price of Air Canada flights to or from Prince Rupert. Trainees who have signed up for the Travel Plans Loop email list will have a chance to connect prior to boarding their flight at the Vancouver Airport where we expect they will meet many other SALTS trainees heading for Prince Rupert. If you didn’t check the box on your registration to join the Travel Plans Loop and would like to do so now, please let us know right away and we will add your email before we send the next update. PRINCE RUPERT - TRANSPORTATION • • •

Air Canada – www.aircanada.com – typically two or three flights a day Airport and Shuttle Information - www.ypr.ca Local Air Canada desk at YPR (250) 624-9633 Greyhound - www.greyhound.ca - Prince Rupert Depot offers one trip daily to and from Prince Rupert, however, the morning departure necessitates an overnight stay in Prince Rupert after disembarking. The bus trip from Prince Rupert to Vancouver is about 26 hours.

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By car – an 18 hour total drive to/from Vancouver via Prince George and the Yellowhead Hwy 97. Local taxi service - Skeena Taxi 250-624-2185 – if needed, pre-booking and cab sharing with other trainees is recommended. BC Ferries – bcferries.com - Northern Passage Routes Offers several sailings per week between Prince Rupert and Port Hardy, Skidegate and other coastal locations; however, the schedule may necessitate a 1 or 2 night stay before or after the trip. Please be particularly careful to note B.C. Ferries policies regarding identification required and boarding times for their northern routes which are very different from the Vancouver Island/Metro Vancouver routes.

PRINCE RUPERT - ACCOMMODATION Although the boarding time on August 10th will leave ample time for morning arrivals, some trainees may choose to arrive one or two nights prior to boarding if they are arriving by car, bus or ferry. The Pioneer Guesthouse - www.pioneerprincerupert.com 1-888-794-9998 is a short distance from the marina and has provided comfortable lodging for SALTS trainees over the years. Other accommodation and visitor information can be found at: • •

www.visitprincerupert.com 1-800-667-1994 www.hellobc.com - prince rupert

PORT HARDY Port Hardy has long been a welcoming harbour at the beginning and ending of SALTS trips. A “SALTY” buzz can be around this small town as so many young people arrive ashore, chattering and reminiscing about their great adventure. With so many trainees heading in the same direction, there are many opportunities to share travel arrangements, so if you haven’t signed up for the Travel Loop email list, you can still get on the list for the next update. PORT HARDY TRANSPORTATION By Car - Port Hardy is approximately 6 hours drive North of Victoria or 4 hours from Nanaimo. By Bus - Two bus companies provide daily service to and from Port Hardy. Departures are in the morning, which necessitates an overnight stay for trainees heading home from the trip. Both bus depots are within a stone’s throw of the dock and accommodations. Greyhound www.greyhound.ca Tofino Bus www.tofinobus.com By Air - The Port Hardy Airport (YZT) is a 10 minute drive from the Government Dock. Trainees flying from Port Hardy should book the afternoon flight or plan to stay overnight for the next morning’s flight. We recommend arranging to share a pre-booked taxi to the airport with others from the Travel Plans Email Loop. Local Taxi Service - Yellow Pages - Port Hardy Taxis or Town Taxi – 250-949-7877 PORT HARDY ACCOMMODATION When booking be sure to let them know that you are participating in a SALTS trip – most of the operators are very familiar with our program and ships! These hostels are a good option for young people arriving the day prior to boarding.

North Coast Trail Backpackers Hostel - 1-866-448-6303 www.northcoasttrailbackpackershostel.com is two short blocks from the bus depot and within site of the ships at dock. Owners Ann & Rob have warmly welcomed many SALTS trainees (and staff) over the years and set aside a male and female room just for SALTS trainees. C&N Back Packers Hostel - 1-250-949-3030 www.cnnbackpackers.com/hostel another hostel very close to the dock. CLOSED North Shore Inn - 1-877-949-8516 www.northshoreinnph.com Located in central Port Hardy. Pier Side Landing - 1-866-902-7437 www.piersidelanding.ca A newly renovated hotel overlooking the dock. Many other accommodation options and information can be found at:  www.visitporthardy.com  www.porthardy.ca  www.porthardy.travel  www.porthardychamber.com