Last updated 30-APR-1997

| PAC'97 Home | program | manuscripts | travel | tourism | registration | accommodation | contact info |

Travel Information

GROUND TRANSPORTATION

The conference hotels in downtown Vancouver are approximately 13 km (8 miles) from Vancouver International Airport. The Airporter shuttle bus serves them all, operates every 15 minutes and costs Cdn$9.00. The taxi fare is about Cdn$20.

Useful Resources

AIR TRANSPORT

Air Canada, Canadian Airlines and many US and international carriers provide direct flights to Vancouver from major cities in North and South America, Europe and the Orient. An alternative is Seattle/Tacoma International Airport, from which Vancouver can be reached by approximately hourly commuter flights, or by a 4-hour drive.

Note that the Monday following the conference, May 19, is a public holiday in Canada (Victoria Day). Flights may be heavily booked at the weekend, so early reservations are advised.

Useful Resources

REDUCED AIR FARES

To book your flights and obtain the lowest available fares, please contact the PAC'97 travel agent (Advance Group Registration Form):

Advance Group

Attention: PAC'97 Conference
Suite 1800, 1140 West Pender Street
Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6E 4G1
Phone: 1-800-555-1099 or (604) 688-9655
Fax: (604) 685-3521
E-mail: kathys@advance-group.com

The official carriers for PAC'97 are American Airlines and United Airlines. United offers reduced fares and will provide free tickets to help support our colleagues from countries where science is poorly funded, based on the number of paid bookings. Please help our colleagues by booking on American or United through Advance Group.

For travel from the U.S.A. American Airlines is offering a minimum of 10% discount off all their air fares, including the seat sale prices.

For travel from the U.S.A., from May 8-19 inclusive, United Airlines offers a 5% discount on any published tariff fare with all restrictions applying, OR 10% off full coach fares if booked in M class 7 days in advance. Only round-trip travel wholly on United or United Express is eligible. To obtain these fares quote the tour code 511BK.

Car Rental

Reduced rates are available through the PAC97 travel agent, Advance Group ( Advance Group Registration Form)

ENTERING CANADA

Citizens of all countries other than the U.S.A. must carry a valid passport and in some cases a visa also.

U.S. visitors entering Canada may show a passport, or prove their citizenship with such documents as driver's licence or birth, baptism or voter's certificate. Naturalized U.S. citizens should carry a naturalization certificate. Permanent U.S. residents who are not citizens are advised to bring their passport or Alien Registration Receipt Card. Airlines may have more restrictive requirements - check with them.

Useful Resources

CURRENCY

Delegates are urged to exchange their funds for Canadian dollars or travellers' cheques at a bank, for instance at Vancouver International Airport or near the conference hotel, or alternatively to use an automatic banking machine. Shops and restaurants will often accept U.S. currency, but at a less favourable exchange rate. During 1996 the rate has been Cdn$1.00 = US$0.73 +/- 0.01.

Useful Resources

TAXES AND TAX REBATE

Most items in British Columbia, except food, are subject to both a 7% Provincial Sales Tax (PST) and a 7% federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). For accommodation the PST is replaced by a 10% B.C. Room Tax. Non-residents of Canada, however, may claim a rebate for the GST paid on accommodation and most consumer goods taken out of the country. The GST Rebate Guide for Visitors, which includes the rebate form, will be supplied in the registration package. Please ensure that you retain all your receipts so that you can claim your rebate at a Duty Free Shop as you leave the country. Click here for more details.
| PAC'97 Home | program | manuscripts | travel | tourism | registration | accommodation | contact info |

Last updated 30-APR-1997