Traveling to Canada in 2025 can feel overwhelming, especially if you have a connecting flight and limited time between terminals. I recently traveled from Manila → Vancouver → Edmonton, and I wanted to share my complete experience to help guide anyone taking a similar route.
This is everything I went through—from arrival, immigration, baggage claim, and connecting flights—to help you avoid stress and know exactly what to expect.
My Flight Route
Airline: Philippine Airlines (PAL)
Route: Manila (MNL) → Vancouver (YVR) → Edmonton (YEG)
Connecting Flight: WestJet
Flight Duration: ~11 hours from Manila to Vancouver
PAL issued me a connecting boarding pass to WestJet, which later saved me a lot of time.
A Slight Delay—And the Rush Begins
My flight was scheduled to land in Vancouver at 3:55 PM, but we arrived a little past 4:00 PM.
Since my connecting flight to Edmonton was at 6:15 PM, I had just a little over 2 hours to finish:
Customs declaration
Immigration check
Baggage claim
Baggage re-drop
Finding my terminal and boarding gate
Good thing I was seated near the front of the PAL aircraft, so I exited quickly.
Step 1: Customs Declaration (Vancouver Entry Point)
After exiting the plane, I went straight to the customs machines.
How the machine works:
Scan your passport
Your details appear automatically
Answer simple questions:
Purpose of visit
Length of stay
Items you are bringing (cigarettes, meat, restricted products, etc.)
The machine takes your photo
It prints a customs declaration receipt with your picture
This was my second time, so the entire process went much faster—I already knew what to expect.
Step 2: Immigration Check (Or Skipped!)
When I approached the immigration section, the officer told me:
“No need for immigration based on your declaration form. You’re only traveling as a tourist.”
This saved time—but note:
✔ Not everyone gets waived.
✔ It depends on your declaration and risk assessment.
Step 3: Baggage Claim at Vancouver
Since PAL does not automatically transfer your luggage to WestJet:
I waited around 30 minutes to get my bags.
Then I headed toward the exit to proceed to the connecting flight area.
Important: Your checked baggage must be manually re-dropped at your next airline counter.
Step 4: Re-Dropping Baggage for WestJet
I proceeded to the WestJet luggage drop-off counter.
Good news:
PAL had already issued me a temporary boarding pass, and WestJet accepted it.
This removed the need for another check-in process—saving me precious minutes.
Step 5: Finding the Correct Connecting Flights Area
When heading to the connecting flights section:
There are TWO major connecting flight corridors:
One for US-bound flights (right side)
One for Domestic Canada flights (left side)
Last year, I mistakenly went to the US section and had to walk back—very time-consuming.
This time, I immediately took the left side for domestic flights.
Step 6: Going to the Boarding Gate
The domestic terminal at Vancouver Airport is large, so expect some walking.
I reached the boarding gate around 5:19 PM.
Boarding had not started yet—thankfully, I was not late.
Always remember:
Be at the gate at least 1 hour before your flight, especially when connecting.
What I Learned: Choose Direct Connecting Flights
Booking PAL with a direct, partnered connecting flight is much easier than booking separate airlines.
Here’s why:
Your boarding pass may be issued in advance
Airport staff guide you to the right direction
Your ticket is linked between airlines
Less check-in hassle
Better support when delays happen
When you book two unrelated flights, you’ll have to:
Re-check in
Reprint boarding passes
Worry about luggage transfers
Risk missing the next flight
With tight connections, that’s stressful.
Final Tips for Travelers to Canada (Vancouver Transit)
- Prepare your passport for scanning
Make sure to declare everything during required in customs declaration quickly and efficiently. Before your flight, verify which products are not permitted when entering Canada.
Follow signs carefully to avoid the US section
Don’t panic; follow instructions calmly
Booking linked flights reduces stress
Final Thoughts
Traveling to Canada in 2025 is easier when you know the process. With a bit of preparation and awareness of airport procedures, your connecting flight experience can be smooth—even when delays happen.
If you’re flying the same route, I hope my experience helps guide you and makes your trip less stressful.
Safe travels, and welcome to Canada! 🇨🇦✨
Planning a trip to Canada?
What else do you want to learn about Vancouver Airport, immigration, or connecting flights?
If you’ve traveled this route before, was your experience similar?
Share your questions and stories in the comments—your insight might help another traveler!
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