Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you are flying into Vancouver International Airport (YVR), heading to an event in Vancouver, or planning a longer trip with a group, a few practical questions usually come up before the ride. The answers below cover them, from booking and pricing to what to expect from your chauffeur and vehicle.
Booking
How do I book a ride?
You can book online through our reservations portal, call us at (604) 682-4474 (answered 24 hours a day) or toll-free at 1-877-369-5466, or email info@griffintransportation.com.
Are you open 24/7?
Yes. Our reservations and dispatch team answers the phone 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Can I book a same-day ride?
Yes. Call us at (604) 682-4474, and we will check availability right away.
What information do you need when I book?
To confirm your reservation, we need:
- The pickup date and time.
- The pickup and drop-off addresses.
- The passenger’s name and mobile number.
- The number of passengers and bags.
- Your credit card information.
- Your airline and flight number, for airport pickups.
Airport Pickups
Where will my chauffeur meet me at YVR?
Your uniformed chauffeur waits with a sign showing your name and helps with your bags. On domestic flights, the meeting point is baggage claim. On US and international flights, your chauffeur meets you in the greeting area once you have cleared customs and immigration and picked up your bags.
Do you track my flight?
Yes. We monitor commercial flights, so if yours lands early or late, your pickup time moves with it.
How long will my chauffeur wait?
Waiting time is included as follows:
- Commercial flights: 1 hour after your flight lands.
- Private jets and charters: 30 minutes from the pickup time.
- All other pickups: 15 minutes.
After that, waiting time is charged in 15-minute increments.
What should I do if I can’t find my chauffeur?
Call our dispatch team right away at (604) 682-4474. Calling us prevents a no-show charge.
Do you serve private aviation terminals?
Yes. We pick up and drop off at Vancouver’s private aviation terminals (FBOs), including Signature Flight Support and Million Air. We also serve the downtown helipad, the seaplane terminals, and the Canada Place cruise terminal.
Which airports do you serve?
We serve Vancouver (YVR), Abbotsford (YXX), and Victoria (YYJ), as well as Seattle-Tacoma and Bellingham. Through our affiliate network, we can also arrange pickups at airports worldwide.
Vehicles and Passengers
How many passengers and bags fit in each vehicle?
Capacity depends on how much luggage you bring:
- Sedans: up to 3 passengers, or 2 with luggage
- SUVs: 5 passengers with luggage
- Executive Vans: up to 14 passengers, or 11 with luggage
- Executive Bus: 24 passengers, or 20 with luggage
- Coach: 31 passengers with luggage
“With luggage” means one checked bag and one carry-on per person.
Do you provide child seats?
Yes. You can request them when you book, and a rental fee applies to each seat.
Can I bring my pet?
Yes. Pets are welcome in a carrier, and fees may apply.
Do you offer wheelchair-accessible vehicles?
We can arrange wheelchair-accessible transportation through an affiliate partner, depending on availability.
Can I drink or smoke in the vehicle?
No. BC law prohibits alcohol and smoking in our vehicles, and if anyone breaks this rule, the trip ends immediately.
Pricing and Payment
How is pricing calculated?
Most trips within the Lower Mainland have a flat point-to-point rate. Other trips are billed hourly, from the time the vehicle leaves our Vancouver garage until it returns, with a minimum number of hours for each vehicle type.
Are there extra charges?
An operations surcharge applies to every trip. Other charges depend on the details of your trip:
- A surcharge for trips between midnight and 4:00 a.m. and on statutory holidays.
- Airport parking, ferry fares, and tolls, when they apply.
- Stops along the way, charged by vehicle type and by where the stop falls on the route.
All prices are in Canadian dollars, plus 5% GST.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, as well as corporate accounts. We do not accept debit.
What is your cancellation policy?
- Sedans and SUVs: cancellation is free more than 12 hours before pickup. Between 6 and 12 hours, 50% of the fare is charged, and within 6 hours, the full fare applies.
- Mercedes S-Class, vans, and buses: please cancel at least 48 hours before pickup, or the full fare is charged.
- Events and multi-vehicle bookings: cancellations require 72 hours’ notice.
Groups, Events, and Longer Trips
Do you handle groups and events?
Yes. We provide transportation for conferences, road shows, special events, sporting events, concerts, and cruise groups. Events require a 50% deposit at the time of booking.
Do you go to Whistler?
Yes. We drive to Whistler year-round in sedans, SUVs, vans, and buses.
Do you cross the border to Seattle and Bellingham?
Yes. Every passenger needs valid travel documents to enter the United States.
Can you arrange a car in another city?
Yes. Through our worldwide affiliate network, we can book chauffeured service in most cities, and the trip is billed to you through us.
Do you offer private tours?
Yes. We offer private tours of Vancouver, Whistler, Victoria, and Seattle.
Safety and Licensing
Are your chauffeurs professionally trained?
Yes. Our chauffeurs are professionally trained, have completed a criminal record check, and are subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
Are you licensed?
Yes. We are fully licensed, and every passenger vehicle passes a Commercial Vehicle Inspection (CVIP) and carries commercial insurance.
Our Team Answers the Rest
Griffin Transportation has provided chauffeured service in Vancouver since 1999. If your question is not covered above, you can call our team at (604) 682-4474 or email info@griffintransportation.com, and we will help you with the details. You can find us at 1450 Venables Street, Vancouver, BC V5L 2G5.