What's your time worth? (off line)

Understanding the Real Cost of your trip

It is easy to get enticed by a lower air fare on the mainland. But before you book that ticket, do the math and make sure you are taking into account the real cost of your trip including gas, ferry, hotel and your time.

Let's take a look at a family of four who are looking to book a trip to Disneyland. You might be surprised at how the travelling time and the costs add up!

YVR

Travel Option 1

Fly from Vancouver
International Airport (YVR)

Total Cost: $1,851

Travel Time: 32.5 hrs

Itinerary:

To Los Angeles
Depart Comox 3:45 p.m.
Ferry departs Duke Point 5:45 p.m.
Arrive Tsawwassen 7:45 p.m.
Arrive hotel in Richmond 8:45 p.m.
Depart YVR 6:05 a.m. (+ 1 day)
Arrive Los Angles 9 a.m.
(Flight time approximately 3 hrs)
Travel time = 17.25 hrs
From Los Angeles
Depart LAX 8:25 p.m.
Arrive YVR 11:30 p.m.
(Flight time approximately 3.0 hrs)
Arrive hotel in Richmond 1 a.m.
Ferry departs Tsawwassen 7:45 a.m. (+1 day)
Ferry arrives Duke Point at 9:45 a.m.
Arrive Comox 11:45 p.m.
Travel time = 15.25 hrs

Cost:

Roundtrip airfare $1,295.24
Roundtrip gas $46.46
Roundtrip ferry $240
Roundtrip hotel $269.10
Total cost = $1,851

* All costs are approximate. Flight example includes return air fare for a family of four on American Airlines departing on Saturday January 16, 2016 non-stop from YVR to LAX. Prices quoted were obtained from Expedia on July 28, 2015. Mileage calculation assumes gas at $1.25 per litre/20 MPG. Ferry crossing estimates are for Duke Point to Tsawwassen and reflect posted BC Ferries schedule and rates from October 13, 2015 to March 31, 2016.

YQQ

Travel Option 2

Fly from the
Comox Valley Airport (YQQ)

Total Cost: $1,967

Travel Time: 12.75 hrs

Itinerary:

To Los Angeles
Arrive YQQ 4 p.m.
Depart YQQ 5:25 p.m.
Arrive YVR 6:03 p.m.
(Flight time approx 30 mins)
(Layover about 2.25 hrs)
Depart YVR 8:15 p.m.
Arrive LAX 11:08 p.m.
(Flight time approx. 3 hrs)
Travel time = 7.25 hrs
From Los Angeles
Depart LAX 12:55pm
Arrive YVR 3:47 pm
(Flight time about 3 hrs)
(Layover about 2 hrs)
Depart YVR 5:50 pm
Arrive YQQ 6:25 pm
(Flight time about 0.5 hrs)
Travel time = 5.5 hrs

Cost: Roundtrip Airfare $1,967.12

* All costs are approximate. Flight example includes return air fare for a family of four on Air Canada departing on Saturday January 16, 2016 from YQQ to LAX with a layover in YVR. Prices quoted were obtained from Expedia on July 28, 2015.