1. Flights
2. Transfer from the airport to downtown
3. Buses and Trains
4. Limousines and Taxis
5. Travelers with Disabilities
6. Conference Shuttle to outer hotels
7. Customs Information
8. Sales Tax

United Airlines is offering special meeting fares for all attendees of OOPSLA who use the Special Meeting Desk to book their reservations. Book early and take advantage of the promotional fares that give you the greatest savings!

• Earn a 5% discount off the lowest applicable fare, including First Class, or 10% off the mid-week coach fare. By purchasing your ticket at least 60 days in advance of your scheduled travel you will receive an additional 5% discount. Simply call (or have your travel agent call) 1-800-521-4041 and refer to Meeting ID Number 523WD.
• Mileage Plus members receive full credit for all miles flown to this meeting. Tickets can be mailed by United, picked up at your local travel agency or United Airlines ticket office. You or your travel agent should call today as seats may be limited.

Canadian Airlines is also offering significant savings on airfares. Book early and save up to 50% on your airfare. Please have your assigned convention registration number ready when you call ( Star # M02423 ). You can call the Canadian Airlines Meeting and Convention specialists at 1-800-665-5554. Outside North America, please contact your local Canadian Airlines sales office.

Direct flights to Vancouver (YVR) are available from the following cities:

Airlines serving Vancouver:

The airport is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Vancouver. Transfers can be made by bus, limousine, or taxi.

Buses and Trains

Amtrak's Mount Baker International trains (#760 and 761) run from Seattle to Vancouver twice a day. For toll-free information and reservations, call +1-800-872-7245 or try Amtrak's website. Once you arrive in Vancouver, the aforementioned limousines and taxis, and the buses outlined below are at your service.

Taxis and Limousines

Taxi service is available from the airport. A cab ride to downtown should cost $25.00 - $35.00 (Canadian), depending on the traffic. You can also take Airport Limousine for a flat rate of $29.00 (Canadian) to any downtown hotel (as of 4/98).

Travelers with Disabilities

BC Transit's handyDART provides excellent wheelchair-accessible service, allowing door-to-door service for about the same cost as regular buses. However, advance reservations are required; call +1-604-430-2692, or the general information line at +1-604-264-5000. Many of the regular buses are equipped with low-floor access. Furthermore, both the SeaBus and SkyTrain are wheelchair/scooter accessible.

Additionally, Vancouver Taxi (tel. +1-604-255-5111) has modified taxis to accommodate a wheelchair; fares are the same as regular taxis. Once again, booking ahead of time is advised.

The Canadian Paraplegic Association, 780 SW Marine Dr., Vancouver BC V6P 5Y7 (tel. +1-604-324-3611), provides information about BC travel for people with disabilities.

Another contact is Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 2125 W. Seventh Ave., Vancouver BC V6K 1X9 (tel. +1-604-736-7391 (voice); +1-604-736-2527 (TTY)). The 24-hour Message Relay Centre provides TTY-to-voice and voice-to-TTY translation.

Shuttle Service during Conference

OOPSLA'98 will provide shuttle service between the outer hotels and the Vancouver Convention Centre. Please check with your hotel upon arrival for a schedule.

Customs Information

U.S. citizens and permanent residents require a birth or baptismal certificate, together with picture ID, resident alien card, green card or passport to enter Canada. A driver's license alone is NOT accepted as proof a citizenship. All other international visitors require valid passports, and in some cases, visas (consult the closest Canadian Consulate if you are unsure). All persons entering Canada must fill out a declaration for Canada Customs.

Visitors to Canada may bring up to 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, 400 grams of tobacco, 40 ounces of liquor or wine or 288 ounces of beer or ale per person over the age of 19 into British Columbia. All goods must be declared.

Revolvers, pistols and fully automatic firearms are prohibited to enter into Canada.

Canada Customs offers a free booklet: Canada -- Travel Information (For Visitors from the U.S.) that outlines border crossing requirements and can be obtained from

Revenue Canada, Customs & Excise
Visitors Rebate Program
Ottawa  ON  K1A 1J5
Canada
Phone: +1-613-991-3346

Sales Tax

There is a 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST) currently in effect in Canada. Visitors can obtain an instant GST rebate by submitting all GST receipts for goods they are taking out of Canada, as well as accommodation (up to $500 Canadian) to a participating duty-free shop when they exit Canada.

Alternatively, they may file for a GST refund with Revenue Canada and be reimbursed by cheque. For further information, please call the following numbers:

From inside Canada: 1-800-668-4748
From outside Canada: +1-902-432-5608

Last updated 04 September 1998 15:40:22