Everything you need to know about living, working or studying in Vancouver

Public transport is well developed in Vancouver but be careful of the city’s “zones,” meaning that you will not pay the same price in all areas of Vancouver. It varies from CA$3.15-$6.10 for a single ticket, depending on the area (“zone”) you want to travel to.

A day ticket costs CA$11.25 for all zones. You can also get a monthly subscription from CA$104.90-$189.45, depending on the zone. If you buy your bus ticket directly from the driver, remember to have the exact amount in cash; you won’t be able to ask for change and you will be asked to get off if you don’t have enough for the full fare. Transport tickets are on sale at SkyTrain station machines and in certain stores (pharmacies, 7-Eleven, London Drug, Safeway, etc.).

The company that manages public transportation in Vancouver and its metropolitan area is called Translink. It manages the two SkyTrain lines (a sort of aerial metro), the Canada line (metro), buses and the SeaBus (connects Downtown to North Vancouver).

To view a full map of the network, go to the Translink website or mobile site. Here, you will also be able to check information in real-time about the transport options nearby.

The bus

The bus network is extensive and runs both day and night, with the NightBus system. If you want to buy your ticket on the bus in cash, you need to have the exact change! To find out the arrival time of the next bus, you can text the five-digit number at the top of the bus stop sign to 33333.

The ferry (SeaBus)

Remember that Vancouver is a coastal city! So, sometimes there is only one solution to reach certain areas of the city: the ferry. The SeaBus connects central Vancouver to the North Shore.

The SkyTrain

The SkyTrain is an automated rapid transit system and serves all of Metro Vancouver with its three lines:

• The Expo Line connects Downtown Vancouver with the cities of Burnaby, New Westminster, and Surrey.
• The Millennium Line goes from East Vancouver through to Burnaby, Port Moody, and Coquitlam.
• The Canada Line runs between Downtown Vancouver, the Vancouver International Airport (YVR), and Richmond.

To find out more, visit the website.

A ticket valid for 90 minutes

When you purchase a ticket for any of the above methods of public transport, it will be valid for 90 minutes. This is ideal if you have to change between different means of transport or if you simply need to run a quick errand, as you won’t have to buy another ticket until the 90 minutes are up.

West Coast Express tickets can be purchased separately (at a different price).

The West Coast Express

If you live in the suburbs of Vancouver, you will need to take the commuter train. The West Coast Express is a commuter rail service connecting Downtown Vancouver and Mission City on weekdays during rush hour. It is aimed at workers who choose to live in smaller, more remote suburbs.

Walking and cycling in Vancouver

Walk

Vancouver is pedestrian-friendly. The Seawall, the main roads and side streets are all designed for exploring on foot. Be warned though; much like all North American cities, it is easy to be fooled by the long distances between different neighbourhoods. Wear comfy shoes if you plan to walk around the city.

By bike

Vancouver has self-service bicycle rental terminals. You can find them almost everywhere in the city (from Kitsilano to Mount Pleasant and Stanley Park), as long as you don’t stray too far from Downtown. This system is brought to you by Rogers and is called Mobi.

Renting a bike is simple: you just register; choose whether you want to pay per ride or get a monthly or annual pass; go to a terminal; unlock a bike using your code; and off you go!

Count on spending CA$0.39 per minute for a single ride, CA$49 for a monthly pass or CA$169 for an annual pass. Be careful of hidden fees, however, such as the CA$1.75 unlocking fee for a single ride.

In the West End and Downtown, you can also rent a bike or rollerblades by the hour, half-day or full day; for example, if you want to cycle around Stanley Park. Prices range from around CA$20 for a few hours to CA$40-50 for a day, depending on the rental company. There are numerous cycle paths and it is easy to get around.

You can also choose to buy a new or used bike (on Craigslist for example) at a reasonable price. Several used equipment sales stores offer second-hand bikes at attractive prices, as well as hourly or daily rentals.

Here are some interesting sites:

• Used Vancouver
• Sports Junkies
• Bike Doctor
• Simon’s Bike

To plan your trip, you will find all the useful information about cycle paths across the city and in your neighbourhood on the Translink website.

Travelling into or out of Vancouver by public transport

By bus

Greyhound (now owned by Flixbus in Canada) continues to be a popular choice; it connects Vancouver to many North American cities. Pacific Coach is a more regional company and another commonly used company in Vancouver. Visit these two sites to get an idea of destinations and prices.

By train

Rail transportation in Canada is managed by Via Rail. It serves four cities in British Columbia (Vancouver, Kamloops, Prince George and Prince Rupert). It also allows you to travel to the Rockies and eastern Canada.

The Rocky Mountaineer is a private and rather touristy train line that goes to the Rocky Mountains. This train departs from Vancouver and takes you to some of the best locations in the Rockies, such as Jasper, Whistler and Banff.