Getting around Vancouver

TransLink, the transport authority

The company that manages public transportation in Vancouver and its metropolitan area is called Translink. It manages

• Three SkyTrain lines,
• 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.

Zones

Public transport is well developed in and around Vancouver but be careful of the city’s “zones”. The more zones you cross by Skytrain, the higher the fare will be.

This does not apply to buses, which always charge 1-zone fare.

Paying for rides

You can pay for rides in a few different ways:

1. Tap with contactless payment
2. Buy individual Compass Tickets
3. Bus only: pay exact fare in cash
4. Load store value onto a Compass Card – DISCOUNTED

You can see the exact fares by payment method and by zone on TransLink’s website. Compass Cards provide the best value.

If you plan to take public transportation frequently, it may be cheaper to buy a day pass or monthly pass instead.

Transport tickets are sold at SkyTrain stations and authorised retailers.

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 TransLink’s website.

The West Coast Express

If you live in the suburbs of Vancouver, you may want 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.

SkyTrains only operate in zones 1-3, but the WCE extends all the way to zones 4 and 5. See fares.

Walking and cycling in Vancouver

Walking

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.

Cycling

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!

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 useful 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 to or from another city

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.