I was aching for a getaway. It didn’t matter if it was shoulder season, off-season, getting cold, or rainy. All I cared about was traveling. I looked around and I decided the cheapest fare would take me to my destination. This time around, it was Vancouver, British Columbia. I had an amazing time on this trip. This long weekend was ideal for me considering it was only about a three-hour flight from my home of LA. I jumped on these cheap tickets and learned a few things. For this blog post I’ll show you a simplified version on getting around Vancouver. However, lets start with getting from the airport, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Downtown Vancouver.
YVR to Downtown Vancouver
If you’re directionally challenged like me and just looking at a map gets you lost, then I will try my best to make this easy for you. It’s as simple as follow the signs but first you have to look for those signs.
First you have to get to the Sky Train which is outside the airport. You’ll want to exit the airport and look for the sign that says “train to city.” Once you cross the street you’ll notice an escalator going above the parking lot. Go up those stairs. The ticket machine is on that floor.
Vancouver Transit Fares
Like other transits systems throughout the world, the Vancouver transit system is split into zones
If you’re going to Downtown Vancouver you’ll want to buy a one way ticket to zone 2.
The Fare Breakdown Is As Follows:
If you’re traveling to Zone 1 the fare is: $2.95 CAD
Getting to Zone 2 destinations, your fare is: $4.20 CAD
If you’re traveling to Zone 3 destinations, your fare is: $5.70 CAD
Day passes are: $10.25. You can also buy a monthly pass, but unless you’re there for a month, I doubt you’ll need it.
Other passes include a Stored Value Card called a Compass Pass. If you get a Stored Value Compass Card (which is a re-loadable card) fares drop by 60 cents to $1.20, at the most, depending on how far you’re traveling. There’s also a discount for seniors and students (high school aged) and children from 5-13 years of age.
If you’re planning to take any busses in Vancouver, that’s equal to zone one regardless of where you’re traveling to.
So, How Do You Get From YVP to Downtown Vancouver?
Once you’re on the skytrain and you have your zone 2 ticket. Board the sky train towards Bridgepoint (this line ends at Waterfront), which is the Canada Line. From the airport, the Canada Line only goes in one direction, don’t freak out.
From the Canada Line you’ll stay on until you get to City Center Station. If you’re like me and booked the SameSun Vancouver Hostel, you can get off here and walk a few blocks to the hostel, or keep going depending on where you need to go. From here, you’re pretty much in Downtown Vancouver. Depending on where you need to go, you can get another line or a bus.
Getting Around Vancouver Made Easy!
To simplify it, Vancouver only has 3 different rail lines. The map shows you a rapid bus system, which is the orange line, a commuter rail line and a ferry option as well. However lets take a moment to talk about the three lines you might be using on this trip.
These three lines are the Blue (Canada Line), yellow (Millennium Line) and the Blue/Purple (this color makes me feel color blind, which color do you see?) aka the Expo Line.
The Canada line goes from Vancouver International Airport to Downtown Vancouver. The other two lines go to the suburbs.
That’s getting around Vancouver Made Easy! I made a small video showing people how to get to the SameSun Vancouver Hostel which is in the heart of Downtown Vancouver. It pretty much has all the same information I just wrote but in VIDEO form, for those that are more visual.
Here is that video. It’s about 1 minute long:
Need More Info on How to Get Around?
In Vancouver, everything is pretty much walking distance. But if you loath walking you can rent a bike and ride around town. Riding your bike is easy in Vancouver. Just download this map of the bike paths. Although, if you rent a bike they will also give you one. I managed to ride through Stanley park without incident!
Vancouver and Stanely Park is so scenic, you’re definitely going to want to walk around, or ride around!
Getting to Granville Island will require you to take a ferry from one of its many terminals. Depending on where you’re getting it from it can range. I paid $3.00 CAD each way.
More info on their website: https://theaquabus.com.
If you’re trying to get to Capilano Suspension Bridge, you can get a FREE bus. Yes FREE! You can get on at Hyatt Regency Hotel, The Westin Bayshore, Blue Horizons Hotel, and other stops around town. Seating is first come first serve. Although I have to say, getting inside Capilano Suspension bridge is not free.
For schedules and prices for the free shuttle service check out their website at https://www.capbridge.com/visit/shuttle-service/.
Let Me Break It Down For You:
Here is a map of the Vancouver rail system for you to use and save:
Their zone prices are as follows:
If you’re traveling to Zone 1 the fare is: $2.95 CAD
Getting to Zone 2 destinations, your fare is: $4.20 CAD
If you’re traveling to Zone 3 destinations, your fare is: $5.70 CAD
Day passes are: $10.25
If you get a Stored Value Compass Card (which is a re-loadable card) fares drop by 60 cents to $1.20, at the most, depending on how far you’re traveling.
Check out their website for more info here.
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