Travel and Vancouver -
Getting to Vancouver BC

Getting to Vancouver

An advantage of Vancouver as a tourist destination is the accessibility of this city. You can get there by flying, driving, or boating.

By Air

Flights to Vancouver are relatively easy to find, especially from the USA and Asia. Vancouver is one of Canada’s major cities, but flights can be expensive depending on the time of the year and even the day of the week you’re traveling. If there are major events scheduled soon, the airfare to Vancouver will probably be more expensive.

The airport is friendly and has lots of options for entertainment while you wait for your flight back home; it’s large enough that it is an internationally recognized, highly rated airport, yet small enough that you can walk from one end to the other.

Another option for flying is to take a helicopter or floatplane ride from Seattle to Victoria, and then from Victoria to Vancouver. Combined, the flights take about an hour.

By Car

If you’re driving from the USA, there are a few popular border crossings near Vancouver: the Douglas/Blaine crossing, the Pacific/Truck crossing, and the Aldergrove crossing. If you travel on a weekend day or holiday, expect to wait an hour to get across the border, and expect to wait even longer if you’re not a citizen of either the USA or Canada.

The Blaine or Douglas crossing, which you’ll use if you drive across using the I-5 Northbound, is usually the busiest border crossing, so it’s wise to avoid it. This crossing also doesn’t have a duty-free.

While the Pacific or Truck crossing isn’t as busy as the Blaine one, it tends to be busy on the weekends since it has a duty-free.

The Aldergrove crossing is smaller than the others, has a duty-free, and is generally the quietest of the three on both weekends and weekdays. The only disadvantage is that it’s only open between 8 AM and midnight. This crossing is approximately 50 kilometres east of the Blaine crossing. You can get to it by taking the exit 256 off the I-5, north of Bellingham. Follow Hwy 539, and you’ll reach the border crossing. Once you’re on Canadian soil, follow 264th St to Hwy 1, and you’ll reach Vancouver.

By Bus

If you live in Canada or the USA and you’re looking for another way to get to Vancouver, you can often take a Greyhound bus trip for even less money than a plane ticket. If you pack a few good books, snacks and drinks, and are willing to travel for a longer period of time, a bus trip could be the perfect option for getting to Vancouver.

By Train

You have a few choices if you want to take the train to Vancouver. ViaRail is Canada’s national railroad system, and AmTrak is a comparable USA railroad that operates a route to Vancouver from Seattle.

By Water

If you’re traveling on foot, you can take the Clipper ferry from Seattle to Victoria, and then take a BC Ferries ride to Vancouver, which will take about four hours total. There are no vehicles allowed on the Clipper.

Ferries run to Vancouver from Swartz Bay, 20 miles north of Victoria, and Departure Bay, which is close to the Nanaimo city centre.

Your destination port depends on where exactly you want to go: if you’re looking to go to downtown Vancouver, Horseshoe Bay is about a half hour drive away. Those traveling to the east or suburbs of Vancouver would be better off taking a ferry to Tsawwassen, approximately 25 miles from downtown Vancouver.

These ferries allow most vehicles. They are comfortable and spacious, with many amenities and food, and comfortable lounges. Be sure to bring card games, books, or other forms of entertainment, since the arcade can get expensive fast! The ferries are fairly quiet, but you might also want a personal music player to drown out the engines if you choose to sit near them.

Getting around Vancouver Public Transportation

Public transportation in Vancouver is better than many Canadian cities (thanks in part to the Winter Games and the city revitalizing its transit system for the massive influx of tourists). You can get to almost any major attraction by public transit, though some of the smaller, less well-known spots might be difficult to reach without a car. TransLink

Biking around the city is popular with tourists and locals alike. Bike rental stores are found near Stanley Park, and paths crisscross the downtown core. Remember to use a helmet (it’s mandatory), and stay off the sidewalk. Check the bike rental stores or libraries for a map of the bike paths and the best ways to get to different locations.

Buses, the SeaBus ferry, and the SkyTrain are linked in a comprehensive transit system that you can even access through Google Maps. Just enter your “to” and “from” addresses (or even just the name of the hotel, store or attraction) and choose the Public Transit option, and you can see the fastest way of getting there via public transit.

Fares are the same for each method of public transportation (train, bus or ferry), and the amount depends on the number of zones you travel. Evening, weekend and holiday fares are discounted, and day passes are available if you plan to do a lot of sightseeing.

You will need exact change for your fare or tickets, available from ticket machines located in major buildings and tourist centers, convenience stores, and places that display a “fare dealer” sign. If you want a route map, be prepared to pay a few dollars for it.

Taxi fares start at around $3 and increase $1.60 per kilometer. In the downtown area, you can usually catch a cab ride for under $15, so it’s more economical to use the bus, train or ferry if possible.

If you have access to a car (your own or a rental car; remember, you have to be 25 or older to rent a car, however), getting around will be significantly easier. There are no major freeways through Vancouver, so traffic can be slow, but with a little patience, you can reach lesser-known destinations by yourself and save money. Parking fares can be high, and it’s important to carefully read the street signs to determine whether you’re allowed to park somewhere. There isn’t a very forgiving parking authority, and you don’t want your car towed!

There are plenty of options for getting around Vancouver, depending on the length of your trip, your budget, and where you plan to go.

Map of the Lower Mainland

Map of downtown Vancouver

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