Vancouver Transport

Vancouver has a very good transport infrastructure including excellent roads (rivalling those of the US) and fast and efficient buses and trains. Vancouver International Airport is just a few miles to the south of the city and easily accessible via Highway 99, while a reliable and frequent light rail service connects downtown Vancouver, important tourist areas and suburbs via two lines. Buses link with light rail train stations and they run to all points in Vancouver, while a plethora of ferries serve the Vancouver to Vancouver Island route as well as several other busy links. In addition, taxis are available 24 hours.

Light rail

Vancouver’s SkyTrain is a quality automated light rapid transit system, providing access to downtown Vancouver from various suburbs along two lines - the original Expo Line and the newer Millennium Line. Wheelchair accessible trains operate every few minutes and buses meet train services at most stations.

By bus

Translink provides public bus services in Vancouver, covering a huge area that incorporates the Greater Mainland of the city. Buses run to the Seabus terminal and link with various Skytrain terminals. Schedules are busiest from 05:00 to 01:00. Translink buses are a favourite with tourists as they are frequent, cheap and serve most areas of the city.

Taxis

There are four major taxi companies in Vancouver that operate from the downtown area to the suburbs and hotels. Cabs are usually available on a hail and ride basis, or they can be booked by calling ahead of time if you are in an out-of-the-way area or at night.

Ferry

Ferry services to important tourist destinations within the Vancouver area are plentiful. SeaBus is a passenger-only ferry service which connects Vancouver with the North Shore (Waterfront Station to Lonsdale Quay). You can also take a ferry from Vancouver to North Vancouver, across the scenic Burrard Inlet, while BC Ferries’ Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay terminals provide access to Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and the Gulf Islands.

From the airport

Getting to Vancouver and hotels from the airport by public transport is made easy by the Airporter bus, which serves the bus and train station in downtown Vancouver, central Vancouver hotels and the cruise ship terminal. Information and tickets can be bought from the Airporter desk in the Arrivals area of Vancouver International Airport or on the bus. Visitors can also travel direct from the airport to downtown Vancouver and Whistler via scheduled bus, with services to Vancouver Island including a ferry service. Taxi cabs and limousines are also available for fast transport into the city and to hotels 24 hours.