Getting to Whistler

Whistler has no airport, so most visitors arrive at Vancouver, 120kms south, and then connect to Whistler by bus or car. The trip from Vancouver by car, bus, train or boat/bus/train combination takes in some of British Columbia's most breathtaking coastal and mountain scenery. Along the way, travellers can stop at the spectacular Shannon Falls near Squamish, the BC Museum of Mining at Britannia Beach or at the bald eagle nesting grounds in Brackendale.

By car

From Vancouver, follow Georgia street heading west (Highway 99) through Stanley Park (the Causeway) across the Lions Gate Bridge. As the city splits into North and West Vancouver, follow the signs to West Vancouver; you will now be on Marine drive. The first intersection you come to will be Marine Drive and Taylor Way. Stay in the right lane and turn right onto Taylor Way towards the mountains. You will pass two sets of lights on Taylor Way; at the third set of lights, turn left to connect with Highway 99 to Whistler. Travellers from the northeast can get to Whistler via Highway 99.

By rail

Whistler Mountaineer leaves from North Vancouver daily at 08:30 for the 3-hour scenic journey along the Ski-to-Sky route. The train returns to Vancouver daily at 19:45. The BC Rail Station is located at the foot of Pemberton Avenue in North Vancouver. The station is not accessible in winter by public bus, so you will need to take a taxi. Reservations are required. Check out details at: www.whistlermountaineer.com; or call: +1800 687 7245.

By bus

Perimeter's Whistler Express provides services from Vancouver Airport to Whistler nine times a day, with the last bus leaving at 23:30. Reservations are required by noon, one day in advance. A note on ground transportation: the Perimeter bus only drops off and picks up passengers at certain hotels. If you are staying somewhere that isn't on the list, you must get yourself and your bags to a pick up point on time. Keep that in mind when you make room reservations.
Phone: +1 604 266 5386 (Vancouver); +1 604 905 0041 (Whistler); website:         www.perimeterbus.com/.

Greyhound Canada operates services from the Vancouver Greyhound Bus Station, which is located at Pacific Central Station, 1150 Station street. Website: www.greyhound.ca/en/locations/.

By air

Vancouver International Airport is located 120kms from Whistler and is a modern facility offering daily scheduled flights to and from a large number of North American, European and international destinations. Bus services run between the airport and Whistler. Meanwhile, taxis are on hand, as are car hire companies. The airport offers good passenger facilities including ATMs, bureaux de change and information desks.

Vancouver Airport

Vancouver International Airport operates three terminals, with the International and Domestic terminals located in the main building. The South Terminal caters to small aircraft, float planes, helicopter operations, corporate charters, sport fishing camps and aerospace facilities. Flights operate daily to cities such as New York, Tokyo and London.

ATM and bureau de change facilities can be found throughout the airport, while dining facilities can be found in all terminals. Both duty-free and duty-paid shopping outlets are on hand. Separately ventilated smoking rooms have been installed post-security in the Domestic and International terminals, while tourist information is available from a desk located on level 2.

Vancouver airport transportation

Ground transportation options from Vancouver International Airport include shuttle and public buses, taxis and hire cars. The Airporter provides bus services every 15 minutes to major hotel destinations in downtown Vancouver, the Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal and the bus depot/train station. Bus services to Vancouver, Richmond and beyond originate at the Airport Station Bus Terminal, located near the Delta Hotel.

Airport Station and the airport are connected by bus route 424, which picks up and drops off passengers at the ground level of the Domestic Terminal. Several public transportation bus routes service the Airport Station Bus Terminal. The 98 B line and route 496 connect to downtown Vancouver.

The Whistler Express provides bus services to the resort municipality of Whistler, its village and the Whistler/Blackcomb Mountains. The Whistler Express bus departs from the International Arrivals and Domestic Arrivals level kerb. Tickets may be purchased at the Whistler Express counter, their pickup locations or on the coach.

Car rental facilities are conveniently located just steps from the terminal, on the ground floor of the parkade. Taxis are readily available outside both the Domestic and International terminals.

By ferry

Vancouver has a number of transportation options involving ferries and boats, since the city is surrounded on three sides by water. BC Ferries offers ferry services to Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast, Queen Charlotte Islands and Prince Rupert.

The Vancouver to Victoria service goes via Horseshoe Bay, BC, located between Whistler and Vancouver. It arrives at Nanaimo, about a 2-hours drive north of Victoria. It operates large, modern ferries with frequent sailings (hourly in the summer). The drive across the island is scenic, with tourist attractions along the way, but it can be congested near Victoria in peak season. There is a surcharge for reservations, but it is a good idea to make them if you want to guarantee a place on a certain sailing in high season. Website: www.bcferries.com/.