Vancouver sits between the Pacific and the Coast Mountains, and much of what draws visitors here is that proximity to water and forest. The city is dense and walkable in its core, and public transit links the centre with the surrounding districts and suburbs.
For planning purposes, Vancouverites divide the city into three broad parts: the city centre, north of False Creek; the Westside, west of Ontario Street; and East Vancouver (East Van), east of Ontario Street. This guide covers where to base yourself within and around the city centre, and what each area is like for different kinds of trips.
Best areas to stay in Vancouver
1. City Centre
The city centre is the most practical base for a visit. It holds the bulk of Vancouver's accommodation, including most of the high-end hotels and backpacker hostels, and it is centrally placed for the attractions. If you want to walk to the main sights and have the widest choice of places to stay, this is the area to start with.
It also suits travellers who prefer chain hotels, though those willing to look beyond the central business district can find smaller boutique properties nearby that are cheaper than the four and five star options downtown. Expect city noise and density rather than quiet.
2. Gastown and Chinatown
These districts sit within the city centre, east of the central business district, and are named in the sources as part of the Downtown Eastside area. They are central and within walking distance of the core, which makes them convenient for sightseeing on foot.
One practical caution applies here: the sources advise avoiding the Downtown Eastside (Gastown–Chinatown and points directly east) if you are considering sleeping rough or free camping. For ordinary hotel stays, treat this as a central location whose streets vary block by block.
3. South Granville and Broadway
Broadway in South Granville is named as one of the areas with a few budget hotels and motels, making it a useful option if the city centre's rates are beyond your budget. It sits on the Westside, south of False Creek, and is connected to the rest of the city by transit and by Broadway itself.
This area suits budget-conscious travellers who still want to be in the city rather than the suburbs, and who do not mind commuting in to the main attractions.
4. East Van along Kingsway
East Vancouver, everything east of Ontario Street, has a few budget hotels and motels along Kingsway. It is a broad, largely residential part of the city with its own neighbourhoods and attractions.
Choose it if price matters more than proximity to the downtown sights, and plan on using transit to reach the centre.
5. Richmond
Richmond is the area to consider if you want or need to stay close to the airport. It has a number of hotels with varying degrees of luxury and price.
It is outside the City of Vancouver, so it works best for short stays, early flights, or travellers who do not mind commuting in to see the city.
6. North Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster
These suburbs all have easy access to Vancouver via the public transit system, and the sources note they have some cheaper options. They suit travellers who do not mind driving or commuting in to see Vancouver.
Staying here may give you a wider choice of affordable accommodation than the city centre, at the cost of time spent travelling to the sights.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: hostel accommodation is the cheapest option, with the lowest beds around $30 per night and more reasonably between $35 and 50; motels generally run about $80–150 per night; a few budget hotels and motels can be found along Kingsway in East Van and Broadway in South Granville.
- Mid-range: reasonably priced hotel rooms in the $100–180 range are available quite often; smaller boutique hotels outside the central business district but still close to the action are cheaper than the four and five star options downtown.
- Splurge: most upscale hotel rooms begin at $200–250 per night, and the bulk of Vancouver's high-end hotels are in the City Centre.
- Alternatives: B&Bs and AirBnB rentals are scattered throughout the city in each district; camping in city parks is prohibited under Vancouver's by-laws, and the closest Provincial Parks with campgrounds are near Maple Ridge (Golden Ears Provincial Park), Chilliwack and Squamish.
Best area for a first visit
The City Centre is the best base for a first visit. It is centrally placed for the attractions and holds the bulk of Vancouver's accommodation, from high-end hotels to backpacker hostels, so you can walk to much of what you came to see. Staying here also gives you the easiest access to the rest of the city by transit.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to stay outside the City Centre?
Staying outside the City Centre may give you a wider choice of affordable accommodations. Budget hotels and motels can be found along Kingsway in East Van and Broadway in South Granville, and the suburbs of North Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster have cheaper options with easy transit access to Vancouver.
Where should I stay if I need to be close to the airport?
Richmond has a number of hotels with varying degrees of luxury and price, and it is the area the sources name for staying close to the airport.
Can I camp in Vancouver's city parks to save money?
No. Camping in city parks is prohibited under Vancouver's by-laws. The closest Provincial Parks with campgrounds are near Maple Ridge (Golden Ears Provincial Park), Chilliwack and Squamish.
What is the difference between the Westside, East Van and the city centre?
The split is simply geography: everything west of Ontario Street is the Westside, everything east is East Vancouver, and everything north of False Creek is the city centre. Each area has its own attractions and neighbourhoods, and the City Centre holds the bulk of the accommodation.
Compare live prices for the areas above with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.