Getting Around Coquitlam
Coquitlam is a suburban city in Metro Vancouver, and getting around is easiest if you plan around the region's transit network and the city's car-oriented layout. The good news for visitors is that the SkyTrain rapid transit line reaches deep into Coquitlam, so you can arrive from Vancouver without a car and still reach many of the city's key destinations.
Public Transit: TransLink
Coquitlam is served by TransLink, the regional transit authority for Metro Vancouver. Its network covers buses, SkyTrain (rail rapid transit), SeaBus (ferries), West Coast Express (commuter rail), and HandyDART, a door-to-door shared-ride service for passengers who cannot use public transit without assistance. HandyDART requires program registration and a small fee.
Several transit modes serve Coquitlam specifically: the R3 RapidBus, the SkyTrain Millennium Line (Evergreen Extension), the West Coast Express commuter rail, and conventional buses. All conventional bus services in Coquitlam are operated by Coast Mountain Bus Company.
SkyTrain and Rail
The SkyTrain Millennium Line connects Coquitlam with Vancouver's East Van neighbourhood, stopping along the way in Port Moody and Burnaby, and it operates daily throughout the day. The line is part of what is described as the world's longest fully automated rapid transit line. Travel time to Vancouver is roughly 45 minutes, and about 55 minutes to Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver. Within Coquitlam, SkyTrain serves City Centre (a major regional shopping centre), Koreatown/North Road, and Lafarge Lake. The Millennium Line also connects with the Canada Line, which gives direct access to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in Richmond.
The West Coast Express commuter rail also serves Coquitlam. It runs Monday to Friday only, with trains heading westbound in the morning and eastbound in the afternoon. From furthest west to furthest east, its stops are Vancouver, Port Moody, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, and Mission.
Buses
Most Coquitlam bus routes connect with the SkyTrain's Millennium Line at either Coquitlam Central station or Lougheed Town Centre station. Notable routes include the R3 RapidBus between Haney Place Exchange and Coquitlam Central station, linking Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, and Coquitlam. Route 159 runs between Braid station (Expo Line) in New Westminster and Coquitlam Central station with stops in Port Coquitlam. Route 160 runs between Port Coquitlam station (West Coast Express) and Kootenay Loop in Vancouver, stopping in Coquitlam and Port Moody. Route 701 runs between eastern Maple Ridge and Coquitlam Central Station via Haney Place Exchange and Maple Meadows Station. Route 791 runs between Haney Place Exchange and Braid station via Meadows Station, connecting Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, and New Westminster, and operates Monday to Friday. These routes generally operate daily unless otherwise noted.
Fares and Tickets
You can pay for fares using Compass Cards (which carry a refundable deposit), Compass Tickets, or tap-to-pay using contactless credit cards (American Express, Mastercard, or Visa) or mobile wallets. Compass Cards and Compass Tickets get you discounted fares. Transfers are valid for up to 90 minutes, or up to 120 minutes if you are taking the West Coast Express. On buses and HandyDART you can also pay in cash, but you will not receive change and you will not be eligible for transfers.
Zone-based fares apply Monday to Friday for trips starting before 6:30 PM if your travel involves SkyTrain or SeaBus. Outside those hours, or for travel on only bus or HandyDART, a single zone rate applies. The West Coast Express uses a higher-cost zone-based fare system regardless of when you travel. Children 12 and under ride free, and people aged 13 to 18 and 65 and older pay discounted concession fares. As a rough guide, public transit from Vancouver to Coquitlam costs more on weekdays and less on weekends and evenings after 6:30 PM.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are easy to get locally. Bel-Air Taxi and Coquitlam Taxi both serve the area. Ride-hailing is also available through Kabu, Lyft, and Uber.
Walking and Cycling
Walking and cycling are options in Coquitlam, with several designated bike routes in the city. There are more than 60 km of bike routes, including shared lanes on major streets, bicycle lanes, and neighbourhood bikeways. Be aware that the terrain includes steep hills in the mountain foothills, so route planning is advised. A free Tri-Cities Cycling Map is available at City facilities including City Hall and public libraries.
Bikes are allowed on transit with some restrictions: on SkyTrain they are not permitted during weekday peak periods (7–9 a.m. westbound, 4–6 p.m. eastbound), with a maximum of two bikes per car; on buses they are allowed at all hours (two per bus); and on the West Coast Express they are allowed at all hours (two per car). Bike lockers are available for monthly rental at most SkyTrain and West Coast Express stations, and bike racks are also present. Free bike maintenance stations with tools for basic repairs are located outside Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex and City Centre Aquatic Complex.
Driving and Parking
Car access is easy and parking is free most places. Coquitlam is about a 40-minute drive from downtown Vancouver via the Barnet Highway, and it is accessible via Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) or Highway 7 (Lougheed Highway). The Port Mann Bridge connects Coquitlam to Surrey, and there is quick access to the Fraser Valley and multiple border crossings. Modo car-share has vehicles stationed in Coquitlam, reservable by hour or day.
Park and Ride options and rentable bike lockers are available at all SkyTrain stations in Coquitlam. City-owned Park and Ride lots and designated on-street Park and Ride stalls cost $1.00 per hour, with a maximum of $4.00 per day. Specific locations include the southeast intersection of Pinetree Way and Guildford Way (for Lafarge Lake-Douglas station), free on Sundays; the northwest corner of Lincoln Avenue and Westwood Street (nearest Lincoln station), also free on Sundays; Coquitlam Central Station at 2920 Barnet Highway, a TransLink-operated lot charging a flat daily rate seven days a week; and the Bettie Allard YMCA at 555 Emerson Street near Burquitlam station, which charges by the hour or day with evening rates, seven days a week. Parking is otherwise restricted close to SkyTrain stations to prevent unauthorized park and ride.
Getting from the Airport
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is in Richmond, and the Millennium Line connects with the Canada Line for direct access to the airport. For broader options on reaching the Vancouver area by plane, bus, train, or boat, see the Vancouver guide. Once in the region, TransLink's network is the main way to reach Coquitlam without a car.
Ferries and Border Crossings
BC Ferries runs year-round vehicle and passenger service to many locations along the B.C. coast, with vehicle reservations available in advance. Two ferry terminals are accessible from Coquitlam: Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay. For travellers heading to the United States, four border crossings are within a one-hour drive of Coquitlam, offering 24-hour service year-round, NEXUS lanes, and commercial vehicle access at all hours with dedicated FAST lanes: the Abbotsford Crossing, the Aldergrove Crossing, the Peace Arch Crossing, and the Pacific Crossing.