Getting Around Vancouver
Vancouver offers visitors multiple ways to navigate the city, from public transit to walking and cycling. While the automobile remains a primary mode of transport, the city is distinguished by having rejected freeway development through its downtown core in the 1960s—a decision that has shaped urban planning ever since. This means that public transit, walking, and other alternatives play a significant role in how people move through the city.
Public Transit Overview
TransLink, the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority, operates all public transit in the region. To use most TransLink services, you can purchase a Compass Card—a smart card-based payment system that replaced traditional paper passes and tickets. The card has a refundable deposit of $6 and can be loaded with fares for any journey.
The SkyTrain System
The SkyTrain is Vancouver's rapid transit backbone, operating three fully automated lines that connect downtown to surrounding suburbs and the airport. The system is the world's second longest fully automated light rapid transit system.
- The Expo Line and Millennium Line link downtown Vancouver to suburbs including Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey, and Coquitlam
- The Canada Line connects downtown Vancouver to Richmond and Vancouver International Airport, having opened in 2009
Future expansions are planned, including extensions of the Millennium Line west toward Kitsilano and Point Grey, and an extension of the Expo Line southeast through Surrey into Langley.
Bus Service
Buses operate throughout the region via Coast Mountain Bus Company, a TransLink subsidiary. Service frequencies vary widely depending on location: buses run every couple of minutes in downtown Vancouver, but may operate only two to three times daily in far-flung suburbs.
All buses are wheelchair-accessible and carry cycle racks. Vancouver maintains an active trolleybus fleet serving the downtown core and much of the city with zero-emission buses. Certain commuter buses to suburbs, branded as RapidBus, offer additional amenities such as bicycle racks, wheelchair lifts, and reclining seats. Some service in West Vancouver and Lions Bay is contracted separately through West Vancouver Blue Bus.
SeaBus Ferry
The SeaBus is a passenger-only ferry connecting downtown Vancouver and the City of North Vancouver across Burrard Inlet. It is operated by Coast Mountain Bus Company and uses integrated ticketing with other TransLink services.
West Coast Express
The West Coast Express is a commuter rail service connecting downtown Vancouver to Port Moody, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, and Mission. Tickets integrate with the broader TransLink system.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available throughout Vancouver. Until 2020, the city had no ride-hailing services due to provincial restrictions, but legislation was amended in 2018 to permit them. Uber and Lyft began operating in the region in January 2020.
Walking and Cycling
Vancouver is a walkable city, particularly in downtown neighborhoods where the combined walking and cycling mode is as high as 50 percent. The city offers an extensive network of bicycle routes, including over 300 lane-kilometres of on- and off-road paths. Most routes are local street bikeways—streets with traffic calming measures such as traffic circles—designed to facilitate cycling. Major cycling corridors like the Central Valley Greenway provide regional connections from downtown Vancouver to Burnaby and New Westminster, with most of this route separated from motor traffic.
Bus routes are bicycle-friendly; all buses carry cycle racks and are equipped to accommodate cyclists. Many downtown streets include dedicated bicycle lanes added as part of ongoing downtown transportation planning.
Getting from Vancouver International Airport
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is located on Sea Island in Richmond and serves as the main arrival point for most visitors.
SkyTrain (Canada Line): The most direct option is the Canada Line, which provides service from the airport to downtown Vancouver in 25 minutes. The fare is $11.60, which includes the two-zone base fare of $5.10 plus a $6.50 surcharge. This is the recommended way to reach downtown.
Bus: Bus route N10 provides overnight service when SkyTrain is closed. Route C92 connects the airport's South Terminal with Bridgeport station on the Canada Line during limited daytime hours.
Taxi: Taxis serve the airport with fixed-rate fares depending on your destination zone; a typical journey to downtown Vancouver takes 20–30 minutes. All airport taxis accept credit cards, and metered fares apply for trips outside designated zones and for all trips heading to the airport.
Alternative Airports: Abbotsford International Airport lies approximately 60 kilometres east of Vancouver and handles mostly domestic and budget carrier flights. There is no public transit link, but car rental is available; the drive to Vancouver takes 45–90 minutes via the Trans-Canada Highway depending on traffic. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Bellingham International Airport are also options for budget-conscious travellers, with bus and train connections to Vancouver available.
Navigating the City
Vancouver's lack of downtown freeways means most traffic flows on city streets, making public transit, walking, and cycling practical alternatives. The combination of SkyTrain coverage to major destinations, frequent bus service, ferry connections, and extensive cycling infrastructure gives visitors flexibility in choosing how to move around the city. The Compass Card provides a convenient, unified payment method across most services.