Moon Vancouver
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Between Seattle and Vancouver, other bus services include Bolt Bus (877/265-8287, www.boltbus.com) and Quick Shuttle (604/940-4428 or 800/665-2122, www.quickcoach.com). Bolt Bus arrives and departs from Pacific Central Station and often offers lower fares, while Quick Shuttle stops at Canada Place and will also pick up or drop off passengers at a number of downtown hotels, with advance reservations.
CAR
Coming from the United States, Interstate 5 takes you north from Seattle, Washington, to the U.S.-Canada border. When you pass through border control, you’ll be on Highway 99 in British Columbia, which leads to metropolitan Vancouver.
The main east-west route across Canada is Highway 1, the Trans-Canada Highway. It’s possible to follow Highway 1 from eastern Canada, Calgary, and the Canadian Rockies all the way to Vancouver; however, it’s not the fastest route.
If you’re coming from Calgary or Banff to Vancouver, follow Highway 1 west into British Columbia and continue west to the city of Kamloops. From Kamloops, take Highway 5, the Coquihalla Highway, southbound, toward Merritt and Hope. Highway 5 meets Highway 3, which you take westbound to rejoin Highway 1 at the town of Hope and continue west to Vancouver.
From Jasper to Vancouver, the shortest route is to follow Highway 16 west to Highway 5, where you turn south toward Kamloops. At Kamloops, continue south on Highway 5, to Highway 3 west, to Highway 1 west.
Getting Around
You don’t need a car to get around downtown Vancouver. The downtown peninsula is easy to navigate on foot, cabs are readily available, and the city has a good public transportation system with its SkyTrain subway and comprehensive bus network. It can be faster to go by car to some places outside downtown, like the University of British Columbia or the North Shore, but these destinations are not difficult to reach by transit.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
TransLink (604/953-3333, www.translink.ca) runs the city’s public transportation system. Use the Trip Planner feature on the TransLink website to plot your route.
TRANSIT FARES AND PASSES
Vancouver transit fares (one-zone/two-zone/three-zone adults $2.85/$4.10/$5.60, seniors, students, and ages 5-13 $1.80/$2.80/$3.80) are divided into three zones, based on the distance you travel. Pay a basic one-zone fare if:
▪ your trip is entirely within the Vancouver city limits.
▪ you’re traveling only by bus. All bus trips are one zone, regardless of distance.
▪ you’re traveling anywhere after 6:30pm on weekdays or all day Saturday, Sunday, and holidays.
If you’re taking the SkyTrain between downtown Vancouver and the airport Monday through Friday before 6:30pm, you need to pay a two-zone fare. During those hours, the SeaBus between Vancouver and North Vancouver is also a two-zone trip.
When you board the SkyTrain at the YVR Airport station, you pay a $5 surcharge in addition to the regular transit fare.
If you’re going to be riding transit extensively, buy a day pass (adults $10, seniors, students, and ages 5-13 $7.75), which covers one day of unlimited travel on the SkyTrain, buses, and SeaBus across all zones.
How to Buy Tickets and Passes
At SkyTrain or SeaBus stations, buy a ticket or day pass from the vending machine, which accepts cash, credit cards, and debit cards.
On the bus, you can pay your fare in cash; you need exact change. If you’ve bought a ticket on the SkyTrain or SeaBus within the previous 90 minutes, you can use that same ticket on the bus.
For any mode of travel, you can also buy a Compass Card, an electronic stored-value card, which gives you a discounted fare (one-zone/two-zone/three-zone adults $2.20/$3.25/$4.30). Buy Compass Cards at station vending machines, online (www.compasscard.ca), or at London Drugs stores around the city.
When you purchase a Compass Card, you’re charged a $6 card deposit. You can get your deposit back when you no longer need the card, either by returning your card in person to the Compass Customer Service Centre (Stadium-Chinatown Station) or to the West Coast Express Office (Waterfront Station), or by mailing in a refund request. See the TransLink website for mail-in refund instructions.
How to Use a Compass Card
Before boarding the SkyTrain or SeaBus, tap your Compass Card at the fare gates. After your trip, tap your card as you exit the station, so the system can calculate the correct fare and debit it from your card balance. Remember to tap out, or you’ll be charged the maximum fare.
When you board a bus, tap your card on the card reader. You don’t have to tap out when you get off the bus, since all bus trips are a one-zone fare.
SKYTRAIN
Vancouver’s SkyTrain subway has two lines that converge downtown at Waterfront Station and a third line that travels to some of the city’s eastern suburbs.
Traveling to or from Waterfront Station, the Canada Line (5am-1am daily) makes several downtown stops. Its two branches can take you between downtown and the airport (take the YVR branch) or other destinations in Richmond (the Richmond-Brighouse branch). If you’re heading anywhere downtown or along the Cambie Corridor, you can take any Canada Line train; going south, the two branches diverge at Bridgeport Station.
The Expo Line (5am-1:30am Mon.-Fri., 6am-1:30am Sat., 7am-12:30pm Sun.) travels between downtown and the Vancouver suburbs of Burnaby, New Westminster, and Surrey, east of the city. Going east, the Expo Line splits into two branches, one terminating at King George Station in Surrey, and the other going to Production Way-University Station in Burnaby. Take either branch from downtown to Chinatown, Main Street (near Science World), or Commercial Drive.
The Millennium Line (5:30am-1:30am Mon.-Fri., 6:30am-1:30am Sat., 7:30am-12:30pm Sun.) serves Vancouver’s northeastern suburbs, operating between VCC-Clark Station and Lafarge Lake-Douglas Station in Coquitlam. Transfer between the Millennium and Expo Lines at Commercial-Broadway, Production Way-University, and Lougheed Town Centre Stations.
BUS
The main bus routes in downtown Vancouver run along Granville, Burrard, Robson, Georgia, Pender, Hastings, and Davie Streets. Useful routes outside downtown travel along West 4th Avenue, Broadway, Oak, Cambie, and Main Streets, and along Commercial Drive.
At any bus stop, text the posted stop number and the bus route number to 33333 and you’ll receive a reply listing the next two buses for that route scheduled to arrive at that stop. Or, from the TransLink website’s Next Bus page (http://nb.translink.ca), enter the stop number to see when the next buses are coming to that stop; this service uses GPS tracking data to determine buses’ current locations. Signs at every bus stop show the stop number.
Bus schedules vary by route, but regular service begins between 5am and 6pm and runs until 1am or 2am. Vancouver also has 12 Night Bus routes that provide limited service into the wee hours; get schedules on the TransLink website (www.translink.ca).
FERRIES
AQUABUS AND FALSE CREEK FERRIES
Two privately run ferry services shuttle passengers across False Creek between downtown, Granville Island, Science World, and several other points. Schedules vary seasonally, but in summer, service starts around 6:45am-7am and continues until after 10pm. These ferries aren’t part of the TransLink system and require separate tickets.
The colorful Aquabus ferries (604/689-5858, www.theaquabus.com; adults $3.50-6, day pass $15, seniors and ages 4-12 $2-4, day pass $13) stop at the foot of Hornby Street, Granville Island, Yaletown’s David Lam Park, Stamps Landing, Spyglass Place near the Cambie Bridge, the foot of Davie Street in Yaletown, Plaza of Nations, and Olympic Village. They operate 12-passenger miniferries, as well as 30-passenger boats that accommodate bicycles.
False Creek Ferries (604/684-7781, www.granvilleislandferries.bc.ca; adults $3.50-6, day pass $16, seniors and ages 4-12 $2.25-4, day pass $12) follow a similar route, stopping at the Vancouver Aquatic Centre in the West End, Granville Island, Vanier Park (near the Maritime Museum and Museum of Vancouver), David Lam Park, Stamps Landing, Spyglass Place, the foot of Davie Street, Plaza of Nations, and
Olympic Village.
SEABUS
The SeaBus (604/953-3333, www.translink.ca) ferry is the fastest route between downtown’s Waterfront Station and North Vancouver’s Lonsdale Quay, taking just 12 minutes to cross the Burrard Inlet. TransLink bus and SkyTrain tickets are valid on the SeaBus.
TAXIS
In downtown Vancouver, you can usually hail taxis on the street or find cabs waiting at hotels, restaurants, bars, and transit stations.
You can also phone for a cab or book one online. Local taxi companies include Blacktop & Checker Cabs (604/731-1111, www.btccabs.ca), MacLure’s Cabs (604/831-1111, www.maclurescabs.ca), Vancouver Taxi (604/871-1111, www.avancouvertaxi.com), and Yellow Cab (604/681-1111, www.yellowcabonline.com).
Vancouver taxis are metered, with a base fare of $3.20 plus $1.84 per kilometer, except for trips starting at Vancouver International Airport. From the airport, you’ll pay a flat rate by zone ($31-37) to most Vancouver destinations. Cabs accept cash and credit cards.
DRIVING
PARKING
Vancouver’s on-street parking meters ($1-6 per hour) operate 9am-10pm daily, including holidays. Rates vary by location. You can park at most metered spaces for up to two hours. Pay for parking using coins, credit cards, or the Pay by Phone app (604/909-7275, www.paybyphone.com).
Find locations and rates for the EasyPark city-run parking garages and lots online (www.easypark.ca), or look for their bright orange signs. EasyPark garages are usually less expensive than privately owned parking facilities.
CAR RENTAL
The major car rental companies have offices at Vancouver International Airport, including Alamo (604/231-1400 or 888/826-6893, www.alamo.ca), Avis (604/606-2847 or 800/230-4898, www.avis.ca), Budget (604/668-7000 or 800/268-8900, www.budget.ca), Discount (604/207-8140 or 800/263-2355, www.discountcar.com), Dollar (604/606-1656 or 800/800-6000, www.dollar.com), Enterprise (604/303-1117 or 800/261-7331, www.enterprise.com), Hertz (604/606-3700 or 800/654-3001, www.hertz.ca), National (604/273-6572 or 888/826-6890, www.nationalcar.ca), and Thrifty (604/207-7077 or 800/847-4389, www.thrifty.com). Most also have downtown locations.
Visas and Officialdom
For the most up-to-date requirements for visitors coming to Canada, visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada (www.cic.gc.ca).
Important note: If you have a criminal record, including misdemeanors or driving while impaired (DWI), no matter how long ago, you can be prohibited from entering Canada, unless you obtain a special waiver well in advance of your trip. Refer to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website for additional information.
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
U.S. CITIZENS
The simple answer to the question of what documents U.S. citizens need to visit Canada is “a valid passport.” If you are driving over the border, you can use a NEXUS card, issued as part of the U.S. government’s Trusted Travel Program, as your entry document. See the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website (www.cbp.gov) for NEXUS details.
If you’re driving, a valid U.S. Passport Card can also be used instead of a passport. Get more information about U.S. Passport Cards, which cannot be used for air travel, from the U.S. State Department (www.travel.state.gov).
Several U.S. states and Canadian provinces issue Enhanced Drivers Licenses that can be used as an alternative to a passport or passport card when you’re crossing a land border; they’re not valid for air travel. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection website (www.cbp.gov) has details about Enhanced Drivers Licenses.
Citizens of the United States do not need a visa to visit Canada for stays of less than six months.
CITIZENS OF OTHER COUNTRIES
All other foreign visitors to Canada must have a valid passport, and depending on your nationality, you may also need either a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Check with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (www.cic.gc.ca) to confirm what documents you require.
British, Australian, and New Zealand citizens don’t require a visa, nor do citizens of many European nations. However, in 2016, Canada introduced the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which is required for visa-exempt visitors who are traveling to Canada by air. For example, a British citizen who is driving into Canada from the U.S. would not require a visa or an eTA but would need the eTA to fly into Canada. If you need an eTA, apply for this document online on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website (www.cic.gc.ca).
EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES
American citizens in Vancouver, Victoria, or other parts of western Canada can get assistance from the U.S. Consulate General-Vancouver (1075 W. Pender St., Vancouver, 604/685-4311, www.vancouver.usconsulate.gov).
British nationals needing consular assistance can contact the British Consulate General-Vancouver (1111 Melville St., Ste. 800, Vancouver, 604/683-4421, www.gov.uk).
The Australian Consulate and Trade Commission, Vancouver (1075 W. Georgia St., Ste. 2050, Vancouver, 604/694-6160, www.canada.embassy.gov.au) provides consular assistance to Australian citizens in western Canada, while the New Zealand Consulate General, Vancouver (1050 W. Pender St., Ste. 2250, Vancouver, 604/684-7388, www.nzembassy.com/canada) can assist citizens of New Zealand.
CUSTOMS
Visitors to Canada can bring a reasonable amount of personal baggage, including clothing, camping and sports equipment, cameras, and computers for personal use.
Travelers must declare all food, plants, or animals they bring into Canada. In general, you’re allowed to bring food for personal use, although there are restrictions on fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy products. Get the latest information from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (www.inspection.gc.ca).
As long as you’re of legal drinking age (19 in B.C.), you can bring a small amount of alcohol into Canada duty- and tax-free. You’re allowed to bring one of the following: two bottles of wine (up to 53 fluid ounces or 1.5 liters), one standard bottle of other alcohol (40 ounces or 1.14 liters), or 24 cans or bottles of beer or ale (up to a total of 287 ounces or 8.5 liters). Visitors are also allowed to bring in up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars.
In general, visitors cannot bring weapons into Canada. Check the detailed requirements with the Canada Border Services Agency (www.cbsa.gc.ca).
Note that when you’re flying to Canada from the United States or other international destinations, you clear immigration and customs at the Canadian airport after you land in Canada. However, if you’re flying to the United States from Vancouver, Calgary, or other major Canadian cities, you clear U.S. immigration and customs at the Canadian airport before you board your flight. For example, if you were traveling from Vancouver to Los Angeles, you would clear U.S. immigration and customs at the Vancouver airport. Allow extra time for these immigration and customs procedures, in addition to the time it takes for standard airport passenger screening.
WORKING IN VANCOUVER
To work in Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler, or elsewhere in Canada, you must apply for and receive a work permit before you enter the country. The government agency responsible for work permits is Citizenship and Immigration Canada (www.cic.gc.ca). In general, you must have a job offer from a Canadian company in order to apply for a work permit.
However, if you’re between the ages of 18 and 30-35, you might qualify for the International Experience Canada program, which enables young people to come to Canada on a working holiday (combining short-term work and travel), for an internship, or to work temporarily to gain international experience in your chosen profession. The options vary, depending on what country you’re from, but the International Experience Canada program is available to citizens of 32 countries, including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, many European nations, Mexico, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Use the planning tool on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website to determine if you’re eligible for the program and what options you might have.
The International Experience Canada program is not available to U.S. citizens. However, you may be a
ble to work with an organization that helps arrange short-term work programs in Canada. Read more about applying through one of these “Recognized Organizations” on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.
STUDYING IN VANCOUVER
To go to school in Canada, you must apply for and receive a study permit before you enter the country. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (www.cic.gc.ca) is the government agency responsible for study permits.
Vancouver is a popular destination for people who want to study English. The city has numerous language schools catering to foreign students. Languages Canada (www.languagescanada.ca) has more information about language study in Vancouver and elsewhere in Canada.
Health and Safety
Vancouver and Victoria are generally safe destinations, with no significant health issues for visitors. Travelers should use caution and be aware of their surroundings, especially at night. In Vancouver, avoid walking or running alone through the interior of Stanley Park or Pacific Spirit Regional Park, as many trails are quite remote; however, the Seawall path around Stanley Park is well traveled from dawn to dusk.
EMERGENCY AND MEDICAL SERVICES
Call 911 for assistance in an emergency.