Getting to and from YVR Airport

The Vancouver airport is easily accessible by Skytrain subway or by taxi.  The airport is often referred to on maps and signs by its airport code, YVR. For more information, see the airport's website.

 

Via Public Transportation:

The Skytrain subway is the cheapest, and often fastest, way to get to and from your hotel. It operates from about 5:00 a.m. in the morning to 1:00 a.m. at night everyday. The YVR Skytrain Station is above the parking garage located between the International and Domestic Terminals. Once there, buy a ticket to Yaletown-Roundhouse. 

• Board the next train to Waterfront Station. You will be on the Skytrain Canada Line. Payment is on the honour system so you may be asked to show your ticket during the trip. 

• Disembark the train at Yaletown-Roundhouse Station (PDF). The station empties onto Davie Street. 

• You may walk 10-15 minutes to your hotel, but be advised that it is uphill. If you prefer, you may take the C23 bus up Davie Street. Simply put your train ticket into the fare machine as you board the bus; there is no additional fee. 

 

For more information, see the airport's public transportation page.

 

Via Taxi:

Taxi is the simplest but most expensive way to get around town. It costs about $35.00 to go downtown from the airport. Signs in the airport direct you to the taxi stands. For more information, see the airport's taxi page.

 

On your return to the airport from Inn at False Creek, the front desk can call you a taxi.

 

Arrival by Train/Motorcoach

Downtown Vancouver is served by both domestic and international trains and motorcoaches.  Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada call at the Pacific Central Station.  West Coast Express service calls at the CP Station on the waterfront. Additionally, a selection of motorcoach companies also serve Vancouver.  For additional information, visit each service's website.

 

Should I Drive?

There is no need to bring a car. The events are close and easy to get to. Vancouver has very good mass transit if you need it. Taxis are also a good option.

 

Parking

If you're driving, our host hotels offer their guests parking for about $20 per day. Please check with the hotel. Street parking is often difficult to find.

 

Additional Travel Information

 

On a Budget?

Here are some things you can do to save money:

• Share a room with friends.

• Eat breakfast or lunch in your room.

• Bring alcohol with you or buy it from the BC Liquor Store, the government-run store that is less expensive than the private liquor stores.

• If you don't have a local phone plan, put your phone in Airplane Mode to avoid roaming charges.

• If you need to exchange foreign currency, VBCE is reputed to have the best rates and lowest fees.

• If you're driving from the U.S.:

  • Buy duty-free alcohol and tobacco at the border, where it is much cheaper. Coming from Washington State, you will have to take the Truck Route, Exit 275 off Interstate 5 (not the Peace Arch) because it is the only crossing with a duty-free store into Canada. Once in the store, you will need your passport and your car's license plate number. See the official Canada Border Services web site for more information. Each person 19 or older has an alcohol allowance of one of the below:

    • 1.5 litres (53 imperial ounces) of wine; or

    • a total of 1.14 litres (40 ounces) of alcoholic beverages; or

    • up to 8.5 litres of beer or ale.

• Buy gas near the border in the U.S. where it's much cheaper than in Canada.

 

Mass Transit

Vancouver has an excellent bus, ferry, and subway system called TransLink. A few things of note:

• Busses take exact coins or a prepaid FareSaver ticket. 

• Remember to keep your validated ticket or transfer for inspection purposes or to use as a transfer ticket. 

• Using your ticket, you may transfer between busses, ferries, and trains for up to 90 minutes without an additional fee.

• It may be economical to buy a 10-pack of FareSaver discounted, prepaid tickets (perhaps to share with a friend). They are available at local drug and grocery stores. If you use a FareSaver ticket, it will have to be validated at a machine before use.

For more information, see the TransLink web site.

 

International Visitors

Everyone is required to have a passport (or equivalent) to enter Canada and to return home. U.S. citizens are not required to have a visa for stays of less than 6 months.

 

Accessibility

These buildings and modes of transportation are accessible:

• Transportation

  • Skytrain Canada Line

• Hotels

  • ​Inn at False Creek

• Venues

  • Pumpjack Pub

  • The Junction

 

Language

Vancouver and the Province of British Columbia are English-speaking, eh!

 

Currency & Debit/Credit Cards

Most international credit and debit cards are widely accepted at stores and banks in Vancouver. However, recently some local ATM's have started to require that cards have a chip embedded in them for extra security. Since most U.S. cards are not chipped, they will not work in these ATM's. If you need to exchange foreign currency, VBCE is reputed to have the best rates and lowest fees.

 

Canadian currency includes a $1 coin called a 'Loonie' because it bears the image of a loon. Similarly, the $2 coin is called a 'Toonie.' Paper currency starts with a $5 bill.