Vancouver

When arriving at the Vancouver International Airport please make your way to the arrivals exit. It is strongly recommended you take a taxi to your hotel as it is the easiest means of transportation. Immediately to the left outside the exit door is a taxi stand. As of 2021, airport to downtown hotel taxi fares range between CAD $30 – $40 per taxi and take approximately 35 minutes, depending on the time of service and traffic conditions. Taxis accept all major credit cards, CAD and USD.

If we have arranged for a private hotel transfer from the airport, you will find your driver holding a sign with your name right at the passenger exit. For more information on this, see the corresponding link that you will be provided with shortly prior to the start of your vacation.

Light rail transit from the airport to downtown Vancouver is available aboard the SkyTrain (Canada Line) if you are travelling with minimal luggage. Upon arriving, and making your way through customs, please look for signs to the SkyTrain. It is approximately a 10-minute walk to the airport pick-up stop and will cost roughly CAD $10.00. All major credit cards and CAD are accepted. Before arriving, it is recommended to determine which of the three downtown Vancouver stops is closest to your hotel. These stops are Yaletown-Roundhouse, Vancouver City Centre, and Waterfront. It takes approximately 30 minutes to reach downtown stops, and will likely take 5-10 minutes to walk from the station to the hotel.  For more information, see here: SkyTrain

Uber and Lyft are also available in Vancouver but are not recommended as transportation from the airport as they are not allowed to pick up directly from the arrivals section.

If you are a visitor to Canada, and you are not a citizen of the USA, you may be required to purchase an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). This document can be purchased for CAD $7.00, and most applications are approved within minutes of applying.  Please visit the following government site for information and to purchase this eTA: Electronic Travel Authorization.

If you are arriving in Vancouver at the Pacific Central Station by VIA Rail train, it is recommended that you take a taxi or Uber/Lyft to your hotel as transfers are not included, unless otherwise specified in your travel itinerary. Your hotel will be no more than a 10-minute ride away.

If we have arranged a private hotel transfer from the train station following a VIA Rail journey, you will find your driver holding a sign with your name on it in the main building. For more information on this, see the corresponding link that you will be provided with shortly prior to the start of your vacation.

If you are arriving in Vancouver by Rocky Mountaineer train and have Vancouver accommodations booked with Canada Rail Vacations, a transfer to your hotel will be provided. If you have booked your Vancouver hotel night independently, you will need to take a taxi from the Rocky Mountaineer station located at 1755 Cottrell Street.

If you are arriving in Vancouver by Ferry, which has been provided by Canada Rail Vacations, a transfer to select downtown Vancouver hotels will be provided upon the Ferry's arrival. If you are not staying at one of these hotels, instructions on where to go following the drop-off will be provided in your travel documents.

If you are arriving on the Ferry without a hotel transfer included, taxi service is available for approximately CAD $80.00 and takes approximately 1 hour depending on the time of service and traffic conditions. Taxis accept all major credit cards, CAD and USD.

If you are arriving in Vancouver from an Alaskan Cruise, the Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal is a short taxi ride away from all downtown hotels. For those staying at the Fairmont Waterfront, Fairmont Pacific Rim, or Pan Pacific, your hotel is less than a five-minute walk away.

If you are planning to drive into Vancouver, parking downtown can be very expensive. For most hotels, parking is approximately CAD $50 per night. If you need to leave your car in Vancouver for an extended period, parking near the airport is recommended for guests travelling on a one-way trip and need to fly back to Vancouver at the end of their vacation. For more information, see here: Airport Parking

If you are travelling on one of our Circle Routes, that have you returning to Vancouver at the end of the trip, there is free parking available at the Rocky Mountaineer train station, located at 1755 Cottrell Street. Please note that this needs to be booked well in advance, so please let one of our staff know and we can organize this for you.

It is strongly recommended that you take a taxi to the airport as it is the easiest means of transportation. As of 2021, downtown hotel to airport taxi fares range between CAD $40 – $50 per taxi and take approximately 35 minutes depending on the time of service and traffic conditions. Taxis accept all major credit cards, CAD and USD.

If we arrange a private airport transfer your driver will meet you at your hotel. For more information on this, see the corresponding link that you will be provided with shortly prior to the start of your vacation.

Light rail transit from downtown Vancouver to the airport is also available aboard the SkyTrain (Canada Line) if you are travelling with minimal luggage. It’s an approximately 5-10 minute walk to the train stop, depending on your hotel location, and will cost roughly CAD $10.00. All major credit cards and CAD are accepted. The airport stop is the last stop on the Canada Line.
Before departing from your hotel it is best to determine which of the three downtown Vancouver stops is closest to you. The stops are Yaletown-Roundhouse, Vancouver City Centre, and Waterfront. For directions, your hotel staff will also be available to assist. It takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the airport from downtown Vancouver. For more information, see here: SkyTrain

If you are going to be in the airport for a long duration and require services to freshen up, the Plaza Premium Lounge offers comfortable furnishings, showers, and nap rooms. There are four locations conveniently located throughout the airport, please ask for directions.

If you are departing Vancouver on a train that has been booked through Canada Rail Vacations, please refer to the link provided in your travel Itinerary for additional details.

If you are departing Vancouver on a train or bus that has been independently booked, such as VIA Rail or Amtrak to Seattle, please take a taxi to the train station. Pacific Central Station is the main station in Vancouver for these services.

If you are departing Vancouver by Ferry, which has been provided by Canada Rail Vacations, a transfer from select downtown Vancouver hotels will be provided. In the event that you are not staying at one of these hotels, instructions will be provided to you in your travel documents as to where to meet the transfer.

If you are departing on an independently booked Ferry to Vancouver Island or Seattle, please take a taxi to the appropriate Ferry Terminal as there is more than one departure point out of Vancouver.

If you are departing Vancouver on an Alaskan Cruise, the Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal is located a short taxi ride away from all downtown hotels. For those staying at the Fairmont Waterfront, Fairmont Pacific Rim or Pan Pacific, the cruise terminal is less than a 5-minute walk away.

Please take a taxi to the location in which you have parked your car.

For most hotels, parking is approximately CAD $50 per night. If you need to leave your car in Vancouver for an extended period of time, parking near the airport is recommended for guests who are travelling on a one-way trip and need to fly back to Vancouver at the end of their vacation.

If you are travelling on one of our Circle routes that have you returning to Vancouver at the end of the trip, there is free parking at the Rocky Mountaineer train station located at 1755 Cottrell Street. Please note that this needs to be booked well in advance so please let one of our staff know and we can organize this for you.

The Hop on Hop off tour bus is a fantastic way to see the sights of Vancouver and get acquainted with the city. If this has not been included in your tour package, and you have free time in Vancouver, you will be able to purchase tickets directly by clicking the link above. These tickets will also be available through your hotel concierge.

This was Vancouver’s original downtown and is named after ‘Gassy’ Jack Deighton, who opened the area’s first saloon. Today, the city maintains the integrity of most of its original buildings and you can view some of Vancouver’s oldest architecture by strolling up and down Water Street, between Cordova and Carrall Street. Don’t forget to stop at the historic Gastown Steam Clock, a must-see at the corner of Cambie and Water Street. If you’re a fan of pubs, The Irish Heather on Carrall Street is in a beautiful old building and has a great selection of whisky and scotch. It offers a nice menu for a light snack or meal.

Vancouver was originally named Granville and didn’t take on its current name until 1886. Today, Granville Island is a fantastic little shopping district rife with west coast charm, an open-air market, and plenty of local artisan shops to wander in and out of. It’s a great place to grab a coffee and walk around. We suggest ending your day at Granville Island so that you can enjoy The Sandbar Restaurant for dinner. Insist on sitting on the upstairs patio where they have heat lamps and blankets. Be sure to bring something warm to wear. You won’t be disappointed.

Stanley Park is a magnificent green oasis amid the urban landscape of Vancouver. Explore the 400-hectare natural West Coast rainforest and enjoy scenic views of the ocean, mountains, and majestic trees along Stanley Park’s famous Seawall. Discover miles of trails, beautiful beaches, local wildlife, great eats, and natural, cultural, and historical landmarks. The park offers a wide range of unforgettable experiences for all ages and interests. Check out Canada’s largest aquarium, trek through miles of forest trails, relax in the outdoor heated pool, or take a swing on the Stanley Park Pitch and Putt Golf Course.

If you like to shop, this is the place to be. Starting at Burrard Street, head west on Robson and you will find shops galore. In the 1950s and 60s, European merchants set up shop on Robson Street. For years, the area was known as Robsonstrasse, a name some locals still fondly use. Today, it’s brimming with fashion and beauty flagship stores, lifestyle boutiques, café patios, and fine dining. Robson continues to connect people from around the world with events and gatherings, such as the Pride Parade.

Vancouver’s original warehouse district, Yaletown has experienced a major revitalization since then. Now it’s packed with sidewalk cafes, trendy restaurants, spas, a thriving nightlife scene, and intimate boutique hotels. After strolling the brick-lined streets, pick up lunch from a local café and head to David Lam Park on the waterfront to start planning your return visit.

North Vancouver and the North Shore are easily reached via the Lions Gate Bridge. For an equally scenic journey, hop on the SeaBus at Waterfront Station. Nature lovers gravitate to the North Shore to maximize their playtime. During the summer, it offers world-class mountain biking, stunning hiking, and ocean paddling, while in the winter, you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and general mountain mayhem. Check out Lonsdale Quay’s Public Market, the vibrant nightlife in the recently revitalized Shipyards district, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, and take the gondola up Grouse Mountain.

The Vancouver Lookout is a staple of Vancouver’s skyline. A 360º aerial view of Vancouver is reached by a 40-second glass elevator ride, whisking you 553 ft (168 m) skyward where you enjoy intimate views of Vancouver. From the urban to the natural, this is truly a unique spot to soak in views of Gastown, Coal Harbour, North Vancouver and the ever-changing skyline of downtown Vancouver.

If you’re feeling spry, one of the best things to do in Vancouver is to rent a pedal bike from one of the many bike rental companies in Vancouver (ask your hotel concierge for the closest location). Go for a pedal along the Vancouver Seawall and you won’t be disappointed. The paths are flat the entire way, the views are spectacular, and there are plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars along the way to fuel up with a snack or beverage.

Vancouver is well-known for its fruitful rain and has a lot to offer indoors if you’d prefer to stay warm and dry. Depending on your interests, the Vancouver Art Gallery or Museum of Anthropology (a short taxi ride from downtown) are great options. Sports fans can combine a visit to the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum with a tour of the BC Place stadium.