Vancouver Public Transport Guide: Getting Around the City

Vancouver's transit network is one of the most comprehensive in Canada, covering the entire region by Bus, metro SkyTrain, SeaBus Ferry, and commuter rail under a single ticketing system.

All services are managed by TransLink, and fare payment runs through the Compass Card system. Whether crossing the inlet to North Vancouver by ferry, riding the automated SkyTrain to the airport, or hopping on a trolleybus to Stanley Park, the same card or contactless bank payment works across all transport options (excl False Creek Ferries and Aquabus).

Vancouver consists of a bustling downtown peninsula, surrounding inner suburbs, and the scenic North Shore, separated by Burrard Inlet. Knowing the city's layout helps you choose the best transportation for each trip. The Vancouver City Guide provides valuable information on attractions and recommended places to stay.

This guide covers the five main transport types, how fares and zones work, the Compass Card and payment options, water ferries on False Creek, Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing tours, taxis and ride-share, late-night options, and the day trip seaplane experience between Vancouver and Victoria.

Please note: The following content is for general informational purposes only, may change over time, and should be independently verified where appropriate. Fares, timetables, and transit zone boundaries are particularly subject to change: always verify with TransLink (translink.ca) before travelling.

• SkyTrain: The Metro System
• Buses, RapidBus & Trolleys
• SeaBus: Burrard Inlet Ferry
• Compass Card, Fares & Zones
• False Creek Ferries
• Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tours
• Taxis & Ride-Share
• Airport to Downtown Transfers
• Seaplane Day Trip to Victoria
• Dos & Don'ts: Practical Tips
• Transport FAQs

The SkyTrain is Vancouver's backbone transport system: a fully automated rapid transit network running on elevated guideways outside the downtown core and underground through the city centre. It is clean, frequent, and easy to use for first-time visitors. Three lines serve the main areas of the city and region.

The Three SkyTrain Lines

How to Ride the SkyTrain

Tap your Compass Card at the fare gate when entering any station. Tap again when you exit. Both taps are required: the system calculates your fare based on how many zones you crossed and deducts the correct amount when you tap out. If you forget to tap out, the system charges you the maximum three-zone fare by default.

The SkyTrain runs from approximately 5:00 am to 1:00 am seven days a week. During peak hours, trains come every three to four minutes. Off-peak frequency extends to six to ten minutes. At the far ends of the lines, wait times can be a little longer in the evenings.

When starting a journey from the airport (YVR), an additional $6.50 "YVR AddFare" (raised from $5.00 on 1 July 2026) is automatically added to your fare.

Metro Vancouver's bus network is extensive, with 85% of residents living within 400 metres of a stop. For tourists, the bus is essential for reaching areas the SkyTrain does not cover, including Granville Island, English Bay, Kitsilano Beach, and the neighbourhood restaurants along Commercial Drive. The buses, along with Vancouver's well-known electric trolleybuses, are clean and reliable for most of the year.

Key Facts for Visitors

• All bus travel is charged as a flat one-zone fare regardless of distance or time of day. An adult one-zone fare will be $3.50 for cash/contactless or $2.85 if using stored value on a Compass Card.
• Tap your Compass Card or contactless card on the reader near the door when boarding. There is no need to tap out on a bus.
• Cash is accepted but provides no transfer rights to SkyTrain, SeaBus, or West Coast Express. You must have exact change; the driver cannot give change.
• RapidBus routes (marked R99, R4, R5 etc.) are express services with fewer stops and off-board fare payment at key stations.
• Bus routes generally follow a clear grid pattern aligned to Vancouver's east-west and north-south street layout, making navigation straightforward.
• Bikes are permitted on bus racks (two at a time). Folding bikes and e-bikes with lithium batteries (removed from rack) are also permitted.

Late-Night: NightBus

After the SkyTrain stops at around 1:00 am, TransLink's NightBus network takes over. NightBus routes are numbered in the N-series (N9, N10, N17, N35 etc.) and cover most key corridors across the city. Services run less frequently than daytime buses, but they are a cost-effective way to return to your accommodation after a night out without calling a taxi. For more on what Vancouver offers after dark, see the Vancouver Nightlife Guide.

Seasonal Note

Vancouver's bus network performs well year-round. During winter snowfall events, however, bus services in hillier areas of the city can face delays or temporary cancellations. The SkyTrain and Canada Line are unaffected by snow. If you are visiting in winter, have the TransLink Trip Planner or Google Maps open for live service updates.

The SeaBus is one of the most enjoyable elements of the Vancouver transit system, and tourists frequently underestimate it.

It is a scheduled passenger-only ferry crossing Burrard Inlet between Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver and Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. The crossing takes 12 minutes, operates on a TransLink fare, and delivers you to the North Shore for mountain views, hiking trail access, and the excellent Lonsdale Quay Market.

SeaBus Schedule & Fares

• Frequency: Every 10 minutes during peak hours; every 30 minutes off-peak and evenings.
• Operating hours: Approximately 6:15 am to 1:00 am Monday to Saturday; slightly later start on Sundays.
• Fare: Two-zone fare on weekdays before 6:30 pm (CAD $4.65 with Compass Card stored value). After 6:30 pm on weekdays and all day on weekends, it drops to a one-zone fare. Included in any Day Pass.
• Boarding: Tap your Compass Card or contactless card at the terminal gate. The fare gate system mirrors the SkyTrain.

From Lonsdale Quay, local North Vancouver buses connect to the base of Grouse Mountain, Lynn Canyon, and Capilano Suspension Bridge. The Vancouver Tours & Excursions Guide covers these North Shore day trips in more detail.

Everything in Vancouver's transit system, from the SkyTrain to buses to the SeaBus, runs through one payment platform. Getting to grips with it before you arrive saves time and money on the ground.

The Compass Card

The Compass Card is a reloadable smart card that works across all TransLink services. It costs a refundable CAD $6 deposit and is available from vending machines at any SkyTrain or SeaBus station, from selected retailers including Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, and 7-Eleven, and online (allow up to ten business days for postal delivery if ordering before travel). You load the card with stored value, and the system automatically deducts the correct fare when you tap in and out.

Fare Options at a Glance

How Zones Work

The SkyTrain and SeaBus use a three-zone system. Zone 1 covers Vancouver's downtown core; Zone 2 covers the inner suburbs including Burnaby, North Vancouver, and Richmond; Zone 3 extends to Surrey, Coquitlam, and beyond. The fare increases for each zone boundary crossed. Buses, however, are always charged as a flat one-zone fare at any time of day. After 6:30 pm on weekdays and all day at weekends, SkyTrain and SeaBus travel drops to one-zone pricing regardless of distance. A single fare allows 90 minutes of unlimited transfers across all modes.

Concession & Reduced Fares

• Youth (13–18): Concession fares available with valid photo ID.
• Seniors (65+): Concession fares with valid ID.
• Children (5–12): Concession fares; children under 5 travel free.
• Concession fares are not available when paying by contactless bank card or mobile wallet; only when using a Compass Card registered to the eligible category.

YVR Airport Surcharge

If your journey starts at YVR-Airport, Sea Island Centre, or Templeton stations, an additional CAD $6.50 YVR Airport AddFare applies on top of your regular fare. This charge applies regardless of what payment method you use and is separate from your standard zone fare. It does not apply when travelling to the airport, only when departing from it.

Recommended Apps

• Google Maps: The most reliable option for live arrival times, route planning, and real-time service alerts across all TransLink services.
• Transit App: Purpose-built for public transit, good for comparing journey options across modes.
• TransLink Trip Planner: The official tool at translink.ca, useful for multi-stop planning before your trip.
• Compass Card App: Lets you reload your card, check your balance, and review recent trips.

False Creek is an inlet that stretches four kilometres from English Bay into the heart of downtown Vancouver. Two privately operated mini-ferry companies run scheduled services along the inlet: The Aquabus (rainbow-coloured vessels) and False Creek Ferries (the blue ferries). These are not part of the TransLink network; your Compass Card does not cover them. But they are one of the most enjoyable and genuinely useful ways to get around the inner city.

What They Connect

Both ferry companies serve Granville Island, Yaletown, Science World (Olympic Village), and the downtown waterfront. The False Creek Ferries extend slightly further west, reaching Vanier Park, which gives access to the Vancouver Maritime Museum and the Museum of Vancouver. The Aquabus serves eight stops; the False Creek Ferries serve nine docks along three routes. Ferries on the busiest routes depart every five to seven minutes.

Fares (approximate, checked April 2026)

• Single adult one-way: CAD $4.25 to $10.00 depending on route.
• Day Pass (Aquabus): CAD $22 adult / $19 seniors and children.
• Day Pass (False Creek Ferries): CAD $22 adult / $19 concession.
• Sightseeing mini-cruises are also available from both operators, lasting 25 to 40 minutes.

Which Ferry to Use

For Granville Island, either ferry works and the route from Yaletown is the more scenic crossing. If you want to reach Vanier Park for the museums, use False Creek Ferries. If you are travelling with a bicycle, use the Aquabus, as bikes are not accepted on False Creek Ferries. Both services run year-round from 7:00 am until 10:30 pm (slightly shorter in winter). No advance booking is required. For dining around the Granville Island market area, the Vancouver Dining Guide covers the best nearby options.

For first-time visitors, Vancouver's Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour is one of the best ways to spend day one. The double-decker service covers 15-18 stops including Canada Place, Stanley Park, Gastown, Chinatown, Granville Island, Yaletown, and English Bay. Live or recorded commentary explains the significance of what you're passing, and the upper-deck open roof section gives excellent photography opportunities. Many operators include a ferry ride to Granville Island as part of the ticket.

How It Works

Buy your ticket online (cheaper than at the kiosk) or from designated stops around the city. The main boarding point is near Canada Place. Once on board, hop off at any stop you choose, explore on foot or at a café, and reboard the next bus at the same stop. Buses circulate on a loop roughly every 20 to 40 minutes depending on the season. Most tickets are valid for one or two consecutive days. The Vancouver Sightseeing Itinerary suggests how to build a day around the Hop-On Hop-Off route.

Two Main Operators

• Big Bus Tours Vancouver: Double-decker buses with recorded multi-language commentary. Available in 1-day and 2-day passes.
• Great Canadian Trolley / Land & Sea Tours: Classic-style trolley buses with live guide commentary. Also offers day trips to Whistler and Victoria.
• Bundle Tickets: Most standard HOHO tickets do not automatically include the Granville Island ferry. However, both companies offer "Bundle" tickets that include the False Creek Ferries or AquaBus as an add-on.

The West Coast Express is a peak-hours commuter rail service running between downtown Vancouver's Waterfront Station and Mission City in the Fraser Valley, stopping at Port Moody, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, and Maple Ridge. It is primarily aimed at weekday commuters and runs only in one direction per peak period: inbound to Vancouver in the morning, outbound in the evening.

Tourists should note: the West Coast Express does not run on weekends, does not offer return services to downtown in the evenings, and requires a separate fare from regular TransLink fares. The Compass Card can be used on board but at an additional charge. For most sightseeing purposes, the SkyTrain Millennium Line covers the same areas more conveniently. If you are considering a day trip to the Fraser Valley or Maple Ridge wine country, the Tours & Excursions Guide is the better starting point.

Taxis in Vancouver are metered, licensed, and generally considered safe to use at all hours. When the roof light is illuminated, the cab is available to hail. In the city centre, taxis are commonly found outside major hotels, at SkyTrain stations, near Stanley Park, and on Granville Street and Robson Street. Outside the core, hailing becomes more difficult and calling ahead is the better approach. Payment by credit or debit card is standard in licensed Vancouver taxis.

Ride-Share Apps

Uber and Lyft both operate across Vancouver. KABU is a local BC-based ride-hailing alternative. Ride-share vehicles are generally slightly cheaper than metered taxis at normal times, though surge pricing during peak hours or after major events can push costs above taxi rates. All three apps allow in-app payment; no cash handling required. For a typical in-city trip of around 5 km, expect to pay approximately CAD $15-25 on standard UberX pricing outside surge periods.

Approximate Taxi/Uber Costs

• Airport (YVR) to downtown: Taxi approximately CAD $46–55; UberX approximately CAD $25–50 (higher with surge).
• Downtown to Stanley Park: CAD $12–18.
• Downtown to Granville Island: CAD $10–15.
• Downtown to North Vancouver (via bridge): CAD $28–40.

Safety Advice

Vancouver's taxi industry is well regulated. The only typical complaint from visitors is drivers occasionally taking longer routes to inflate the fare. Always ensure the meter is reset at the start of your trip. Request a receipt if you need to raise a complaint. With Uber and Lyft, the route is tracked in-app, removing that concern entirely. At night, stick to licensed taxis or booked ride-share rather than accepting unsolicited rides. The city's central areas are safe to move through late at night, but some blocks of the Downtown East Side warrant more care (primarily East Hastings and Main Street).

Surge Pricing: During events at BC Place or Rogers Arena, or when bars close on Granville Street (approx. 2:00 AM: 3:30 AM), Uber/Lyft prices can double or triple. At these times, a metered taxi is often significantly cheaper if you can find one at a stand.

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) sits in Richmond, roughly 13 kilometres south of downtown. The Canada Line SkyTrain gives you a direct connection to the heart of the city without any transfers, making it the go-to option for most travellers. The station is signposted from the terminal and a short walk from the international arrivals hall.

Canada Line SkyTrain

• Journey time: Approximately 25 minutes to Waterfront Station in downtown.
• Cost: Regular SkyTrain fare plus the CAD $6.50 YVR Airport AddFare. With a Compass Card stored value this works out at approximately CAD $10.00 at peak times.
• Frequency: Every 5–10 minutes during peak periods.
• Luggage: There are no baggage restrictions on the Canada Line. Large suitcases and trolleys are fine; the trains have standing room for luggage.
• Compass Card or contactless card: Both work at the airport fare gates. You can also buy a Compass Card from the vending machines at the station.

Pre-Booked Private Transfer

If you are arriving with a large group, travelling with young children, or arriving late at night with heavy luggage, a pre-booked private transfer makes sense. Several local operators and Welcome Pickups offer fixed-price transfers from YVR to central hotels, removing the uncertainty of surge pricing. Prices typically start at CAD $100-140 for a private car. For full details on all airport transfer options and how to book, the Vancouver Airport Transfers Guide covers every option.

Travelling With Children at the Airport

The Canada Line stations at the airport have lifts at all platforms. Prams and buggies are easily accommodated. If you are travelling with very young children and multiple bags, a pre-booked transfer or taxi, is substantially easier than managing the SkyTrain during a busy arrival peak. The fixed zone taxi fare (flat rate CAD $46.00) also removes any price uncertainty, which is worth something when you are tired after a long-haul flight from Europe.

If you have a spare day in Vancouver and want an experience that genuinely earns the "once in a lifetime" label without hyperbole, take the ferry to Victoria and fly back by seaplane. Or reverse it: fly out in the morning, explore Victoria, and return by BC Ferries in the late afternoon. Either way, the contrast between a flight over the Strait of Georgia and a deck crossing on the ferry gives you the best of the coastal scenery from two completely different perspectives.

The Seaplane: Harbour Air

Harbour Air operates scheduled floatplane services between Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre (Canada Place area) and Victoria's Inner Harbour. The flight takes approximately 35 minutes and follows a route over the Gulf Islands with views of Mount Baker, Salt Spring Island, and the southern BC coastline. Flights depart throughout the day. Book directly through Harbour Air or via tour operators such as Viator. Morning departures tend to offer clearer mountain views; afternoon returns give a spectacular low-level approach into Vancouver harbour as daylight fades. Prices vary but typically start at around CAD $130–180 one-way for adults, prices usually climb higher during peak weekends or if booking last-minute.

BC Ferries: Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay

The BC Ferries route from Tsawwassen (south of Vancouver) to Swartz Bay (north of Victoria) takes approximately 1 hour 35 minutes across the Strait of Georgia, threading through the Gulf Islands. The ferry offers cafeteria food, outdoor decks, and a genuine maritime experience. To reach Tsawwassen, catch the Canada Line from downtown Vancouver to Bridgeport, then Bus 620 to the terminal (around 80 minutes total from downtown). The BC Ferries website and app handle reservations.

Victoria Transit: Once you arrive at Swartz Bay, you can catch the #70 Express or #72 bus. The #70 Express is significantly faster, taking about an hour to reach downtown Victoria, while the #72 can take over 75 minutes.

Total travel time Vancouver to Victoria: The approximate total travel time from downtown Vancouver to Victoria using public transport and ferry is just over 4.00 hrs.

Recommended Itinerary

• Morning: Take BC Ferries from Tsawwassen; arrive Swartz Bay; bus or taxi into Victoria's Inner Harbour.
• Day: Explore the Inner Harbour, Empress Hotel, Royal BC Museum, or Butchart Gardens.
• Late afternoon: Return by Harbour Air seaplane from Victoria Inner Harbour, landing back at Canada Place with the city skyline ahead of you as the sun drops.

Book seaplane seats in advance, especially in summer. Walk-in same-day tickets exist but availability is not guaranteed. The Vancouver Tours Guide includes further details on Victoria day trip options.

Butchart Gardens: If this is your main goal, it’s actually closer to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal than it is to downtown Victoria. You can take the #81 bus directly from the ferry to the gardens (check bus and ferry schedules before booking).

Travelling with Children

• Children under 5 travel free on all TransLink services. (The new "Get on Board" program has expanded this to include children up to age 12). Please confirm the current child age free status with TransLink services.
• Prams and pushchairs are permitted on all SkyTrain, bus, and SeaBus services. Buses kneel at stops and have allocated buggy spaces.
• The Aquabus and False Creek Ferries are both wheelchair, stroller, and bike accessible.
• On the SkyTrain, keep young children close to you on platforms, particularly at Expo and Millennium Line stations where platforms can be on separate sides of the track.
• Avoid rush hour (7:30–9:00 am and 4:30–6:30 pm on weekdays) with large prams and multiple bags; trains and buses are significantly more crowded.
• The Compass Card concession fare applies to children aged 5–12. Register the card to the child's eligibility online to unlock the discounted rate.

Seasonal Variations

• Summer (June–September): Services are frequent and reliable. Hop-On Hop-Off buses run at maximum frequency. SeaBus, Aquabus, and False Creek Ferries operate extended summer hours. This is peak cruise ship season, which adds foot traffic around Canada Place and Gastown.
• Winter (December–February): Vancouver rarely sees heavy snow in the downtown core, but hillside areas and North Shore suburbs do. When snowfall hits, bus routes in hilly areas can face disruption. The SkyTrain and Canada Line are unaffected. Watch for shorter ferry hours on the False Creek operators.
• Spring and Autumn: Generally excellent for transport. Visitor numbers are lower, services are reliable, and the hop-on hop-off tour runs comfortably.

Planning your Vancouver trip? Use these dedicated guides to go deeper on flights, hotels, food, nightlife, shopping, tours, airport transfers, and a full sightseeing itinerary: