Getting Around

Vancouver's road network is relatively easy to navigate and traffic is rarely a challenge. Cars are not required in the downtown core, where most people move around using transit, taxis or on foot. For travel outside the downtown area, options include public transit, car rentals, tour buses, taxis, or even limousines if you want to go in style.

Public Transit

Transit throughout the Lower Mainland is run and regulated by TransLink (www.translink.bc.ca), which is responsible for local bus, SkyTrain and SeaBus services. Its fare system allows passengers to purchase tickets and transfer across the entire network for up to 90 minutes. FareSaver ticket books (from $19) are available at retail outlets across the city, along with all-zone one-day passes ($9) which are popular with visitors.

The transit system is divided into three zones, covering Vancouver and many of its suburbs. Regular fares are one zone $2.50, two zones $3.75 and three zones $5.00. Concessions are available for seniors and school students. After 6.30 p.m. weekdays and throughout weekends and public holidays, the maximum fare is $2.50 no matter how many zones you're travelling. Routes, schedules, a trip planner and service information are available on the TransLink website (www.translink.bc.ca).

Bus: Vancouver's transit system covers the largest service area in all of Canada. Regular services on the busiest routes run every 12 minutes from 5 a.m. to past midnight. There are also "Nightbus" services on some downtown suburban routes.

SeaBus: TransLink's twin foot passenger ferries link downtown Vancouver's Waterfront Station with North Vancouver's Lonsdale Quay. The picturesque journey across Burrard Inlet takes around 12 minutes and runs every 15 minutes throughout the day. At either end, the terminals are linked to the bus system and its schedules. On the Vancouver side, the terminal is also adjacent to the SkyTrain and West Coast Express train stations.

SkyTrain: Vancouver's automated light rapid transit system, SkyTrain offers a fast, efficient service between downtown Vancouver and the suburbs. Its original Expo Line operates from Waterfront Station to King George Station, via 20 stops in Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster and Surrey. Journey time is around 35 minutes. Added in 2002, the Millennium Line shares the same stations from Waterfront to Columbia, before branching to Sapperton, Braid, Lougheed Town Centre and beyond to Commercial Drive. All stations and cars are wheelchair accessible and trains arrive throughout the day every two to five minutes.

In 2009, the Canada Line opened - the new addition to the SkyTrain rapid transit network, adding 16 new stations and 19 km to the SkyTrain system including stops at Yaletown, Athletes Village, various points along Cambie Street, YVR and the city of Richmond.

Trivia
Among the Canada Line’s many new features in sustainability and global competitiveness, cell phone coverage has been made available along the entire line, which is impressive seeing that the majority of the line runs underground.

Boat

Aquabus Ferries (www.theaquabus.com): With a fleet of little vessels - some big enough to carry bikes - Aquabus services run between the foot of Hornby Street and Granville Island. They service additional spots around False Creek, including Science World and Yaletown, and also offer sightseeing mini-cruises. Adult fares are from $3.

False Creek Ferries (www.granvilleislandferries.bc.ca): Operating a similar service and visiting some of the same spots including Granville Island, False Creek Ferries runs 10 vessels, including two 20-passenger "super-mini-ferries." Its tours include Kitsilano and Science World and adult fares are from $3.

Taxi

Vancouver has several well-regulated taxi companies whose drivers must all pass minimum standards in a number of key service areas. The main operators include:

Story idea
Consider a story on Yellow Cab (www.yellowcabvancouver.ca) taxi driver Andrew Grant, who began trundling around town in the world's first hybrid taxicab in 2000. He's now on his third Honda Prius - the car company keeps taking his well-used models back for testing - and Yellow Cab now operates 100 other hybrid vehicles, around 40 per cent of its fleet.

Trivia
If hailing isn't working, the best places to pick-up a cab are the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and the Sutton Place Hotel.

Walking and Cycling

Downtown Vancouver is eminently walkable - many of its main attractions and shopping areas are close together and its grid-like street system makes navigation relatively easy. The city is also great for bike fans with routes running across town and around picturesque areas like Stanley Park. Cyclists can take their bikes for free on SkyTrains, SeaBuses and rack-fitted transit buses. The TransLink website (www.translink.bc.ca) has information on bike routes throughout the region.

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