» Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games FAQs
Accommodation
Events Around the City and Visitor Experiences
Buying Games Tickets
Accommodation during the Olympic Period
When will I be able to book Vancouver hotel accommodation to attend the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games?
At this time, most hotels in Vancouver are not accepting any individual or group reservations for the Olympic period (January 30 to March 2, 2010). Individual hotel room bookings will be available approximately 18 months prior to the start of the Games. Continue to check www.tourismvancouver.com for accommodation information. When hotel booking does become available, Tourism Vancouver will be one of the main sources for hotel searches and bookings.
Why can't I book hotel accommodation to attend the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games yet?
A room block is currently in place while accommodation requirements for athletes, officials, media, sponsors and members of the Olympic family are being determined. During the bid for the 2010 Games, the Greater Vancouver hotel community agreed to set aside a certain number of hotel rooms to meet these accommodation needs.
How will regular business travellers to Vancouver be affected during the Olympic period?
Business travellers are advised to book their business missions to Vancouver outside of the Olympic period as accommodation will be limited and regular transportation within the city will be maximized.
Events Around the City and Visitor Experiences
What will be going on in Vancouver over the Olympic period other than sporting events?
Vancouver will be very animated during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games period with free events and concerts, as well as ticketed events, happening nightly around the city. The Olympic Arts Festival (January 22 to February 28, 2010) and Paralympic Arts Festival (March 12 to 21, 2010) will also be taking place during the Games. Event schedules will not be released untill much closer to the Games. Check www.vancouver2010.com and www.tourismvancouver.com for details as they become available.
Where can visitors get information about what's going on in Vancouver?
Tourism Vancouver's Visitor Information Centre and Satellite Visitor Information kiosks (which will be located throughout the city during the Olympic period) provide information on attractions, events, accommodation, restaurants, as well as sell theatre and attractions tickets. Another great source for event listings, restaurant and attractions information is Tourism Vancouver's website: www.tourismvancouver.com.
Tourism Vancouver's Visitor Information Centers are located at:
- Main Visitor Information Centre: 200 Burrard Street (at Cordova Street)
- Satellite Visitor Centre: Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza (Robson Street, at Hornby Street)
- Expect to see additional Tourism Vancouver satellite information centres scattered around the city during the Games period.
How will tourists get to Games venues and around the city during the 2010 Winter Games?
Ensuring fast, efficient and sustainable transportation for locals and visitors to get to-and-from Games venues is a priority of the Vancouver Organizing Committee. As with other Olympic host cities, a multi-jurisdictional traffic management plan will be developed in conjunction with a comprehensive public information program to ensure that transportation logistics are smooth and well understood. Details of VANOC's Games-time transportation strategy have not been released, however VANOC's Sustainable Transportation Guidelines promote walking, cycling, the use of public transportation and carpooling in combination with an aggressive Traffic Demand Management program.
Will I be able to drive my car around Vancouver, and up to Whistler, during the Olympic period?
As with other Olympic host cities, a traffic management program will be in effect during the 2010 Winter Games. At this time it is not known how much freedom visitors and locals will have to drive their own vehicles in city centres and up the Sea-to-Sky highway to Whistler.
Will all of Vancouver's tourist attractions be open during the Olympic period?
Most tourist attractions plan to be open during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, but will not be able to confirm their visitor hours until closer to the Games. Continue checking www.tourismvancouver.com for the latest information on Vancouver attractions.
Will I be able to make restaurant reservations during the 2010 Games?
Yes - most restaurants will be accepting reservations as usual. Information and reservation information for many of Vancouver's top restaurants can be found at www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/dining/.
Buying Games Tickets
When do tickets for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games go on sale?
1.6 million tickets for the Olympic Winter Games go on sale in October, 2008 and 250,000 Paralympic Winter Games tickets will be available in 2009.
How do I purchase tickets to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games?
Canadian residents can purchase tickets through the Vancouver Organizing Committee online, by phone, or in person at ticket offices closer to the Games. Non-Canadian residents must purchase tickets through the authorized sales agent for their respective National Olympic Committee. For example, US citizens will purchase tickets for the 2010 Winter Games through Jet Set Sports and CoSport, the exclusive public ticket sales agent of the US Olympic Committee. Sign up at vancouver2010.com to receive the latest updates on the Vancouver 2010 ticketing program.
How expensive will the tickets be?
Approximately 1.6 million tickets will be available for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games with 100,000 tickets priced at $25. Half of all tickets will be priced at $100 or less. Opening and Closing Ceremonies tickets, ranging in price from $175 to $1,100, are being offered at prices lower than the Ceremonies tickets at the Torino 2006 Winter Games and the Salt Lake 2002 Winter Games.
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