From a small rural community in 1892 to the third largest populated region in British Columbia, Burnaby has become a destination of choice.
Centrally located, Burnaby benefits from a modern and accessible public transport system - including buses, trolley buses and the SkyTrain rapid transit line. The city is easily accessible from downtown Vancouver and the Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Air – Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Located just outside of Vancouver, next to the city of Richmond, the Vancouver International Airport features three terminals and flights to more than 150 destinations around the world. You’ll find several car rental companies operating out of YVR, as well as regular taxi and public transportation service.
YVR Website: www.yvr.ca
Car – To Burnaby
From our bustling shopping and sumptuous dining to endless green spaces and exciting attractions and events, Burnaby is your place to explore, shop, play and enjoy.
Experience all that Burnaby has to offer.
Whether you're planning a visit, a meeting or a sporting event, Burnaby welcomes you.
From Seattle
Burnaby is easily reachable by car. From the Seattle area, take I-5 North for approximately 90 miles or 145 km until you reach the Canadian border, at which point I-5 becomes Provincial Route 99 North. For detailed directions on how to reach any part of Burnaby, visit www.mapquest.com
Via Highway 1
Highway 1 is the Trans Canada highway, which starts in Victoria and continues across Canada. This highway connects West and North Vancouver with East Vancouver more directly than driving across Lion’s Gate Bridge and through downtown Vancouver. For detailed directions on how to reach any part of Burnaby via Highway 1, visit www.mapquest.com
BC Ferries
BC Ferries visit 47 different ports around British Columbia – including Victoria, Nanaimo, the Sunshine Coast and the Inside Passage. Trips can be short and simply used a method of transport or be a daylong event. A variety of amenities are available on board the ferries, from lounges and cafeterias to arcade games and a children’s play area.
Ferries for Victoria on Vancouver Island leave from Tsawwassen in Delta. If you’re using public transportation for the ferries, board the #601 South Delta Bus from the Burrard SkyTrain station in downtown Vancouver, and then transfer to the #620 Tsawwassen Ferry bus.
Nanaimo is also on Vancouver Island. Ferries travel from Tsawwassen or from Horseshoe Bay. To get to Horseshoe Bay, board the #250 or #257 Express Horseshoe Bay buses from Georgia Street in downtown Vancouver.
BC Ferries Website: www.bcferries.ca
For Driving Directions to Horseshoe Bay, visit www.bcferries.com/travel_planning/driving_instructions.html
Greater Vancouver Transit
Fares in the TransLink system are the same for buses, SkyTrain rapid transit and SeaBus passenger ferries – and you can transfer between all three modes for the same fare. During regular hours, the service area is divided into three zones. The fare you pay depends on the number of zones in which you travel.
Tickets (called transfers) can be bought on board buses, at SkyTrain stations and various stores – such as 7-11, Safeway, London Drugs, Shoppers Drug Mart as well as some corner stores. Since drivers do not carry change or handle any money, exact change is necessary to purchase a ticket on a bus. However, the ticket dispensers at SkyTrain stations give change and accept debit and credit cards.
Fares are organized by zones. Zone 1 covers Vancouver; Zone 2 covers Burnaby, North and West Vancouver and Richmond; and Zone 3 covers the rest of the Greater Vancouver area. Current pricing is:
• Zone 1: $2.25
• Zone 2: $3.25
• Zone 3: $4.25
All travel after 6.30pm on weekdays and all day on weekends is $2.25.
Other useful tips:
• Children 4 and under ride for free.
• Tickets/transfers can be used for 90 minutes from the time of travel (i.e. first ticket stamp/validation) in any direction, and with any TransLink mode (i.e. bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus).
• Purchasing a day pass ($8.00 adult, $6.00 concession) may be best if you plan on doing a lot of traveling in one day. Day passes are economical for all-day travel, and are valid for all zones on buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus.
SkyTrain Rapid Transit: Daily service every 3 to 5 minutes.
• Expo Line – Trains operate from Waterfront Station to King George Station, and rides along a scenic 28-kilometre track from Vancouver to Surrey in 39 minutes. With 20 stations along this route – 16 of which are elevated and visible from the street – the Expo Line is great for sightseeing.
• Millennium Line – Trains make the same stops from Waterfront Station to Columbia Station, and then branch to the new line back to Commercial Drive Station.
• Each station provides connections to bus services; and bicycles can be taken at almost every SkyTrain station for most of the day. Check the TransLink web site for current restrictions.
Buses
• The Greater Vancouver area features two types of buses. The first type is the “ordinary” bus that most of us are familiar with. The second is an environmentally friendly trolley bus that runs on hydroelectric power.
• Buses run frequently throughout the day, especially in peak periods. Times are dependent on the bus route and can be checked on the TransLink website. Certain routes have a night service, though there may be a gap between the end of the day service and the start of the night service.
SeaBus: Daily service every 15 to 30 minutes.
• Passenger-only harbour ferries that can carry up to 400 passengers every 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver to Vancouver’s North Shore in a 15-minute trip.
• The SeaBus departs from Waterfront Station on West Cordova Street, and arrives at Lonsdale Quay area. At the Lonsdale Quay, connections are available to a number of visitor attractions – including Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Suspension Bridge.
West Coast Express: Monday to Friday – 5 trains in the morning and 5 in the evening.
• A commuter rail service that links the communities of Mission, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Coquitlam and Port Moody with downtown Vancouver.
TransLink Website: www.translink.bc.ca
Car Rental
AVIS Car and Truck Rental
6123 Hastings Street
Phone: 604-606-5130
Website: www.avis.com
Budget Car and Truck Rental
2685 Gilmore Avenue
Phone: 604-668-7230
Website: http://www.budget.ca/en/
Discount Car and Truck Rentals
7707B Kingsway
Phone: 604-310-2277
Website: www.discountcar.com
National Car and Truck Rental
Hilton Metrotown: 6083 McKay Avenue
Phone: 604-430-2302
Website: http://www.nationalcar.ca/
Taxi Services
Bonny’s Taxi Ltd.
604-435-6655
Select Cab Co
604-298-9911
Day Tripping
Whistler
A world-famous resort located in the Coast Mountains, Whistler is approximately 120 kilometres from Burnaby. Home to the award-winning Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, Whistler offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding conditions this side of the world. Whistler also features the highest vertical lift service and the largest terrain of any ski area in North America.
Though primarily known as a winter destination, there are plenty of activities year-round for visitors, including: hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, white water rafting, mountain biking, golfing, tennis, in-line skating and sailing in fair-weather conditions to snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, skating, hockey and, of course, skiing and snowboarding in the snow season – in addition to the fine dining, unique shopping and exciting nightlife in picturesque Whistler Village.
For more information and travel options, visit Tourism Whistler’s website at www.tourismwhistler.com
Victoria
The capital of British Columbia, the City of Victoria offers year-round outdoor activities –
from cycling, kayaking, fishing, hiking, horseback riding and everything in between. But don’t worry if you’re not the outdoorsy-type – there are still plenty of things to do. Walk up the sweeping steps of the historic Parliament buildings for a tour, or visit the Royal BC Museum to learn the human and natural history of British Columbia. With its notable museums, wide array of restaurants, fun shopping and many exciting attractions, Victoria offers something for everyone.
For more information and travel options, visit Tourism Victoria’s website at www.tourismvictoria.com
Sunshine Coast
So named because it receives more sunshine than any other part of British Columbia, the Sunshine Coast is a well known tourist region. The Sunshine Coast has a rich colourful heritage and a bright future as a haven for recreationalists for all ages and all types. Known as a popular holiday and retirement destination, some well known celebrities have holiday and retirement homes on the Sunshine Coast.
For more information and travel options, visit www.sunshinecoast.ca
Stay and Tour - Sightseeing Tours and Custom Transportation
Stay and Tour offers personalized, flexible sightseeing tours and transportation options for exploring Greater Vancouver and other parts of British Columbia.
Located in Burnaby, Stay and Tour specializes in "custom" requirements for small groups (2 to 10 person vans) – and can arrange for larger group needs as well.
All sightseeing tours are conducted with drivers/guides who delight in sharing their extensive knowledge of the area’s history, geography and current events. A sincere dedication to customer service ensures all their guests have a memorable and positive experience.
For maximum comfort, Stay and Tour provides pick-up and drop-off services for guests at their respective hotels.
Some of the company’s tours include: Vancouver City and North Shore Tour, Victoria and The Butchart Gardens Tour, Whistler Mountain and Shannon Falls Tour and the Harrison Hot Springs Day Tour.
Toll-Free: 866-562-TOUR (8687)
Phone: 604-524-TOUR (8687)
Website: www.stayandtour.ca
