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: $2.50
- Zone 2: $3.75
- Zone 3: $5.00
All travel after 6.30pm on weekdays and all day on weekends is $2.50.
Try visiting TourbyTransit for a guide to seeing the sites by transit.
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.
- Canada Line - Trains run from YVR Airport to Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver. Transfer to the Expo Line at Waterfront to get to Burnaby.
- 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
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, the Harrison Hot Springs Day Tour and Wine Tour.
Toll-Free: 866-562-TOUR (8687)
Phone: 604-524-TOUR (8687)
Website: www.stayandtour.ca
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