FanVancouver · Local guide
Free Vancouver transit route finder: pick an attraction like Capilano or Grouse and see bus/SkyTrain routes and frequency.
Bus strike averted: Unifor members ratified a new contract with Coast Mountain Bus Company, so buses and SeaBus run as normal. Details and official announcements.
Heading to an attraction and not sure how to get there? Pick your destination below — we'll show you the exact bus or SkyTrain, how often it runs, how long it takes and what it costs. All from downtown Vancouver.
Frequencies and journey times are typical daytime estimates for 2026 and can change — always confirm live departures with the official TransLink trip planner before you set off. Tap your credit card or phone straight on the reader; no ticket needed.
Vancouver is one of the few North American cities where a visitor genuinely doesn't need to rent a car. A driverless SkyTrain runs from the airport into the city centre in about 25 minutes, the downtown peninsula is walkable end to end, and a harbour SeaBus doubles as a scenic ferry to the North Shore. For the big nature attractions — Capilano, Grouse Mountain, Lynn Canyon — you simply take the SeaBus and a connecting bus.
The fastest way to pay is to tap your own credit card, debit card or phone straight on the reader — no ticket machine, no Compass Card required. Fares run about $3.50 for one zone up to $6.70 for three zones, and after 6:30 pm and on weekends the whole system is a single fare. Kids under 12 ride free.
Some attractions on this list are a long ride out. Guided day trips cover the same places with transport included.
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Take the Canada Line SkyTrain straight from YVR Airport station to Waterfront in the centre of downtown — about 25 minutes. Note a one-time $6.50 YVR AddFare applies when leaving the airport (not when arriving).
No. Transit, walking and the SeaBus reach almost every major attraction. A car is only worth it for far day trips like Whistler or remote parks — and even those have coach services.
Tap-to-pay on transit, walk the compact downtown, and ride the SeaBus for the harbour view. Avoid downtown parking, which runs $30–50 overnight.
→ Full Vancouver transit guide · → Vancouver travel guide · → Day trips
Route Finder is a planning shortcut for common Vancouver visitor hops. Use the tool above for custom pairs, then confirm live legs in the TransLink app — construction, events, and SeaBus timing change. The lists below are the desk’s most-requested patterns.
| Route type | Off-peak | Peak / events |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Line YVR–downtown | ~25–35 min | Add luggage + crowd buffer |
| SeaBus cross | ~12 min sailing | Miss one, wait for next |
| Downtown bus hops | 10–25 min | Bridge traffic unpredictable |
| Downtown → Steveston | ~60–75 min | ~75–90+ min |
DayPass math helps when you stack SkyTrain + bus + SeaBus. Full explainer: getting around · day trips.
Paying for your journey is remarkably simple. You can tap your credit card or your phone directly on the fare reader at any SkyTrain station or when boarding a bus. There's no need to purchase a separate ticket in advance, making spontaneous travel effortless and convenient.
While the frequencies and journey times provided are typical daytime estimates for the current year, they can occasionally change due to unforeseen circumstances or peak hour traffic. We always recommend confirming live departures using the official TransLink trip planner before you set out, especially during busy periods or inclement weather.
For those times when you're exploring off the beaten path, or simply prefer to conserve your data, our Vancouver Insider Guide 2026 is an invaluable resource. This comprehensive PDF packs all these routes, real street maps, the SkyTrain map, and 20 local secrets into one convenient download that works without an internet connection.
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