Vancouver is a straightforward city to navigate, but a few practical details make a big difference. This guide covers transportation from the airport, getting around the city, tipping customs, safety, and answers to common questions. For more planning details, see our complete Vancouver travel guide.
Vancouver Travel Tips: Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is located in Richmond, about 12km south of downtown. It consistently ranks among the top 10 airports worldwide. The domestic and international terminals are connected, with the US transborder terminal in a separate wing. All three are linked post-security, so you can walk between them if you have time on a connection. Check our weather by month guide for more details. See our best time to visit guide for more information. YVR has two on-site hotels: the Fairmont Vancouver Airport (luxury, inside the international terminal) and the Days Inn by Wyndham (budget, short shuttle ride).
Vancouver Travel Tips: Getting from YVR to Downtown
- Canada Line SkyTrain: The fastest and cheapest option. The station is inside the airport, between the domestic and international terminals. Trains run every 6 to 7 minutes (every 3 to 4 minutes in peak hours) from approximately 5 am to 1 am. The ride to downtown (Waterfront station) takes 25 minutes and costs CA$4.45 one-way (add CA$5 YVR AddFare for eastbound trips from the airport, payable by Compass Card or ticket machine).
- Taxi: Taxis queue outside the arrivals level. A trip to downtown takes 25 to 35 minutes and costs CA$35 to CA$45, including tip. All taxis are metered and accept credit cards. Uber and Lyft operate at YVR with designated pickup zones; expect similar pricing to taxis.
- Ride-hailing (Uber/Lyft): Pickup zones are on Level 2 of the parkade (follow signs for Ride App Pickup). Pricing is typically CA$30 to CA$40 to downtown.
Vancouver Travel Tips: Getting Around the City
TransLink runs the Metro Vancouver transit system, including SkyTrain (automated light rail), SeaBus (passenger ferry between Waterfront and Lonsdale Quay), and buses. A single Compass Card tap costs CA$3.15 for a 90-minute transfer window across all modes. Day passes are CA$11.25 and are worth it if you take more than three trips. You can buy Compass Cards at SkyTrain stations and some drugstores (CA$6 deposit). The SkyTrain Expo Line runs east to Burnaby, New Westminster, and Surrey; the Millennium Line loops through East Vancouver and Burnaby; the Canada Line connects downtown to Richmond and the airport. Buses cover the rest of the city with 24-hour NightBus routes (N10, N20, N35). See our events and festivals calendar for more information. Check our things to do guide for more details. Download the Transit app for real-time schedules.
Vancouver Travel Tips: Money, Tipping, and Practicalities
- Currency is Canadian dollars (CAD, CA$). Most places accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard widely accepted; American Express less so). Tap payment is universal.
- Tipping: 15 to 20 percent on restaurant bills (pre-tax). Tip CA$1 to CA$2 per drink at bars. Tip taxi and ride-hail drivers 10 to 15 percent. Tip tour guides CA$5 to CA$10 per person for half-day tours.
- Taxes: A 5 percent federal GST and 7 percent provincial PST apply to most goods and services. Accommodations add a 2.5 percent Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT). Restaurant menu prices do not include tax or tip.
- Tap water is safe and excellent quality. Vancouver’s water comes from mountain reservoirs and requires minimal treatment.
- Wifi is widely available in cafes, hotels, and public spaces. The VanWiFi network at the airport is free. Many SkyTrain stations and some buses offer free TransitLink wifi.
Vancouver Travel Tips: Visa and Entry Requirements
Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly into Canada. US citizens are exempt and only need a valid passport. The eTA costs CA$7 and is valid for five years. Apply online at Canada.ca/eTA; approval usually takes minutes but can take days. Citizens of certain countries also need a visitor visa; check the IRCC website. Check our neighborhoods guide for more details. If you are arriving by land from the United States (Seattle to Vancouver is a popular road trip), you do not need an eTA but must present a passport at the border.
Vancouver Travel Tips: Safety and Health
Vancouver is generally safe, with a low violent crime rate. The main safety concern for visitors is property crime: do not leave anything visible in a parked car, especially in Gastown, the West End, and near Stanley Park. The Downtown Eastside (centered on East Hastings and Main streets) has concentrated poverty, homelessness, and open drug use. It is not dangerous during the day but can be confronting. At night, avoid walking through this area alone. Stick to well-lit main streets. Emergency number is 911. For non-emergency police, call 604-717-3321. Hospitals with emergency rooms near downtown: St. Check our where to stay guide for more details. Paul’s Hospital (1081 Burrard Street) and Vancouver General Hospital (899 West 12th Avenue).
Vancouver Travel Tips: Day Trips from Vancouver
Vancouver is an excellent base for day trips. Whistler, North America’s largest ski resort, is 2 hours north via the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99). In summer, Whistler offers mountain biking, hiking, and the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. Victoria, the capital of British Columbia on Vancouver Island, is accessible by BC Ferries from Tsawwassen (1.5-hour sailing, CA$18 per adult plus CA$60 per car) or by floatplane from downtown (35 minutes, from CA$150). The Gulf Islands (Salt Spring, Galiano, Mayne) offer a slower pace with farmers’ markets, wineries, and artists’ studios. Grouse Mountain, Capilano Suspension Bridge, and the Deep Cove area of North Vancouver are all reachable in under 45 minutes from downtown.
Suggested Hotels in Vancouver
Vancouver has accommodation for every budget, from five-star waterfront properties to budget-friendly heritage hotels. Here are three recommended options.
Fairmont Pacific Rim
The city’s premier five-star hotel at Canada Place, with a rooftop pool overlooking the harbor, a 4,000-square-foot gym, and nightly live jazz in the lobby. Best for luxury travelers and couples. Check rates and availability
Blue Horizon Hotel
A contemporary mid-range hotel on Robson Street with an indoor pool, hot tub, steam room, and corner rooms with full balconies and city views. Best for shoppers and first-time visitors. Check rates and availability
The Sylvia Hotel
Vancouver’s ivy-covered heritage hotel on English Bay, operating since 1912 with ocean-view rooms, a restaurant, and a lounge. Best for romantics and travelers who want character and beach access. Check rates and availability
