Hotel Blog

by Simona K. 
 

Are you wondering how to get from point A to point B in Vancouver? We will bring some light into the transportation system and give you a few pointers on how to use the buses and the sky train. We summed up 10 most burning questions we get asked so we can help you get around the city!

How do I get to your hotel from the airport?                                                                                     
You have two options. Either you can grab a cab or hop on a metro (sky train). The Canada line runs directly from the airport to the downtown area and ends at the Waterfront station where you will get off. Waterfront station is located within the walking distance and depending on the size of your luggage, it will probably take you between 10 to 15 minutes to walk to the hotel.

When is the first and the last train to the airport?
The first train to the airport from the Waterfront station is 4.48am and the last train 1.05am. The first train from the airport to the Waterfront station is at 5.07am the last one at 12.56am. For more information about the schedule visit the translink website.

How do I get to the Stanley Park?
That’s fairly easy. The bus stop is just a few steps away from the hotel entrance and the bus number 19 will take you directly to the Stanley Park. It’s just a short drive and depending on the traffic, it shouldn’t take more than 10-15 minutes to get to the famous park.



How do I get to the Pacific Central station?
Thanks to the hotel’s amazing location, you can walk to the Burrard station and take the sky train. The Expo line will take you to the stop Main Street – Science World Station, only a short walk away from the Pacific station. The ride will take approximately 5 minutes. How easy is that!

How do I get to the Granville Island?
When you exit our hotel, turn left and walk 2 blocks to the Granville Street. There you can hop on a bus #50 which will take you directly to the Granville Island in about 15 to 20 minutes.

Alternatively, you can use the ferry service which leads to the next question…

Can I take a ferry around the city?
Yes, you can! False Creek Ferries company has 4 routes and 9 convenient dock locations and you can easily explore the main city attractions by the ferry. You can purchase a single fare ticket or a day pass, depending on your needs. Ferries run every day in 5-10 minute intervals, how convenient is that! For additional information about the fares and routes visit False Creek ferry website.

How can I purchase a ticket for a bus / sky train?
You can find a ticket machine at every sky train station and you can simply purchase any ticket type there. The navigation is simple and you can also choose a payment method which suits you the best.
If you are planning to use the buses only, there are two ways how to purchase the ticket directly on a bus. First option is to pay by cash, but remember you have to have the exact coin fare. Your other options is to pay by a credit card – you can tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard on card readers. However, this option is only available if you wish to purchase an adult ticket fare.

You can find all you need to know about the fares here.

Can I pay with USD on a bus?
Sadly, no. As we are in Canada, you need to use Canadian coins. Alternatively, you can use your credit card as mentioned above or go to the closest sky train station to purchase your ticket in a ticket machine.

How do I get to Victoria by using the public transportation?
TransLink
If taking public transit between downtown Vancouver and Victoria, allow about 4.5 hours each way, including the 90 minute BC Ferries crossing between the mainland and Vancouver Island. From downtown Vancouver, take the SkyTrain’s Canada Line south to Bridgeport Station, then transfer to bus #620 to get to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, then board the ferry as a walk-on passenger. From the Swartz Bay terminal on Vancouver Island, take bus #70 to downtown Victoria.  
 
Scheduled Bus
Frequent, daily year-round scheduled bus service is offered between downtown Vancouver and downtown Victoria. When you purchase tickets for this service, it will include your ferry ticket as well as the motor coach transfer on each end. The bus departs from Pacific Central Station located at Main Street and Terminal Avenue in Vancouver, and terminates at the Victoria Bus Station right in downtown Victoria. Travelling time, including the BC Ferries crossing, is approximately 4 hours. Tickets can be purchased at the Vancouver Visitor Centre in person at Pacific Central Station, or by contacting the BC Ferry Connector at 604 428 9474.
 
What is the best way to explore Vancouver downtown if I don’t want to use the public transportation?
The best way to explore downtown depends on your personal preferences. You can walk anywhere so if you have a lot of time and want to get your exercise, you can walk around without using any transportation. Alternatively, there are many bike rental places nearby and biking is an enjoyable way of getting around. Additionally, there are many tour companies that organize biking tours around the city as well as the hop-on hop-off tour. For more information don’t hesitate to ask our front desk staff, we will be happy to answer your questions and help you organize your tours.