Public transport in Vancouver – what you need to know

Public transport in Vancouver is extensive and efficient, being administered by the government through TransLink. Options include buses, underground (SkyTrain), ferry (Seabus) and tram (West Coast Express). There are also a variety of fares and passes for using public transport.

Public transport in Vancouver is efficient and easy to use. Here is some information about the main public transport options in the city:

  1. TransLink: TransLink is the main public transport system in Vancouver. It offers underground, bus, trolleybus and ferry services covering the city and surrounding areas. Route maps and timetables can be found on the TransLink website.
  2. SkyTrain: SkyTrain is Vancouver’s elevated underground system. It offers three lines covering the city and the surrounding area, and is a fast and convenient way to get around the city. Route maps and timetables can be found on the TransLink website.
  3. SeaBus: The SeaBus is a ferry service which connects downtown Vancouver with the city of North Vancouver. It offers a fast and convenient service, and you can check timetables and fares on the TransLink website.
  4. West Coast Express: The West Coast Express is a train service connecting Vancouver with the surrounding cities and suburbs. It offers a fast and convenient service, and you can check timetables and fares on the TransLink website.
  5. Taxis and transportation services: You can also use taxi services and transportation apps such as Uber and Lyft to get around the city. Be sure to check fares and regulations before using these services.

Remember that public transport in Vancouver can get very busy during rush hour, so it’s advisable to plan ahead when travelling around the city. It is also important to be aware of the fares and timetables of the various transport services to ensure you arrive on time to your destinations.

What public transport options are available in Vancouver?

As mentioned above, you can choose from a number of different types of public transport, depending on where you’re going and how you prefer to get around. In Vancouver there is a transportation network called Translink, which provides bus, underground, train and ferry services which are distributed throughout Vancouver, connecting the entire metropolitan area of the city and getting you where you need to go.

Vancouver Buses

Vancouver’s bus system has 223 routes and is quite accessible, is public and connects to many important parts of the city. It runs constantly, with buses leaving every 10 minutes during the day and every half hour at night. It operates 7 days a week, that is, from Monday to Sunday from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m., which is a great advantage in case you are staying somewhere far from where you live, so you can get there safely and quickly, even in the wee hours of the morning.

Routes for public transport include the northern areas of Vancouver such as Lions Bay, the southern areas as far south as Delta, the western areas stopping at Southbound Windjammer Rd and finally the eastern areas as far east as Southbound 284 St. The longest bus line in all of Vancouver is the 351 which runs for 43 kilometres – imagine all the things you can see on a bus!

As well as being a very efficient transport system, they are air-conditioned, heated, electrically powered, bicycle and wheelchair friendly, and are state-of-the-art buses, built to meet the needs of every traveller.

Vancouver taxis or private taxis

This transport service can be a little more expensive than those mentioned above; however, it is much quicker than the others as it has no extra stops and will take you directly to your destination. Using the taxi service is also very useful in case of an emergency or if you are carrying a lot of weight, so you will have a much more comfortable journey.

As with public transport, Vancouver taxis are also operated by Yellow Cab Online, a company which operates and regulates fares. If you prefer, you can also use services such as Uber, which are just as efficient as taxis.