Flights to Vancouver
Take the Canada Line from YVR to the waterfront in under half an hour, then cycle the Stanley Park Seawall, graze Granville Island and ride a gondola up Grouse Mountain.
- Currency
- Canadian dollar (CAD)
- Language
- English (French is Canada's other official language)
- Time zone
- Pacific Time (PT), UTC−8 / UTC−7 in summer
- Plug type
- Type A / B (120 V, 60 Hz)
- Main airport
- YVR – Vancouver International
Overview
Few cities put wilderness this close to downtown. Vancouver's glass towers sit on a peninsula ringed by beaches and backed by the North Shore Mountains, and on a clear day you can kayak False Creek in the morning and hike Grouse Mountain in the afternoon. Stanley Park, larger than New York's Central Park, is circled by the Seawall, a waterfront path that continues for kilometers around English Bay and False Creek.
Granville Island's public market is the place to graze local salmon, berries and baked goods, and little aquabus ferries shuttle across False Creek to it. Gastown, the city's oldest neighborhood, mixes cobblestones and the steam clock with cocktail bars, while Chinatown and Richmond's night markets reflect the region's deep Asian heritage. The Museum of Anthropology at UBC holds a renowned collection of Northwest Coast First Nations art.
Vancouver International is a major trans-Pacific gateway, and the Canada Line puts downtown about 25 minutes away. The Sea-to-Sky Highway leads to Squamish and Whistler, and BC Ferries sail to Vancouver Island and Victoria. Rain is frequent from late fall to early spring, so the payoff for a summer visit is long, dry, mild days.
Highlights of Vancouver
Stanley Park Seawall
Walk or rent a bike to circle the park's roughly 9 km waterfront loop, passing the totem poles at Brockton Point and Siwash Rock.
Granville Island Public Market
Graze on smoked salmon and fresh produce, then browse artisan studios; the aquabus and False Creek ferries make the trip fun.
Grouse Mountain and the Capilano area
Ride the Skyride gondola for city views, or hike the steep Grouse Grind, then visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge nearby.
Museum of Anthropology at UBC
Arthur Erickson's building frames monumental Northwest Coast First Nations carvings against views of the mountains.
Sea-to-Sky Highway
Drive north past Howe Sound to the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish and on to Whistler for hiking or skiing.
Where to stay
Downtown & Coal Harbour
Waterfront hotels near Canada Place, the Seawall and Waterfront station; best for first-timers and cruise passengers.
West End
Leafy residential streets between English Bay and Stanley Park, with Davie and Denman Street dining; great for walkers and LGBTQ+ travelers.
Yaletown
Converted warehouses with restaurants, the False Creek seawall and a Canada Line station; suits couples and foodies.
Kitsilano
Beaches, yoga studios and a laid-back vibe across the Burrard Bridge; good for longer stays and active travelers.
Airports and getting into town
The SkyTrain Canada Line runs from YVR to Waterfront station downtown in about 25 minutes, stopping at Yaletown–Roundhouse and Vancouver City Centre; trips starting at the airport stations include an AddFare. Taxis and rideshare from YVR to downtown typically take 25–40 minutes. From Abbotsford, driving or a shuttle is the practical option, taking roughly an hour or more depending on Highway 1 traffic.
Best time to visit
July and August are the driest, sunniest months, ideal for the Seawall, beaches and hiking, and the Honda Celebration of Light fireworks light up English Bay in late July or early August. June and September bring pleasant weather with fewer crowds. From November to March expect frequent rain in the city, but that same season brings the ski and snowboard season on the North Shore mountains and at Whistler.
Airlines flying to Vancouver
Popular routes to Vancouver
Travel tips from our desk
- Tap a credit card, phone or Compass Card on SkyTrain, buses and the SeaBus; the SeaBus to Lonsdale Quay is a scenic way to reach North Vancouver.
- Pack a waterproof jacket from October to April, when rain is common in the city.
- Check trail conditions and bring layers for mountain hikes; weather on the North Shore can change quickly.
- Reserve BC Ferries sailings to Victoria or the Gulf Islands ahead of summer weekends and holidays.
Related destinations
Canada
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Hills, cable cars and the Golden Gate, with BART from SFO and Oakland airports putting downtown about 30 minutes away.
Explore San Francisco →Flights to Vancouver — frequently asked questions
Which airport should I fly into for Vancouver?
Vancouver International (YVR) is the main gateway, with the Canada Line to downtown. Abbotsford is smaller and far to the east, so it mainly suits the Fraser Valley.
When is the best time to visit Vancouver?
July and August offer the driest, sunniest weather, and June and September are pleasant with fewer crowds. Winter is rainy in the city but prime ski season in the mountains.
How do I get from YVR to downtown Vancouver?
Ride the SkyTrain Canada Line from the airport to Waterfront station in about 25 minutes, or take a taxi or rideshare for 25–40 minutes.
Can I visit Whistler from Vancouver?
Yes. Whistler is about a two-hour drive up the Sea-to-Sky Highway, and coach services run from downtown and YVR.
How do I get to Victoria from Vancouver?
BC Ferries sail from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay near Victoria; floatplanes and helicopters also fly between the two harbors.
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