City in British Columbia, Canada
Getting around Vancouver
How to get around Vancouver
SkyTrain, buses and SeaBus connect the core and North Shore; the downtown is walkable and bike-lane friendly. Rent a car only for Sea-to-Sky and island trips.
Ways to get around Vancouver
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| SkyTrain (Expo, Millennium, Canada Lines) | About C$3–4.50 by zone | Tap contactless card; Canada Line goes to the airport |
| Buses and SeaBus | Same zone fares | SeaBus links Waterfront to North Vancouver in 12 min |
| Mobi bike share | From about C$1.50 plus per-minute | Seawall and downtown bike lanes; best May–Sep |
Ride-hailing apps in Vancouver
A 5 km ride costs about C$14–24 ($9.8–16.9).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber | Main app; reliable pickups and upfront fares |
| Lyft | Smaller fleet; sometimes quicker pickups downtown |
- Taxis (Yellow, Vancouver Taxi) take cards and can be hailed downtown; apps are usually cheaper. Surge pricing hits in rain and after events.
Arriving in Vancouver
Vancouver International (YVR)
Canada Line to Waterfront about C$5–10, 25–30 min; Uber or taxi about C$35–50 downtown, 25–40 min.
Driving and onward travel
- Driving: on the right. Foreign licences are valid for visits (limits vary by province); carry an IDP if yours isn't in English or French.
- Onward travel in Canada: Distances are huge, so fly between regions. VIA Rail links Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto; intercity buses are limited outside Ontario and Quebec. Rent a car for parks.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Vancouver?
Yes. Apps that work here: Uber, Lyft.
What's the best way to get around Vancouver?
SkyTrain, buses and SeaBus connect the core and North Shore; the downtown is walkable and bike-lane friendly. Rent a car only for Sea-to-Sky and island trips.
How do I get from the airport to Vancouver?
Canada Line to Waterfront about C$5–10, 25–30 min; Uber or taxi about C$35–50 downtown, 25–40 min.
Is Vancouver walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Vancouver
Going to Vancouver solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Vancouver meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- VIA Rail
- FlixBus Canada
- TransLink
- Vancouver Airport (YVR)
- Vancouver Coastal Health
- Mobi Bike Share
- City of Vancouver
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.