Vancouver is my favorite place to visit in Canada. After 6 days and 5 nights wandering around all the beautiful neighborhoods, conquering all the must-see sites and highly-visited food spots, I realized that Vancouver has everything it takes to be a digital nomad’s dream.
Well, at least that’s for me!
But if you ask me why I love Vancouver so much, I don’t know where to start. I was a tourist – like everyone else. But my feeling and attention for Vancouver go beyond Stanley Park or Granville Island.
Vancouver has some of the cutest old Victorian houses tucked away in a quiet alley within a less-visited neighborhood. From the lush scenery pressed against the Burrard Inlet, from the time signal of the 9 O’Clock Gun to the scenic restaurants with a view to planning a date with your loved ones – Vancouver is a stellar place to visit the next time you set out to Canada.
Check out my Vancouver travel guide below to collect all the best tips for your upcoming vacation!
What Is the Best Time to Visit Vancouver?
Tucked in the western tip of Canada, Vancouver has a fair share between mountains and water, between the modern skyscrapers and the historical buildings looking over the cobblestoned streets.
The best time to visit Vancouver is anytime between April and June or early November. You wanna look for the warm weather, sunny sky, and crisp air with the lowest chance of rain.
P/S: just so you know, Vancouver is also dubbed as “Rain City” given 192.4 rainfall days, and 1325mm of precipitation.
Now you know what to pack for Vancouver! Avoid jeans, pick the perfect jacket, bring ponchos, opt for all-weather shoes, and don’t forget to buy waterproof pouches!
Getting to Vancouver Downtown from Vancouver International Airport for Tourists
By SkyTrain’s Canada Line
This is a rapid transit in Vancouver connecting the airport to downtown Vancouver. You can get to the city center in 30 minutes after taking the train at either International or Domestic Terminals.
By Ride-Sharing Apps
Lyft, Uber, and KABU are authorized ride-sharing services available for pick-up at Level 2 of International Arrivals, Level 2 of Domestic Arrivals, and the South Terminal. Follow the directional signage in the airport after booking your ride.
By Rental Cars
Both on-site and off-site rental cars are available just steps from the YVR terminal on the ground floor of the parkade. The best thing about car rentals is it allows you to opt for either a full-size, minivan, luxury, or supplier choice with a competitive rate a day. I recommend this option if you plan to be occupied for a day with your own schedule and itinerary after landing at the airport.
How Do Tourists Get around Vancouver without a Car? Public Transports, Ferries, DayPass, and Payment Methods
By Buses
Public buses run all day from 5 am to 1 am supported by the NightBus service filling the gap of the wee hours. This is the best way for tourists based around downtown including Granville Street, Burrard Street, and Georgia Street. You can Visit TransLink’s website for Trip Planning tools to catch the right bus and check their timetable.
By SkyTrain
SkyTrain stations are well connected to major bus stations in and near the downtown core with the first train departing at 5:30 am. on weekdays. If you check the TransLink official website, you can see that there are 3 lines operated, linking to different parts of Vancouver.
By SeaBus
Take the SeaBus ferry if you want to visit Lonsdale Quay and the market on the North Shore from Vancouver. The ferry leaves every 15 minutes all day and every 30 minutes at night.
Friendly reminder: SkyTrain, buses, and SeaBys ferries are operated under the TransLink network. As a tourist, you should consider getting a DAYPASS to benefit from unlimited travel. You can obtain the pass at Destination Vancouver’s Visitor Centre, the ticket machines in SkyTrain and SeaBus stations, and one of the London Drugs stations.
If you don’t have a DAYPASS, here’s how to pay your fare for public transport in Vancouver:
- In cash (no change, only applied for the bus).
- By Single Use Compass Ticket at a vending machine located outside of a SeaBus, SkyTrain, and West Coast Express station, as well as one of the London Drugs locations.
- By Refillable Compass Card using credit that is deducted for each journey. Tap the card on over an electronic reader and your fare is automatically deducted from your account. These refillable cards are also available outside of a SeaBus, SkyTrain, and West Coast Express station, as well as one of the London Drugs locations.
- The electronic card readers on the bus and fare gates at the SkyTrain, SeaBus, and West Coast Express stations accept contactless payment from American Express, Mastercard, and Visa credit cards along with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
By Aquabus and False Creek Ferries
These ferry services traverse across False Creek, opening out to an amusing side of Vancouver to admire from the water. Their stations are located in Yaletown, Granville Island, Olympic Village, and the end of Hornby Street in the West End neighborhood. Aquabus and False Creek Ferries run from 7 am to 10 pm.
5 Best Places to See in Vancouver to Keep You Occupied from Morning till Night
Gastown
Gastown has a lot more to offer than being the home of the world’s first steam clock. Well, Gastown is a photographer’s paradise with lots of unique buildings steeped in a rich Victorian flare. Walk on the broken cobblestoned streets looking up to the red-bricked refurbished lofts where the top-rated Airbnbs are hidden behind the stairs.
Compared to Yaletown, Gastown (and the neighboring Chinatown) is soaked in history and cultures, lined up by a vibrant assortment of century-old shopfronts and grocery stores. For me, Gastown by night is a lot more beautiful. This is where you want to go if you love arts as much as I do. Roam around the highly-visited art galleries and souvenir stores during the day and spill into some energetic wine bars, clubs, and restaurants when the sun beams down.
Stanley Park
Stanley Park doesn’t need any further introduction from me. Dubbed as one of the largest parks in all of North America, Stanley Park is a hub of outdoor pursuits that you want to take your family for a fun-filled bonding weekend.
Get on a bicycle and bike around the famous Seawall soaking up the sun. Put a bright smile on your kids’ faces with a horse carriage ride around the sun-kissed lawns. Or if you want to celebrate the summer days to the fullest, check out Second Beach, one of the most popular beaches in Vancouver located right inside Stanley Park to swim, sunbathe, put a tarp down for a picnic, or grab some yummy BBQ bites.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
If you don’t wanna visit Capilano Suspension Bridge, it would be a huge mistake to let this place go to waste. I know Capilano is touristy, but who cares? It’s so beautiful and the view over the abundant old-growth forest is beyond imagination.
Capilano Suspension Bridge is a small park itself, covering 3 different playgrounds including the Suspension Bridge, Cliffwalk, and Treetops Adventure. Standing 110 feet above the forest floor, you’ll feel the cedar-scented air of the rainforest before conquering the Cliffwalk and Treetops Adventure for a thrilling experience.
Queen Elizabeth Park
To fully explore Queen Elizabeth Park, you’ve gotta spare an entire good morning. The park is chock full of gorgeous landscaping displays, fabulous views, and a heap of outdoor activities to keep you occupied for hours.
QE park is a home sweet home for hundreds of flora species including exotic and native plants. One of my favorite attractions inside the park is the majestic Bloedel Conservatory greenhouse wrapped around by lush quarry gardens.
If you love roses and everything in between, head out to the Rose Garden right next to the evergreens and redwoods at Quarry Gardens and Arboretum. Even better, QE Park is known as one of the best outlook areas in Vancouver just steps away from the Bloedel Conservatory. The outlook teams up with the on-site Seasons in the Park restaurant to offer a jaw-dropping view over the downtown skyline and majestic Northshore Mountains on a clear day.
Granville Island
If you think Granville Island Public Market is the only thing to see on this island, you’re wrong! This is where you wanna come with an empty stomach. And forget about your calories because Granville Island has so many good treats that have you drooling.
Take time to stroll along with displays of food, fresh produce, and seafood while listening to talented street musicians perform. Outside of the market, Dockside Restaurant dishes up stellar Pacific Northwest cuisines, the harborfront The Vancouver Fish Company offers an excellent crab menu and craft beers on tap, while Chau Veggie Express is the best place to grab some vegan Vietnamese soups, spring rolls, and noodle bowls.
My 4 Favorite Places to Eat in Vancouver: Donut, Ramen, Hotpot, and More
- Tim Horton: Wondering what Canadian coffee and donuts taste like? Let Tim Hortons give you the answer! My recommendation is a Canadian Maple filled donut.
- Ramen Gojiro’s noodles totally hit the spot, and they always have a queue standing in the waiting line.
- Landmark Hotpot House is a popular Chinese hot pot chain taking Vancouver by storm with its hearty soup base and excellent cuts of raw beef.
- Mountaintop Beef House on Granville Street dishes up some mouthwatering beef soups with a deep flavor. Plus, their duck has a sweet crispy tasting profile as well.
2 Stellar Places to Stay in Vancouver
- Canada House is my favorite bed and breakfast located on Barclay Street. Breakfast time with other guests is always fun, and their room décor is the most beautiful and whimsical thing I’ve ever seen.
- Wedgewood Hotel & Spa is one of the top-rated boutique hotels in Vancouver, featuring sun-soaked gardens and waterfalls with an excellent central location.
Final Words: What Else Should You Know Before Visiting Vancouver?
I know Vancouver is rainy all the time, but don’t worry about it. It’s a small city anyway so feel free to go around by public transport to save some bucks. Vancouver is relatively safe but you shouldn’t leave your stuff unattended. And yeah, dress the way you want. It’s not Vancouver Fashion Week anyway so as long as you’re comfortable, you’re good to go!