Vancouver is a city of many contrasts, and attracts many different types of visitors, from families, student travellers, and cross-Canada hitchhikers on a budget to movie stars and royalty. As such, the city offers many first-class attractions, and those are the ones with the budget to advertise heavily in the free in-room tourist-oriented publications.
We want to showcase some options for budget-minded visitors.
Rich Tourist
Limousine from airport
Cost: $39 (sedan) or $44 (limousine) to downtown Vancouver , $47 guaranteed rate to Canada Place
The ride is comfortable can can take from 30 minutes (off-peak traffic) to an hour (during heavy “rush hour” traffic).
Poor Tourist
Canadian Line SkyTrain
Cost: $3.75 per person to Vancouver , $2.50 per person to Richmond
The Canada Line is Vancouver ‘s new rapid transit rail link connecting YVR to downtown Vancouver in 26 minutes and to downtown Richmond in 18 minutes. Canada Line’s YVR-Airport station is centrally located between our International and Domestic Terminals. Several terminals in downtown Vancouver including Harbourfront station beside Canada Place.
Floatplane Harbour Tour
604-990-9299 or 1-800-913-9207
Cost: $99 to $139 per person for a 20-30 minute flight
Takes off from seaplane terminal beside the Westin Bayshore and gives you a high-level perspective of the harbour, fly over the Lion’s Gate Bridge, get a nice view of North Shore Mountains and east along Burrard Inlet, and around rugged Stanley Park
Seabus (harbour crossing)
Cost: $2.50 adult $1.75 kids & seniors (free with transit transfer) A ticket is good for 90 minutes and the return ride. 604-985-7474
Connects from Waterfront station in downtown Vancouver to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver , with a 12 minute crossing time. Enjoy views of Burrard Inlet and the North Shore Mountains, as well as the industrial waterfront of North Vancouver. Enjoy a shopping or dining excursion at Lonsdale Quay Market, and then catch a ride back to catch a panoramic view of Vancouver ‘s harbor, city skyline and Stanley Park.
For those who want the aerial view from the top of the Lion’s Gate bridge, there area several busses from the North Shore you can take back to downtown Vancouver , or you can catch any of a number of buses along Marine Drive to get off near the bridge and walk over. You must decide before crossing bridge west views (access from Park Royal side) or east/harbour views (access by Staples on Marine drive). Allow 1.2 hour for crossing, with significant elevation change. Bonus: you may see a container ship pass right underneath you while on the bridge (r a floatplane tour fly right above you!).
Capilano Suspension Bridge
604-985-7474
Cost: $27 adult, $25 senior, $21 student, $16 youth, $8 kids (6-12)
Take a self-guided tour through Vancouver rainforest, with several interpretive exhibits, see several totem poles, walk across the Suspension bridge over the Capilano River, Concession stand, souvenir shop and restaurant at this location. This attraction is accessed from either the Lions’ Gate Bridge or with a free shuttle form the Seabus terminal at Lonsdale Quay (in the summer)
Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge
Part of Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre
Link and Link 604-990-3755
Cost: Free. Catch bus #210 from Downtown Vancouver or bus #229 (best & most direct) or #228 from Lonsdale Quay to Lynn Canyon Park’s main entrance. Cost of transit: $3.75 per person (2 zones) or $2.50 if taking Seabus and the bus.
The suspension bridge hangs 20 stories above Lynn Creek, offering spectacular views of Lynn Canyon, part of a 616 acre park of second generation rainforest which includes the Baden Powell Trail though the North Shore’s wilderness areas. hiking trail access to 30 Foot pool an Twin Falls.
Grouse Mountain Skyride
Cost: $38 adult, $36 senior, $23 your (13-18) and $14 kids (5-12) This one-mile journey on North America’s largest aerial tramway rises high above towering Douglas firs, and provides breathtaking views of the city of Vancouver , west to the Gulf Islands and the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy a romantic dinner at The Observatory (extra cost), and have complimentary access to other activities on Grouse Mountain (skiing not included in winter admission). Departs every 15 minutes daily/year-round
Centennial Pavilion at Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
Link Cost: free admission.
Access by transit take SkyTrain “Millenium Line” to the Production Way/University station in Burnaby and take #145 bus to SFU campus, or take #135 or N35 from downtown Vancouver. Short walk from west side of campus to park). Cost of transit: $3.75 per person (2 zones).
Stunning views west to Vancouver’s downtown, waterfront and Stanley Park, and along Burrard Inlet, and views north up Indian Arm to Deep Cove. Walk among the sculptures and the Centennial Rose Garden and dine at Horizons Restaurant. Access to Transportation-Canada Trail.
If you want overhead views of Stanley Park and the forests & headlands of the UBC Endowment lands, and have a car, head across the Lion’s Gate Bridge up the hill to the /Transportation-Canada Highway (also the “Upper Levels Highway”) and head west to Mount Seymour. Drive up the hill, past a couple of switchback turns to the Cypress Bowl Lookout.