Navigating Vancouver: The Complete Public Transit Guide for Visitors

The Compass Card is your golden ticket to Vancouver's transit network—a reloadable fare card that works across buses, SkyTrain, SeaBus, and the West Coast Express. When I first arrived in Vancouver for a sustainability conference, I made the rookie mistake of buying individual tickets before a kind local introduced me to this marvel of efficiency.

Purchase your Compass Card at any SkyTrain station, London Drugs store, or the visitor center for a refundable $6 deposit. Then load it with stored value or choose a DayPass ($11) if you're planning multiple journeys. For my week-long stay, I calculated that the stored value option saved me nearly $15 compared to single fares.

If you're planning to use your phone for navigation (which I highly recommend), ensure you have a reliable phone mount to keep your device secure while moving between transit options. Mine proved invaluable when quickly checking routes while rushing to catch connections.

Vancouver's SkyTrain system consists of three lines—Expo (blue), Millennium (yellow), and Canada (green)—that connect the city's major neighborhoods and attractions with remarkable efficiency. As an environmental scientist at heart, I appreciate that this automated light rail network is primarily powered by clean hydroelectric energy.

The Canada Line connecting downtown to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) deserves special mention. After a 14-hour flight from New Zealand, I was delighted to discover I could reach my downtown accommodation in just 26 minutes for under $10—a fraction of taxi fare.

My favorite SkyTrain journey remains the Expo Line between Waterfront and Metrotown. As the train emerges from underground tunnels onto elevated tracks, you're treated to panoramic vistas of False Creek, the North Shore mountains, and the city skyline. C'est magnifique! I found myself deliberately taking this route even when alternatives existed.

One practical item I recommend for SkyTrain journeys is a good anti-theft crossbody bag. While Vancouver is generally safe, having secure storage for your valuables on public transit is always prudent, especially during rush hour crowds.

The SeaBus passenger ferry connecting downtown Vancouver (Waterfront Station) to North Vancouver (Lonsdale Quay) is perhaps my favorite transit experience in the city. This 12-minute harbor crossing offers postcard-worthy views of Vancouver's skyline, the working port, and the surrounding mountains—all for the price of a regular transit fare!

During my stay, I established a morning ritual of taking the 8:16am SeaBus to North Vancouver, where I would join local runners along the scenic waterfront trail before enjoying breakfast at Lonsdale Quay Market. The early crossing often rewards passengers with magical mist hovering over the water and golden light illuminating the city's glass towers.

The double-ended catamaran design means you never have to wait for the vessel to turn around, and the frequent service (every 15 minutes during peak hours) makes it a practical transportation option, not just a tourist experience. For photographers, I suggest bringing a lens cleaning kit to keep your camera or phone lens free from sea spray that occasionally mists the outdoor viewing areas.

While SkyTrain and SeaBus steal the spotlight, Vancouver's extensive bus network is the true workhorse of the transit system, reaching neighborhoods and attractions inaccessible by rail. As someone who seeks authentic local experiences, I found the bus network invaluable for discovering Vancouver's less touristy enclaves.

The #19 bus transported me to the vibrant Commercial Drive district, where I discovered a fermentation workshop that reminded me of my mother's biochemistry experiments—complete with homemade kombucha that rivaled my father's finest creations in Lyon! Meanwhile, the #22 took me directly to Kitsilano Beach, where I joined a sunrise yoga session that rejuvenated my travel-weary muscles.

For outdoor enthusiasts, special mention goes to bus routes #236 to Grouse Mountain and #250 to Horseshoe Bay, both offering access to spectacular natural areas. During a light rain shower on my Grouse Mountain trip, I was grateful for my packable rain poncho that kept me dry while waiting at exposed bus stops.

Navigating the bus system initially seemed daunting, but the TransLink website and Google Maps integration made route planning remarkably straightforward. Most buses announce upcoming stops, but I recommend tracking your journey on your phone as backup.

As an intern at a sustainable tourism firm, I'm always seeking the sweet spot where budget-friendly meets eco-conscious. Vancouver's transit system offers several clever ways to maximize value while minimizing environmental impact.

First, understand the zone system. During weekdays (before 6:30pm), fares vary based on how many zone boundaries you cross. However—and this is my favorite hack—all travel becomes one-zone fare during evenings and all day on weekends and holidays, regardless of distance traveled! I strategically planned my longer cross-regional journeys during these times, saving nearly $30 over my week's stay.

For families, note that up to four children under 12 can travel free with a fare-paying adult. Groups of 5+ adults should investigate the Group Travel Program for potential discounts.

If you're staying longer than a week, consider the Monthly Pass option loaded onto your Compass Card. For visitors exploring Vancouver's stunning surrounding wilderness, I recommend a lightweight daypack that can fold into itself when not needed but expands to carry water, snacks, and layers for Vancouver's changeable weather during your transit adventures.

Lastly, download the Transit app, which provides real-time bus locations and alerts about service disruptions. C'est un vrai trésor! This app saved me countless times when planning connections or rerouting around unexpected delays.