Greater Vancouver | Public Transit
Vancouver SkyTrain
Taking the SkyTrain is the cheapest and most efficient way to explore Vancouver. It's 30 minutes from the airport to downtown, 25 minutes from downtown to the Richmond Night Market, and it's also handy for transferring to a bus to Capilano. Once you understand the Compass Card, you'll save a lot on taxi fares.
SkyTrain 快速資訊
? Compass Card Stored-Value Card
Similar to a stored-value transit card, you can buy one from the vending machines at YVR Airport and at all the major SkyTrain stations. There's a $6 CAD deposit, you can reload it anytime, and the fare per ride is cheaper than a single-trip ticket.
? Fares
A regular ticket is $3.20 (single ride); with a Compass Card it's about $2.40-3.35 (depending on the zone). A Day Pass at $11.25 lets you ride unlimited—a great deal for tourists.
?️ Three Main Lines
Expo Line (blue): Downtown to Burnaby to Surrey; Millennium Line (gold): Downtown to Burnaby; Canada Line (blue-green): airport to downtown to Richmond.
⏱️ Operating Hours
Roughly 5:00 am to 1:30 am daily; during peak hours (7–9 am, 4–7 pm) trains come every 3–5 minutes, and off-peak every 8–15 minutes.
The SkyTrain Routes Travelers Use Most
In my year in Vancouver, the route I use most is the Canada Line. After landing at YVR airport, you walk into the terminal and the Canada Line platform is right there; in 30 minutes you can reach the Waterfront station downtown, with a fare of about $4-5 CAD (the airport adds a $5 surcharge, and the Compass Card offers a discount).
The routes tourists ride most often: Waterfront → Granville (downtown shopping), Burrard → Broadway-City Hall (transfer to a bus for UBC), Bridgeport → Templeton (to YVR airport), and the Richmond Night Market is right near Bridgeport.
The SkyTrain and buses share the Compass Card, and transferring from the SkyTrain to a bus within 90 minutes is not charged separately (it counts as one trip). This rule is important—use it well and you'll save a lot.
SkyTrain Frequently Asked Questions
? How to buy a Compass Card
Buy from the vending machines at YVR airport or any SkyTrain station. The deposit is $6, and any remaining balance is refundable. If you'll be riding more than 3-4 times in a single day, a Day Pass ($11.25) is a great deal.
✈️ How to Get from the Airport to Downtown
Depart from the Canada Line station on the lower level of the YVR terminal; it's about 26 minutes to Waterfront, with a fare of $9.05 (including the airport surcharge). There are no trains in the early morning hours, with the last train around 1 a.m.
? SkyTrain + Bus Transfer
Within 90 minutes of tapping your Compass Card, you can transfer for free to a bus or the SeaBus, counted as a single fare. Make good use of this policy to save a lot, since bus routes cover far more ground than the SkyTrain.
? Recommended Apps
Enter your destination in the official TransLink app or Google Maps and you'll see the latest schedules and transfer info. Google Maps' bus arrival predictions are very accurate—highly recommended.
?️ Recommended Vancouver transit
?
Vancouver Airport Transfer (Private Charter)
Easiest for red-eye flights or when you have a lot of luggage
?
Vancouver Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus
Includes the major attractions, ideal for travelers on a tight schedule
?
Vancouver Seaplane Tours
A bird's-eye view of Vancouver from the air, on a 30-minute flight
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❓ Frequently asked questions
What do I do if my Compass Card runs out of balance midway through a trip?
The Compass Card has a "negative balance" feature: if you don't have enough on the card, the system will still let you tap out, but your balance will go negative. Just top it up to clear it the next time you reload. There's no need to worry about getting stuck inside the station.
What do you do late at night when there's no SkyTrain?
The last SkyTrain is around 1:00–1:30 am. After that, your only options are the NightBus (route numbers starting with N) and a taxi/Uber.
Are there transit discount passes aimed at tourists?
The Day Pass at $11.25 is the best value for tourists—unlimited rides on the SkyTrain + bus + SeaBus for the day. There are also 3-day and 7-day passes, available on the Compass website or at ticket machines.