Arriving in Vancouver
Vancouver can be reached by air, road, rail, coach, ferry connections and cruise ship. The best arrival plan depends on where you are coming from and whether Vancouver is the final destination or the start of a larger British Columbia trip.
Arriving by air
YVR is in Richmond and connects directly to downtown Vancouver by Canada Line in under 30 minutes. See the YVR transportation guide before deciding whether transit, taxi, rideshare or a reserved vehicle makes sense.
Arriving from the United States
Seattle and Vancouver are connected by road, coach, rail and air. Border-processing time can vary, so avoid building a tight event or cruise connection around the minimum driving estimate. Travellers wanting a door-to-door option can compare pre-arranged Vancouver-Seattle transportation with scheduled rail and coach services.
Arriving by cruise ship
Canada Place sits in downtown Vancouver beside the harbour. If Vancouver is the start or end of your cruise, staying downtown can simplify luggage and reduce transfer time. See our Canada Place planning guide.
Driving from elsewhere in BC
Highway travel times vary with weather, construction and congestion. Check DriveBC before mountain or long-distance trips. Once downtown, hotel parking costs can make keeping a rental car less attractive than returning it.
Continuing to Whistler
{whistlerlink}Coming from Victoria or Vancouver Island
BC Ferries connects Vancouver Island with terminals in the Metro Vancouver region, but the ferry terminal is not downtown Vancouver. Add terminal access and onward transportation to the total trip time. A ferry crossing that looks simple on a schedule can still involve a substantial transfer on each side.
Train and coach arrivals
Pacific Central Station is the main intercity rail and coach hub near Main Street–Science World Station. From there, SkyTrain, taxi and rideshare connect easily into downtown. Check the operator's current timetable before coordinating a same-day cruise or flight connection.
Arriving with a rental car
A car can be useful for a broader British Columbia trip, but it may become a liability once you reach central Vancouver. Compare hotel parking, fuel and event parking against returning the vehicle and using transit for the urban portion.