Option 1: SkyTrain Canada Line
- Travel time: 30 minutes
- By far the fastest and most direct route from Vancouver International Airport to downtown Vancouver is the SkyTrain. SkyTrain’s Canada Line from YVR-Airport Station to Waterfront Station (Vancouver’s downtown intermodal hub) is your best bet! The Skytrain is a quick 30 minute ride, running every 7-15 minutes, from the airport to downtown Vancouver. This light metro train runs above ground for the beginning of your journey giving you sweeping views of the downtown and the North Shore Mountain range overlooking Vancouver. Shortly after the route continues underground for the rest of the journey. If you are travelling from YVR to downtown, the SkyTrain is your fastest route.
- Fare for the SkyTrain is $10.70.
Option 2: Translink N10 / 10 / 412 Bus
- Travel time: 2 hours
- Since the introduction of the SkyTrain extension to Vancouver Airport there are no more bus transit routes to the airport. The Canada Line consolidated everything into one rapid transit line from YVR to downtown Vancouver. That being said, adventurous travellers arriving late at night can opt for the N10 YVR-Downtown NightBus from the airport to downtown Vancouver. Exactly as described this route runs from after 1am until 5pm. Cost to ride is just under $4 CAD.
- For really frugal travellers there is the 412 Bridgeport Station bus that connects from the South Terminal (YVR’s unique floatplane airport) to Bridgeport Station along the Canada Line. From Bridgeport Station ride one stop to Marine Drive Station then take the 10 Granville bus to sightsee the city as you arrive downtown. Additionally, YVR Airport provides a free shuttle from the main terminal to Airport South via a free courtesy shuttle between terminals.
- Travelling this route will avoid the $6.50 AddFare imposed on Skytrain riders from YVR. Cost to ride is $5.10 CAD.
Option 3: Taxi / Rideshare
- Multiple Taxis and and rideshare options (Uber/Lyft) are available. Find them at the designated pick up areas by the domestic and international arrivals area. Furthermore, traffic along the main route from the airport to downtown Vancouver can become very congested during peak period. Therefore, expect to Pay about $40+ for a ride to downtown Vancouver.