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Arriving into Vancouver By Air
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is approximately 15 km (11 miles) from the centre of the city. The airport is a major hub for international travel, with good connections to all major North American and international centres by a host of airlines.
- Taxi fare: from Vancouver International Airport to the city centre is approximately $25-30 CAD.
- Limousine: services are also available at reasonable rates. All of these services accept major credit cards.
- Courtesy shuttle bus : list of hotels with shuttle service
- Canada Line train: is now in operation and links the airport directly to the heart of downtown Vancouver.
Getting Around Vancouver - public transport information
Bus
Catching a bus in Vancouver is easy and will get you to most places in a fast and efficient way. Fares must be paid in exact change as the bus conductors will not provide you with change. You can buy tickets or passes at stores or machines located throughout the city.
SeaBus & BC Ferries
Going on a ferry or seabus is very relaxing and calm. If you go after peak hours, you will find very little passengers on board.
- Aquabus Ferries: 1617 Foreshore Walk, Tel: 604 689 5858. The seabus is the only passenger ferry system connected to Downtown terminal and the Skytrain terminal. You can even bring a bike along as they allow a maximum of 20 bicycle on every sailing at no extra charge.
- B.C. Ferries: Run at least 25 routes on 38 ferries.
Tips for travellers to IPVS
For more information on:
| Currency | Tipping | Smoking | Weather |
| Language | Electricity | Taxes | Time zone |
| Telephone | |||
- Canadian dollars (CAD). Universal currency converter
- Foreign currencies are readily exchanged at airports and banks.
- Bank debit or credit cards are the most convenient means of getting cash at the many 24-hour-access automated banking machines. As in the U.S. and Europe these machines accept cards with Plus, Interac and Cirrus symbols and are easily found in Vancouver. Most Canadian businesses accept U.S. currency and traveller-cheques, as well as major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express).
In Canada, tips and gratuities are not typically included in a bill. In general, a gratuity of 15% of the total amount before taxes is considered to be a suitable gratuity. This applies to waiters, waitresses and taxi drivers. At hotels and airports, doorman and porters are generally offered $2.00 CAD per item of luggage.
There is a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) in effect in Canada. There is also a non-refundable Provincial Sales Tax (PST), currently at 7% in British Columbia.
English and French are Canada’s two official languages. English is the main language spoken in Vancouver. You will find that many banks, hotels, airline offices, shops, and key visitor attractions have multilingual staff speaking languages such as Cantonese, Mandarin, Punjabi, Spanish, French, Japanese and Vietnamese.
Smoking is not permitted in any indoor public place within the city boundaries of Vancouver. Smoking is also prohibited within customer services areas of food and/or liquor establishments (indoor or open patios), and within 6 metres of any entryway, open windows or customer service area. A limited number of hotels may provide guestrooms that do permit smoking – please confirm with your hotel directly.
The electrical current is the same in Canada as in the United States: 110 volts AC at 60Hz. Adapters are required for appliances from other countries.
Warmed by Pacific Ocean currents and protected by a range of mountains, Vancouver enjoys mild temperatures year-round. From low 20s Celsius (high 70s Fahrenheit) in summer to a mild 0º to 5º Celsius (40s Fahrenheit in winter, the climate is always hospitable. Average daily temperatures in June are 21 Celsius (69 Fahrenheit). For current weather conditions check the following website: www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/cabc0308
Vancouver is in the Pacific Standard Time Zone (-0800 GMT). Daylight Savings Time is in effect from 2:00 a.m. on the first Sunday in April until 2:00 a.m. on the last Sunday in October.
Vancouver now employs two separate area codes: 604 and 778. Calls within the greater Vancouver area are local regardless whether they use a 604 or 778 area code, however, you will need to dial all ten digits of the phone number in order to be connected (e.g. 604-555-1234). Cellular phones may be used in all areas of the Lower Mainland, but may not get reception inside certain buildings or elevators. Check with your cellular service provider to ensure your plan offers roaming/long distance service in Vancouver.
Dial 911 for emergency services (ambulance, police, fire & rescue).
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