5 Things to know before
you visit vancouver
A bustling city, surrounded by mountains, Vancouver is a top travel destination. Home to more than 650,000 people and visited by 10 million tourists each year, it’s a great location for a vacation, whirlwind weekend, or family adventure.
If you want to make the most of your trip, however, it’s good to plan ahead. With this in mind, take a look at these five things to know before you visit Vancouver:
Public Transport is the Best Way to Travel
The easiest (and cheapest) way to get around Vancouver is via public transport. The city has an impressive TransLink system that includes buses, SkyTrain, and the SeaBus ferry, which typically runs from 5 am until 1 am.
It’s tricky to find parking in Vancouver and, if you do find a spot, it’s usually expensive to leave your vehicle anywhere in the city. However, regular public transport routes make it easy to get around and you’ll find that many tourist attractions are within walking distance of each other too.
You’re Never Far from the Wilderness
Vancouver might be a busy, energetic city, but there are plenty of opportunities to explore the great outdoors too. Situated on the edge of the city, Stanley Park is the ultimate urban greenspace. Stretching over 400 hectares, you can hike in the forest, walk The Seawall and enjoy spectacular views over downtown Vancouver.
With beaches, lakes, restaurants, horse-drawn tours, waterparks, a miniature railway, and much, much more, it’s the perfect outdoor oasis to enjoy while you’re in Vancouver.
Connect to Free Wi-Fi
When you’re traveling in Vancouver, it’s easy and free to connect to Wi-Fi at any time. Just look out for one of the #VanWifi connections to get online.
There are more than 600 of these free hotspots throughout the city, so you can start sharing your vacation photos from the minute you take them!
Take a Plane If You’re Going to Vancouver Island
Many tourists make the mistake of assuming that Vancouver Island is close to the city but, in actual fact, it’s around 5 hours away by car.
If you want to visit Pacific Rim National Park and Strathcona Provincial Park, it’s best to spend a few days on Vancouver Island or take a plane to your destination to reduce your traveling time.
Don’t Miss Grouse Mountain
The 1,200 Canadian mountain that offers sweeping views of the city is a must-see destination. You can ski and hike on Grouse Mountain but there are plenty of other attractions on offer too.
Enjoy spectacular views from the Skyride, watch out for the resident grizzly bears, go skating on the pond or visit the Theatre in the Sky for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Enjoy Everything Vancouver Has to Offer
It might be a compact city, but Vancouver is an outstanding place to live, work, and visit. Whether you’re in the city for a few days, weeks, or months, you’ll find endless beauty spots, tourist attractions, eateries, and attractions to explore.
