Vancouver at a Glance

Driving and Transportation in Vancouver

Cycling is very popular in Vancouver, and the city adminstration actively promotes it.

Welcome to the Canadian West Coast! Living in Vancouver is exactly right for you if you’re looking for new experiences in one of Canada’s most beautiful cities. We give you a detailed look at expat life in Vancouver: Find everything from health care to transport in our guide on living in Vancouver.

Driving

In Canada, cars are the most popular way of getting around – 8 out of 10 Canadians have their own car. In rural areas, cars are more or less indispensable. In Vancouver, cars are still among the most popular ways of transport, though they are by no means necessary.

Traffic in Vancouver is not as congested as in many other metropolises. Driving in rush hour traffic can be annoying, however, and parking – though readily available – is expensive. Also, there are no freeways which lead into downtown Vancouver. The only exception is Highway 1, which passes through the city’s eastern edge.

Drivers in Vancouver enjoy a good reputation: Perceived as courteous and patient, the average driver always stops for pedestrians and hardly ever runs yellow – or even red – lights.

Public Transport

There are, however, alternatives to driving your own car through Metro Vancouver’s rush hour traffic. One of them is Vancouver’s well-developed public transport system. The city has a comprehensive network of bus and trolleybus routes.

Vancouver’s famous SkyTrain was originally built for the World’s Fair in 1986. Up until today it remains the world’s longest automated light metro system. Its three lines currently cover most of the Metro Vancouver area. A fourth line should be completed in 2014, connecting Port Moody and Coquitlam.

Vancouver’s transportation authority TransLink has a detailed online trip planner. This may also proof a valuable resource in estimating commuting times prior to your move to Vancouver.

Cycling

Another popular alternative to driving is cycling. As opposed to many other Canadian and American cities, cyclists are a common sight in Vancouver’s streets. The city is actively promoting the use of bikes as a method of transportation. Measures include separate bike lanes, specifically designated bike routes as well as bike racks on buses and other public transport.

If cycling to work sounds appealing to you, check out the University of British Columbia’s cycling route planner. More information on riding your bike in Vancouver can also be found on the city’s official cycling website.

Taxis

There is also a fleet of several hundred taxis serving the Vancouver area and Vancouver International Airport. Four major taxi companies are operating in the region: Yellow Cab, Vancouver Taxi, MacLures Cab, and Black Top & Checker Cabs. All of them have wheelchair-accessible vehicles available.

Within downtown Vancouver, you can expect to pay up to $10 to $15 for a taxi ride. Service from downtown to Vancouver International Airport costs about $35 to $40.