Vancouver - Visitor Information Guide

When is the best time of year to visit Vancouver?
Vancouver is a great city to visit any time of the year, as each season will surprise and delight with its reward. The majestic North Shore Mountain range overlooks Vancouver and forms an impressive and striking backdrop; it also protects the city from Canada's harsh winters. Towards the east is the beginning of the mighty Rockies, the starting point for Canada's most thrilling outdoor adventures.

Spring (April - June). Spring is when the cherry blossoms start to bloom and Vancouver springs into life. And while it's still winter on the ski slopes of Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour (45 minutes outside of Vancouver) the average temperature downtown is around 12°c to 16°c.

Compared to the Summer months, Spring is a less expensive time to visit. During this time, hotel rates are usually cheaper, plus visitor attractions are more affordable and less busy. Spring is when the city starts to warm up, and Spring Break is an ideal time for families to visit. Spring is also the start of 'west coast activities' and includes an exciting line-up of arts and community events.

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Summer (July - September). Summertime in Vancouver is a time for celebration and motivation. With the arrival of warm and sunny skies, Vancouver moves outside for the summer. You'll find plenty going on, such as hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife watching; there are also summer festivals and music events, including the 'Celebration of Light' (annual fireworks festival & competition), major international music festivals and art and film events.

Average temperatures are around 19°c to 27°c with little to no rain, and it's usually never scorching hot; there's also a frequent and pleasant sea breeze. The downside to visiting during the peak summer months is more crowds and higher prices for hotels and attractions. Top Tip: Don't forget Vancouver's coastline is full of beautiful golden sandy beaches, many with incredible mountain and city backdrops and most are within easy reach of downtown. There are several nearby beaches to choose from, with English Bay Beach being one of the most popular.

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Autumn or Fall (October - December). As October approaches, the temperature drops to around 6°c to 12°c but never gets too frosty as Vancouver tends to have a milder climate (compared to the rest of western Canada). Autumn is a time for change, and Vancouver's many parks and open spaces, transform into a spectacular wave of new colours as the leaves change to a bright orange-yellow.

Fall is one of the wettest times of the year - but there are plenty of indoor attractions to keep visitors entertained, including museum visits, art galleries and shopping opportunities. As December approaches, Vancouver moves into a festive mode with plenty of Canadian-themed Christmas decorations, local celebrations and Christmas markets, making Autumn a perfect time for a 'festive' shopping break.

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Winter (January - March). Wintertime in Vancouver is exciting, especially if you ski or snowboard. Although snow in the city is rare, quality deep snow is abundant in the surrounding mountains, with renowned resorts and slopes high up on Grouse Mountain, Mount Seymour and Cypress Mountain just a 30-minute car ride away.

The city in winter is perfect for shopping and entertainment, with first-class dining, theatre and clubs to keep you entertained. Top Tip: Check out the 'Dine Out Vancouver Festival' - it takes place in late January or early February. Average winter temperatures for Vancouver are around 3°c to 7°c - it tends to rain rather than snow in the city, so don't forget your brolly!

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Top Attractions and Places to Visit:

(1). Gastown: Visit Gastown - Vancouver's oldest commercial district, located next to Chinatown, east of downtown Vancouver. Gastown is great to wander around; you'll discover lots of 'old world' charm with plenty of cobbled streets, Victorian architecture and quaint courtyards. This is the place for fashionable cafes, hip restaurants, trendy boutiques, indie art galleries and modern interior design shops.

Places of interest include - the Lamplighter Pub (and its century-old heritage). The Lamplighter is one of the oldest and liveliest watering holes in Gastown - and has been serving locally crafted beers for decades. Gastown is also home to the world's first steam clock, which still works and plays the Westminster chimes (every 15 minutes) on five brass steam whistles. Top Tip: Check out the historic walking tours of Gastown. Tours include the 'haunted guided walking tour' (which explores the forgotten plague), the Vancouver great fire tour and the gruesome unsolved murders investigated tour.

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(2). Granville Island: Take a couple of hours to visit Granville Island. The Island was once a rundown industrial park, which has been 'transformed' into a thriving arts, shopping and entertainment centre. Granville is full of cafes, quality craft shops, fresh food markets and bookstores; there's also a small theatre and a refreshing brewery to keep you pleasantly hydrated. Granville Island is a fun place to stroll and hang out - you can get there in 25 minutes by hopping on the No.50 bus; there's also a ferry service direct to Granville, or take a taxi; opening hours are daily from 9 am - 6 pm.

The island is best known for its quality and very colourful market serving fresh produce, including meats, fish, vegetables, tasty fresh pastries and puddings, plus numerous trendy fashion stores and craft shops. If you fancy a rest, try one of the many eateries or take time out at the marina where the picturesque houseboats are moored.

Top Tips:
(1) Arrive early, as it gets busy from mid-day onwards.
(2) Head down to the marina for great views and photo opportunities of the city.
(3) Skip breakfast and have an extra tasty pastry or two.
(4) Try a toasty 'beef pot pie' made fresh at A La Mode - located in the market.

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(3). The Vancouver Lookout: The best way to start your Vancouver adventure is to ride the glass-fronted sky-lift (168m above ground level) to the Vancouver Lookout - a panoramic observation deck at the top of the Harbour Centre Tower. Here you can enjoy fantastic 360-degree views of the city, including Stanley Park, historic Gastown and the North Shore Mountains (and on a clear day, Vancouver Island). The glass-fronted sky-lift whisks you to the top of the tower in under 45 seconds.

The 'Top of Vancouver' rotating restaurant. The Vancouver Lookout has been an iconic element of the city’s skyline since 1977. One floor above the Lookout is an award-winning fine dining rotating restaurant called 'Top of Vancouver', which offers unobstructed panoramic views over the city (while you dine) with one revolution completed every 60 minutes.

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(4). Cultural Vancouver: Vancouver is a very cultural city, with a host of first-class museums and art galleries; most notable is The Museum of Vancouver, which is part of a trio of museums located on the waterfront of Vanier Park, an ideal location if seeking a spot of culture, or looking for something to do on a rainy afternoon. Alternatively, visit the Museum of Anthropology at UBC, renowned for its displays of world arts and excellent examples of Northwest Indian art and artefacts.

The Vancouver Art Gallery is located in a former provincial courthouse of Vancouver, a beautiful 15,300-square-metre neoclassical building. Public Tours of the gallery are usually available on Saturdays and Sundays.

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(5). The Vancouver Jazz Festival: The Vancouver International Jazz Festival is an annual summer event. The festival attracts close to 1800 artists and over half a million jazz enthusiasts, with top names in jazz and blues playing at various venues throughout the city. The festival is regarded as one of the most important musical celebrations globally and takes place during the last few weeks in June; it usually consists of around 300 concerts played over the course of two weeks.

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(6). Visit Vancouver Island: If you have time to spare, visit British Columbia's beautiful capital Victoria. For visitor information and details on how to travel to Victoria BC - visit the Flight4 travel blog.

Vancouver's Public Transport Network: Vancouver's public transportation system is both accessible and efficient, allowing visitors to easily explore the city's main attractions and landmarks. The TransLink Metro Vancouver transportation network includes public bus, SkyTrain, ferry, and SeaBus services that reach most areas of the city.

Vancouver's SkyTrain Network: SkyTrain is a fully automated light rapid transit system that runs on both elevated tracks and underground; it provides a fast and efficient service between downtown and Vancouver’s suburbs. SkyTrain services consist of 3 lines, the Expo Line and the Millennium Line, plus the Canada Line, which connects the airport to Downtown Vancouver. Most of Vancouvers' top attractions are accessible within zone one.

Vancouver's SeaBus Service: The SeaBus is a ferry service that carries passengers from Vancouver's downtown Waterfront station to Lonsdale Quay on the North Shore. It operates every 15 or 30 minutes, depending on the time of day, and takes 13 minutes to complete the journey. During the ride, passengers can enjoy picturesque views of the city and mountains as they cross the Burrard Inlet. For those looking to take in the sights, it's recommended to purchase a return ticket and use the ferry service as a mini scenic sightseeing cruise.

Vancouver's Buses: Vancouver has an extensive bus network that covers most tourist attractions. Additionally, there is a smaller community shuttle service available for smaller groups. This service transports passengers to specific and popular areas of the city.

Buying Tickets and Fares: When buying tickets and fares for public transportation in Greater Vancouver, it's important to understand the fare structure. The area is divided into three zones for SkyTrain and SeaBus services, but bus services are charged at a one-zone rate no matter how far you travel. Most modes of transport accept a single ticket, which is valid for up to 90 minutes from the time of first use. The type of ticket you need depends on how many zones you will travel through to reach your destination. Additionally, there are convenient travel passes available for purchase.

Travel Pass: You can buy travel passes which include a day pass that offers the best value for money and allows unlimited travel across all zones. To make your travels even more convenient, you can use the Compass Smart Card which is preloaded with credit and the fare is automatically deducted for each trip. You can purchase Compass Cards at vending machines located at SeaBus, SkyTrain and West Coast Express stations as well as at dedicated retail outlets.

How to use a Compass Card: To pay your fare - tap your Compas Card on the electronic card reader when you enter and exit the Bus, SkyTrain or SeaBus station.

Bicycle and Taxi: Exploring Vancouver can be made more fun with its extensive network of bicycle paths, offering great views and fresh air. Taxis are also easy to find throughout the city, with friendly drivers and reasonable prices.

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Shopping in Vancouver: If you're looking for a great shopping experience in Vancouver, there are several options to consider. You could start by checking out the man-made Granville Island, which features trendy shops, markets, street musicians, and cafes. Another option is the city's underground mall, which offers four blocks of affordable shopping.

And for those interested in celebrity spotting, be sure to visit trendy Robson Street, which is known for its great shopping and famous sightings.

Vancouver Airport (YVR). Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is located eight miles (13km) south of downtown Vancouver.

Airport Transport and Shuttle Services: Looking for airport transport and shuttle services from YVR Airport to downtown Vancouver? The Canada Line provides rapid transit rail services with convenient transfers. You can reach downtown Vancouver in under 30 minutes and downtown Richmond in 18 minutes.

The station is centrally located between the International and Domestic Terminals and is accessible by elevator from both arrivals and departure levels. You can plan your rail journey and other public transport network services at the Translink.ca website.

Taxi and Bus Services: Taxis are available from stands outside the Domestic and International arrivals terminal on Level 2. Alternatively, you can catch a regular bus service to Downtown Vancouver from the Airport Station Bus Terminal.