Vancouver Travel Forum

We are hoping to travel to North America in Dec/Jan this year. We are planning to spend 2-3 nights in Vancouver. I would like some recommendations of accommodation and cheap transfer options (buses/train/etc.

We are flying into the airport from Auckland and will bus out to Seattle. We are planning to do a tour to Grouse Mountain during our time but the tour company says they will pick us up from our hotel.

Any advice is appreciated.

There are a few options for transfers from the Vancouver Airport to downtown, the most inexpensive one is by public transit. Bus #424 departs the airport from the domestic arrivals level to Airport Station, about a 10 minute ride. At the Aiport station you would transfer to the 98B-Line which is an express bus to downtown Vancouver this would cost you $3.75 per person. There is also an Airporter which departs from outside the International Arrivals, this takes about 30 minutes and is around $12.00 per person. There are also taxis which would run you around $30.00. You might consider the following hotels, all are located in the immediate downtown area. Days Inn, Ramada Inn, both on Pender Street. Holiday Inn located on Howe Street, Best Western located at Drake and Granville, Century Plaza on Burrard St. Sandman Inn on Georgia St. On Robson Street the fashion, shopping, toursit street, Palisades, Blue Horizon, or Listels. All the above would be considered at least 3 star properties. More upscale, The Hyatt, Delta, Westin, Four Seasons, but I think you would be very happy with one of the 3 star listed above. You don't need to pay extra for a tour company to take you to Grouse Mtn. You can take public transit to the Gondola Lift and do it on your own. A nice ride across the harbour by our Sea Bus, and transfer to the bus that will take you to the Gondola Lift. Easy, simple and inexpensive to do. Hope you enjoy your stay in Vancouver, as much as I enjoyed my visit to NZ.

Thanks for the advice - all of it! The tour costs about $120 for 5 hours and goes across the Capilano Bridge, a Salmon farm and at Grouse Mountain there were skating, snow shoeing, gondola ride and theatre in the sky. We thought we were getting a good deal but if you think we can do it cheaper ourselves that is fabulous. Very helpful. We are really looking forward to seeing Canada even if it is only for a short period. We hope to have a second trip sometime into the future in a warmer season and see lots more.

I agree with the previous post about doing Grouse Mountain on your own. It would be less tha half that price to do it via public transit and if your hotel is anywhere downtown or near the skytrain route it is very convenient and easy to get there. Try to pick a non overcast day to go to Grouse as the view is incredible.