Vancouver falls into place if you give downtown and Stanley Park one day and Granville Island another.
The Canada Line takes 25 to 27 minutes from the airport to downtown. On weekdays before 18:30, the 2-zone fare of 5.10 Canadian dollars plus the 6.50 airport add-fare makes 11.60 Canadian dollars; after 18:30 and at weekends, the 1-zone fare of 3.50 plus the add-fare makes 10 Canadian dollars.
Stanley Park is free to enter, and the city lists its seawall at 8.8 km. Parts close from 26 October to 14 November 2026, so read the city's official information before you visit.
Visa and entry requirements for Canada
Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.
- Visit Canada (Government of Canada)
- Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) (Government of Canada)
- Entry requirements by country or territory (Government of Canada)
- Canada Line to downtown: 25–27 minutes
- Weekdays before 18:30: 11.60 CAD
- Evenings and weekends: 10 CAD
- Stanley Park: Free; seawall 8.8 km
How much is it from the airport to downtown?
The Canada Line takes 25 to 27 minutes from Vancouver airport to downtown. A 6.50 Canadian dollar airport add-fare always applies when leaving the airport. On weekdays before 18:30, the 2-zone fare of 5.10 is added, for 11.60 Canadian dollars.
After 18:30, at weekends and on public holidays, the 1-zone fare of 3.50 is added, for 10 Canadian dollars. Two people on a weekday daytime pay 2 × 11.60 = 23.20 Canadian dollars. A fare gives 90 minutes of transfers across buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus. Children 12 and under ride free, and no add-fare applies when travelling to the airport.
| Time | Adult to downtown | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays before 18:30 | 11.60 CAD | 2 zones 5.10 + airport 6.50 |
| After 18:30 and weekends | 10 CAD | 1 zone 3.50 + airport 6.50 |
| Two people, weekday daytime | 23.20 CAD | Worked example |
Based on TransLink's official fares, checked on 23 October 2026.
How do I walk Stanley Park?
Stanley Park is free to enter, and the city's official information lists the seawall at 8.8 km. Some gardens charge admission, while the rose and rhododendron gardens are free.
The city says parts of the path close from 26 October to 14 November 2026, with intermittent closures possible until 20 November. If your visit falls in this period, check which sections are closed first. The walk is long, so bring water and snacks; the seawall is mostly flat but can be windy, so bring a jacket.
How should I split 2 or 3 nights?
With 2 nights: on day one, come downtown from the airport and walk Stanley Park; on day two, explore the market on Granville Island. If you'll ride transit several times a day, work out whether a DayPass is cheaper.
With 3 nights: add rest and a downtown walk on day three. An adult DayPass costs 12.55 Canadian dollars, against single fares of 3.50 to 6.70; riding only in Zone 1, the pass is cheaper from the fourth ride. Children 12 and under ride free, and the fare-evasion fine is 173 Canadian dollars, so always pay.
What should I eat?
Plan meals in Vancouver around poutine, Nanaimo bars and maple syrup. Poutine is fries topped with cheese curds and gravy; Nanaimo bars are layered chocolate and custard squares; maple syrup is made from maple sap. We don't pick restaurants or prices here. On park days, eat lunch downtown to keep travel short.
What should I check before I go?
Visa-exempt travellers flying to Canada usually need an eTA (CAN$7, apply only on the official Government of Canada site); other nationalities need a visa. The airport fare depends on the time of day, so check your arrival time first. You can pay by contactless card or with a Compass ticket from the machines. The emergency number is 911.
FAQ
How much is it from the airport to downtown?
11.60 CAD on weekdays before 18:30, and 10 CAD after that and at weekends.
Does the airport add-fare apply on arrival at the airport too?
No. The 6.50 CAD add-fare applies only when departing from the airport.
Is Stanley Park free?
Entry is free; some gardens and facilities charge separately.
How much for children 12 and under?
Buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus are free.
How many rides make a DayPass worthwhile?
From the fourth ride at the 1-zone 3.50 CAD fare, or the third at the 2-zone 5.10 CAD fare, the 12.55 CAD pass is cheaper.
What if I visit while the path is closed?
Between 26 October and 14 November 2026, plan around the closed sections, or move your visit later.
Sources
- Visit Canada · Government of Canada · accessed 2026-10-30
- Entry requirements by country or territory · Government of Canada · accessed 2026-10-30
- Pricing and fare zones · TransLink · accessed 2026-10-23
- Visiting parks · City of Vancouver · accessed 2026-10-23
- Stanley Park · City of Vancouver · accessed 2026-10-23
- Electronic travel authorization (eTA) · Government of Canada · accessed 2026-10-30
Information was checked against the official sources listed above. Opening hours, fees and fares can change; please confirm with the venue or operator before you visit.