Vancouver's downtown core including Gastown, Coal Harbour, the convention centre, and Canada Place cruise terminal.

About Downtown Vancouver (Waterfront)

Downtown Vancouver is a stunning peninsula framed by mountains to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the inlet-wrapped harbor. Waterfront Station, the SkyTrain terminus, sits at the northern edge near Canada Place (the sail-shaped cruise ship terminal), Gastown's Victorian brick buildings with its famous steam clock, and the start of the Seawall—a 28 km waterfront cycling and walking path.

Stanley Park, one of the world's great urban parks, occupies the entire western tip of the peninsula with old-growth forest, beaches, and the Vancouver Aquarium. Robson Street offers premier shopping, while Granville Island's public market, artist studios, and craft breweries provide a bohemian counterpoint. Vancouver's food scene, particularly its Asian cuisine—from sushi rivaling Tokyo to dim sum matching Hong Kong—reflects the city's position as the Pacific Rim's most multicultural metropolis.

Nearby Landmarks

Canada Place Gastown steam clock Stanley Park Robson Street Vancouver Convention Centre

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost CA$35-40
Time 25-35 minutes

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost CA$25-35
Time 25-35 minutes

Arrivals level, Level 1

Train (Canada Line SkyTrain)

Cost CA$9
Time 25 minutes
Frequency Every 4-8 minutes

Step-by-Step Directions

Follow signs to the Canada Line station on the airport's departures level. Trains run every 4-8 minutes to Waterfront Station downtown. Tap a Compass Card or use a credit card.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi CA$35-40 25-35 minutes Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare CA$25-35 25-35 minutes Budget-conscious, app users
Train CA$9 25 minutes Budget, avoiding traffic

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

The Canada Line runs until approximately 1:15 AM. After that, the N10 NightBus serves the airport-to-downtown route. Taxis cost CAD $35-40 (flat zone rate) at any hour. Uber and Lyft operate in Vancouver.

Luggage Tips

Canada Line stations have wide fare gates and trains have open floor plans with luggage space. The ride is only 26 minutes, making luggage management straightforward. Waterfront Station has escalators and elevators.

Accessibility

Canada Line stations are fully accessible with elevators and level boarding. Vancouver's downtown sidewalks are well-maintained and accessible. Stanley Park's Seawall is flat and wheelchair-friendly. Most major attractions are accessible.