Airport
Vancouver International Airport
IATA Code: YVRLocation: The airport is located eight miles (13km) south of Vancouver.
Time: GMT -8 (GMT -7 between the first Sunday in April and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).
Contacts: Tel: +1 (604) 207 7077.
Transfer between terminals: The two terminals are within walking distance of each other, but a courtesy shuttle is available.
Transfer to the city: The Canada Line, part of the city's AirLink network, connects the airport to downtown Vancouver in about 25 minutes. The service runs every 8 to 20 minutes and costs $8.75 to downtown during the weekdays, $7.50 on weeknights and weekends. Scheduled buses are available to downtown Vancouver, Whistler, Vancouver Island and Washington State; the Airporter bus to downtown Vancouver costs C$13.50 one way. Courtesy shuttles transport passengers to the Long-Term Parking Lot, South Terminal, local hotels and other destinations near the airport. Public bus services to Vancouver, Richmond and further afield are available at the Airport Station Bus Terminal, near the Delta Hotel; information on schedules and fares is available at TransLink, Tourism InfoCentres and Customer Service counters in both terminals. Car rentals and taxis are also available, as are Highend Limousines (604 298 1000).
Taxis: Metered taxis are available around the clock outside the terminals. Look for the green signs which indicate a taxi pick-up position. Taxis charge around C$27 for the 30 minute journey into downtown. Price and journey time is higher during rush hour. A tip of 10 to 15 per cent is expected.
Car rental: Car hire companies Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National and Thrifty are represented next to the terminal on the ground floor. Highend Limousines (604 298 1000) are also available to rent.
Facilities: Both terminals have ATMs, bureaux de change and a bank. There is a selection of bars, restaurants and fast food outlets scattered throughout the airport, as well as a variety of shops, including duty-free, Internet access, baggage storage and a medical centre. Children's play areas and a nursery are also available.
Parking: A selection of short- and long-term parking options are available, with a shuttle bus linking the more distant parking areas to the terminals. Valet parking is also available.
Departure tax: None.
Website: www.yvr.ca
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Vancouver
Nicknamed Hollywood North for the ever-present film crews, Canada's west coast gem of Vancouver is young, thriving and diverse, with the perfect combination of wild natural beauty and the modern conveniences of a city. Named after Royal Navy sea captain George Vancouver, who sailed into the Burrard Inlet on the British Columbian coast in 1792, Vancouver was barely even a town 100 years ago. Today more than two million people call it home, and the shiny futuristic towers of Yaletown and the downtown core contrast dramatically with the snow-capped mountain backdrop, creating a laid back atmosphere amongst the bustle of Canada's third biggest city.
Approximately the same size as the downtown area, the city's green heart is Canada's largest city park, Stanley Park, covering hundreds of acres filled with lush forest and crystal clear lakes. Visitors can wander the sea wall along the exterior of the park, catch a free trolley bus tour, a horse-drawn carriage ride or visit the Vancouver Aquarium housed within the park. The city's past is preserved in historic Gastown with its cobblestone streets, steam powered clock and quaint feel, though this is combined with expensive souvenir shops and galleries aimed at tourists. Neighbouring Chinatown, with its weekly market, Dr Sun Yat-Sen classical Chinese gardens and restaurants adds an exotic flair. For some retail therapy or celebrity spotting, there is always the trendy Robson Street.
During the winter months snow sports are the order of the day on nearby Grouse Mountain, perfect for skiing and snowboarding, although the city itself gets more rain than snow. Vancouver's incredible ethnic diversity and combination of mountains, sea and city, offers visitors an endless supply of things to see and do, no matter the budget.
