If you love the great outdoors, you'll be astounded by Vancouver with its
winding Seawall and the snow-capped peaks of Whistler Blackcomb ski
resort. Walk the magical pathways of Stanley Park and admire the gleaming waters
of Georgia Straight. Staying indoors? Check out the Vancouver Art
Gallery's modern Canadian paintings or come face-to-face with a dolphin
at the Vancouver Aquarium.
Background
The third largest city in Canada, Vancouver is the hub of the west coast. From here,
you'll find the Georgia Straight to the west, Fraser River to the
south, and Coastal Mountains to the north. Vancouver is known for
its multicultural population, with 52% naming English as their second language.
Vancouver's Chinatown is the country's largest –
you can explore it on Pender and Keefer streets between Carrall Street and Gore
Avenue. Head to the hip eateries, shops and a vibrant arts scene on Commercial
Drive. Or go Downtown for the business centre of the city and Downtown
South for the massive waterfront development.
First-time visit
Rise early and spend the morning in Stanley Park where you can rent a tandem
bicycle and ride through the sprawling urban forest. Have lunch at a Gastown
cafe and take in the sights of this hip heritage community. Spend your afternoon
admiring photography and Native art at Vancouver Art Gallery before tucking
in to dinner at a bistro on lively Commercial Drive.
Return visit
On your return trip to Vancouver, why not take a ferry out to the hippie enclave of
Salt Spring Island, where you can sit at organic cafes to admire peaceful
natural surroundings. Take a walking tour of the Heritage District on Hastings
West for Art Deco architecture and upmarket clothes shops. Head up to the
Vancouver Lookout for a 360-degree view of the beautiful city and have
dinner at the Top of Vancouver revolving restaurant that looks down on
Simon Fraser University's campus far below.
Vancouver International Airport is Canada's West Coast hub and the
country's second-busiest airport, with almost 17 million passengers a year
strolling through its two terminals.
Two connected terminals (plus the South Terminal for small regional airlines).
Distance from city centre
12km (7.5 miles) south-west of Vancouver.
Transport between terminals
It is a 15-minute walk between the international and domestic terminals. The free
South Terminal Shuttle connects all three terminals.
Airport parking
The airport offers hourly and daily parking facilities in the Parkade, right next to
the terminals. Long-term parking is found in the Economy Lot, adjacent to the
Parkade, and with access to the terminals under covered walkways. The cheapest
on-sight parking is found at the Long-Term Parking Lot, which is served by shuttle
bus to and from the terminals. A valet-parking service is also offered at both the
domestic and international terminals, at a higher price. Reservations can be made
online. Pay the cashier or use one of the express pay stations before exiting.
Time zone
GMT -8 (GMT -7 from 2nd Sunday in March to 1st Sunday in November).
Useful tips
If you need any help navigating the airport's terminals, ask a Green Coat
volunteer for assistance. Be prepared for a long wait when you reach
immigration.
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We cannot guarantee that the same hotel room or car rental option will still be available if you have to cancel and make a new booking.
