WPS Conference
Location Directions
Vancouver City
Vancouver City is bordered on the north by Burrard Inlet, which is the City's main harbour.
English Bay, a large body of water that is popular with sailboarders and sailboaters alike, also serves as a freighter's 'parking lot' as they wait for berths in the harbour. The Bay marks the western edge of the City's downtown core and the northern edge of the City's west side and Point Grey area.
The Fraser River is on the south of the City, and the municipality of Burnaby is on the east.
To the south of Vancouver City are the suburban municipalities of Richmond and Delta, each with their own community cores.
The downtown core of Vancouver, with English Bay on one side and Burrard Inlet on the other, is a peninsula that lies west-northwest (or east-southeast.)
For information on Vancouver visit:
| Tourism Vancouver | http://www.tourismvancouver.com/ |
| What to see & do | http://www.hellobc.com/vancouver.aspx |
| Attractions | http://www.vancouverattractions.com/ |
| Public transit | http://www.translink.ca/ |
| Maps | http://www.tourismvancouver.com/vancouver/travel-tips-tools/vancouver-maps/ |
Getting to Vancouver
Getting There by Air
Most visitors fly into the area via Vancouver International Airport. While airline websites frequently offer seat sales, additional sites worth trying include Expedia , Kayak , Orbitz and Travelocity . Keep in mind that Seattle's Sea-Tac airport is just across the border – about three hours' drive away – and can offer additional savings on international flights to the Pacific Northwest.
Getting Into Town
SkyTrain's 16-station Canada Line operates a rapid-transit train service from the airport to downtown. Trains run every few minutes from early morning until after midnight and take around 25 minutes to reach downtown's Waterfront Station. The airport station is located outside between the domestic and international terminals. Follow the signs from inside either terminal and buy your ticket from the platform vending machines. These accept cash, credit and debit cards – look for green-jacketed Canada Line staff if you're bleary-eyed and need assistance after your long-haul flight. Fares from the airport cost between $7.75 and $10.50, depending on your destination and the time of day.
Floatplanes & 'Copter
Handy floatplane services swoop directly into the Vancouver waterfront area from Vancouver Island and points around BC. These include frequent Harbour Air Seaplanes and West Coast Air services from Victoria's Inner Harbour ($145, 35 minutes). Merging operations in mid-2010, these airlines form the largest all-floatplane company in the world and will likely increasingly combine their routes and services. Both also fly in and out of Vancouver International Airport (South Terminal).
For a different type of ride, Helijet helicopter services arrive on the waterfront, just east of Canada Place, from Victoria (from $139, 35 minutes). It also offers a limited service from Vancouver International Airport (South Terminal).
Airports
Canada's second-busiest airport, Vancouver International Airport lies 13km south of downtown in the city of Richmond. There are two main terminals – international (including flights to the US) and domestic – just a short stroll apart. The smaller South Terminal is located a quick drive away: free shuttle-bus links are provided. This tiny terminal services floatplanes, helicopters and smaller aircraft traveling on lower capacity routes to small communities in BC and beyond. In addition, short-hop floatplane and helicopter services to and from Vancouver Island and beyond also have a terminal on the city's downtown waterfront near Canada Place.
The main airport has shops, food courts, currency exchange booths and a tourist information desk. It's also dotted with First Nations artworks. Baggage carts are free (no deposit required) and there is also free wi-fi.
Car
Most major car-rental agencies have desks at the airport, as well as multiple offices around the city. Once you're strapped in – seat belts are compulsory here – proceed east after leaving the airport on Grant McConachie Way, and follow the Vancouver signs over the Arthur Laing Bridge. Take the Granville St exit and travel north along Granville Street with the mountains ahead of you, and you'll soon be in the downtown core.
