Rental car in Vancouver for 3 days or public transporation?

[fynefantasy]

Greetings CC crowd. Over the last few months I have enjoyed exploring the CC boards, deciphering the meaning behind abbreviations (CC = cruise critic, at least I hope), and benefiting from the wealth of knowledge of experienced cruisers like yourselves. I am hoping that I might also benefit from your experience on a little matter I seem unable to come to a conclusion on my own.

 

This September, my husband, parents and I will be taking a 7-day Alaskan cruise (it will be my parent's first cruise). We disembark in Vancouver on Sunday, September 19th. We thought it would be nice to spend some extra time in Vancouver, so we are not flying back until Tuesday afternoon. We currently have accomodations at a place off Arbutus Street about 1 mile away from Granville Island (walking distance). In addition to Granville Island, it is our hope to visit Stanley Island, Queen Elizabeth Park and explore downtown. Although my husband and I would be perfectly happy taking public transportation or getting places by foot, my parents have some concerns in this regard (i.e. hauling luggage, time tables, convenience, etc.). In your opinion, does it make sense to rent a car? I do want them to be comfortable and have a good time, but am unsure if a car rental will end up being an advantage (i.e. parking issues, traffic, etc.).

 

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my post. I very much appreciate your suggestions/help!

[Putterdude]

The issue with a car is as you have already figured out is traffic and the cost of parking at the various attractions which really do add up...balanced against that is of course the needs of your parents. Having said all that Vancouver's transit is very user friendly and you can get almost anywhere on it with trouble, all day passes are available at convience stores for as little as $9.75. I will attach at the end of this post a link to a travel planner for transit. Another option is one of the HOHO's which will take you to many of the attractions in Vancouver.

 

http://tripplanning.translink.bc.ca/

 

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/

http://www.bigbus.ca/

[scottbee]

Greetings CC crowd. Over the last few months I have enjoyed exploring the CC boards, deciphering the meaning behind abbreviations (CC = cruise critic, at least I hope), and benefiting from the wealth of knowledge of experienced cruisers like yourselves. I am hoping that I might also benefit from your experience on a little matter I seem unable to come to a conclusion on my own.

 

This September, my husband, parents and I will be taking a 7-day Alaskan cruise (it will be my parent's first cruise). We disembark in Vancouver on Sunday, September 19th. We thought it would be nice to spend some extra time in Vancouver, so we are not flying back until Tuesday afternoon. We currently have accomodations at a place off Arbutus Street about 1 mile away from Granville Island (walking distance). In addition to Granville Island, it is our hope to visit Stanley Island, Queen Elizabeth Park and explore downtown. Although my husband and I would be perfectly happy taking public transportation or getting places by foot, my parents have some concerns in this regard (i.e. hauling luggage, time tables, convenience, etc.). In your opinion, does it make sense to rent a car? I do want them to be comfortable and have a good time, but am unsure if a car rental will end up being an advantage (i.e. parking issues, traffic, etc.).

 

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my post. I very much appreciate your suggestions/help!

 

Public transportation, all the way, if you're happy on a bus/subway and letting someone else stress about traffic, it really is the way to go.

 

You have a few basic options for tickets

1) Day passes; $9 good anywhere in the transit system

2) Books of 10 passes. One zone (city of Vancouver) are $21, two zone (which would include the airport, richmond, north shore, grouse mtn etc) are $32.50. You can also buy one zones, and if you need to go two, buy an 'add fare' to upgrade it

3) Individual fares, $2.50/$3.75 (1/2 zone), ea ticket good for 90 minutes.

 

1 & 2 are only available at retailers (corner stores, 7-11 etc), #3 you can buy when you board.

 

http://translink.ca/ has maps, ticket info etc etc etc

 

 

Also remember, that there's a brand new subway line, directly to the airport. From Broadway/Arbutus, just grab the #99 Bus to Cambie, and get on the subway straight to the airport (it's all easy step free and/or elevators) on the new subway line.

[BCHappyGal]

Adding to what was said above - a Seniors all day bus pass is only $7. The all day pass is really the way to go if you plan on using transit.

 

Traffic & parking is the real negative to renting a car - I would suggest you use a cab from the ship to your hotel and then go with transit. To use a cab once you disembark the ship do not get in the taxi lineup int he terminal area (it will be really long) - when you get to the taxi line up go to the left of the lineup and find the elevator ride it up 1 floor to the ground level - you are now at the entrance to the Pan Pafici Hotel (rip your Ship Luggage Tags off your suitcases) and head out the door. The doorman will hail you a cab and you will be on your way in minutes.

For this short cut I am assuming that you can handle your own luggage and will not need a porter. If you are using a porter than this will not work.

 

I am also adding my list of fun things to do in Vancouver...

 

Info on Vancouver from a local!

 

My favorite must do attractions are

 

1) Grouse Mountain – http://www.grousemountain.com – this is a wonderful scenic mountain only about 15 mins from downtown Vancouver. Ride the airtram to the top for lots of fun activities that include a loggers show, birds of prey show, 2 movies (1 about the Vancouver area and 1 about the 2 Grizzly Bears who make their home on Grouse Mtn) ride a chair lift and visit with 2 live Grizzly Bears. Enjoy a meal in any of the restaurants. Caveat only spend the money to go up on a clear day.

2) Capilano Suspension Bridge – http://www.capbridge.com – this is Vancouver’s oldest tourist attraction and I still enjoy visiting it! Located on Capilano Road just before you reach the Grouse Mountain parking lot. Walk across a suspension Bridge over the Capilano Gorge, wonder the trails thru the rain forest, walk thru the treetops on the new Tree Top Adventure, visit the trading post for a huge selection of souvenirs, watch native weavers and/or carvers at work.

3) Capilano Fish Hatchery is also located on Capilano Road and is a great place to view salmon jumping up the fish ladders to get around the Cleveland Dam. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capilano_River_Regional_Park

4) Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge is also located in North Vancouver and is much less touristy than Capilano but it also is not as spectacular. The bridge is slightly higher above the water but much shorter in span. Located in a Provincial Park this bridge comes with some nice hiking trails and you will find an ecology centre in the park as well as picnic tables and a food concession outlet. Should you choose to enjoy the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge always cross the suspension bridge first and then hike down the trail to the lower (Twin Falls wooden) bridge to cross back over the Lynn Valley River and return to your car – that way you are hiking downhill rather than uphill. http://www.lynncanyonparkguide.bc.ca It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/stanley/ - is the crown jewel of Vancouver's parks. As one of North America's largest urban parks, covering over a 1000 acres and offering an abundance of activities. Enjoy the totem pole collection near the Brockton Point Light House, hiking trails, beaches, water parks for the kids (young & old), rose gardens, miniature train, petting zoo, aquarium –http://www.vanaqua.org – many view points, and several restaurants. During the summer months there is a free shuttle bus that you can ride around the park on.

6) Gas Town – the location where Vancouver originated. The name is derived from a very colorful character named Gassy Jack who was one of the first settlers in the area and a salon keeper – while in Gas Town don’t miss your photo op with the statue of Gassy Jack and by the Steam Clock. During the summer months there is a free walking tour of Gas Town for times call 604-683-5650

7) At the start of Gas Town is the Harbor Centre Tower http://www.vancouverlookout.com a great spot to start your tour of Vancouver with a birds eye view of the city. Either take the elevator up to the lookout level or go to the top and enjoy a meal in the revolving restaurant.

8) China Town is only about 6 blocks over from Gas Town and is the largest China Town north of San Francisco. While in China Town enjoy a visit to the Dr Sun Yat Sen Classical Gardens http://www.classicalchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

9) The city of Vancouver has laid out self guided walking tours of 4 distinct historical neighbourhoods in Vancouver – Gastown; Chinatown; Yaletown; & Shaughnessy – these walking tours along with a historical introduction to each neighbourhood can be found at http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/heritage/walks/index.htm

10) Granville Island – http://www.granvilleisland.com – is a huge public market area which not only sells fruit & veggies but you can also buy frozen fish to be shipped to your home. May artists make this their home and you can watch them at work in their studios – making this a great place to buy unique souvenirs. The Granville Island Brewery is also located here and you can stop in for a free tour & tastes. There are theatres for live performances and many fine restaurants. A fun way to get to Granville Island is via the Aquabus – http://www.theaquabus.com

11) Burnaby Village Museum – http://www.city.burnaby.bc.ca – is an open air museum with over 30 restored homes, shops, school, church and a 1912 carousel situated on 10 acres

12) Gulf of Georgia Cannery – http://www.gulfofgeorgiacannery.com – is a restored fishing cannery located in the historic fishing village of Steveston (part of Richmond). Here you see exhibits that showcase the history of the fishing industry in British Columbia. Once finished in the museum it is great fun to walk along the fishing docks and see the fishing boats which are selling their catch. There are also some excellent restaurants located here.

13) The Vancouver Maritime Museum located on the shore of English Bay is fun for the whole family with lots of hands on exhibits for the kid in all of us. Here to you will find the ship St Roch which the RCMP sailed from Vancouver to Halifax via the Northwest Passage and then completed the return journey in 1944. You actually get to tour this ship. http://www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com

14) Queen Elizabeth Park – http://www.greatervancouverparks.com/QEPark01.htm -The 130 acre (52 hectare) park is one of the most beautifully maintained public parks in the world. Second only to Stanley Park in annual visitations, it receives nearly 6 million people a year who marvel at its superior standard of garden plantings.

The park was originally quarried for its rock which served to build Vancouver's first roadways. In 1929 the Board proceeded to acquire the property which had become an abandoned eyesore but still served as the site for two holding reservoirs for the City's drinking water. Dedicated as a park by King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth (the present Queen's mother) on their much lauded visit to Vancouver in 1939.

15) Fort Langley is the restored wooden fort built by the Hudson’s Bay Company as a trading post. It is the origin of British Columbia and was the first capital. This Fort is operated by the Federal Parks Board. http://www.pc,qc.ca/fortlangley

16) If you are a wine lover you might want to rent a car and spend a day visiting a few of the many excellent wineries located in the Fraser Valley only about a 1 hour drive from your hotel. Almost all of the wineries offer free tastes & tours. Two of the wineries have excellent restaurants on the premises. This makes for a very fun and relaxing day.

17) If you are a real animal lover than don’t miss “Mountain View Conservation & Breeding Centre” It is located in Fort Langley about an hour drive from downtown Vancouver. Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre is a leading non-profit Canadian facility that breeds endangered species in family groups for re-introduction back into their natural habitat in Canada and around the world. This facility is not a zoo their goal is to breed rare and endangered wildlife and re-introduce these animals back into their natural habitats. Presently Mountainview hosts over 50 species of the world’s most threatened animals and birds. See animals such as the spotted dog from Africa, Giraffes, and much much more. Here you do not wonder around as in a zoo rather you are given a guided tour with commentary on each animal group. Check it out at http://www.mtnviewconservation.org

18) VanDusen Botanical Garden is a scenic 55- acre garden of international renown – a living museum of plants collected from around the world and artistically displayed amidst rolling lawns, woodlands and five tranquil lakes, all in the heart of Vancouver and just 15 minutes from downtown.

Due to Vancouver’s mild climate, plants bloom at the Garden year-round. This same climate creates a unique environment where plants from varying climate regions thrive and grow – at VanDusen you will see plants from the southern hemisphere, tropical areas and the high Arctic tundra along side native species. The Elizabethan Maze (one of only six in North America) provides year-round fun.

19) UBC Botanical Garden located at the University of British Columbia covers 110 acres and includes an Alpine, Asian, Native, Food, and Japanese Gardens. http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org

20) Dazzle your senses when you visit Minter Gardens nestled against 7000 foot Mt. Cheam in beautiful 'Super Natural' British Columbia. One of the most spectacular show gardens in the world! Eleven themed gardens are designed to dazzle the senses with massive displays of artistic floral designs.

Minter Gardens is located 90 minutes east of downtown Vancouver just off the Trans-Canada Hwy. #1 at exit #135. http://www.gardeningbc.com

21) The Architectural Institute offers walking tours of Vancouver during the summer months – they have 6 different tours – Gas Town. Chinatown, Strathonca, West End, False Creek North & Yaletown, and the Downtown Business Core. The cost for these tours is $10. and they meet each day at 12:50 pm but depending on the tour being offered that day the location changes. http://www.aibc.ca

[fynefantasy]

The OP here. I just wanted to thank you all for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate all the valuable advice. Thanks to your help, I feel more comfortable and, therefore, more excited about our time in Vancouver. Now I can just look forward to things like exploring the beautiful surroudings and having a bite of poutine (okay, and maybe a glass of nice locally produced beer or wine).

 

 

Putterdude - The trip planning link is a wonderful tool. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I also appreciate the mention of the HOHOs which (to my credit) I figured out stands for "hop on, hop offs", not a chocolate-covered sugary treat.;) I think the HOHOs may be a nice way for my parents to experience a tour of the city at their own pace.

 

 

Scottbee - Thank you for the pricing information relative to the transport system in Vancouver and the link relative to same. Thank you especially for the mention of the new subway line and specifically for the guidance on how to use it to reach the airport from our location.

 

 

BCHappyGal - Holy Cow!:eek: A city has no better guide than someone who lives there and loves it and you prove that in your post. Thank you for your many great suggestions and links for more information relative to same. Many of your suggestions were not even on my radar. I wish I would have planned for more time in Vancouver!

 

 

Thanks again!

(As you can see, I have now advanced to using "smilies" - I think I may just be getting the hang of this :))

[BCHappyGal]

Dear Fynefantasy

 

Thank you for your kind words - if you really like wine then we have some excellent wineries right here in the suburbs to Vancouver (area called the Fraser Valley) and with a rental car you can make a day touring them. They are located in the suburbs of South Delta, Surrey and Langley and 2 have restaurants attached so you can taste wine before lunch and know which bottle to order to go with your lunch....

 

However if this is your first trip to Vancouver there are so many things to pick from that unless you are a real wine lover I would go with time at Grouse Mtn, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Stanley Park, Granville Island Market, Gastown, Chinatown, etc.

[Putterdude]

You are most welcome...sorry I was out 75 cents on the all-pass, however if your parents are over 65 their all day pass would be $7 and they also get lower rates even on transit even if they don't have an all day pass.

[fynefantasy]

Dear Fynefantasy

 

Thank you for your kind words - if you really like wine then we have some excellent wineries right here in the suburbs to Vancouver (area called the Fraser Valley) and with a rental car you can make a day touring them. They are located in the suburbs of South Delta, Surrey and Langley and 2 have restaurants attached so you can taste wine before lunch and know which bottle to order to go with your lunch....

 

However if this is your first trip to Vancouver there are so many things to pick from that unless you are a real wine lover I would go with time at Grouse Mtn, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Stanley Park, Granville Island Market, Gastown, Chinatown, etc.

 

Not at all. I really do appreciate all the help. I wish I had time for the wineries. I will absolutely keep Fraser Valley in mind, but in the meantime will just have to ask for a glass of the recommended local vintage over dinner (I am so looking forward to some great restaurants). I do also hope to fly up later so I can explore Vancouver Island (we thought about going over to Victoria, but I think that would be a bit too much for the time we have). I think we are going to try for most of your above-listed suggestions.

 

 

Out of curiosity, although we do enjoy the activity and cultural richness of a city, we are also quite fond of flora and fauna (hence the wanting to go back and visit Vancouver Island). Do you think that Stanley Island and/or Queen Elizabeth Park may satisfy in the meantime? My thanks again!

[fynefantasy]

You are most welcome...sorry I was out 75 cents on the all-pass, however if your parents are over 65 their all day pass would be $7 and they also get lower rates even on transit even if they don't have an all day pass.

 

They are and they will be happy to hear of the savings. Thank you Putterdude.

[red knight]

FYI: Victoria is on Vancouver Island, and it is Stanley Park, not Island!

[fynefantasy]

FYI: Victoria is on Vancouver Island, and it is Stanley Park, not Island!

 

What can I say red knight? You are correct. I did type Stanley Island and an island it is not.:o

 

However, I did want to assure you that I am aware that Victoria is on Vancouver Island - hence my comment about going back to spend time on Vancouver Island (since I did not believe we would have enough time for Victoria this time around).;)

 

 

I appreciate the heads-up.

[BCHappyGal]

Not at all. I really do appreciate all the help. I wish I had time for the wineries. I will absolutely keep Fraser Valley in mind, but in the meantime will just have to ask for a glass of the recommended local vintage over dinner (I am so looking forward to some great restaurants). I do also hope to fly up later so I can explore Vancouver Island (we thought about going over to Victoria, but I think that would be a bit too much for the time we have). I think we are going to try for most of your above-listed suggestions.

 

 

Out of curiosity, although we do enjoy the activity and cultural richness of a city, we are also quite fond of flora and fauna (hence the wanting to go back and visit Vancouver Island). Do you think that Stanley Island and/or Queen Elizabeth Park may satisfy in the meantime? My thanks again!

 

 

If it is Flora & Fauna that you love then yes our parks should satisfy you, lots of beautiful gardens in Vancouver - Queen Elizabeth Park, Van Dusen Botanical Gardens, Japanese Rose Gardens at the University of British Columbia and of course Stanley Park...Also Capliano Suspension Bridge for the Fauna and also Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge both provide beautiful walks thru our west coast rain forests as does Stanley Park -

[fynefantasy]

BCHappyGal - Thank you again. You have once more directed my attention to several great ideas of which I was not aware. Vancouver really is blessed. It's no wonder you're "BCHappyGal".:)

[LeftcoastBC]

& if you happen to get out in the Fraser Valley and need a hit of Flora and Fauna

 

I know you will enjoy Minter Gardens. a somewhat smaller but still well know garden right on the freeway just East of Chilliwack.

 

http://www.mintergardens.com/MG_Home.htm

 

& I too think we "Have it all" :)

[cmtom89]

Fynefantasy,

We rented a car from Thrifty (a couple of blocks from the cruise port) and arranged to return it at the airport. Our rate was less than $25 per day for 4 days. It was simple and easy to get around, we never had a problem with traffic or parking (July 3,4, 5, 6). For the ease of going where we wanted on our own time schedule, we really enjoyed this option. Especially when visiting many of the sites listed by BCHappyGal.

Either way you get around, you will love Vancouver!!

[fynefantasy]

LeftcoastBC - Minter Gardens does look lovely (so many gardens, so little time). Thank you for the recommendation. My hubby and are considering maybe flying up around the Christmas holiday or in the Spring to head out into Fraser Valley and then spend some time on Vancouver Island. All the wonders of Vancouver simply cannot be covered in a short trip!:)

cmtom89 - Thank you for sharing your experience. It is nice to know that if my parents do insist on having a rental that perhaps it will not be too awful.;) I think a lot is going to depend upon what my parents want to see/do. Either way, I agree in that we should have a blast.

Thanks again!