Possible to tour Vancouver without using taxi?

[Ashfry]

We are going to be in Vancouver for a day before our cruise. We will have our four year old with us who we would feel more comfortable in a carseat if we were riding in a car. Very bulky though to sightsee and carry a carseat around:eek: so question is we are staying down near Granville and drake at the best western plus. We are coming to Vancouver via Amtrak from Seattle. We would like to go to Granville island, Stanley park, van dusen botanical gardens and china town. All these places seem far from each other. Is it possible to do all that on the light rail system or by bus so we can avoid getting in a taxi?

[Urban trekker]

One option - buy a day pass for transit - $9.00 for adults - not sure if the young needs a ticket or not. You should be able to buy a day pass at the 7/11 across the street from the hotel

 

Right outside your hotel - I live a block away - there is a bus stop - the #50 bus will take you to Granville Island - there is a kid's market and an outdoor water park that the kis might enjoy.

 

On your return - take the #50 to Pender street in downtown and then transfer to #19 Stanley Park - the bus terminates near the Aquarium another attraction popular with kids.

 

Not sure the young one would enjoy Van Dusen - between the Park and Granville Island you have a lot scheduled.

 

You could also take the little aqua ferries over to Granville Island - a short walk from the hotel but this is not part of the day pass.

 

In the evening you might enjoy supper in the White Spot http://www.whitespot.ca - the pirate pack for kids has been around for more than 40 years.

 

Hope this helps and some of the other locals are likely to be around with their suggestions.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[scottbee]

We are going to be in Vancouver for a day before our cruise. We will have our four year old with us who we would feel more comfortable in a carseat if we were riding in a car. Very bulky though to sightsee and carry a carseat around:eek: so question is we are staying down near Granville and drake at the best western plus. We are coming to Vancouver via Amtrak from Seattle. We would like to go to Granville island, Stanley park, van dusen botanical gardens and china town. All these places seem far from each other. Is it possible to do all that on the light rail system or by bus so we can avoid getting in a taxi?

 

yes, the local transit [bus, skytrain, seabus] system is excellent (by north american standards), and $9/day for an all-day adult ticket (buy ticket at any convenience store). you can visit http://translink.ca/ for trip planning, or even google maps fully supports directions via transit (click the bus icon)

[Ashfry]

Thank you so much, this info is very helpful! We were going to do Stanley park and van dusen on Friday then just go to Granville island the next morning before we go to Canada place. Is it worth it to go to van dusen or to maybe see the Chinese garden instead? My father is really into bonsai and gardens. He really wants to do at least one of them....

[Urban trekker]

I haven't spent more time at either garden but it is much more practical from a transportation point of view do to the Chinese garden - Dr Sun Yat Sen gardens - you could take the light rail to Stadium station and leave by the lower exits and walk a couple of blocks to the Gardens.

 

Cheers!

 

Dennis

[Rosefloater]

We were in Vancouver for one day. Took the #50 bus to Granville Island. IRC we got the bus to Sun Yat Sen Gardens just past the bridge, but ask the bus driver which bus to take. You can see the gardens in about an hour or less. Very interesting. Chinatown is adjacent to the Gardens but the area is less than desirable a block away and we(2 women) were cautioned not to walk there.

 

Here's the link to the Garden: http://vancouverchinesegarden.com/

[cruising cockroach]

No bonsais at SYS Gardens. You'll need to find a Japanese gardener's show for that. I know of a place but it isn't the season.

[susietb]

We're coming i on Saturday, the day before our cruise. Can we buy a faresaver ticket at the airport that will take us into our hotel by the waterfront,and is it good for transportation to the Capalano bridge?

[Putterdude]

We're coming i on Saturday, the day before our cruise. Can we buy a faresaver ticket at the airport that will take us into our hotel by the waterfront,and is it good for transportation to the Capalano bridge?

 

Yes, they may be purchased at both the 7-11 and the Pharmasave in the Domestic portion of the airport. They can be used on all forms of transit including the Canada Line, Sky Train, transit buses and SeaBus. You may use them to go over to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, just take the Sea Bus from Waterfront Station over to Lonsdale Quay and transfer to a #236 bus then reverse the process for coming back. The bridge also offers a free shuttle to and from convenient locations with the downtown core including Canada Place.

 

http://www.translink.ca/en/Fares-and-Passes/FareSaver-Tickets.aspx

[susietb]

Sorry, I meant a day pass for unlimited travel. Does this cover travel from the airport to downtown as well?

[Putterdude]

Sorry, I meant a day pass for unlimited travel. Does this cover travel from the airport to downtown as well?

 

Yes, an all day pass may be used for travel from the airport to downtown and all other forms of transit noted in my previous post and may be purchased in the 7-11 and Pharmasave at the airport. However they can not be purchased at a ticket vending machine at the YVR station (airport station).

[susietb]

Thank you so much!!!!!