Using a car to get around Vancouver

[fourgadawgs]

We are renting a car for our two days pre-cruise in Vancouver. I am wondering if anyone can share info about the expense of parking in Vancouver? Will it be cost-effective to use a car there to get around? For example, will we find parking in or near Stanley Park and if so how much? Also, the suspension bridge, will there be parking there?:confused:

 

Thanks so much for any help!

[Putterdude]

We locals don't usually recommend a car for Vancouver. Vancouver never has had a freeway system and as a result the downtown core is congested and becomes less and less car friendly by the month. There is a heavy tax on parking spaces to help subsidize the transit system, hotel parking fees can reach $30 p/n and downtown parking up to $10 p/h. Street parking is a little less expensive but often very difficult to find.

There will be free parking at the suspension bridge but parking in Stanley Park runs $3 p/h or you can purchase a day pass for $10.

The Capilano Suspension bridge offers free shuttle to and from convenient downtown locations and a great way to see the city is to take one of the HOHOs. Vancouver Trolley offers a HOHO service within the Stanley Park for a fairly nominal cost.

If you are intending to take a trip up to Whistler then a car does make sense for a day trip.

[SpokaneDan]

Stanley Park: the loop around the park has parking lots or pull out for all the major attractions/lookouts (could be busy in Summer season). I believe they are time stamp self service type (3/hour or multiple hour rates). Assuming you are planning to drive around Stanley park. But if you want find a parking outside the park and bike/hike around the park, you'd need to find parking in West End (I could elaborate if need too).

Downtown, West End: Street meter parkings available. While they are not exactly plentiful, depend on time of day, and specific section, one usually could find something; otherwise more pricey parkades are dotted throughout dt core.

Capilano Bridge: parking lot across street.

 

There are parkings at other popular tourist places such as Granville Island, Grouse Mountain Gondola, UBC Arthrop. museum, Q-E park, etc.

 

Your biggest parking expense will likely be the overnight charge at your hotel if you stay in downtown.

 

Out of necessity, I've always drove in and around Vancouver when visiting. While it has an excellent mass transit system, driving in the city is not much different than in any busy metro areas. You will definitely able to visit more spots with a car then rely on public transportaion.

[martincath]

We are renting a car for our two days pre-cruise in Vancouver. I am wondering if anyone can share info about the expense of parking in Vancouver? Will it be cost-effective to use a car there to get around? For example, will we find parking in or near Stanley Park and if so how much? Also, the suspension bridge, will there be parking there?:confused:

 

Thanks so much for any help!

Edit - I see a couple of replies popped in while I was typing - SpokaneDan, would I be right in assuming you drove from home to Vancouver? These folks have car hire and hotel parking on top of all your gas & parking costs if they choose to hire a car...

 

I can't recall any local poster recommending rental of a car to get around the city - parking is pricey, transit is plentiful (and very efficient compared to most US cities). Unless you were going up to Whistler or some other day-trip, a car is more of a liability than a benefit - I live here and I take my car out 2-3 times a week at most...

 

Stanley Park is relatively efficient to get around in your own car to be fair - you pay once for parking ($10) the first time you stop, and then you can park in any of the parking areas throughout the park for the rest of the day without having to pay again. Or you can pay $3 per hour in each separate parking lot - the day pass is usually better...

 

Cap bridge does have parking, but it's a pretty popular spot and the parking lot is not huge. Last time someone mentioned parking cost to me it was $5.

 

Metered street parking runs $1-6 per hour - mostly towards the higher end in downtown proper - with free street parking only far outside the core.

 

Driving has the obvious advantage of you being able to come & go as you like, but transit is frequent, taxis are easily found, and you can even get a free shuttle over to Cap bridge. If time's a factor, the money you save on car rental and parking will pay for a lot of cab fares - especially since very few hotels other than way out of town offer free parking. Downtown can easily cost $30+ a night in hotels...

[fourgadawgs]

Alas, I unfortunately booked a hotel farther away than I realized, so a car is necessary. There will be times we will use it and pay to park and others we may drive to the SkyTrain park there and commute from there.

 

Always good to be prepared so thank you for your help!

[scottbee]

Alas, I unfortunately booked a hotel farther away than I realized, so a car is necessary. There will be times we will use it and pay to park and others we may drive to the SkyTrain park there and commute from there.

 

Always good to be prepared so thank you for your help!

 

Where did you book your hotel? it still may be worthwhile to just bus to the nearest skytrain, as there is very limited parking in/around skytrain stations, and even street parking is limited to 3 hours (because commuters want to do what you're suggesting)

[Urban trekker]

If you tell which hotel you have booked us locals can then give you some more accurate info on getting around.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[fourgadawgs]

If you tell which hotel you have booked us locals can then give you some more accurate info on getting around.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

 

Dennis,

My only really mistake of this trip was booking on Hotwire, thought I had one area checked and just when I clicked purchase I realized it and it was too late. No refunds. :( So we will have to make it work. Best Western Chelsea Inn Choquitlam (sp?)

 

Thanks,

Renee

[Putterdude]

Dennis,

My only really mistake of this trip was booking on Hotwire, thought I had one area checked and just when I clicked purchase I realized it and it was too late. No refunds. :( So we will have to make it work. Best Western Chelsea Inn Choquitlam (sp?)

 

Thanks,

Renee

 

Oops, you are not as far east as you can be but you are getting there.

Your options are:

-the rental car

-walking 15 to 15 minutes in heavy traffic (not a pleasant thought) to the Braid SkyTrain station and taking the train into the city

-taking the #169 bus from in front of the hotel to the Braid SkyTrain station and taking train into the city.

Under the circumstances I would stay with the rental car option.

[scottbee]

Dennis,

My only really mistake of this trip was booking on Hotwire, thought I had one area checked and just when I clicked purchase I realized it and it was too late. No refunds. :( So we will have to make it work. Best Western Chelsea Inn Choquitlam (sp?)

 

It's a relatively level and flat walk across the freeway overpass maybe 300 hundred yards (5 mins) to the "Braid" Skytrain station. There is a sidewalk, (and brand new this week -- traffic lights) on the overpass so it's not a difficult walk. Skytrain from Braid will get you downtown in a jiffy -- well, about 25-30 minutes. If you take a "Waterfront" bound Skytrain rather than a "VCC Clark" it'll take 5 mins longer, but you avoid the change at Commercial/Broadway. Of course you can just board a bus right outside the hotel to avoid the walk across the overpass - there are 5 different buses, all of which head to Braid as well - but doing so is one more zone (you're right on the zone boundary there), making the downtown trip $5.50 instead of $4.00. Same ticket from the bus is good on Skytrain, just remember to tell him "3 zones" before you drop your money in the bus (at the Skytrain station, it's ticket machines).

 

You're right in the middle of big box stores and freeways. Ikea is 1/2 mile east, plus a large variety of other big box outlets; however, scattered amongst them are a few great little eateries. A couple to recommend (right next to each other) in the little plaza at the corner of Schoolhouse and Lougheed are Kefi (Greek - which we went to tonight by coincidence), and a great tiny little sushi place that has the best tempura I've ever tasted called "Narita Sushi" (looks like nothing from the outside, wedged between a laundromat and nail salon -- don't let that scare you).

 

Oh, and forgot to mention, there is also a rental car location of Enterprise, 100 yards east of your hotel (same side of the street)

 

The one downside is getting to your hotel from the airport will be expensive by taxi ($60-75, about 30-40 mins) if you don't have a car. It is also possible to do w/ transit (probably 60-70 mins) as you'd need to take the Canada Line skytrain from airport all the way downtown to Waterfront, and switch to a Millennium Line Skytrain and get off at Braid.

[Putterdude]

Here is a link to a map showing the BW Chelsea in relation to the Braid SkyTrain station.

 

https://maps.google.ca/maps?oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&q=Best+Western+Chelsea+Inn&fb=1&gl=ca&hq=Best+Western+Chelsea+Inn&hnear=0x548673f143a94fb3:0xbb9196ea9b81f38b,Vancouver,+BC&cid=0,0,4878405183636778462&ei=yUGvUYngNK7siwL7z4DwCg&ved=0CLkBEPwSMAA

[lamchops]

https://maps.google.ca/maps?oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&q=Best+Western+Chelsea+Inn&fb=1&gl=ca&hq=Best+Western+Chelsea+Inn&hnear=0x548673f143a94fb3:0xbb9196ea9b81f38b,Vancouver,+BC&cid=0,0,4878405183636778462&ei=yUGvUYngNK7siwL7z4DwCg&ved=0CLkBEPwSMAA

 

Google maps state a 12 minute walk to Braid station from your hotel. I would not rent a car and use transit. Transit is pretty safe in the Vancouver area.

[fourgadawgs]

I couldn't get your links to work on my end, but the detailed info is VERY helpful! Is there a day pass I could obtain for the SkyTrain?

Renee

[Putterdude]

Yes, an all day pass can be purchased at many convenience stores and from the ticket vending machines at SkyTrain stations. There is a 7-11 about 6 or 7 blocks to the east of your hotel but the closest would be at the TVM at the Baird St. station. The cost is $9.75 each.

If you are thinking of coming from the airport via the Canada Line the TVMs at YVR station do not sell all day passes, you will need to go to the Pharmasave or the 7-11 in the domestic part of the terminal. To purchase them.

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

[tamsocal]

Dennis,

My only really mistake of this trip was booking on Hotwire, thought I had one area checked and just when I clicked purchase I realized it and it was too late. No refunds. :( So we will have to make it work. Best Western Chelsea Inn Choquitlam (sp?)

 

Thanks,

Renee

 

How long ago, did you call hot-wire? They will sometimes give refund, could try explaining user error and checked wrong box for area?

 

If u already tried, agreed you will make it work and still have great time :)

[BCHappyGal]

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 higher up the mountain to visit the wind turbine that generates approximately 30% of the power required for Grouse Mountain Resort and visit with 2 live Grizzly Bears. Thrill to a 2 hour Zip Line Tour. 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, traverse a Cliff Top walk, 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 – http://www.lynncanyon.ca - 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. It is also free to visit this suspension bridge!

5) Stanley Park – http://www.vancouver.ca/parks/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.

6) Vancouver Aquarium – http://www.vanaqua.org – is Canada’s largest aquarium and is committed to the conservation of marine life and education. Located in Stanley Park this is a fun place for the family to visit.

7) 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.

8) 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.

9) 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.vancouverchinesegarden.com and also make sure you visit the world’s thinnest building it is only 6’ wide!

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. Many 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.burnabyvillagemuseum.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.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/queenelizabeth 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.fortlangley.org

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. Check out the Fraser Valley Wine Association web site for a map of winery locations and a brief description of each winery http://www.fvwa.ca

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.mintergardens.com

21) Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Vancouver. The Gastown tour starts in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Steam Clock in Gastown. The Downtown tour starts at the Vancouver Art Gallery and ends at the Olympic Cauldron. There is also a China Town tour and a Granville Island Tour. Check these tours out at http://www.tourguys.ca

 

 

Vancouver has a bunch of hop-on hop-off buses

 

http://www.vancouverpinkbustours.com/

 

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/tours/hop-on-hop-off

 

http://bigbus.ca/home/

[rachelfran]

I'm at the sunset inn with a car rental ... What local transit is near there for sightseeing?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[martincath]

Sunset Inn & Suites on Burnaby St at Thurlow? You're less than 200 yards from the nearest bus stop on Davie by Thurlow - buses here will take you down towards Yaletown and your most convenient Skytrain station, as well as towards English Bay the other way. It's a nice walk from here to the west side of Stanley Park (public beaches & outdoor pools, tennis courts).

 

c. 250 yards down Burnaby brings you to Burrard Street which has other bus routes. The Burrard Bridge is one of the main connectors from downtown peninsula over to Kitsilano (and UBC campus, botanic gardens, various museums).

 

All of our transit has free connections for 90 minutes, so you can transfer onto Skytrain/Seabus to get elsewhere. Since you have the car it's probably more convenient to do Grouse Mountain/Capilano by car - or even better, go check out Lynn Canyon which is free and much quieter than Capilano, albeit without as many touristy things to do, just trails & nice views.

 

Suggest you check out Translink website - you can also use Google Maps to get Vancouver transit routes & timings.

 

Oh, and 600 yards down Thurlow takes you to the nearest False Creek Ferries stop, which is a very pleasant way to get over to Granville Island. NB: FCF and Aquabus are private companies, NOT part of transit system!

[The BarCarres]

So sorry about the mixup with areas, please don't judge the rest of the lower mainland (Vancouver area) by this motel. Depending on what you have planned having the car will get you to areas that aren't on the usual route. You are two seconds from the freeway heading west (caution lots of construction just pay attention and always watch for the exits). East only leads to our only toll bridge, beautiful scenery most of the attractions are west.

 

At least you will have freedom for restaurants that are close but not walking distance. The freeway takes you almost directly to the Northshore lots to see there.

 

I just remember being in a hotel that wasn't near anything and feeling helpless (airport hotel in Newark, feel sorry for us).

 

Anyway lots to see and do that isn't just in the downtown core, look at this as an opportunity most people don't allow themselves.

[cruising cockroach]

East only leads to our only toll bridge, beautiful scenery most of the attractions are west.

.

 

Actually, there are two (with probably more to come)

[MarcJ55]

Just finished 2 days in Vancouver with a car. We parked at Canada Place (Pan Pacific) and it was $55 for about 30 hours of parking. Not valet parking either. I think its on par with most major cities.