About Vancouver
Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the city, up from 631,486 in 2016. The Greater Vancouver area had a population of 2.6 million in 2021, making it the third-largest metropolitan area in Canada after Toronto and Montreal. The region, together with the Fraser Valley, makes up the Lower Mainland, which has a total population of over 3 million. Vancouver has the highest population density in Canada, with over 5,700 inhabitants per square kilometre (15,000/sq mi), and the fourth highest in North America.
Cheap flights to Vancouver
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $1,311 from London, travelling 18 Aug – 3 Sep. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- LHR London to Vancouver18 Aug – 3 Sep · YVR from$1,311
- MAN Manchester to Vancouver25 Nov – 9 Dec · YVR from$1,350
- GLA Glasgow to Vancouver27 Jun – 19 Jul · YVR from$1,472
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: Aer Lingus, Alaska Airlines.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to VancouverPlaces to visit in Vancouver
-
Stanley Park
Park · 3 mi from centreA huge forested park next to downtown, with the seawall path around its edge, totem poles at Brockton Point, beaches and views of the North Shore mountains.
-
Granville Island
MarketA former industrial area with a busy public market, artisan studios, theaters and restaurants, reached by small ferries across False Creek or on foot beneath the Granville Bridge.
-
Gastown
Neighborhood · 2 mi from centreVancouver's oldest neighborhood, with cobblestone streets and restored Victorian buildings housing boutiques, cocktail bars and restaurants, plus the famous steam clock that whistles on the quarter hour.
-
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Nature · 6 mi from centreA long, swaying footbridge high above the Capilano River in North Vancouver, with treetop walkways and a cliffside path through the surrounding temperate rainforest park.
-
Museum of Anthropology at UBC
MuseumA museum renowned for its collection of Northwest Coast First Nations art, including towering carved poles displayed in a soaring glass hall overlooking the mountains and sea.
-
Grouse Mountain
Viewpoint · 8 mi from centreA gondola climbs to this North Shore mountain for city views, hiking, a wildlife refuge with grizzly bears and skiing in winter, while fit hikers can tackle the steep Grouse Grind trail.
-
Vancouver Aquarium
Zoo · 3 mi from centreLocated in Stanley Park, this aquarium focuses on Pacific marine life, including sea otters, jellyfish and coastal ecosystems, as well as a rescue program for marine mammals.
-
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Park · 1 mi from centreA peaceful Ming Dynasty-style garden in Chinatown with ponds, pavilions, rock formations and covered walkways, offering a calm break from the city with guided tours explaining its design.
Things to do in Vancouver by type
33 tours, tickets and experiences across 8 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
-
Tickets & Attraction Passes 10 experiences Big Bus Vancouver Hop-On Hop-Off - Ticket -
City tours 7 experiences Big Bus Vancouver Hop-On Hop-Off - Ticket -
Outdoor activities & Adventure 4 experiences Capilano Suspension Bridge Park -
Travel Services 4 experiences Plaza Premium Lounge at Domestic Departures - Ticket -
Cruise & Water Tours 4 experiences Sea Vancouver City & Harbour -
Art & culture 3 experiences Stanley Park and City Twilight Tour -
Day Trips & Excursions 2 experiences Sea Vancouver City & Harbour -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 2 experiences Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge Tour
- 1-3 hours 8
- 3-6 hours 5
- Over 6 hours 1
- Up to 1 hour 1
- Flexible 1
- Youth 2
- Families 2
- Senior 2
- Couples 2
- Private 1
Top experiences in Vancouver
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 33 available.
Victoria Zodiac Whale Watching - Half-Day Small Group Tour
From $141 per adult
Victoria Scenic Downtown Donut Tour
From $52 per adult
Victoria Scenic Downtown Holiday Donut Tour
From $52 per adult
Vancouver: The Stanley Park Bike Tour
From $72 per adult
Vancouver: Stanley Park Horse-Drawn Guided Tour
From $48 per adult
Vancouver: BC Backcountry 60 or 90 Min Premium Helicopter Flight
From $509 per adult
Vancouver: Classic Seaplane Flight
From $135 per adult
Vancouver: The Grand Bike Tour
From $90 per adult
Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art: Entry Ticket
From $11 per adult
Grouse Mountain: Small Group Guided Tour + Roundtrip Transport
From $112 per adult
Vancouver: 30 or 45-Minute Helicopter Flight with Coast Mountain Landing
From $278 per adult
North Vancouver: Guided Food Tour
From $101 per adult
Where to stay in Vancouver
Popular hotels in Vancouver, out of 194 properties you can book.
Auberge Vancouver Hotel
From $157 per night
Quality Inn & Suites Downtown Vancouver
From $100 per night
Hyatt Regency Vancouver
From $441 per night
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites N. Vancouver
From $90 per night
Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
From $162 per night
Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre
From $283 per night
Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Downtown Vancouver
From $200 per night
Hilton Vancouver Downtown
From $325 per night
Georgian Court Hotel, WorldHotels Elite
From $156 per night
Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Vancouver Downtown
From $182 per night
Hotel Blu
From $208 per night
Hilton Vancouver Metrotown
From $190 per night
Best time to visit Vancouver
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Vancouver is July, when average daytime highs are around 74°F and rain falls on about 2 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Vancouver weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 64° 50° 1%
- Thu 22 Oct 55° 48° 8%
- Fri 23 Oct 53° 45° 1%
- Sat 24 Oct 54° 45° 41%
- Sun 25 Oct 56° 47° 36%
- Mon 26 Oct 57° 47° 13%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Canadian dollar (CAD)1 US dollar ≈ $1.41
- Languages
- English, French
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/VancouverUTC−7
- Capital
- Ottawa
Upcoming public holidays in Canada
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Good Friday
- Victoria Day
- Canada Day
- Labour Day
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Vancouver
These are the airports closest to central Vancouver. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- CXH Vancouver Harbour Water Airport2 mi (4 km) from the city centre
- YVR Vancouver International Airport6 mi (9 km) from the city centre
- YDT Boundary Bay Airport14 mi (22 km) from the city centre
Getting around Vancouver
Vancouver is one of the few major cities in North America without a freeway leading directly into the downtown core (freeway proposals in the 1960s and 1970s were defeated by community opposition). As a result, development has taken a different course than in most other major North American cities resulting in a relatively high use of transit and cycling, a dense, walkable core and a development model that is studied and emulated elsewhere.
By public transit
.mw-parser-output .listing-directions{font-style:italic}.mw-parser-output .listing-phone-symbol{text-decoration:none}.mw-parser-output .listing-tollfree-symbol{text-decoration:none}.mw-parser-output .listing-metadata{font-size:0.8em}.mw-parser-output .listing-lastedit{color:rgb(150,150,150)}.mw-parser-output .vcard a.external,.mw-parser-output .vcard a.external:visited{color:var(--color-base,#252525)}.mw-parser-output .vcard a.external:hover,.mw-parser-output .vcard a.external:focus{color:var(--color-base--hover,#0…
Fares and zones
TransLink breaks Metro Vancouver into three fare zones; your fare depends on the number of zones you travel in. The standard adult fare is $3.50 for all bus trips across all zones. It also covers all travel system-wide at off-peak times: weekends, holidays, and weekday evenings after 6:30PM. Travel out of Vancouver on the SkyTrain or SeaBus crosses fare zone boundaries and costs $5.10 to $6.70 on weekdays before 6:30PM.
Paying for your fare: Compass
TransLink's Compass Card is a reusable smart card for paying fare electronically on all buses, the SkyTrain, the SeaBus, and the West Coast Express.
Vancouver travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Vancouver?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Vancouver is July, when average daytime highs are around 74°F and rain falls on about 2 days a month.
What is the weather like in Vancouver?
July is usually the warmest month in Vancouver, with average highs of 74°F (24°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 33°F (1°C). The wettest month is typically December, with about 335 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Vancouver?
Vancouver Harbour Water Airport (CXH) is the closest airport, about 2 miles (4 km) from the centre of Vancouver. Other nearby airports include Vancouver International Airport (YVR, 6 mi) and Boundary Bay Airport (YDT, 14 mi).
How much are flights to Vancouver?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Vancouver in the last 30 days was $1,311 from London, travelling 18 Aug – 3 Sep. August is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $1,311.
What currency is used in Vancouver?
Vancouver uses the Canadian dollar (CAD). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $1.41.
What time zone is Vancouver in?
Vancouver uses the America/Vancouver time zone (currently UTC−7). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Vancouver?
Vancouver is one of the few major cities in North America without a freeway leading directly into the downtown core (freeway proposals in the 1960s and 1970s were defeated by community opposition).
What are the best places to visit in Vancouver?
Top sights in Vancouver include Stanley Park, Granville Island, Gastown and Capilano Suspension Bridge. A huge forested park next to downtown, with the seawall path around its edge, totem poles at Brockton Point, beaches and views of the North Shore mountains.
What are the top things to do in Vancouver?
Popular experiences you can book in Vancouver include Victoria Zodiac Whale Watching - Half-Day Small Group Tour, Victoria Scenic Downtown Donut Tour and Victoria Scenic Downtown Holiday Donut Tour. Destina Holidays offers 33 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Vancouver?
The most popular types of experiences in Vancouver are tickets & attraction passes (10), city tours (7), outdoor activities & adventure (4) and travel services (4). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Vancouver?
Popular areas for hotels in Vancouver include Vancouver and North Vancouver. Well-reviewed options include Auberge Vancouver Hotel and Quality Inn & Suites Downtown Vancouver.
How many hotels can I book in Vancouver?
Destina Holidays currently lists 194 properties in and around Vancouver, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
