Skytrain

[Richard]

The Skytrain is a fast and cheap way of travelling from the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel and Downtown.





At the time of writing the following times and prices are accurate but please be sure to check before you travel.

Richmond-Brighouse Station

The closest station to the hotel is Richmond-Brighouse on the Canada Line (red line) situated on No. 3 Rd. across the street from Richmond Centre Mall in Richmond. Close to Minoru Park and Richmond City Hall.
This is a Zone 2 station.

Richmond-Brighouse Station map (pdf)
Richmond-Brighouse Website


Waterfront Station Canada Line
On West Cordova St. between Granville and Seymour in downtown Vancouver, this station links to SeaBus and West Coast Express. Enter from Cordova through the old railway station or from the dedicated Canada Line entrance on Granville just south of Hastings.

Waterfront Station Canada Line map (pdf)


Vancouver City Centre Station
On the southwest corner of Granville St. and West Georgia St. in downtown Vancouver. Enter from street level.. Or, beneath street level, enter from Pacific Centre or Vancouver Centre malls.

Vancouver City Centre Station map (pdf)


Skytrain Travel Times Between Stations - Canada Line
This table shows station to station travel times. Allow extra time between platform and station entrance, and for bus connections.

* Indicates that you must transfer between trains at Bridgeport Station.

Waterfront
2   Vancouver City Centre
4   2   Yaletown - Roundhouse
6   4   2   Olympic Village
7   5   3   1   Broadway - City Hall
9   7   5   3   2   King Edward
12   10   8   6   5   3   Oakridge - 41st
14   12   10   8   7   5   2   Langara - 49th
17   15   13   11   10   8   5   3   Marine Drive
19   17   15   13   12   10   7   5   2   Bridgeport
21   19   17   15   14   12   9   7   4   2   Aberdeen
23   21   19   17   16   14   11   9   6   4   2   Lansdowne
25   23   21   19   18   16   13   11   8   6   4   2   Richmond - Brighouse
22   20   18   16   15   13   10   8   5   3   5*   7*   9*   Templeton
24   22   20   18   17   15   12   10   7   5   7*   9*   11*   2   Sea Island Centre
26   24   22   20   19   17   14   12   9   7   9*   11*   13*   4   2   YVR - Airport


Fares
SkyTrain/Seabus Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) accept coins and bills (up to $20), as well as debit/credit cards.

Buying a single fare lets you travel for up to 90 minutes (upon purchase) across the Lower Mainland. You can hop off for errands and then hop back on again. You can travel for one, two or three zones by bus, SeaBus or SkyTrain. Tickets for West Coast Express must be purchased separately as they are priced differently.

Regular Fares
Weekdays from start of service to 6:30 p.m.

Zone   Adult Price   Concession Price
1 Zone   $2.75      $1.75
2 Zone   $4           $2.75
3 Zone   $5.50      $3.75
Weekdays after 6:30 p.m. and all day Saturday, Sunday and Holidays.

Zone   Adult Price   Concession Price
All Zones   $2.75   $1.75
 

HandyDART* Single Fares
Single Fares   Price
1 Zone   $2.75
2 Zone   $2.75
3 Zone   $4
4 or more Zones   $5.50
*HandyDART uses specially equipped vehicles to carry passengers with physical or cognitive disabilities who are unable to use public transit without assistance. Visit the HandyDART page to learn more.

For all other Skytrain / TransLink information visit their main website HERE

      

[Brenda]

Just an FWI for anyone interested. Was looking at the TransLink website and the Compass card seems a good way to get around if you plan on doing any sightseeing before/after the convention. I remember using a card similar to it back in 2008 and it was so easy. Load it up with an amount of your choosing and go. Makes it quicker to get around and less worry buying individual day tickets. Plus, its usable on the Skytrain, Seabus, as well as the regular buses.

Also, you can order it online well before your departure so you don't have to worry about finding a vending machine or customer service center when you arrive.

[Shipwreck]

Thanks for posting the information!

[Richard]

extra info thanks to Jack McAllan:

Hey guys. Not sure if anyone's explained any of this yet. Some of you may have heard, but if not, the transit system has changed a little in Vancouver, so even if you've visited before, it won't be how you remember.

There's fare gates at skytrain stations now and, if you've been to London, it's similar to the oyster card system.

You can buy single tickets at skytrain stations that work on buses but you can't buy tickets on buses that work on skytrain (or sea bus).

If you're going to be traveling a fair bit and/or using buses as well as the skytrain, you'd be best getting the actual compass card. You can get these from the machines at skytrain stations for $6 deposit. Some London drugs stores have them too, but the machines are a better bet. You can load stored value on the card and, if you are traveling a fair bit, you'll actually save that $6 in no time as fares are cheaper if using stored value (1 zone would cost $2.10 instead of $2.75 for example). You can still get the deposit back after your trip at the compass centre at Stadium Chinatown station. Or you can keep it as a souvenir, or even for the next time you visit as stored value never runs out, just register the card online and during your next visit, you just need to reactivate it.

Buses are tap in only. No need to tap out. Also, all bus journeys are 1 zone fare regardless of distance traveled. And all travel (including skytrain and sea bus) is 1 zone fare during off peak hours (after 6:30pm weekdays and all weekend).

It's extremely simple really, but it always pays to be prepared in advance.

Taking the skytrain from Vancouver (YVR) airport station has a $5 surcharge, but not when going to the station.

I think they do a great job with transit here in Vancouver, so much so that I genuinely don't own a car.

[XFchemist]

Isn't there an equivalent of the Visitor Oyster card?