Coming from a city that has few mass transit options, I truly appreciate the Sky Train. Visiting Vancouver for the first time, and we quickly learned how to get around the city using the Sky Train. The kiosks were easy to use to purchase our tickets. The day pass is an excellent value and we definitely got our money's worth as we traveled all over the city. The maps on the trains helped us plan our stops. The trains and stations are clean! One of the members of our group uses a walker, and each station featured a gate and elevator that made it very easy for a disabled person to use this public transportation. read more

Good connection getting from A to B connecting you with DT and Expo line Very slow, lots of stops. Speed throttled on off peak hours. Very limited cellular service between Gateway and Waterfront No WiFi unlike new trains on Expo line Air Condition weak and does not work at all in summer. It is a sweat box. Price triples for airport departures read more

Being a tourist in Vancouver is awesome for many reasons; the food, the cocktails, the sites, and their amazing public transportation like the SkyTrain. SkyTrain sounds like a designer drug you'd see in a dystopian Sci-fi movie, but the only high this Skytrain gave me was the feeling of ease, when going from the airport to my hotel in downtown Vancouver. I wish they made public transportation that was this smooth all over the US and not just major cities. This train runs all over Vancouver and its outliers cities and is the preferred mode of transportation by locals. The maps are easy to figure out and there's no need to purchase a day pass. If you're just doing one or two quick trips. You can just tap your credit card on the entry turnstile and kaboom... you're cruising on the SkyTrain. Ready to chase the dragon called life? Then prepare to get lifted on the SkyTrain. read more

Yelp Review 2023 #247: I've used the SkyTrain in Vancouver to get to/from the airport using the Canada Line which takes about 30 minutes to the Waterfront Station when I'm staying at hotels nearby. From the airport, just follow the signs to SkyTrain. You'll have to go outside, cross the street, take 2-3 escalators to get to the station. There are kiosks you can use to purchase a pass/ ticket. You can pay with cash or card. And there's always a SkyTrain employee nearby should you need assistance. There's a train every 10 minutes. I've never had an issue using the SkyTrain. The times I've used it, the train was clean. There's free wifi onboard and space for luggage. There's a USB port under the window next to your seat so you can charge your phone. Be sure not to throw away your ticket as sometimes somebody checks for them. I've used the SkyTrain to get to Yaletown and Broadway and that's about it (outside of the airport and Waterfront). read more

I am a huge fan of mass transit systems. Anytime I am in a new city, one of the things I love to do is find it, ride it, and then treasure the card or method of payment and collect it. In this case it is a Compass Card. The trains are driverless. They are one of the few systems in the world that operate without any operator at the front. That alone is super cool. What else is cool about it? Only the fact that trains run fast and frequent, even during off-peak periods! I felt I never had to wait too long for a train. It even goes pretty far out and to Vancouver Airport, saving me plenty of money on a Lyft or Uber ride. Normally I am pretty critical of two track Metro or subway systems, but this one I can make an exception because the trains are rarely if ever delayed, and are so advanced. The riders are courteous to other riders, and the trains are super clean, represented well that the city is real clean as well. My only gripe is that rides can be fairly expensive, even for one way fares, which can run almost $7 CAD. Maybe this is the tourist in me writing this, but I felt safe riding at all times, and the fact that this is not a 24/7 system is okay as well. Not everything has to be the New York City Subway. This works, beautifully. read more

My only real complaint is "This train is for waterfront" (when the train pulls into a station) but it never utters it again. "Until it CLOSES THE DOORS"..... don't you think it would be helpful to announce it once more before you close the stupid doors so people can get off if they boarded the wrong train?? What about for all the people who get up the stairs and run onto the train? read more

The skytrain is very efficient and a cost saver. I purchased the compass pass . Total cost $ 17.50 cad. In USd, $12.75 . I took the public transportation 6 times all day. It was well worth the price. I did not worry about traffic and if I got lost, I asked a few locals and even people that were not from bc. The compass pass works on both the skytrain the bus system. I plan to keep the compass card to reload when I return to BC. The skytrain line is being expanded from Richmond-bridghouse. The skytrains are clean and surprisingly, no graffiti. The trains automated with no drivers and are dated but very well maintained. With the combination of Uber and the public transportation system. A car is really not necessary. IMO Enjoy BC, I do at least two to three times a year from the states read more

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I'm an essential worker, so thankfully I did not lose my job due to the pandemic. Since working from home is not a viable option, I have been commuting to work EVERY DAY since the pandemic, and it has been horrible. Thankfully I don't have to take the bus to work (essential workers are getting passed up due to only allowing a fraction the number of people on the bus to allow for physical distancing, and the other day, I witnessed a bus driver pass someone up despite there still being empty seats available -- the driver was too lazy to check or ask if there were seats), and I have been taking the skytrain to work. While the number of passengers on the train are nowhere near regular levels, and during rush hour (which is when I have to travel to and from work) the trains are not packed (which has been nice), the trains are far from empty, and getting a little too full for comfort, considering there's a fucking PANDEMIC and people are supposed to be six feet apart. Ie. if there wasn't a pandemic, the number of people on the train would be quite comfortable, but it's far too crowded for an active pandemic. For the most part, people have been pretty good at not bothering other people on the train, but I have had a few incidents -- people standing so close to me as I was waiting to exit that they actually touched me (something I do not like during non-pandemic times); people following closely behind me as I am going through the fare gate and/or push me so they can get through; and the other day, some guy tried to push his way into the train as I was exiting -- I right out pushed him aside. So just the usual bullshit. My issue is how badly Translink has handled (and caused) skytrain crowding and cleanliness during the pandemic. Not only have they reduced frequency (which, to a certain degree, I understand), but they have been running the four-car Mark I trains during rush hour, making it extremely crowded (for a pandemic). Mark I trains are the original skytrain cars, and they are very small and cramped. Translink has been phasing them out and have introduced the Mark II and Mark III cars, which are far superior, as they are more spacious and allow for people to move cars without exiting at a station (which, as a woman, I appreciate -- I regularly move to a different car due to sketchy guys). Yet, I have noticed that they are primarily running the Mark I cars (which are from 1986, so you can imagine how bad they are) during rush hour, and to add insult to injury, they are only running four cars, instead of six cars. All of these factors make for a too-crowded-for-a-pandemic ride. And with things slowly opening up tomorrow, things are only going to get worse. In addition to Translink severely reducing capacity of the skytrain, which is putting people in danger, they are clearly not cleaning them. I swear, the trains are filthier than normal -- I have seen discarded coffee cups, beer cans, fast food containers, tissues, food, etc, as well as numerous spills -- and this is at 7am in the morning! Translink claims they are doing a thorough deep clean of the trains during the pandemic, but that is BULLSHIT. One star for the skytrain being filthy and crowded during the pandemic. The rudeness and incompetency of the skytrain attendants will be in a separate review of "Translink". [Yelp collections: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles] read more

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Super easy trip from the cruise terminal to the airport. So much cheaper (and better for the environment) than a cab or other car service. The station and ride were clean and not overly packed. read more

I didn't even look to see how much it costs. I just bought a day pass the first day and another day pass the second day. The SkyTrain goes from the airport to downtown and to a station that's a block from my hotel. How awesome is that? Easy, clean, air conditioned and comfortable. Platforms are very accessible for handicap access, though a few stations I've been to have only had one escalator moving in the right direction. That's annoying, but there was a working elevator on the other end of the platform. There are signs indicating the next train and announcements, too. So simple. I'm a fan. read more

SkyTrain - This was to the train from the airport arrivals hall - Trains Near Me - Burnaby, British Columbia

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One of the transportation mode to get around in Vancouver. There are lots of issues with the Skytrain. Heard that the system and trains were purchased secondhand resulting in issues. There are many issues with the trains. I.e. from time to time it would fail. In a typical month expect to have more than 3 issues. Note that there is usually a homeless person sitting infront of the skytrain station entrance. Never wow. Service not great. read more

Insane in the membrane re: Vancouver Skytrain. I would call myself an enthusiast! Part of the reason: the connecting Bus service where I live is so dismal that when I can switch over to the efficient skytrain instead, the quality of my day improves remarkably. I love the different vibes of each station: the soaring grace of Waterfront, the subterranean "coming back to the surface of the earth" feel of Granville, the bustle of Burrard and so forth. True confession: I lived in another country this year and I became homesick - for the SKYTRAIN! I took a leisure ride with no intended destination when I came back. Joyfully breathing in the familiar mingling of languages, people in close contact pretending each other don't exist, and 'scents of crowd'. Having lived in other Canadian cities with no train, I am sincerely grateful for this option! I can stand the occasional harassment from drunks or the maintenance breakdowns (download the translink app to deal with both). If the crowds at peak times seem unmanageable, simply wait for the next train and you will be first to board. It's sure to arrive shortly... Sidenote: The one time I felt truly unsafe due to hassling/propositioning from an inebriated male, two teenage guys called security (unbeknownst to me) and the troublemaker was escorted off at the next stop. Yay Vancouver strangers! read more

SkyTrain - Spacious Sapperton Functional Art - Trains Near Me - Burnaby, British Columbia

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Holy smokes! Now THIS is awesome transit. Dedicated ROW. No overheard power sticking out. Fast. Efficient. Popular. Stations are pretty good. Massive coverage. The bad is that the [newer?] Canada Line is freaking noisy going through curves---especially in the tunnel... wtf? I seriously wanted some earplugs. The [older gen?] Expo trainsets are cool in that it sounds like the electric motor is shifting up from 1st to 3rd. I'm not sure I noticed all trainsets with surveillance cameras in them. I didn't ride the Millenium line. P.S. 9 bucks DayPass FTW when visiting! read more

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Clean and punctual - the train came without any delays. Ride was comfortable and access was easy. I used one of the kiosks outside of the station and it was seamless. Somehow, riding the train added positive vibes to my solo tour on the city on this Canada Day. The train was very clean and would definitely take again if I have to travel. read more

I use SkyTrain every time I come to Vancouver. Have used all three lines including the newest Canadian Line out to the Airport and Richmond. SkyTrain is safe, frequent, clean, smooth, and reasonably comfortable for 30-45 minute ride maximum. Standing is not uncommon. Works on the honor/proof-of-payment system. Buy your ticket before boarding. Tickets are good for 90 minutes, so sometimes you don't have to buy a return ticket. Or, for CAN $9, a DayPass ticket is also good for buses and the SeaBus ferry. A bargain, when you consider that you can also use the ticket to get to Grouse Mountain via SkyTrain/SeaBus/Bus, as well as buses to Stanley Park or Granville Island. Some nice views too, such as crossing the Fraser River via a cable-stayed bridge (pic uploaded). Nice Feature: Real-time train arrival information is provided at every station platform. Gripe, a small one: Trains are not fast (by NY standards), and there are no express trains. Trains stop at EVERY station. Tip: In 10 years, I have only been asked twice for proof of payment, transit authority police do perform spot checks for both fare and zones. Not yet seen anyone taken away to the gallows :) Tip 2: Don't hesitate to use Vancouver buses to virtually everywhere connecting with every SkyTrain station. No additional fare. I rarely need a taxis. read more

SkyTrain - Crossing the Fraser River via a cable-stayed bridge. - Trains Near Me - Burnaby, British Columbia

Use the mass transit system. It's easy, clean, affordable and comfortable. I used it the entire week I was in Vancouver. You can take a train and transfer to a bus line or take the Seabus. It's a good way to get to your destination quickly and avoid traffic. Anytime I don't have to drive I appreciate and also forget how to drive. Mel M Yelp 18:22 read more

Use the SkyTrain while you are being a tourist or on business in Vancouver. For just $20, you can buy an all access, all day pass to use the train and the bus! Buy the pass at one of the self-serve machines and hop on. There are maps inside the train and also at the stations. I loved using the SkyTrain to navigate going all over Vancouver and into the 'burbs. Saved so much moolah on taxis, no getting lost, and got a great view of the city. The SkyTrain moves fast and getting on/off is a breeze. read more

This is a great way to move from YVR airport into any part of downtown Vancouver. Fast. Clean and cheap. Of your not renting a car this is the way to go. It will take you any place you need in all of downtown. read more

SkyTrain - Trains Near Me - Burnaby, British Columbia

Took it from YVR to Waterfront. $7.85 was the total. Not bad and very convenient and central to Downtown Vancouver. Very simple and easy. I saved over $30 from having to take a taxi. The train had about 10-12 stops. There were many kinds of people but I felt pretty safe. There were even 5 guys dancing and doing comedy on the ride. Different I would say. Los Angeles needs to take notes from Vancouver on this one. read more

To get around during our short stay in Vancouver after we disembarked from our cruise ship, we chose to get day passes for the Skytrain. We had taken a city tour from the cruise line that took us to the main attractions and then delivered us to the airport where we caught the courtesy shuttle to our hotel. Our plans for the next day included going to some places in downtown Vancouver and then meeting up for lunch with some friends who live there. The Skytrain day pass fit our needs perfectly as we only had one full day to explore and find places to eat. The cost was very reasonable if you are planning to get on multiple times and includes access to some bus lines as well as the Seabus. We took the hotel shuttle back to the airport and found the counter where we could buy our day passes, then we began using them. We took the Skytrain to an area in downtown that had several things we wanted to see, had a look at a couple of interesting places including a Chinese garden at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park and the Chinese Cultural Centre. We then went over to the rendezvous point for lunch with our friends. After that we took the Seabus across the harbor to Lonsdale Quay Market and spent a little time there. Then we Seabused back and caught the Skytrain back to a stop close to our hotel and walked the rest of the way. I certainly felt we got our money's worth. And the trains were quite clean and easy to navigate around Vancouver. We would definitely use this system again when we are in Vancouver. read more

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I'm used to BART, where you have to purchase your ticket and insert said ticket into a turnstile. So when we visited Vancouver years ago, my uncle, who was familiar with the system, failed to mention that to me. I had my ticket at hand and was looking for a turnstile to insert the ticket to. I must have looked like a stupid tourist as the locals were passing by me thinking I was an idiot for standing in place, blocking their path. Now I know how tourist feel like when they just stand on the left side of the escalator when taking BART. Definitely a culture shock since this public transformation is based on honesty. I mean anyone can just jump in the train and not pay for the fare. But you know what? That rarely happens. I mean this is Canada for Christ's sake. They're honest, nice and friendly. This public transportation is cool since it can take you almost anywhere in Vancouver and the trains come very frequently. It's also very efficient and environmentally friendly. read more

Incredible! Public transportation that actually works on the West Coast..? Ok, ok, I don't know exactly how popular or useful the SkyTrain is for everyday uses like getting around town or commuting to work but it's an incredible venue for the best New Years party in recent memory. The randomness, the strangers, the costumes, the music, the noise, the kisses (supposedly), made for a fantastic guerilla party. I highly recommend it! Oh, Yeaahh! read more

SkyTrain - Trains Near Me - Burnaby, British Columbia

The skytrain is awesome, man!!! Very convenient-- trains come every 2 to 7 minutes! We stayed in Richmond, which is south of downtown Vancouver, and we were at the waterfront in about 20 minutes. You don't have to spend an arm and a leg getting a hotel room in downtown vancouver if you pick a hotel anywhere near a skytrain station! Plus when you're ready to go home, the airport is but a 7 minute skytrain ride away. SO convenient. Sky train is CLEAN. I rode it during rush hour and though it was crowded, it was bearable. And if you don't want to get on a crowded train, fear not, another train will be there soon after! The only thing I don't like is that the trains aren't manned by an operator; they're automated. So the doors will close right on you if you don't get in quick. I got pushed because someone was trying to get in as the doors were closing. hahah oops. What I find AMAZING, however, is that they leave the gates OPEN. You never have to insert a ticket into the gate. People here are on the honor system. Would that ever work on BART here in the bay area? I don't know. I don't think so. I did see law enforcement checking tickets on a couple occasions, but wow, props to Vancouver citizens for having your government trust you THAT much. A daily pass goes for something like $9, and it's worth it if you'll be using public transportation more than three times during the day. Extremely useful and a bargain. The transportation system also includes a ferry to North Vancouver. It's a super easy 15-20 minute ride to the other side. They have a countdown clock to when the ferry is leaving. Very useful-- I knew whether to haul ass or not. Overall, this public transportation network is AWESOME! Quiet, efficient, clean, cheap, and convenient. read more

Comparing the three light rail systems in the Pacific Northwest, Vancouver is the best of the three. Though Portland gets points for having a free zone downtown. The reason Vancouver is the best is because of its heavy frequency of trains. There are some stops on the three system lines in which the wait for the next train is at MOST 3 minutes! Stations are easy to get around and are conveniently located. And unlike Portland which seems to stop every couple blocks in downtown, the stops on the Vancouver lines are better spaced out for increased speed in getting to your destination. For those on the Canada Line heading for Golden Village and on a train to YVR, make sure to get off at the Bridgeport station. You need to get on a Richmond-Brighouse train to get to your destination as the YVR train goes straight to the airport and not into the Richmond business district. Though if you forget to, the time lost is not too bad due to train frequency. SkyTrain fare prices are higher during peak hours if you are travelling multiple zones on weekdays. If you are visiting during the weekdays, the daypass ($9) is a good option. After 6:30 on weekdays and all day on the weekends, the regular fare is $2.50 for all zones. It might be cheaper to go this route than the day pass so long as you can keep good track of time as tickets are valid for 90 minutes. SkyTrain gets five stars for offering an effective public transportation system with heavy train frequency. Vancouver has made it easy and faster to take the train around town instead of driving. read more

This is the main transportation you need to know come to Vancouver. It's pretty easy to figure out how to use it. It uses the zone system and there's three zones. This is how we went from the YVR airport straight to downtown which took about 45 minutes. It costed us $9 CAD each way which came out to about $6 US dollars. It doesn't go underground but travels above ground and it's a nice scenic ride. It's also pretty clean and seemed pretty safe. The stations seemed pretty clean as well but we only went to the YVR and Downtown stations. It can get get pretty crowded with tourists and local traffic but it's bearable. An interesting thing is that the Skytrain goes by the honor system. This means that you don't have to insert your ticket into the gate like most places. I don't know how well that would work here in the US. It's very convenient and easy to use. read more

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As local residents, and a non-driving senior couple, we depend a great deal on the public transportation that's available in the Lower Mainland of BC to get around. So for us, SkyTrain is one means we have at our disposal to get from 'here' to 'there'. At present, from our location in Burnaby, we are able to choose from two SkyTrain lines to go west to other parts of Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey, and Vancouver -- the Expo Line (which can take us to Vancouver through downtown New Westminster, and downtown Burnaby, with no transferring, and to Surrey, by transferring in New Westminster), and the Millenium Line (which can take us to Vancouver through Burnaby, but it eventually requires a transfer over to the Expo Line to actually get all the way into downtown Vancouver). If one is lucky and fortunate enough to be able to hop aboard a SkyTrain train that can take them directly to where they want to go, the system is relatively quick & easy to use, with frequent trains, and works well. For many though, it's just a way to get part-way, with a connection (transfer) to the bus system still required to get to specific locations. But we sure love those direct, not-having-to-connect-times, when we take SkyTrain - it makes taking public transportation here a breeze, and most-enjoyable. And SkyTrain does 'look' cool, eh!! (on a side note: it's sure rather noisy operating past where you live & sleep though!!) read more

SkyTrain - Fall view of Skytrain approaching Lougheed Town Centre. - Trains Near Me - Burnaby, British Columbia

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I like it. I like it a lot. Of SkyTrain's system, I'm more familiar with the Expo Line, having used it for lodging at further out suburbs, and board / disembark at Metrotown or Royal Oak. The train lines go underground when in downtown Vancouver, but are up on trestles elsewhere. And, boy, did this line get put up quickly, all the way to distant Surrey, the butt of a lot of Vancouverites' jokes. Why can't other cities mass produce a bunch of trestles and put up a rail system of this magnitude? I already know the answer. Money and politics. The system map indicates that it now goes a lot of places: http://www.urbanrail.net/am/vanc/vancouver-map.gif There is a stop at Waterfront to catch the very interesting SeaBus to Lonsdale Quay in North Van. Two lines intersect at Broadway and Commercial Drive, where you can walk to a lot of eateries ... if you have an umbrella. There is now service into the YVR airport, and even a spur southward to Richmond, given that Canada 99 is lame,only has 2 lanes in each direction, and ceases to be a freeway upon entering the city of Vancouver - translation: rush hour traffic nightmare. The only weird thing about it is that the trains are automated. Seriously, you sit at the very front or back of a Canada Expo Line train and see the track ... and no driver. Hire somebody. SkyTrain made already "neato" Vancouver even neater. read more

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One of the most efficient ways to get around town for sure, if your destination is close enough to a station. Parking around the stations isn't always the best unfortunately. The city planners need to do a better job if they want me to get out of my car more. The trains come in 2 flavours: Mark 1 (1986, red inside) and Mark 2 (2000, yellow inside). You'll know which ones are which the moment you step on. Mark 2 feel much wider, and obviously look more modern. Most of the trains now have a newer "blue + yellow on white" paint job, so it's not as easy to tell from the outside. The Mark 2s are more bulbous though. Even the trains feel like they're not much faster than a sprinting pace, they totally blow cars out of the water in terms of travel time. Most of the stations are clean, and look somewhat modern, though they're obviously filled over capacity. There's pretty much always a crunch (escalators are common choke points) when trains arrive during rush hour. What is really awesome though is that trains arrive about once every 2 minutes during these critical times, ensuring that people aren't late for work. As for the stations, the blue T logo in my opinion is a bit ambiguous. Having a picture of a train would've been more efficient. I've had friends from out of town ask what that logo meant. To me that means it's not intuitive enough. Now if only Vancouver had more SkyTrain lines.. read more

For my first visit to Vancouver after a cruise, I was not really keen on renting a car in Canada. I took a chance and checked out public transportation and it's remarkably easy to use with convenient locations. The kids had a blast sitting right up front pretending to be the train conductor. It's clean, fast and very economical. It's $9 per adult & $7 per kid purchased at a 7-11 for an all day pass. It's also a great way to familiarize yourself with the city and people watch by sitting through all the stops. Strangely enough, no one ever asked to see our pass but I wouldn't take the risk. read more

Sky Train was the mode of transportation during my Weekend in Vancouver. Getting a day pass might be the easiest option for tourists as you don't need to figure out how many zones you are travelling or what time it is for the 1 price for all zone. If not the light would go red when you try to exit the gate. But since it is running on honour system, I got a little more confused. $5 surcharge for YVR line. But it is reasonable priced for travelling to/from airport. read more

When on vacation, we always research the public transit systems to see if it's do-able for us. In this case, yes! The Canada Line suited our needs perfectly. The Aberdeen station was right across the street from our hotel, The Radisson. We bought Day Passes for each of the 3 days we were there. Went up north to visit: Stanley Park (biked completely around the Seawall) Morton Park (A-Maze-Ing Laughter sculptures) Downtown Vancouver (by accident, missed our stop) Bridgeport (Saw a casino, but that was disappointing) Yaletown (just to explore) Granville Island (Public market & shops) Queen Elizabeth Park & the Bloedel Conservatory (had to walk to the park) Went south to Brighouse to go to Steveston Fishermans Wharf Used buses (all within a few minutes walk) to complete the journeys in most cases. Fares are covered by the Day Pass. It's true about Canadians. Everyone we encountered were so nice! At first, there were a few times we were having trouble figuring out the stops. Someone noticed our puzzled faces and stepped right over to help us out. By our 3rd day, we were able to help out fellow tourists! And on the train, someone always offered me a seat when it was standing room only. Notes: Passes can be purchased at each station at automated kiosks. It was $10 for the Day Passes. You've got to tap in & out. The trains are automated, so getting on & off are timed. Step lively! Designated areas by cabin exits for wheelchairs & bicycles. Wait times were really short. 3-6 minutes on average. Banner announcements for arrivals & upcoming stations. Some trains on Canada Line go to the YVR airport. Make sure to get on the Waterfront or Brighouse trains. read more

I use the SkyTrain pretty regularly these days, and there are days when I actually love it. Such as when you're flying along the Expo Line on a sunny day and look out to the south to see the Fraser Delta and the islands, and to the north to the North Shore mountains and the city. There are days when I hate it, especially when the train is crowded, and I curse the maniac who designed the handholds on the newer, Millennium line cars - there's practically nothing to hang on to! - forcing people to crowd around the doors all the time. The line that goes from VCC to Braid (along Lougheed Highway) has nice stations, even if there isn't much around most of those stations worth getting off for. Somebody, please explain to me the attractions of Lake City Way? Or Braid? But if you do take the time to look at the stations, they actually do have some interesting public art, such as the giant Salish spindle whorl at Gilmore Station. Just don't get in my way while you're looking. Walk left, stand right, and would it kill you to stand aside and let people exit the train? Thank you and have a nice day. read more

SkyTrain - Arriving at Commercial Drive - Trains Near Me - Burnaby, British Columbia

I took the Skytrain from Vancouver Airport to Surrey last weekend - loved the convenience, efficiency and cost! (Note: there is a $5 fee when leaving the airport) Even with the extra fee the Skytrain blows any other transportation option out of the water. Why bother renting a car when you can sit back and relax? I love the fact that the line is connected to the airport - just go upstairs and tada - the station is right there, buy your ticket and hop on! I went from the airport to Waterfront station in about 20 minutes. From there you can get off and turn left out of the station to explore Gastown. After hanging out for a bit, I hopped back on the train going to Surrey where I was staying for a conference. (Your ticket is only good for a set amount of time, so watch this, or plan to buy another ticket). At the end of the weekend, I took the train back to the airport (connecting at Waterfront). Note: Keep your ticket handy as you need it to scan through the turnstile. My whole Skytrain experience was positive and somewhat exciting! I would definitely recommend using this public transportation system...interesting fact: apparently the skytrains are driverless... read more

The urge to kill entire families hasn't surfaced in me, so I don't drive even though I have a license. I love to take mass transit for the convenience and when I travel, so I can see the sights and how the masses live. Skytrain is one of the best systems out there. Now everything's on Compass Card, which you can register and reload via credit card or just tap in and add money at a kiosk. I thought it was relatively simple, though my friend had a problem figuring out how to get her card loaded and I noticed another tourist did. Just reread the instructions if you run into difficulty or ask any friendly Vancoverite. I would get the stored value if you plan to take mass transit for a few days. The rides are cheaper and you don't have to calculate zones anymore; the computer does it for you. Tap in when you enter, tap out at the station where you exit so the gate will open to let you leave. A ride is cheaper on the compass, though there is a deposit fee for the card. You get a ride and a transfer, as long as it's in 90 minutes, in any direction, any bus or train, even the same line you were on. It's cool if you want to zip to another part of town, eat, and zip back. I deducted one star because unlike the NYC money added metrocard, you can't pay for more than one person to ride. Meaning, everyone over 12(?) has to have his/her own card. Note there is a $6 deposit for your initial card. Also, there is a refund for your deposit, but only if you get it at the Chinatown station and the Waterfront(where most people leave from, I guess)! What's that all about? Every kiosk should refund, or how about more importantly, the airport one? Still, it's a cheap, fast and safe way to get around and never seems jammed with people who seem to stick to you like flypaper, the way it is in NYC, not even during rush hours. Even with the airport surcharge(hey, someone has to pay for maintaining that great airport), the cost is substantially cheaper than shuttle or cab to downtown. The Canada Line from YVR brings you to downtown pronto(about 25 minutes) and to the Chinese food paradise, Richmond(Aberdeen, Lonsdale and Richmond stations). Much to my regret, I didn't get a chance to take the other lines. Skytrain(and the bus) is a fun, easy way to get around. read more

SkyTrain - Vancouverites sure keep their trains clean! - Trains Near Me - Burnaby, British Columbia

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Skytrain is a great way to explore the Greater Vancouver region for those who don't want the hassle of driving and find parking. The Skytrain line runs from as far as Surrey and it goes all the way to Waterfront Station in Vancouver and there is even a stop at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Most of the trains are fairly new and quiet, but there are some old ones that are still operating from the 1980's - can be loud and shaky at times. The trains for the Canada Line which runs from Vancouver International Airport to Downtown Vancouver are the best. They're the newest trains that are smooth, quiet, wide enough for people with luggage to and from the airport. All of the trains are automated with no drivers and the doors open and close by themselves. read more

We seriously need one of these in LA. Why is it that everything in Canada seems like it's so much cleaner and more efficient than things here? A perfect example would be the SkyTrain. It's public transportation done extremely well and best of all (at least for my specific purpose) it takes you to and from the airport into Vancouver. And it costs like $5/person opposed to the $30 cab ride! There's a station across from the Opus Hotel and someone at the front desk suggested we use the SkyTrain instead of taking a cab to the airport since it would save us some money and plus it was just an easy way to get around. I was a little reluctant about taking it to the airport (we had suitcases and snowboards and I thought it might take too long) but in the end I'm glad we did because we got there in about half an hour flat with enough time to spare to get through customs and do some duty free shopping. The SkyTrain is awesome. Seriously. read more

Stop freaking blasting the heat on your trains in the winter! It's like a Swedish sauna in here. If you'd think for one freaking second you'd realize that people dress for the weather, therefore heating the shirt out of your trains is asinine because people either have to strip off all their layers or sweat like mad. Forcing that many people to go between hot and cold like that increases the spread of viruses too. You're idiots if you think people want it to be 20 degrees hotter than the outside. The train should just be an extension of the outside. Ridiculous! read more

This is directed specifically at that little wiggle in the track just before stopping at Lougheed Station coming from Braid Station. You make me laugh every time. Why you ask? If any you have felt the wiggle or ever seen the reactions of all the people on the train once the train jolts from left to right by a poorly functioning interchange, you know what I'm talking about. It's amusing to watch people awake from cat naps, spill coffee on themselves, drop their bags, and knock over little kids. I know. I know. I shouldn't laugh... but neither should you. So stop giggling with me whilst we get off the train. read more

Gets me to the church on time, as David Bowie used to say. Seriously, I have no serious problems with skytrain, except, as people have pointed out, their service ends far too early. This normally wouldnt be a problem a year ago, but nowadays, I'm in Surrey for events that go past 11p, and I could stay longer, except the fact that I have to start thinking about getting home. Other than that, no real problems, just put on my headphones, and get a seat, and watch everything sail by. read more

UPDATE! -- Well, here we are about 10 months later, and somebody, I won't mention his name, but he'll know who he is when he reads this, messages me and tells me, "We have two train systems operating in the lower mainland. One is Skytrain which has two lines called Expo and Millennium line and a majority of the line is above ground. The system you were on is called Canada Line which is a totally different operating company and system (hence not Skytrain). Maybe you should do better research before making complaints against a company you had nothing to do with." What a grumpy little guy! lol. So, I'm open to knowing I made a mistake, so I start researching. Here's what I found: https://www.connect.ecuad.ca/sites/www.connect.ecuad.ca/files/pages/71/Vancouver%20Airport%20Skytrain.pdf Excerpt: "If you're wondering about a train or subway to/from Vancouver International Airport and downtown Vancouver, here's what you should know about the Canada Line Skytrain. The YVR Airport Skytrain (above and below ground subway-type train) is the quickest way to get from Vancouver Interna- tional Airport to downtown Vancouver, with a travel time of only 25 minutes. Vancouver Airport Skytrain Station - Location The Vancouver (YVR) - Airport Canada Line Station is located above the covered parking garage at the airport. You can get there 2 different ways:..." SO, grumpy guys, what gives? The official literature calls it a Skytrain. Below is my original, unedited review. I call it a "Sky Train." How am I making a mistake??? By the way, I also never mentioned "Expo" or "Millennium" as well. So what's your grudge... ORIGINAL REVIEW: Sorry, yelpers, I'm a world traveler, and I am only giving 2-stars for this "Sky Train" due to the following reasons/experiences: 1. Welcome to Vancouver Airport! Now get reamed by an extra high price to take the train from the airport. WHAT! How ridiculous, as well as non-welcoming to a tourist/traveler. Just saying! A surcharge for going to the airport is obviously a price-gouging technique. 2. Trying to figure out the price structure, for the first time, is a pain. And after spending half an hour trying to figure that stuff out, when you actually go to pay (at the airport), the prices are all "wrong" -- and then you realize you've been pounded by extra add-on fees. Suddenly, it all makes sense! -- Public transportation is ONLY CHEAP/AFFORDABLE to the locals who purchase month-passes.... TOURISTS GET READY TO GET ROLLED! ha ha. 3. Sky Train? Where's the sky? This thing goes underground most of the time!!!!! 4. Tap OUT?? Oh my. A reminder of how much crime there is in Vancouver that they don't even trust people to pay to get IN -- you have to prove you paid to LEAVE, as well. Not the end of the world, but just not the best feeling. 5. Just call it a subway? (See #3 above, lol). SUMMARY -- not bad, but not great, either. I do realize that the locals are used to it, and I'm gong to come off whiney. But I'm not. I'm just comparing it to the other systems I've experienced all over the U.S., as well as all over the world. For a city such as Vancouver, they could do better. read more