Vancouver Holidays & City Breaks

Rural wilderness: This might sound like an oxymoron but Grouse Mountain is just 12km from downtown Vancouver. In summer hike the Grouse Grind, soar through the rainforest canopy on the Treetops Adventure, keeping an eye out for grizzly bears. In winter strap on a snowboard for exhilarating runs and take in the breathtaking snowy vistas.

Sandy beaches: Holidays in Canada aren’t generally seen as beach breaks. However, the city has a few sandy stretches to choose from. Next to the green Stanley Park is Third Beach. While English Bay Beach (in the West End area) and Kitsilano Beach (close to the Maritime Museum) both boast volleyball courts.

Museums: If you have a thirst for knowledge there’s plenty to whet your appetite. The Museum of Anthropology houses artefacts from British Columbia’s First Nations. Over at the Museum of Vancouver there’s further historic items, including ones originating in Canada internationally. Other museums in Vancouver include those designated to the history of maritime, science, policing and sports.

Language: The main language spoken in Vancouver is English. Canadians use a mixture of British and American terms and spellings.

Currency: The currency used in Vancouver is the Canadian Dollar (CAD).

Local time: Vancouver is usually 8 hours behind UK time. Although, due to North America putting their clocks forward and back on different dates to Europe, Vancouver is 7 hours behind for 4-5 weeks of the year.

Fly to: Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is located in Richmond, 14km from the city centre. It’s connected to the downtown area by the SkyTrain service.

Flight time from the UK: The fastest direct flights take around 9.5 hours, indirect flights take at least 12 hours. 

Plug sockets: If you’re planning to take your laptop you’ll also need to carry a type A/B international adapter. An increasing number of hotels in Canada now have USB sockets, so you may be able to charge your phone or tablet without needing to buy any additional plugs or adapters. TransLink has also started installing USB charging points on newer vehicles.

Roaming: Using your phone in Canada can be very expensive so check your mobile price plan before you start making calls or using data. To avoid roaming charges, you can download an app that includes an offline map of Vancouver, allowing you to find your way around the city without needing to use any data.

Tourist Information: Further tourist information can be found at the official website for tourism in Vancouver. 

Visa / Health: British nationals normally need to complete an eTA (electronic Travel Authorisation) before travel. The latest advice can be found on the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website.

TransLink:  This is an integrated public transport serving Vancouver, with zonal ticketing covering buses, rapid transit (SkyTrain) and passenger ferry (SeaBus). The SkyTrain to the airport incurs a higher fare.

By taxi: Local laws mean all taxis must use a taximeter to calculate the fare. There’s a standard pricing structure, with no surcharges for nights or Sundays. However, airport journeys include an additional toll. There are normally plenty of cabs in the downtown area but if you’re wanting a taxi from further out you can use the eCab app, which allows you to request the nearest taxi from all available operators.

By bicycle: Vancouver is a cycle-friendly city with over 100km of bike lanes in the area. ‘Bike Parkades’ can be found at many TransLink stations, providing both cycle storage and bike rental.

Vancouver International Jazz Festival: This musical extravaganza takes place from late June to early July. Expect around 1,800 artists performing at 300 concerts, spread over 35 venues. Jazz is the main focus, but it’s fused with funk, Latin, fusion and world music. Past headliners have included Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga.

Vancouver International Film Festival: For 16 days from late September to early October the city plays host to the annual film festival. It isn’t about getting celebrities on the red carpet, it’s about getting people like you to experience cinema at its greatest. As well as a large selection of Canadian films, they’ll be offerings from around 70 countries including many East Asian nations. 

Capilano Canyon Lights: Worried about short visiting hours for Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in the winter? Think again. Between November and January the park is turned into a winter wonderland with multicoloured lights providing an illuminated trail across the suspension bridge, around the Treetop Adventure and along the Cliff Walk. Afterwards, relax with a mug of hot chocolate.

Should I get travel insurance?

We always recommend that you purchase travel insurance for your holiday. That way, you’ll be covered for any medical expenses or emergencies while you’re away. Make sure to thoroughly check what is included in your policy, especially if you plan to take part in excursions and activities that require you to be insured.