The Sky Train is one of Vancouver's best transportation
bargains. For the price of a DayPass, $9.00, you can ride it the length of its route and
return. You can take side trips on the SeaBus to the North Shore or ride as many
of Vancouver's 1000 buses as you can squeeze into the day.
DayPasses are available at the SeaBus station, Sky Train station,
Safeway grocery stores, 7/11 convenience stores, Save On Foods and at many London
Drugs and Shoppers' Drug Marts.
The Sky Train is not just a bargain, however. It is one of the
best ways to see Vancouver and the surrounding area. From the SkyTrain, you get
great views of downtown, neighborhoods and the splendor of the North Shore mountains.
And perhaps, best of all, the SkyTrain's CanadaLine travels between Vancouver International Airport and downtown Vancouver every 8 minutes at peak hours and every 12 minutes in early morning and evening for $3.25 per person one way. This 25 minute trip is scenic, fast and worry free. It's the perfect way to get between downtown Vancouver and the airport.
You can catch the Sky Train at any Sky Train stop, but for this
itinerary, we'll assume you're picking it up next to Canada Place, at Waterfront
Station, which is its terminus.
If you only want to go to the heart of downtown, take the SkyTrain
two stops and exit at the Granville Station. That will put you in the heart of downtown
Vancouver. You can shop at Pacific Centre Mall or walk a couple of blocks south
on Granville to Vancouver's most fashionable shopping area, Robson Street.
If you want to see some of the attractions outside Vancouver proper, the SkyTrain
is an easy way to do it.
For example, you can take the SkyTrain to Metrotown, B.C's largest shopping complex
with over 500 shops and services, 22 cinemas and the Metropolis Entertainment Centre.
Metrotown is only eight stops from the Waterfront Station.
Six stops beyond Metrotown is the centre of New West, Columbia Station. It puts
you near the Canada Games Pool where you can swim in the Olympic size swimming pool
or work out in the fitness centre and training circuit. The facility is open daily
from 6:30am-10:30pm. From the SkyTrain, transfer to Bus #102.
You can also visit the West Coast College of Massage Therapy just two blocks west
(right) of Columbia Station. WCCMT offers massage therapy as well as herbal and
aromatic baths, clay packs, fullbody wraps and salt glow therapy.
Services are provided by advanced students under the supervision of an instructor.
The WCCMT is open Monday - Friday 9:00 am to 8:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 am-4:00pm.
From The Columbia Station you are just four stops from completing the entire 39
minute grand tour to the end of the line Surrey's King George Station.
On your return trip, leave the SkyTrain at the Science World-Main St. Station. From
there, pick up an Aquabus or False Creek Ferry for a tour of False Creek. The Aquabus
stops at Hornby Street, Granville Island, Yaletown and Science World. Bicycles &
dogs are welcome. Ferries operate every day 7 am - 8 PM in winter and 7 am - 10
PM in summer.
To get back to downtown Vancouver after your ferry trip, either get back on the
SkyTrain or take the bus, the number of which will depend on where you leave the
ferry.