How To Use the Canada Line in Vancouver, BC

Rapid Airport Transportation from Richmond to Downtown

Nov 9, 2009
Lori Henry

Canada Line Rapid Transit to Vancouver Airport, BC - John Walker, Canada Line Rapid Transit Inc.

Vancouver, BC is the only city in Canada now with rapid transit to and from the airport. The Canada Line connects Richmond with downtown Vancouver, British Columbia.

Who says getting to and from the airport of a major city is a hassle? After much local controversy, the Canada Line rapid transit link now connects the Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, BC to downtown Vancouver.

Vancouver Airport Transportation Services

How long does the train take? 26 minutes from downtown’s Waterfront Station to YVR (Vancouver International Airport).

How much does it cost? From now until January 1, 2010, regular rates apply. An adult two zone fare is $3.75 (CAD) for a one way trip (weekdays from start of service to 6:30 pm). After 6:30 pm and on the weekend, the fare is $2.50 CAD. After January 1, 2010, a $2.50 premium will be added to fares going to and from the airport.

How To Use the Canada Line

There are 16 stations along the Canada Line: nine in Vancouver, four in Richmond and three on Sea Island (which serves YVR). In total, 19 kilometres have been added to the SkyTrain light rail transit system.

Waterfront: This is the first stop to the north, where the SeaBus from North Vancouver, the end point for the Expo and Millennium SkyTrain Lines (which links to other parts of Vancouver and Burnaby) and the West Coast Express connect. The first train leaves at 4:50 am and the last at 1:05 am. There are airport check-in kiosks and public washrooms.
Vancouver City Centre: In the middle of the downtown core, at West Georgia and Granville streets, this station connects Vancouver Centre Mall and Pacific Centre by underground tunnels.
Yaletown-Roundhouse: Davie Street at Mainland has never been connected by anything but small, community buses, until now. This station has public washrooms and a Jugo Juice stand.
Olympic Village: The growing neighbourhood around Cambie Street and West Second Avenue gets a lift with this station. There are public washrooms, a Jugo Juice, it will be within walking distance of the Olympic Athletes’ Village for the Vancouver 2010 Games, as well as the False Creek Ferries and Aquabus Ferry.
Broadway-City Hall: The ultra busy Cambie Street and Broadway corridor definitely gets relief with this station. The 99 B-Line bus that goes east-west connects here and goes out to UBC (the University of British Columbia). This is also a close stop to Vancouver’s City Hall.
King Edward: Butting up to a residential area, this stop is a 10-minute walk to Queen Elizabeth Park and Nat Bailey Stadium, and a five to 10 minute walk to Cambie Village, a quaint shopping and dining district on Cambie Street between 14th and 19th.
Oakridge-41st Avenue: Right at Oakridge Mall, this station also has a Jugo Juice and public washrooms.
Langara-49th Avenue: Serving students at Langara College, this stop is on Cambie Street and 49th Avenue, also the location of the Alliance Française de Vancouver and a YMCA facility.
Marine Drive: The last stop in Vancouver, this station is just south of 64th Avenue and includes a bus loop.
Bridgeport: The first stop in Richmond, this is where to get off to get to the River Rock Casino. It’s also the crossroads of the Canada Line going further into Richmond or branching off to the airport.
Templeton & Sea Island Centre: These two stops service airline-related areas.
YVR-Airport: This stop is for airport-bound passengers and ends with access to the domestic and international departure terminals.
Aberdeen: Branching out from Bridgeport, this stop is right at Aberdeen Mall and a bus exchange. Also within walking distance is the Golden Village, which includes a hotbed of fantastic Asian dining.
Lansdowne: At the intersection of No. 3 Road and Lansdowne, this stop is perfectly placed at Lansdowne Centre Mall.
Richmond-Brighouse: The end of the line in Richmond services Richmond’s commercial core and city hall. Within walking distance are also the Minoru civic complex, Richmond Public Market and the Richmond Hospital. During the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games, this will be the location of the happenin’ O Zone.