How to Spend A Day in Vancouver, Canada

May 12, 2025
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Known for being surrounded by mountains and ocean, Vancouver is a must-visit city in Canada and the starting point for many adventures and road trips. Here is how to see Vancouver’s top attractions in one day as well as some ideas for those with a little more time!

I have now visited Vancouver quite a few times and the city is certainly one of the most interesting ones in Canada. It is located right by the sea with direct ferries to Vancouver Island, as well as being surrounded by mountains with two ski resorts (Grouse and Cypress) right on its doorstep. It is what makes Vancouver so completely unique when it comes to bustling cities around the world.

That being said, Vancouver downtown is actually pretty manageable size-wise and hence it is more than possible to explore its top attractions in a day. For many, Vancouver will be the starting point on their Canada trip, especially if you are exploring British Columbia and its highlights such as Whistler, the Canadian Rockies, Vancouver Island and more.

So, here is how to spend the perfect day in Vancouver to get your Canada trip started! This is also a good itinerary for those who have a long layover in Vancouver and wanting to spend the day outside of the airport.

Table of Contents

How to get to Vancouver?

Flying into Vancouver

Vancouver has its main airport Vancouver International Airport (YVR) where most international flights land and Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) which is located a little outside of Vancouver and has mostly domestic flights.

Vancouver International Airport to Vancouver city centre

If you are flying into Vancouver International Airport, the cheapest way to get into the city centre is via the Canada line, part of Vancouver’s rapid transit rail system. Cost of the journey will depend on how many zones you cross (e.g. 4.65CAD for airport zone 2 to central zone 1) and there is a 5CAD airport fee that gets added if you start your journey at the airport. You can use a contactless payment card to pay, or get tickets at the station or get a refillable Compass Card. The journey from the airport to Waterfront station takes around 30 minutes.

You could also get a taxi, I would recommend using apps such as Uber or Lyft for the best prices. The journey takes around 30 minutes too, more if it is rush hour. Average cost is around 30CAD, though it can be up to 50.

Finally, if you are planning a road trip or wanting to have more flexibility, you will likely be renting a car (check here for best deals). Don’t forget to check parking for your accommodation as this can quickly get very expensive in downtown Vancouver. I would recommend staying slightly outside of the centre if you have a car.

Abbotsford International Airport to Vancouver city centre

Abbotsford International unfortunately does not really have public transport from the airport, it does however have it from Abbotsford city centre (Bus 66 for 5CAD) if you can get a cheap taxi there. The most affordable way to get to Vancouver from the airport is via Poparide, a ride sharing system where trips start around 12CAD. They do seem to have a few each day so it is worth checking out.

There are a few buses that go from Abbotsford airport to Vancouver centre, Ebus at 47CAD, Rider Express at 43CAD and Reliable Bus at 35CAD (temporarily suspended).

Uber and Lyft are also a viable option if you are several people (or able to make friends at the airport to share a ride with) starting at 70CAD-180CAD.

Check out Abbotsford Airport’s transport website for more information and options.

How to get around Vancouver?

Vancouver has a pretty extensive public transport system consisting of three SkyTrain routes (rapid rail system) and a lot of buses. I find Google Maps the best way to navigate, though bus timings when it comes to delays aren’t always accurate. All bus rides are 3.20CAD, the rest depends on the zones travelled. You can pay with contactless payment card, Compass Card or cash on buses (exact fare).

Where to stay in Vancouver?

Vancouver is a pretty expensive city when it comes to accommodation due to its popularity. I would recommend booking hotels as early as possible to get the best deals and more options. While downtown is a great area to stay in for sightseeing, it is not my favourite as I have felt unsafe there at times. Kitsilano, East Vancouver, North Vancouver and any of the areas a little more outside are great alternatives, especially if you have a car – check AirBnB for great finds.

Best hostels in Vancouver for backpackers:

The only two hostels I would recommend in Vancouver are the two HI hostels: HI Downtown and HI Jericho Beach, I have stayed at both before. Jericho Beach is a little outside of town but located in a beautiful area near the beach and is a little cheaper. The downtown one is right in central Vancouver though in an area that I didn’t love at night. It does have some great events and smaller dorms.

Best hotels in Vancouver:

$ YWCA hotel – This hotel is a great budget-friendly option right in central Vancouver. They have single rooms which is great for solo-travellers and your stay supports local community programs.

$$-$$$ Opus Vancouver – A beautiful boutique hotel in downtown Vancouver with stellar reviews. Depending on time of year and room availability prices go from mid-range to luxury.

$$-$$$ Times Square Suites Hotel Vancouver – These suites include a kitchen, bathroom, washing machine and even a fire place. Costing on the higher end of mid-range, it is situated right by Stanley Park.

$$-$$$ Paradox Vancouver –Known for impeccable service and its central location, Paradox offers stunning rooms and all the amenities. Prices do vary a lot depending on season, but you can snatch some deals in the off-season.

Things do to in Vancouver in one day

Here are my top things to do if you have one day in Vancouver as well as some other options for those looking to stay a little longer:

Start the day in Downtown Vancouver

To really get your day started, head to Craffles for amazing food and coffee. Downtown Vancouver is pretty walkable so I would really recommend just walking around the area and taking in the atmosphere as well as popping into some local shops. I always find walking tours are the best way to really get to know a city and learn from a local. Finish at the 168 meters tall Vancouver Lookout (grab a ticket here) for 360-degree views of the city.

Relive history in Gastown

Since 2009, Gastown is officially a National Historic Site of Canada. The most well-known landmark of the area is the Steam Clock, which is one of only six functioning steam clocks in the world. It is now powered electrically, but still has puffs of steam coming out of it and you can see the original mechanism through the glass panels.

Within the beautiful brick buildings of Gastown, you fill find many boutique shops, artist galleries and cocktail bars.

Cycle around Stanley Park Seawall

Stanley Park is one of my favourite areas of Vancouver, a true nature Oasis with beautiful walking and cycling trails. On a sunny day, it seems most of Vancouver can be found here. I would highly recommend renting a bike and riding around the 9km Seawall that surrounds Stanley Park, which takes around 40 minutes – 1 hour with photo stops. There are quite a few bike rental shops or you can grab a Mobi bike which has stations right by Stanley park (29c per minute or 38c for e-bike so around 15CAD for the ride).

You could also join a bike tour through the park and learn more about the area:

Grab lunch at Granville Island Market

Another one of my favourite areas in Vancouver is Granville Island. It is home to Granville Island Public market which is a farmer’s market that sells local produce, delicacies and delicious food. The bakeries here are incredible and there are so many amazing lunch options.

You can even get here via ferry, check out the Aqua Bus or False Creek Ferries to see Vancouver from a totally different angle.

The colourful buildings of Granville Island

Food at Granville Island Market

View of downtown from the Island

Little ducklings on Granville Island

Granville Island is also home to lots of artists, performers and even wildlife so make sure to wander the streets and explore every corner!

Head to Kitsilano or Jericho Beach for sunset views over Vancouver

Seeing Vancouver from Kitsilano Beach/Elsje Point or Jericho Beach is worth the journey. At sunset, the skyline gets tinted in an orange glow with the calm waters before it. You can also often spot otters here and occasionally even whales. Jericho Beach Park is also filled with hundreds of rabbits and is the cutest little walking area.

Finish the day with a brewery tour or at Richmond Night Market

Vancouver has a long history with brewing beer and some fantastic locally produced craft beer. A brewery tour is a great way to learn more about this history while tasting some local favourites.

If you are coming between Apr 25 – Oct 13, you could also finish the day at Richmond Night market. Inspired by the vibrant night markets of Asia, this is a summer highlight in the Vancouver area. There are 70 food and 100 retail stalls on offer as well as a new zipline over the market – what more could you want 🙂

Things to do if you have more time in Vancouver

Visit the Museum of Anthropology

Located a little outside of central Vancouver by the University of British Columbia, this museum houses a collection of thousands of years of Indigenous Art from Canada but also around the world. Indigenous history and culture is incredibly important in Canada and learning about it is key to treating the land and its people with respect.

Ski the local mountains

Vancouver is unique as a major city as it has THREE local ski resorts: Cypress Mountain, Mount Seymour and Grouse Mountain. If you are coming in the winter months, heading to one of these resorts is a must. The views over Vancouver and the sea is insane from the resorts and it really highlights what makes Vancouver so special.

Head to Whistler or Squamish for an outdoorsy daytrip

Vancouver and Whistler connect via the beautiful Sea-to-Sky Highway which is worth the trip in itself for the stunning views you get over the sea and Vancouver Island. Along this road are also countless stunning hikes and stops, including Squamish and the Sea to Sky Gondola, Shannon Falls, Garibaldi Lakes and more.

Visit Bowen Island

Bowen Island is the perfect day trip and you can even do it without a car. Head to Horseshoe Bay Ferry terminal (car or bus 257) and take the 20-minute ferry for 11.95CAD. When arriving there is a small kiosk with maps of all the walks on the island – Dorman Point Look-out and Killarney Lake are two of the most popular ones. If you don’t feel like a hike, they also have lots of local shops, art and delicious food.

Is 1 day enough for Vancouver?

I think yes, one day is enough to see Vancouver’s main attractions. As detailed in this guide, if you have more time you can branch out a little to some further attractions or day trips, but you can certainly see downtown Vancouver and surroundings in one day.

Is Vancouver a walkable city?

Downtown Vancouver is actually surprisingly walkable. There are also lots of parks and beach areas with beautiful walkways, such as Stanley Park, Jericho Beach and Kitsilano Beach.

What is the best time to visit Vancouver?

I think Vancouver is actually a year-round spot thanks to its nearby ski mountains, however for exploring the town and maybe heading on a road trip through more of Canada I would recommend coming from May to early-October. That is when most national parks will be open. If you are looking for a quieter visit, come in the off-season from March to May and September to October.