What to Do in Vancouver in 6 Hours: A Guide for Short Layovers

May 31, 2025
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Vancouver is one of the busiest airports in Canada and a transport hub to many different countries. If you have a layover here, consider heading into the famous city surrounded by mountains and sea. Here is exactly how you could spend your layover in Vancouver!

I have now visited Vancouver quite a few times and the city is certainly one of my favourites in Canada. It is located right by the sea with direct ferries to Vancouver Island, as well as being surrounded by mountains with world-class ski resorts. It is what makes Vancouver so completely unique, this direct link to nature and the outdoors.

That being said, Vancouver downtown is actually pretty manageable size-wise and hence it is more than possible to explore its top attractions on a layover. I’d recommend at least a 6-hour layover to leave the airport, any more is even better.

So, here is your perfect Vancouver layover itinerary with rough timings too to help you plan your stay:

Table of Contents

Can I leave the airport in Vancouver during my layover?

There are a few things to consider regarding whether you can and should leave the airport during your layover in Vancouver, mostly time and entry requirements. I will lay out the details below, but you will need around 4 hours time to leave and re-enter the airport, including transport to and from the city. A layover of 6 hours is the absolute minimum time to consider leaving the airport, anything more is better. If you need to collect and re-check bags for the layover, you will need more than 6 hours.

Entry Requirements to leave Vancouver Airport during a layover

A visa or eTA is required for most countries to enter Canada. The exception are those with a passport from Canada and the US.

While Canada does have a transit visa, it only applies when you DO NOT leave the airport. If you plan to leave the airport, you have to organise your visa or eTA in advance.

Most countries can apply for an eTA, which is a travel allowance for visa-exempt foreign nationals that are visiting Canada (not working or studying!). It is valid for up to 5 years. You can apply for it here – it is usually approved in minutes (but can take several days in certain cases) and costs 7CAD. Have your passport and credit card on hand for this

Your eTA is directly linked to the passport you used to apply, so make sure to travel with the one you used to apply for your eTA. If you are not in one of the eTA countries, you will need a visa to enter Canada. Check with your local embassy on how to apply for one.

Time to pass through immigration in Canada and leave Vancouver Airport

It usually takes 60-90 minutes to deplane, go through immigration and be ready to leave Vancouver Airport. Immigration in Canada is very detailed and wait times can be long depending on time of day.

A little warning to begin with: I would only recommend trying to leave during your layover if you are entering on a visitor visa. If you are coming to work or study in Canada, the visa process will likely take MUCH LONGER and I would not risk leaving before your final destination. When I came to Canada for my IEC, immigration alone took over 2 hours.

If you are entering as a visitor, you will need to fill out an immigration and customs declaration. You can do this at the airport at a machine and you will get a sheet of paper with your answers – called your declaration. To save time, you can also download the ArriveCAN app and fill out the questions up to 72 hours prior to arriving in Canada. This will really speed things along in the immigration line. Learn more about this here.

Once I had my declaration, I went through passport control. I had to show the declaration several times, so make sure to keep the printed sheets on hand. Officers will ask you questions about the form and your time in Canada, so be prepared to answer calmly – I say calmly as I always find the border officers in Canada extremely serious and the whole process a little stressful.

Normally, your bags should auto-transfer to your next flight, but if you booked with a different airline, you need to collect them. If you need to collect bags, you will ideally need a longer layover as this will add significant time.

Transport from Vancouver Airport to Vancouver city center

We will discuss transport and exact options further down, but you need to schedule at least 30 minutes each way for transport from Vancouver airport to the city center.

Getting back to Vancouver airport in time

You need to arrive back at the airport with at least 2 hours to spare so that you can go through security and passport control. The airport recommends 3 hours for international flights, I would say this is only necessary during the holidays and busy periods. Your bags should have been transferred automatically, but if you booked with different airlines you may need to re-check it too. Allow enough time for this.

How to get from Vancouver Airport to Vancouver City Centre:

If you are arriving on a layover, you will more than likely be arriving in Vancouver International Airport. This itinerary only really works for that airport. If you are arriving at Abbotsford International Airport, transport into the city will take at least one hour, likely longer. I’d recommend only attempting this with a 7-8+ hour layover. Check out this guide for more information on Abbotsford Airport.

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.

Travel Time: usually 18-30 minutes (up to 45 minutes during peak hours)
Cost: 25CAD – 45CAD ($18-$32)
Apps: Uber, Lyft, Poparide

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).

Things to do in Vancouver Layover Itinerary

Overview and Map

The total itinerary includes 5-6 stops and you can walk part of it and will partly need public transport. I will also add some additional suggestions at the end in case you have more time!

Start the day with a walking tour in Downtown Vancouver (2-3 hours)

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. If you have enough time, I would highly recommend a walking tour to get an overview of Vancouver from a local’s perspective. Check out some of Vancouver’s top walking tours here.

If you have extra time, you could head up the 168 meters tall Vancouver Lookout (grab a ticket here) for 360-degree views of the city.

Don’t miss

Check out Craffles for some great food and coffee!

Learn about Vancouver’s history in Gastown (~30 min)

A short walk from downtown Vancouver you will find Gastown, which is officially a National Historic Site of Canada since 2009. 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.

Grab a bike and cycle around Stanley Park Seawall (~ 1 hour)

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:

Sample some food at Granville Island Market (45 min)

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.

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 skyline views of Vancouver (40 min)

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. If short on time, Kitsilano beach is just a 20-minute walk from Granville Island.

If you have extra time:

If you find yourself with some time to spare and are up for more exploring, these are some great additions to the itinerary:

Try Vancouver’s best beers on a brewery tour

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.

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.

Head to Richmond Night market

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 🙂

Where to stay in Vancouver?

If you do decide to extend your layover and stay a night in Vancouver, these are hotels/hostels at different price points I would recommend:

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.