The Vancouver SkyTrain is one of the world’s largest fully automated, driverless rapid-transit systems — three lines (Expo, Millennium, Canada Line) connecting 53 stations across Metro Vancouver. For visitors, it’s the most efficient way to move between downtown, the airport, Burnaby, Richmond, the North Shore (via SeaBus connection), and major attractions like Granville Island (via short walk from Olympic Village station).
This is the comprehensive 2026 visitor’s guide: how the system works, fares, the lines explained, the stations that matter for tourists, transfers, accessibility, and the small things that make the difference between a smooth ride and a confused one.
Table of Contents
SkyTrain at a Glance
The SkyTrain has run since 1985 (built for Expo 86) and is operated by TransLink, Metro Vancouver’s transit authority. Three lines now serve 53 stations across 79 km of track. It’s fully automated — there are no drivers — yet handles roughly 500,000 boardings per day.
- 3 lines: Expo Line (oldest), Millennium Line, Canada Line
- 53 stations across Metro Vancouver
- Frequency: Every 2-3 minutes peak; 6-8 minutes off-peak; 15-20 minutes late night
- Hours: ~5 AM to 1 AM weekdays; slightly later on weekends
- Stored-value fare: C$2.70 (one-zone), C$3.95 (two-zone), C$5.40 (three-zone) — rising to C$2.85, C$4.15, C$5.65 on July 1, 2026
- Fully accessible: All stations elevator-equipped; level boarding throughout
The Canada Line
The Canada Line is the youngest of the three lines (opened 2009 for the 2010 Olympics) and the most relevant to visitors. It’s the only line connecting YVR International Airport, downtown Vancouver, and the Richmond suburbs.
Route: 17 stations from YVR-Airport to Waterfront downtown, with a branch to Richmond-Brighouse.
Key stops for visitors:
- YVR-Airport: Vancouver International Airport — the obvious one
- Bridgeport: Richmond hotels, Casino Resort, IKEA
- Aberdeen: Richmond Asian shopping (Aberdeen Centre, Yaohan Centre)
- Lansdowne: Richmond Centre mall
- Richmond-Brighouse: Steveston (via 401 bus connection)
- Marine Drive: Lower mainland connector
- Olympic Village: False Creek south side, Olympic Village neighborhood
- Yaletown-Roundhouse: Yaletown shops and restaurants
- Vancouver City Centre: Robson Street, Pacific Centre, central downtown hotels
- Waterfront: Canada Place, cruise terminals, SeaBus to North Vancouver
Travel times:
- YVR to Waterfront: 25 minutes
- YVR to Vancouver City Centre: 23 minutes
- YVR to Olympic Village: 21 minutes
- Bridgeport to Vancouver City Centre: 17 minutes
Frequency: Every 6-7 minutes most of the day; every 20 minutes during late hours.
The Expo Line
The original SkyTrain line, running between Waterfront downtown, through East Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and to King George station in Surrey. It split into two branches at Columbia (Production Way-University and King George).
Key stops for visitors:
- Waterfront: Downtown’s transit hub; SeaBus and West Coast Express connect here
- Burrard: Burrard Street area, central downtown
- Granville: Granville Street nightlife, Robson Square
- Stadium-Chinatown: BC Place, Rogers Arena, Chinatown, Science World (10-min walk)
- Main Street-Science World: Science World direct exit, False Creek Seawall, Quebec Street
- Commercial-Broadway: Major transfer hub; connects to 99 B-Line bus to UBC
- Metrotown: Metropolis at Metrotown (largest BC mall)
- New Westminster / Columbia: Pier West, Quay/marketplace
- King George (Surrey): Surrey Central business district
Frequency: Every 2-3 minutes peak; 5-6 minutes mid-day; 8-10 minutes late evening.
The Millennium Line
The Millennium Line runs from VCC-Clark in East Vancouver through Burnaby and Coquitlam to Lafarge Lake-Douglas in Coquitlam. Less tourist-relevant than the other two lines, but useful for some specific trips.
Key stops for visitors:
- VCC-Clark: East Vancouver entry
- Commercial-Broadway: Transfer hub (also Expo Line)
- Brentwood Town Centre: Burnaby shopping
- Production Way-University: SFU Burnaby Mountain campus connection
- Coquitlam Central: Coquitlam Centre mall
- Lafarge Lake-Douglas: End of line; lake walking path
Note: The 2025-2027 Broadway Subway extension will extend the Millennium Line west from VCC-Clark through Mt. Pleasant, Cambie, and Granville to Arbutus Street. Set to open phased through 2028.
Fares & Compass Card
SkyTrain (and bus, SeaBus) all use the same fare system, managed by TransLink.
Cash/contactless tap fares (single trip, 90 minutes):
- One-zone: C$3.35 (rising to C$3.50 July 1, 2026)
- Two-zone: C$4.85 (rising to C$5.10)
- Three-zone: C$6.60 (rising to C$6.90)
Compass Card stored-value fares (cheaper):
- One-zone: C$2.70 (rising to C$2.85)
- Two-zone: C$3.95 (rising to C$4.15)
- Three-zone: C$5.40 (rising to C$5.65)
DayPass: C$11.95 (rising to C$12.55) — unlimited rides for one calendar day across all lines and zones.
YVR AddFare: C$5.00 surcharge for trips originating at YVR-Airport Station only. Doesn’t apply when returning to airport.
Free travel: Children under 5 ride free with a fare-paying adult.
Fare Zones Explained
Three zones determine your fare. The zone count is based on which zones you cross, not where you start or end.
Zone 1 (downtown core): City of Vancouver, including all downtown stations, Olympic Village, Mount Pleasant, Granville, Burrard, Stadium-Chinatown, Main Street-Science World, Commercial-Broadway, plus much of east Vancouver.
Zone 2: Burnaby, North Vancouver (via SeaBus), West Vancouver, Richmond, parts of New Westminster.
Zone 3: Surrey, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam.
Time-of-day rule: Weekdays after 6:30 PM, all weekends, and statutory holidays — all trips are charged the one-zone fare regardless of how far you travel. Saves C$1.25-C$2.70 per trip vs. peak two- or three-zone fares.
YVR exception: The YVR AddFare adds C$5.00 to any trip starting at YVR-Airport Station, even off-peak.
Stations Tourists Use Most
The 10 stations that matter most for visitors.
1. YVR-Airport (Canada Line): Airport entry/exit. Trains every 6-7 minutes, walking distance from any terminal.
2. Waterfront (Canada Line, Expo Line, SeaBus, West Coast Express): Downtown’s grand central — connects to Canada Place, cruise terminals, North Vancouver via SeaBus, and points east via WCE.
3. Vancouver City Centre (Canada Line): Robson Street, Pacific Centre, Hudson’s Bay, Hotel Georgia.
4. Yaletown-Roundhouse (Canada Line): Yaletown restaurants, BC Place, OPUS Vancouver hotel.
5. Olympic Village (Canada Line): False Creek seawall, Olympic Village neighborhood, ~10-minute walk to Granville Island via Cambie Bridge.
6. Burrard (Expo Line): Coal Harbour seawall, Sutton Place Hotel, Bentall Centre.
7. Granville (Expo Line): Granville Street pedestrian zone, theatre district, Vancouver Library Central.
8. Main Street-Science World (Expo Line): Science World, False Creek waterfront, ferries to Granville Island.
9. Commercial-Broadway (Expo Line, Millennium Line): Transfer hub for the 99 B-Line bus to UBC and Museum of Anthropology.
10. Metrotown (Expo Line): Metropolis at Metrotown — biggest mall in BC.
Transfers & SeaBus Integration
One fare covers SkyTrain + bus + SeaBus transfers within 90 minutes.
Major transfer points:
- Waterfront: Canada Line ↔ Expo Line ↔ SeaBus ↔ West Coast Express
- Vancouver City Centre ↔ Granville: 5-minute underground walk between Canada Line and Expo Line
- Commercial-Broadway: Expo Line ↔ Millennium Line ↔ 99 B-Line bus
- Bridgeport: Canada Line YVR branch ↔ Richmond branch
- Lonsdale Quay (across SeaBus): SeaBus ↔ buses for Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mountain, Deep Cove
SeaBus details: Catamaran ferry that crosses Burrard Inlet from Waterfront Station to Lonsdale Quay (North Vancouver) in 12 minutes. Same fare system; included in transfers. Beautiful harbor views.
Free shuttles connecting: Capilano Suspension Bridge runs a free shuttle from Canada Place near Waterfront Station — combine with SeaBus to Lonsdale and bus back for a half-day North Shore loop.
Accessibility & Luggage
The SkyTrain is one of North America’s most accessible transit systems.
Wheelchair accessibility: All 53 stations have elevators. All trains are level-boarding (no step or gap). Train interior includes designated wheelchair spaces with priority signage.
Stroller accessibility: Same as wheelchairs. Strollers fold or stand flat against window areas. No issues during off-peak times.
Luggage capacity: Standard size suitcases fit comfortably in spaces near doors. The trains accommodate two large suitcases per traveler with room for foot traffic. Avoid weekday rush hours (8-9 AM, 4:30-6 PM) if possible.
Bicycles: Allowed on most trains all day except weekday rush hours. Two-bike capacity per car typical. Always board the front of the train where the bike storage is.
Service animals: Allowed on all trains. Pets in carriers also permitted.
Hours & Frequencies
Canada Line:
- First train YVR to Waterfront: 5:08 AM
- Last train YVR to Waterfront: 12:57 AM
- First train Waterfront to YVR: 4:49 AM
- Last train Waterfront to YVR: 1:05 AM
- Frequency: every 6-7 minutes; every 20 minutes late hours
Expo Line:
- First trains: ~5 AM both directions
- Last trains: ~1:15 AM weekdays; ~1:45 AM Saturdays; ~12:30 AM Sundays
- Frequency: every 2-3 minutes peak; 6-8 minutes off-peak
Millennium Line:
- First trains: ~5 AM both directions
- Last trains: ~12:45 AM weekdays
- Frequency: every 3-5 minutes peak; 8-10 minutes off-peak
Sunday/holiday note: All lines operate slightly later starts and earlier ends. Check translink.ca for exact times before late-night travel.
Safety & Etiquette
The SkyTrain is statistically very safe but, like any public transit, follow standard urban precautions.
Safety basics:
- Stand back from platform edges (yellow tactile strip)
- Hold the railing on escalators (busy platforms)
- Be aware of belongings; keep wallet/phone secure during boarding
- SkyTrain Police patrol regularly; Compass-tap card readers help track concerning behavior
- Emergency intercom buttons in every car
Etiquette:
- Let people exit before boarding
- Move to the back/middle of cars during rush hour
- No food or drink (officially); water bottles tolerated
- Yield priority seats to seniors, pregnant, disabled
- Keep music in headphones
- Skateboards and large bags should be tucked, not blocking aisles
Money-Saving Tips
1. Get a Compass Card. Save C$0.50-C$1.20/ride vs. cash. Refundable C$6 deposit.
2. Buy a DayPass for sightseeing days. 4+ rides in one day breaks even at C$11.95.
3. Use after-6:30 PM weekdays for free zone-jumping. Travel from downtown to Surrey for a one-zone fare in the evening.
4. Travel weekends within Zone 1. Same one-zone-fare benefit applies all day weekends and statutory holidays.
5. Tap with credit card if staying 1-2 days. Skip the Compass Card deposit for short trips.
6. Avoid YVR-bound trips except when needed. The C$5 AddFare makes YVR trips noticeably pricier; combine YVR visits with airport stops.
7. Use SeaBus instead of Lions Gate Bridge taxi. SeaBus to Lonsdale + Capilano shuttle is C$2.70 each way vs. C$45-60 taxi.
Future Expansion: Broadway Subway
Vancouver’s biggest current transit project is the Broadway Subway — a 5.7 km underground extension of the Millennium Line from VCC-Clark to Arbutus Street, with stations at Mount Pleasant, Great Northern Way, Mount Pleasant, Broadway-City Hall (transfer with Canada Line), Oak-VGH, Granville, and South Granville.
Status (May 2026): Construction in progress. Phased opening expected 2027-2028.
Visitor impact when complete: Direct rail access from downtown to Vancouver General Hospital area, South Granville shopping district, Granville Island vicinity (10-min walk), and the future arts/cultural district along Great Northern Way.
Construction impact 2026: Some Broadway corridor traffic and pedestrian disruptions. Detours signed; bus service maintained throughout.
SkyTrain FAQs
How much does the SkyTrain cost?
One-zone trip C$2.70 stored value or C$3.35 cash; rises to C$2.85/C$3.50 on July 1, 2026.
How frequent is the SkyTrain?
Every 2-3 minutes peak; 5-8 minutes mid-day; 15-20 minutes late hours.
Is the SkyTrain 24 hours?
No. Operates roughly 5 AM to 1 AM, with slight variation by line. Late-night NightBus service connects to most areas after SkyTrain hours.
Where do I buy a Compass Card?
At any SkyTrain station vending machine, the YVR ticket vending machine, online at compasscard.ca, or at SkyTrain customer service centers (Stadium-Chinatown, Waterfront).
Can I bring my bike on the SkyTrain?
Yes, except during weekday rush hours (7:30-9:30 AM and 4-6:30 PM). Two bikes per car.
Is there free WiFi on SkyTrain?
Limited at some stations; not consistently in trains. Cell coverage is universal.
Do I need exact change?
No. Vending machines accept cash, debit, and credit. Tap-to-pay credit cards work at all gates.
Related reading: Pair this with our YVR to downtown guide, Compass Card explainer, and Vancouver transportation pillar.
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