The Vancouver SkyTrain is a large, fully automated, driverless rapid-transit network — three lines (Expo, Millennium, Canada Line) connecting 54 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 around False Creek and downtown.
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 54 stations across 79.6 km of track. It’s fully automated — there are no drivers — yet it averaged 450,400 rides each weekday in the second quarter of 2026.
- 3 lines: Expo Line (oldest), Millennium Line, Canada Line
- 54 stations across Metro Vancouver
- Frequency: Varies by line and time of day; late at night, Expo trains come every 4-12 minutes, Millennium every 8-10 and each Canada Line branch every 15
- Hours: Early morning to around 1 AM; Expo and Millennium start later and finish earlier on Sundays
- Stored-value fare: C$2.85 (one-zone), C$4.20 (two-zone), C$5.40 (three-zone)
- 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 across two branches. The airport branch runs 13 stations from YVR-Airport to Waterfront downtown; the other branch ends at 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: about 27 minutes on the train
- YVR to Vancouver City Centre: about 25 minutes
- YVR to Olympic Village: 21 minutes
- Bridgeport to Vancouver City Centre: about 18 minutes
Frequency: On the YVR–Waterfront route, every 6 minutes at peak, 8 minutes midday, 10 minutes early in the morning, 12 minutes in the evening and 15 minutes late at night. Weekends and holidays run every 8-15 minutes.
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
- 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: It depends on the branch. On the shared Waterfront–Columbia section, trains run every 2-3 minutes at peak, 3 minutes midday and 3-5 minutes in the evening; late at night it’s every 6 minutes Sunday to Thursday and every 4 minutes on Fridays and Saturdays. Riding beyond Columbia? Check the branch timetable on TransLink’s SkyTrain schedules page.
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 Broadway Subway will extend the Millennium Line west from VCC-Clark through Mount Pleasant, Broadway-City Hall and South Granville to Arbutus Street. It is scheduled to open in 2027.
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$3.50
- Two-zone: C$5.10
- Three-zone: C$6.70
Compass Card stored-value fares (cheaper):
- One-zone: C$2.85
- Two-zone: C$4.20
- Three-zone: C$5.40
DayPass: C$12.55 (adult, all zones) — unlimited rides on bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus and HandyDART until 4 AM the following day. West Coast Express isn’t included.
YVR AddFare: C$6.50 surcharge on eligible trips that start at YVR-Airport, Sea Island Centre or Templeton and end at Bridgeport or beyond. Some passes and tickets are exempt. Doesn’t apply when returning to airport.
Free travel: Children 12 and under ride free, with or without 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, Granville, Burrard, Stadium-Chinatown, Main Street-Science World, Commercial-Broadway, plus much of east Vancouver.
Zones 2 and 3: The suburbs, in rings moving out from the City of Vancouver. TransLink’s fare zone map shows exactly where each boundary falls, so check it before a peak-hour trip out of the city.
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. On stored value that saves C$1.35 against a peak two-zone fare and C$2.55 against three zones (C$1.60 and C$3.20 if you pay cash).
YVR exception: The C$6.50 YVR AddFare still applies off-peak, on eligible trips from YVR-Airport, Sea Island Centre or Templeton that end at Bridgeport or beyond.
Stations Tourists Use Most
The 10 stations that matter most for visitors.
1. YVR-Airport (Canada Line): Airport entry/exit; the station connects to the terminals. Trains leave every 6 minutes at peak, every 8 midday, every 12 in the evening and every 15 late at night.
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.
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 Exchange. For the Museum of Anthropology, walk about 15 minutes northwest from there or change to bus 68.
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: separate stations with no direct link; a short walk through Pacific Centre or Vancouver Centre Mall connects the Canada Line and Expo Line (Waterfront is the direct interchange)
- 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 54 stations have elevators; look at TransLink’s elevator alerts before travelling. 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 the weekday morning and afternoon commuter peaks if you can.
Bicycles: The Canada Line takes bikes at any time, one per car. On the Expo and Millennium lines, bikes aren’t allowed westbound on weekdays from 7 to 9 a.m. or eastbound from 4 to 6 p.m., and each car takes two. Stay near a doorway, hold your bike securely and keep the aisle clear.
Service animals: Allowed on all trains. Pets in carriers also permitted.
Hours & Frequencies
Canada Line:
- First train YVR to Waterfront: 5:09 AM
- Last train YVR to Waterfront: 12:54 AM
- First train Waterfront to YVR: 4:48 AM
- Last train Waterfront to YVR: 1:08 AM
- Frequency: 6 minutes at peak, 8 midday, 10 early morning, 12 in the evening and 15 late at night; 8-15 minutes on weekends and holidays
Expo Line:
- First trains: around 5 AM on weekdays; later on weekends
- Last trains from Waterfront to King George: 1:16 AM Monday to Saturday; 12:16 AM Sundays and holidays
- Frequency: every 2-3 minutes at peak and every 3 minutes midday on the shared Waterfront–Columbia section
Millennium Line:
- First trains: about 5 AM weekdays, with later starts at weekends
- Last trains: 1:22 AM weekdays from VCC-Clark to Lafarge Lake-Douglas (a 1:29 AM train runs only as far as Lougheed)
- Frequency: every 3-4 minutes peak; 6 minutes midday; 6-8 minutes evenings; 8-10 minutes late at night
Sunday/holiday note: The Expo and Millennium lines start later and finish earlier on Sundays and holidays, while the Canada Line keeps its daily hours. 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$0.65-C$1.30/ride vs. cash. Refundable C$6 deposit.
2. Buy a DayPass for sightseeing days. At C$12.55, it beats paying as you go once you take five one-zone rides on stored value in a day, or four paying cash or contactless.
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$6.50 AddFare on eligible trips leaving YVR-Airport, Sea Island Centre or Templeton for Bridgeport or beyond makes them noticeably pricier; combine YVR visits with airport stops.
7. Use SeaBus instead of Lions Gate Bridge taxi. From Waterfront, ride the SeaBus to Lonsdale Quay and take bus 236 to Capilano. On adult stored value that’s C$4.20 before 6:30 PM on weekdays, or C$2.85 at other times, with 90 minutes to make the connection.
Future Expansion: Broadway Subway
Under construction now is the Broadway Subway — a 5.7 km extension of the Millennium Line from VCC-Clark to Arbutus Street, with six new underground stations: Great Northern Way-Emily Carr, Mount Pleasant, Broadway-City Hall (transfer with Canada Line), Oak-VGH, South Granville and Arbutus.
Status (May 2026): Construction in progress. The line is scheduled to open in 2027.
Visitor impact when complete: Direct rail access from downtown to Vancouver General Hospital area, South Granville shopping district, Granville Island vicinity, 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?
An adult one-zone trip is C$2.85 on stored value or C$3.50 cash or contactless.
How frequent is the SkyTrain?
It varies by line and branch. Late at night, Expo trains run every 4-12 minutes, Millennium trains every 8-10 and each Canada Line branch every 15; daytime service is far more frequent.
Is the SkyTrain 24 hours?
No. Trains run from early morning until around 1 AM, and weekend start times and last trains vary by line and station. 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. On the Expo and Millennium lines, bikes aren’t allowed westbound 7-9 AM or eastbound 4-6 PM on weekdays; the Canada Line takes them anytime. Expo and Millennium cars take two bikes each; Canada Line cars take one.
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.