VANCOUVER
TRANSIT - TRANSLINK
Vancouver has a great public transit system network set up
with city buses, Seabus, mini ferries and the Skytrain. It has
recently changed hands from BC Transit (in case you're wondering
what happened to them! - thanks to the Translink rep for the
update!) You will find that it is the bus you'll need to take
to get directly to English Bay. You'll need exact
change (see 'Fares' below) when you get on the bus, and
be sure to receive a transfer if you're planning to continue
your travels, as a transfer is valid for 90 minutes of travel
in any direction.
For more information contact:
Translink Customer Information - Phone:
604-953-3333 or
See them online at: translink.bc.ca
The following buses will take you from Downtown to
English Bay (see bus routes in transit map above):
 #1
Beach/Gastown: A handy bus to take if you've come
over from North Vancouver on the Seabus, or were strolling around
Gastown before heading to English Bay. The bus loops around Gastown
from the east, where you can pick it up on Water Street, passing
Waterfront Station on the way, continuing along Hastings to Burrard.
The bus heads south all the way down Burrard to Davie Street,
turns right and trundles down Davie until it stops in front of
the Sands Hotel at the corner of Davie and Denman Streets. You've
arrived at the heart of English Bay!
#5
Robson/Downtown: The 5 and 6 do not loop around the
West End like the 3 and 8 used to. This bus now covers the Entertainment
District, so it basically starts at Robson and Cambie Streets.
It loops back to Pender, turns left and then left again on Granville.
It continues south on Granville, turns right on Robson Street,
and heads west all the way down to Denman Street - the beginning
of the English Bay area. You can exit the bus here and walk south
down Denman to the beach, or ride the bus until it terminates
at Davie Street, just off Denman.
#6
Davie/Downtown: Here we start (as many Downtown buses
seem to) at Waterfront Station. Waterfront Station is an excellent
hub - the Seabus and Skytrain both originate/end here, many buses
start/end here and it is near the Pan Pacific Hotel thus a great
meeting landmark. Anyway, this straightforward bus first loops
around onto Richards at Cordova, right off Richards at Pender
and then left at Granville Street. It then takes you south along
Granville Street, past Robson, until it gets to Davie Street,
right on Davie and finally terminating at the foot of Davie near
Denman.
Translink FARES (as of 09/2004)
| Times |
Zones valid |
Adult |
Concession |
Peak hours
(weekdays before 6:30pm) |
one |
$2.00 |
$1.50 |
| two |
$3.00 |
$2.00 |
| three |
$4.00 |
$3.00 |
| Off-Peak hours |
all |
$2.00 |
$1.50 |
| Day Pass |
all |
$8.00 |
$6.00 |
GRANVILLE
ISLAND FERRIES
Using the Granville Island Ferries to cross False Creek is
a great way to start your day in English Bay. These mini ferries
have been criss-crossing this inlet for years and have recently
expanded their service. Our transit map above outlines the main routes for
you. To get to English Bay, take the ferry from Bridges Restaurant
on Granville Island or Stamps Landing and it will take you to
the Aquatic Centre at Sunset Beach (just under the Burrard Street
Bridge's north side). Turn left onto the Seawall and take a leisurely
15-20 minute stroll up to English Bay Beach and Denman and Davie
Streets.
The Ferries run from 7:00 am - 10:00 pm in the summer.
See more information at www.granvilleislandferries.bc.ca or phone 684-7781
Looking for the Victoria-Vancouver ferries? See www.bcferries.com.
PARKING
IN THE AREA
If you're driving, there are parking meters along both Denman
and Davie Streets (so don't forget your "loonies"),
a few free 2 hour parking spots on the side streets (after 6pm,
all 2hr parking is free) and The Coast Plaza (near the corner
of Comox and Denman) has a large underground parking lot. At Sunset Beach there is a metered parking lot
and Stanley Park has pay-parking in all areas. The metered areas
run until 8pm, at which time they are free. Don't be surprised
on a sunny summer day to be parking a short way from the centre
of English Bay and doing a bit of walking.
WALKING
IN THE AREA
English Bay
Walking Tour - it doesn't matter where you start this tour
- it gives you an overall impression of what English Bay and
the West End is all about.
Walking tour map
- an excellent accompanyment to the above tour, this page has
been designed to be printed out and taken with you on your travels.
CYCLING
AND ROLLERBLADING IN THE AREA
Rollerblading
Tips - Our man-on-the-scene, Lorne Milne, has a great collection
of info about how, where and when to rollerblade in Vancouver
Route Map - great
for anyone who is new to blading/cycling in Vancouver or would
like to find some new and comprehensive info about routes
|
- #5 Robson Street/Downtown
- #1 Beach/Downtown
- indicates ferry and Seabus
routes
