Metro Vancouver’s 53-station SkyTrain network is one of Canada’s most iconic transit services. The three-line system, consisting of 79km of elevated and underground tracks, features driverless trains zipping passengers around easily. Therefore, it serves as an inviting tool for urban exploration, so long as you know where to go.
On your next visit to British Columbia’s ocean-fringed metropolis, consider purchasing a transit system DayPass, which also covers bus and SeaBus ferries. Dive into this road-tested SkyTrain itinerary for a full day of exciting stops in and around Vancouver.
SkyTrain stop 1: Stadium-Chinatown Station
Start your day with an early breakfast in Gastown, the city’s brick-paved heritage district, and then slip between the imposing columns of historic Waterfront Station. This once-bustling transit hub is now the starting point for two SkyTrain routes.
Hop on the Expo Line and disembark at Stadium-Chinatown after three stops. Situated at the edge of North America’s third-largest Chinatown district, you will discover vibrant streets, including Pender, Keefer, and Main, lined with shops, cafes, and picturesque lampposts adorned with golden dragons.
Be sure to visit the towering Chinatown Millennium Gate and the delightful Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, where you can find a serene pond filled with turtles. Need a break? Enjoy a piping hot pork bun at the nearby New Town Bakery.
When you’re ready to move on, walk back to Stadium-Chinatown or catch the number 3 bus on Main St. Remember, your DayPass includes all transit options. Both routes will lead you to the Expo Line’s Main Street-Science World Station. If time permits, visit the nearby Science World for family-friendly exhibits, or admire the vibrant street art murals just off Main St around Industrial Avenue.
SkyTrain stop 2: Commercial-Broadway Station
Just one SkyTrain stop past Main Street-Science World, Commercial-Broadway Station is the gateway to Commercial Drive, one of Vancouver’s liveliest streets. Shaped by 1950s Italian immigrants and 1960s counterculture politics, it boasts a vast array of independent stores, eclectic coffee shops, and numerous restaurants overflowing with international cuisines.
Stroll north along the Drive towards the mountains, and feel free to hop on and off transit bus 20 whenever needed for a break. Explore vintage treasures at Mintage and satisfy your sweet tooth at Licorice Parlour. For coffee lovers, the trendy Prado hits the spot; lunch options range from hearty Lebanese comfort food at Jamjar to elevated pub classics at nerd bar Storm Crow Tavern.
SkyTrain stop 3: New Westminster Station
Return to Commercial-Broadway Station and connect to the Expo Line. A 20-minute SkyTrain ride brings you to New Westminster, a historic city that served as British Columbia’s capital in the 1860s. Just steps away from the mighty Fraser River, you’ll find Columbia St, lined with heritage buildings. This area is also home to the Anvil Centre, featuring a free-entry city museum and art gallery.
Don’t skip the waterfront; New West’s indoor River Market houses various shops and eateries. The adjoining shoreline boardwalk leads to a linear park adorned with art installations, history panels, and stunning riverfront views, frequented by herons and cormorants.
After exploring, return to New Westminster Station and ride back to Commercial-Broadway Station. From there, transfer to one of the 99B-Line express buses outside. After four stops and roughly ten minutes, you will reach Broadway-City Hall Station.
Consider heading two stops north on the Canada Line to Yaletown-Roundhouse Station to visit Engine 374, featuring the locomotive that first pulled transcontinental passenger trains into Vancouver in 1887. Alternatively, venture south to another intriguing city suburb—especially if you’re feeling hungry.
SkyTrain stop 4: Bridgeport Station
Traveling mostly underground, Canada Line trains resurface at Marine Drive Station before gliding across a bridge that spans the shimmering North Arm of the Fraser River. You’ve now arrived in Richmond, a small city originally founded on farming and fishing, now celebrated for hosting North America’s tastiest Asian dining scene.
Richmond offers an abundance of authentic restaurants. If you’re visiting on a weekend between May and October, satisfy your cravings at the Richmond Night Market, merely a five-minute walk from Bridgeport Station. Here you’ll find food stalls featuring everything from fish balls to colorful grilled cheese and ‘Japanese poutine,’ a unique twist on Canada’s beloved gravy-and-fries dish.
If you missed the market, don’t fret. Near Lansdowne Station, Richmond’s Alexandra Road—nicknamed ‘Food Street’—is packed with restaurants. Additionally, locals adore the hawker-style counters found in city food courts. Near Canada Line’s Aberdeen Station, visit Parker Place, President Plaza, or Aberdeen Centre for a vast selection of dishes, ranging from spicy laksa and Chinese doughnuts to ramen bowls and fluffy bingsoo desserts.
SkyTrain stop 5: Waterfront Station
Ready to head back? Board the Canada Line and return north; it takes approximately 20 minutes to reach Waterfront Station from Richmond. Upon departing the historic terminal, turn left, and you’ll soon find yourself back in the heart of Gastown. Walk between the charming stores and bars on Water St, joining the crowds photographing the Steam Clock, and within minutes, you’ll arrive at Maple Tree Square.
This square marks the birthplace of modern-day Vancouver. The lively statue of Gassy Jack Deighton commemorates the spot where the saloon he opened in 1867 spurred the development that eventually led to the formation of the city. Celebrate his legacy and your delightful SkyTrain day out with a cocktail or two at the Diamond, an upscale bar overlooking the statue and historic square.
Make it happen
A DayPass costs $10.25, granting unlimited access to bus, SeaBus, and SkyTrain transit services. Simply purchase paper DayPass tickets from vending machines located at SkyTrain stations or from designated local retailers. Alternatively, you can load a DayPass onto a plastic stored value Compass Card obtained from the same machines and retailers. To plan your local excursions, utilize the Plan My Trip tool available on the transit system’s website.
