By Air

An international airport is an airport typically equipped with customs and immigration facilities to handle international flights to and from other countries. Such airports are usually larger, and often feature longer runways and facilities to accommodate the large aircraft commonly used for international or intercontinental travel. International airports often host domestic flights (flights which occur within the country) in addition to international flights. In many smaller countries most airports are international airports, so the concept of an "international airport" has little meaning. In certain countries however, there is a sub-category of limited international airports which handle international flights, but are limited to short-haul destinations (often due to geographical factors) or are mixed civilian/military airports.

SkyTrain

The SkyTrain is an Advanced rapid metro system operating fully automated trains on three lines. Built for the Expo 86 World's Fair, it has since become the world's longest automated light rapid transit system utilizing the world's longest transit-only bridge, the SkyBridge. The Expo and Millennium Lines link downtown to the suburbs of Burnaby, New Westminster, and Surrey.

A third rapid transit line connecting downtown Vancouver to central Richmond and the Vancouver International Airport, known as the Canada Line, started operation on August 17, 2009. It utilizes Hyundai Rotem instead of the Advanced rapid metro used on the first two lines.

By Bus

Bus service operates throughout most the region under a private subsidiary known as Coast Mountain Bus Company. Service in West Vancouver and Lions Bay is contracted through West Vancouver Blue Bus. All buses are wheelchair accessible and a large number carry bike racks, able to carry one or two wheelchairs and bicycles respectively. Unlike other North American cities which are in the process of phasing out trolleybus service[citation needed], Vancouver is actively maintaining and upgrading its fleet. With recent purchases of 188 E40LFRs and 40 E60LFRs from New Flyer Industries, the trolley network will serve the downtown core with fully wheelchair accessible and bike friendly zero-emission buses.

Hell's Gate Airtram, Stanley Park, Grouse Mountain, Kitsilano Beach Park, Gastown Steam Clock

Hell's Gate Airtram

The wild Fraser Canyon, a drive of no more than three hours east of Vancouver, is one of Canada's most impressive gorges. Here the raging torrents of the Fraser force their way through a narrow pass between rocky walls towering almost vertically above the river. In days gone by the Indians found a perilous way across by using ladders. The first things to take the eye are the narrowness and rough-hewn walls of the Fraser Canyon and the difficulties involved in laying a road at the narrowest spot, known as Hell's Gate. A funicular railway, giving a view of the wild gorge below, leads down to the other bank which is 150 m (490 ft) lower. Down here the tourist will find souvenir shops, a restaurant and a small center providing information, by means of films, models of the "fish-ladders", etc., about the four-yearly migration cycle of the salmon. It is a climb of a few minutes down a reasonable path to the white, foaming river below. The opposite bank can be reached by means of a swaying suspension bridge.

Stanley Park

Situated on a small peninsula immediately west of the Vancouver city center, Stanley Park is a 405 ha (1000 acre) park-cum-nature reserve with a host of sights and leisure facilities including an aquarium. Particularly on the western side of the peninsula there are numerous huge, centuries-old, red cedar and Douglas fir trees. Being earmarked for use if repairs were needed to sailing ships of the British navy, they escaped the woodcutter's axe and saw. Stanley Park, now criss-crossed by more than 80 km (50 mi.) of trails and roads, was handed over to the then new town of Vancouver in 1888 by the Governor General of Canada, Lord Stanley.

Grouse Mountain

From the 1250 m (4100 ft) high Grouse Mountain - Vancouver's "private" peak - an unmatched panorama can be enjoyed in clear weather, especially in the evenings when the city lights are on. A cable car, operating daily, runs from the end of Nancy Greene Way to the summit restaurant (at 1128 m (3700 ft)) from where a chair-lift continues to the summit itself. In winter Grouse Mountain is a popular skiing area.

Kitsilano Beach Park

The main attraction at the Kitsilano Beach Park is a heated seawater swimming pool.

Kitsilano Beach has become a very popular and trendy area to live and frequent in the Vancouver area. In addition to the beach and ocean front, the area has a number of cafes, walking trails, outdoor exercise equipment and more. People come here both to swim and take in the scenery.

The views from Kitsilano back over the Vancouver city center are wonderful with the mountains in behind. Kitsilano Beach is a great place to spend a hot summer's day, either on the beach or in a seaside cafe.

Gastown Steam Clock

Standing on the corner of Cambie Street and Water Street in the Gastown section of Vancouver is a steam operated clock which toots every quarter hour. Made in the 1870s it is today linked to the district heating system.

The Steam Clock is a popular tourist draw with visitors standing around waiting for the clock to sound. If you are in Gastown a visit to the Steam Clock, and actually hearing it go off, is one of the highlights.

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December - February -> 5(°C) - Winter
June - August -> 23(°C) - Summer

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