(photo courtesy of Entheos_fog via Flickr)
We’ve offered bits and pieces of the transportation plan that the city of Vancouver and VANOC have devised for the 2010 Winter Olympic games. This post brings it all together in one nice little package. So before you head out the door I highly recommend that you check it out. No matter what mode of transportation you choose we’ve got you covered. It is in our opinion that you park that car in the garage and do not be caught driving into downtown, unless you have a Vancouver 2010 official vehicle or are an important person. Here are your options for travel during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Canada Line
Hours of Operation: 4:50am to 1:15am (next day)
Cost: 1 zone: $2.50 2 zone: $3.75, 3 zone: $5.00 (plus $5 if departing airport YVR)
If you have just landed at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), this is your cheapest and quickest option. There is a station right at the Airport and a train will whisk you away into downtown Vancouver in a mere 20 minutes. Detailed trip planning here.
Olympic Line Streetcar
Hours of Operation: 6:30am-12:30am
Cost: FREE
Connecting Granville Island, a key entertainment centre for the 2010 Winter Games, and the Olympic/Paralympic Village Vancouver, the Olympic Line Streetcar service will extend Vancouver’s regional transit network along False Creek during 60 days of celebration before and during the Games. More Streetcar info here.
Trolley Buses, Expo and Millenium Line SkyTrains
Hours of Operation: Some routes will 24 hours, check the Olympic Public Transit Guide for more info.
Expo and Millenium Line: 5:00am – 2:15am
Trolley Buses: 5:00am to 3:00am
Cost: 1 zone: $2.50, 2 zone: $3.75, 3 zone: $5.00
The bus and SkyTrain network is quite extensive within the city of Vancouver. The further east you get, the dicier the service becomes, especially for trolley buses. For more information on Bus re-routes consult our bus re-routes guide for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Sea Bus
Hours of Operation: 6:00am – 2:15am (every 10 to 15 minutes, 30 minutes from (1am to 2:15am)
Cost: $3.75 (2 zone)
The Sea Bus passenger ferry runs from Waterfront Station in Downtown Vancouver and connects to the Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. A must-visit for anyone visiting Vancouver, with the views simply breathtaking from the water. More info here.
Taxi
Taxi service has been enhanced during the Olympics. A typical cab ride from Vancouver International Airport to downtown will cost about $35. It’s a reliable option depending upon traffic. Taxi companies in Vancouver include: Yellow Cab (604.681.1111), Macure’s cabs (604.683.6666), Black Top (604.681.2181), Vancouver Taxi (604.871.1111)
Walking
Yes good old fashioned walking is possibly the best way to explore Vancouver (especially with the mild winter weather we have been having of late). It is an extremely pedestrian friendly city and one of the most walkable according to numerous international trade publications. If you are staying within the downtown core, rain or shine I suggest that you walk to and from events (Pavilions, Ziptrek zipline etc…). Not only are there specific pedestrian corridors for the Olympics (Robson Street, Hamilton, Granville Street), you’ll also see some of the most beautiful people on the continent.
If you plan on driving into Vancouver and during the Winter Olympics, consult our 2010 transportation plan:
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