Vancouver

Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada where mountains, ocean and Stanley Park sit close to downtown.

Find a room in Vancouver Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Vancouver

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Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada, on the Burrard Peninsula in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, between Burrard Inlet and the Fraser River. People come for its closeness to nature: mountains, ocean and forest sit near downtown, and Stanley Park covers about 404.9 hectares. Gastown, Chinatown, Yaletown and Little Italy each feel distinct. The city is not on Vancouver Island, though many people assume it is.

This suits travelers who want city neighborhoods with quick access to the outdoors. Summer is the dry season: July and August highs average about 22 °C, and only about one day in five brings rain. From November to March most days bring some precipitation, so pack rain gear. The Canada Line links downtown with Vancouver International Airport on Sea Island. Whistler, a resort community about 125 km north, is the longer side trip.

Vancouver in five

Take the Canada Line from YVRThe SkyTrain Canada Line runs from the airport to downtown in about 25 to 30 minutes with no transfer. A taxi only pays off with heavy luggage and a hotel far from a station.
Tap to rideA Compass card or a contactless card works on SkyTrain, buses and the SeaBus, so a short stay needs no separate pass. Check TransLink for fare zones before a day on the North Shore.
Walk or cycle the Stanley Park seawallThe loop is about 10 km and flat all the way, with views of the skyline and the North Shore mountains. Rent a bike in the West End, and ride one way around the park.
Pack a rain jacketRain is frequent from autumn to spring, and summer is the dry season. A light waterproof jacket works better than an umbrella on the seawall.
Choose Whistler or the RockiesWhistler is about two hours north on the Sea-to-Sky Highway; Banff is a day's drive or a short flight east. On a short trip pick one.Banff National Park

Things to do in Vancouver

See all attractions in Vancouver

Museum · VancouverOld Hastings Mill Store MuseumEntry is free; a donation is appreciated.

Gallery · VancouverContemporary Art GalleryFor a quieter visit, try a weekday after 12 pm.

Gallery · VancouverEquinox GalleryCheck which exhibition is on before you go, as the works on view change.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to VancouverPut the places you like in Vancouver on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: YVR, about 25 min by Canada Line
Getting around: SkyTrain, buses and SeaBus; Compass or contactless
Best base: Downtown, Yaletown or Kitsilano
Time needed: 3 days, plus a day for Whistler or Victoria
Emergency: 911

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain18 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low2°Wet, mild
FebruaryRain16 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh6°Low1°Wet, snowdrops
MarchRain17 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Blossom starts
AprilRain14 rainy daysHigh12°Low6°Cherry blossom
MayPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Gardens, dry spells
JunePartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°Long days, patios
JulyClear4 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Dry, warm
AugustClear6 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Dry, warm, busy
SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low13°Mild, clearer
OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°Rains return
NovemberRain18 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Wettest
DecemberRain20 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh6°Low2°Wet, ski season

Average daily high and low in Vancouver, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Vancouver

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 8°
Humidity: 62%
Wind: 7 km/h
Chance of rain: 15%

Vancouver

03:37 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-7

Today12°2°15%Monday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 15%.
Tue14°7°18%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 18%.
Wed13°6°87%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 87%.
Thu13°9°86%Thursday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 86%.
Fri12°9°86%Friday: Rain. High 12°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 86%.
Sat12°8°64%Saturday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 64%.

Updated 03:35 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.397 CAD

Amount

Converted to

CAD · Canadian Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Vancouver

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Day trips by train

Whistlerabout 2 hours by car or busSki and mountain-bike village up the Sea-to-Sky Highway, with waterfalls on the way.Read the guide
Victoriaabout 3 to 4 hours door to door by ferryThe provincial capital on Vancouver Island; better as an overnight than a rushed day.
Grouse Mountain and the North Shoreabout 30 to 45 minutes by SeaBus and busGondola views, suspension bridges and forest trails across Burrard Inlet.

Before you go to Vancouver

Stays in VancouverDowntown, Yaletown and KitsilanoCheck availability

Whistler and Sea-to-Sky day toursGuided trips from downtown pick-upsCompare tours

eSIM for VancouverData for transit apps and ferry timesRead the guide

Insurance for Vancouver tripsCover for ferry and ski changesRead the guide

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Rules for Vancouver, checked

Visa-exempt visitors flying to Vancouver need an eTA first. Check eligibility and apply on the official Canada.ca site.Source
Declare all food, plants and meat when you enter Canada. Customs officers can fine travelers for undeclared items.Source
Alcohol is sold through the British Columbia provincial liquor system, which has controlled sales since 1921. Buy wine and spirits at licensed stores or venues.
Do not touch discarded needles on Downtown Eastside streets. The city collects about 1,000 needles a day from public spaces.
Expect heavy police presence, crowds and road closures after Stanley Cup games and at large events such as Symphony of Fire.

Plan around Vancouver

All of Canada

eTA, regions, cities and money basics

Read the guide Whistler

Sea-to-Sky base and Peak 2 Peak

Read the guide Tofino

Ferry to Vancouver Island and Highway 4

Read the guide Banff National Park

Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and passes

Read the guide British Columbia and the Rockies

Loop options beyond the city

Read the guide Haida Gwaii

Flights from Vancouver, ferries from Prince Rupert

Read the guide Canada eTA explained

Who needs it and where to apply

Read the guide Trains and long distances

Rail, ferries and car hire

Read the guide

Vancouver FAQ

How many days do you need in Vancouver?

Three days covers Stanley Park, Granville Island, Gastown and a mountain view from the North Shore. Add a day for Whistler or an overnight in Victoria.

How do I get from Vancouver airport to downtown?

Take the Canada Line SkyTrain from YVR to Waterfront or Vancouver City Centre, about 25 to 30 minutes. A taxi or rideshare takes about the same in light traffic.

When is the best time to visit Vancouver?

June to September is the driest, with long days and open patios. April brings cherry blossom, and winter is wet but mild, with skiing on the North Shore and at Whistler.

Vancouver or Banff for a first trip to Canada?

Vancouver for a city with sea and mountains, Banff for lakes and peaks. If you have a week or more, combine them by flying to Calgary and driving to Banff, rather than driving the whole way.

Can I take a train from Vancouver to Banff?

Yes, on the Rocky Mountaineer, a seasonal sightseeing train with an overnight stop. It is a scenic trip, not a fast one; flying to Calgary and driving is quicker and cheaper.