In British Columbia, internal travel is organised by trip. Car rental (CAD 60-100/day depending on category, agencies at YVR Vancouver airport and downtown) offers maximum freedom for scenic drives (Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler, Pacific Rim Highway to Tofino, Okanagan, Sunshine Coast). Winter tires mandatory from October 1 to April 30 on most provincial highways (provincial law, police check), notably Sea-to-Sky and Coquihalla. Check with your rental company. Right-hand driving, highways in good condition, speed 100-110 km/h on highway, 50 km/h in town. Fuel: CAD 1.50-1.90/litre.
In Vancouver, public transport TransLink (SkyTrain: 3 fast automated lines + SeaBus ferry + bus, CAD 3.20-4.90 ticket depending on zone, CAD 11.40 day pass, rechargeable Compass card recommended) covers the centre and the North Shore well. The Canada Line SkyTrain links YVR airport to downtown (CAD 9 with airport supplement, 25 min). Cycling: Mobi Bikes (bike share, CAD 12 day pass, ideal for Stanley Park seawall).
To Whistler, the Sea-to-Sky Highway (route 99) is the main option: 2h from Vancouver, Howe Sound and glaciers panorama. Without a car: Pacific Coach Lines (Vancouver-Whistler express bus, 1-2 daily departures, CAD 60-90 return), Epic Mountain Express (all-day shuttle, similar). Domestic airport YVS at Whistler for private flights only.
To Vancouver Island: BC Ferries is the main solution. Tsawwassen → Swartz Bay (Victoria, 1h35, CAD 18/person + CAD 67/car, departures every 1-2h, mandatory reservation in summer). Horseshoe Bay → Departure Bay (Nanaimo, 1h40, similar). Vancouver YVR → Victoria YYJ flight (25 min, CAD 150-300 return) or seaplane Harbour Air (Vancouver Downtown → Victoria Inner Harbour, 35 min, CAD 200-300, spectacular).
Access from Europe is by direct flight to Vancouver (YVR) — gateway to Western Canada. Air France and Air Canada daily from Paris CDG, several weekly from London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Zurich. 10h direct outbound, 9h return. Paris-Vancouver return fares: €650-900 in low season (November-March excluding holidays), €1,100-1,400 in high season (June-August, school holidays).
Domestic flights: Vancouver-Calgary 1h30 (CAD 200-400 return, Air Canada, WestJet, Flair, Lynx), Vancouver-Toronto 4h30 (CAD 300-600), Vancouver-Edmonton 1h30 (CAD 200-400).
Read also
- Vancouver — Stanley Park, Granville Island, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Gastown: the metropolis facing the Pacific.
- Whistler — 2nd North American ski area, 2010 Olympics host, Whistler Mountain Bike Park summer.
- Canada — Complete country guide: eTA visa, currency, regions, best time to visit.
- Canadian Rockies — Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper: combine for a complete 14-day West trip.