Day Tour of Vancouver from the Airport (YVR)

by Sheila Davis
(Jackson, WY USA)

Are there any sightseeing tours that originate at the airport? I have a 7 hour layover in November and want to make the best use of the opportunity to see Vancouver. Thank you--

With a seven hour layover in Vancouver what I would suggest is that you take the Canada Line (passenger train) downtown from the airport and take a Big Bus tour.
You can catch the train every 7 to15 minutes depending on what time of day it is right from the terminal and it will take you into downtown Vancouver in less than half an hour.

Get off at the very last stop called "Waterfront" which in Gastown.

When you leave the station you will only be 400 meters (less than one minute walking) from the Vancouver steam clock which is the first stop on the Big Bus tour.


Big bus is a double-decker sight-seeing tour bus. It will take you around to 22 Vancouver attractions like Canada Place, Stanley Park, Granville Island and the Vancouver Art Gallery.

If you don't get off the bus the tour will be over in 90 minutes but the great thing is you can get on and off as many times as you like. So if you feel like you want to spend some time say in Chinatown for awhile you can get out and do that and then get back on the bus.

Once you're back at the steam clock head back to Waterfront station and take the train back to the airport.

May 1-September 30 (high season)

-the tour leaves every 15-20 minutes from the steam clock

-the first tour starts at 9:00 am and the last tour starts at 5:00 pm


October 1-April 30 (low season)

-the tour leaves every 45 minutes from the steam clock

-the first tour leaves at 9:00 am and the last tours starts at 3:45

You can book your tour online if you like at bigbus.ca

Enjoy your time in Vancouver!