It has now been a few years since the Canada Line SkyTrain system was introduced in Vancouver. Initially, people had their doubts about the project, but it has now become an extremely popular means of getting to and from the airport from downtown Vancouver. In fact, I’ve found it to also be one of the fastest modes of transportation to travel to the downtown core. The trains also arrive at stations at regular intervals and are rarely ever late. If you’re concerned about missing a train, there are message boards above the station platform that display how long it will be until the next train arrives.

However, I’ve noticed that quite a few people visiting Vancouver haven’t heard of the train line, therefore, end up paying more for a taxi or a shuttle service. Although at certain times of the day (mainly during rush hour) the SkyTrain fare increases, I still think it’s worth while, as you won’t have to worry about getting stuck in traffic.

What Is The Canada Line?

The Canada Line is an automated train system in Vancouver Canada. It works similarly to a subway system, but runs above ground and doesn’t have a human driver. Furthermore, the trains can reach speeds of up to 90 km/h, providing quick and easy access to the downtown core. What’s even more impressive is that there has never been an accident recorded in the history of SkyTrain. If you’d like more information about how the Canada Line works check out this Wikipedia page.

The purpose of implementing the Canada line was for Vancouver’s 2010 Olympic winter games. It was designed to allow athletes, team personnel, and tourist easy access to downtown venues and hotels.

5 Reasons Why Canada Line Is The Best Way To Travel To and From The Airport

  1. Reliability – I’ve been living in Vancouver for a very long time and rarely get delayed when I take the SkyTrain. The maintenance crews perform an excellent job in ensuring that on-time performance is maintained by working through the night. Compare this to driving, where traffic jams are a regular occurrence in Vancouver, especially during rush hour.
  2. Network – Vancouver’s transit system goes way beyond SkyTrain and Canada Line systems. They’re also equipped with a vast bus network that can get you to all corners of the Lower Mainland quickly and efficiently. I usually purchase a day pass and use transit as my primary mode of transportation throughout the day.
  3. Price – The price it makes it very economical to take transit in Vancouver. Prices range between $2.50 and $5.00, depending on how far you plan on travelling. Additionally, the price of gas in the province is sky high, not to mention that the provincial government has implemented a gas tax on every litre of fuel you purchase. This gives you even more reason to ditch the car and use transit.
  4. Access – The fact that the Canada Line goes right up to the airport is absolutely phenomenal. In fact, the YVR station is attached directly to the building, making it a short trip to get from your flight to a train. The trip downtown is quick, taking just under 26 minutes.
  5. You can relax – One of my favourite reasons to take the Canada line is that it gives you time to relax, especially after a long flight. When I take the train, I usually take a quick nap so that I can be ready to go when I have to get off. Even better, the trains are extremely quiet and smooth, making it easy to get some shut-eye.

What If I Get Lost?

As many of you know, Canadians have a very good reputation of being helpful. Furthermore, Vancouver is a multicultural city, with many citizens speaking a variety of languages. If you get lost, I’ve found that Vancouver residents are typically very helpful in getting you on your way. Also, many of the stations have staff members that will be able to help you out. With that said, they are usually located at busier stations, meaning that you may have to travel a bit before you find someone.

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