Getting to Vancouver

Travel to/from Vancouver is quite straight-forward as YVR is one of the country's major air travel hubs. Canada's major carriers, Air Canada and WestJet provide a range of flight options from all major population centres.

Please note that the conference begins with a reception on Thursday evening so please plan on arriving in Vancouver by early- to mid-afternoon on the 23rd to ensure that you aren't too rushed getting to campus and checking in before the reception.

Getting to UBC from YVR

Public Transportation: Average travel time by public transportation from YVR to UBC is approximately 40-50 minutes. The fare is $9.00 from the airport (two zone ticket + AddFare for travel from the airport) and tickets can be purchased at automated ticketing machines at the Canada Line station. Note: You can save money if you purchase a booklet of single zone FareSaver tickets from the 7-eleven or Pharmasave (domestic arrivals level 1) and then purchase an upgrade to a two-zone ticket (at the automated booth at the station). By going through these machinations, you will not have to pay the $5 AddFare as you will have a pre-paid ticket. Please don't ask how this makes any sense... it doesn't. Importantly, this option requires you to buy a booklet of 10 tickets - so only use this option if you are planning on using public transit during your stay in Vancouver! Once you have your ticket, take the Canada Line to Broadway Station, exit the station and cross the street to the North side of Broadway and catch the westbound 99 B-line bus.

Taxi Services: Taking a taxi is simple and typically quite uneventful in Vancouver. Taxis can be found just outside the baggage claim in the domestic terminal (signs are posted through the baggage claim area). Taxi drivers are familiar with campus and can take you directly to Gage Towers; the trip should take 15-25 minutes and will typically cost $30-40. Payment can be made either with cash or with any major credit card. Vancouver's fleet of taxis is dominated by hybrid vehicles (mostly Toyota Prius) due to municipal regulations that requires the use of high fuel efficiency vehicles, however, the costs are much higher than public transit so sharing a cab with other conference partiipants isn't a bad idea!

Car Rental: A number of major car rental companies provide services from YVR. Please note that parking on campus (and in the city) is not free, although guests staying at Gage Towers can obtain a preferential parking rate. If you are planning excursions outside of the city while visiting Vancouver, this may be your best option. Again, consider sharing with others as a way of minimizing both costs and impact.