Buzz
Public transit is essential for many people living in British Columbia. The SkyTrain, which was initially constructed as part of Expo 86, is a rapid transit system that links several cities within the Metro Vancouver area. It is fully grade-separated, meaning there are no street or pedestrian crossings, and the majority of the network consists of elevated and underground tracks.
SkyTrain is entirely automated, with additional extensions built over time, and more in the works. Whether you're visiting Vancouver as a tourist or are a local without access to a car, this guide will show you how to navigate the area while taking in stunning views of urban British Columbia.
Instructions
Ticketing and Route Guidance
Understand the fare zones and gate system. TransLink, the agency in charge of public transportation in Metro Vancouver, operates its trains using fare gates. To board the trains or buses, you’ll need to tap your valid card or ticket at the gate (typically your Compass Card or paper tickets, which will be explained in more detail in the following step).
- The fare system is divided into three zones. Each zone corresponds to a municipality and is color-coded on transit maps.
- Zone 1 covers Vancouver and the area around the University of British Columbia (UBC). It is marked in yellow on maps.
- Zone 2 includes the cities of Burnaby, New Westminster, and Richmond. It is marked in red on maps.
- Zone 3 covers the cities of Surrey, Coquitlam, Port Moody, and Port Coquitlam. It is marked in green on maps.
- Remember, the zone number is different from the number of zones you cross. For instance, if you're traveling within Surrey, you're in Zone 3 (because Surrey is geographically part of Zone 3), but you’re only traveling within a single zone (since you’re not crossing into another zone).
Know your fare category.
- Concession: Children aged 5 to 13, high school students aged 14 to 19 with a valid GoCard (which shows the student's name, grade, and high school, allowing them to pay concession fares), seniors aged 65+, and individuals with disabilities holding a valid HandyCard. Concession fares are typically more affordable.
- Adult: All individuals who do not fall under the concession category.
Choose your payment method.
- The most common method is the Compass Card, which you can buy at stations and easily reload either at fare vending machines or online.
- Alternatively, you can use your credit or debit card by tapping it at the fare gate. While the fare is slightly higher than using a Compass Card, this is a convenient option for occasional riders or tourists.
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U-Passes: Available exclusively for students enrolled in participating universities, the U-Pass is linked to the Compass Card through https://upassbc.translink.ca.
- The U-Pass fee is included in student fees for the semester.
- Participating universities include UBC, Simon Fraser University, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Note that not all post-secondary institutions participate in the program.
Prepare your route and fare. Consider your destination, travel time, duration of your stay, and whether you'll need to transfer to another form of transportation.
- For instance, if you're an adult living in Surrey and plan to shop for a couple of hours at a mall in Burnaby, you can purchase a single two-zone fare for your trip there. Once you're done shopping, buy the same two-zone fare for your return trip, as your previous ticket will have expired.
- Use TransLink’s trip planner to help organize your journey.
Using the SkyTrain
Head to the nearest train station. Depending on your location, you may need to take a bus to the station. Certain stations, like Scott Road Station in Surrey, offer park-and-ride services where you can park your car and use paid parking before continuing your journey by train.
Identify the line you'll be using. The SkyTrain network includes three lines, each marked by a unique color on transit maps and signage.
- Expo Line: Connecting Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and Surrey across 20 stations. The line’s terminus stations are Waterfront in downtown Vancouver and King George in Surrey. It is represented by dark blue on maps and signs.
- Millennium Line: Serving Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster across 13 stations. A portion of this line shares tracks with the Expo Line before splitting at a transfer station and continuing along a dedicated route through North Burnaby. The terminus stations are Waterfront and VCC-Clark in Vancouver. It is shown in yellow on maps and signage.
- Canada Line: Running between downtown Vancouver, Richmond, and Vancouver International Airport, with 16 stations. The line splits at a transfer station, and continues towards either Richmond-Brighouse or the airport. The line is marked in cyan on maps and signs.
Purchase your fare or validate your pre-purchased ticket before heading up to the train platform.
Walk to the fare gates located either at ground level or the concourse, tap your card or ticket on the gate, and wait for the train to arrive. Elevators are available for those with disabilities or for parents with strollers.
- At this point, you must have valid proof of payment to board the train. Keep your card or ticket with you for the duration of your trip until it expires or is no longer needed. Random ticket inspections are carried out, and fare evasion will result in a fine if you're caught without a valid ticket.
- Trying to bypass the fare gates is illegal, though it is difficult to do so.
Know if you'll need to switch to another line during your trip. Pay attention to on-board announcements that specify which line the train is on. At stations, look for the LED signs showing the line of the upcoming train.
- If you're on the Expo Line heading towards King George and want to transfer to the Millennium Line towards VCC-Clark, or vice versa, you can switch trains at Columbia.
- Transfer at Commercial-Broadway if you're on the Expo Line heading towards Waterfront and need to change to the Millennium Line towards VCC-Clark, or the other way around.
- Waterfront serves as the terminus for the Expo Line and is also a transfer point to the Canada Line.
- For a transfer between the Canada Line towards Richmond-Brighouse and the train going to the airport, switch at Bridgeport.
- If you're traveling southbound on the Canada Line in Vancouver, ensure you're on the right train as they alternate between YVR Airport and Richmond-Brighouse. The train announcements and digital signs will make it easy to identify which one you need.
Follow general public transit etiquette and safety rules.
- Allow passengers to exit the train before you board.
- If you can, give up your seat to the elderly or those with disabilities. However, don’t feel pressured to do so if you yourself have an invisible disability.
- Hold onto the poles when standing to avoid losing your balance on a moving train.
- Avoid leaning against the train doors as they open automatically, and keep your hands away from the windows.
- If standing and space is limited, take off your backpack and place it at your feet to make more room. If sitting, only place your belongings on the seat next to you if the car is not crowded.
- Avoid wearing strong perfumes or scents that could trigger allergies in others.
- If eating or drinking, make sure to clean up after yourself and leave no trash behind.
- Keep displays of affection to a minimum. Hand-holding and quick kisses on the cheek are acceptable, but avoid making prolonged, intimate displays of affection, especially in crowded spaces.
- If you use the SkyTrain at night, consider carrying self-defense items, like mace, for extra safety.
Stay alert to the stations. As the train nears a station, an onboard announcement will announce the next stop. Some newer trains have LED maps that highlight the upcoming stations.
- If you're listening to music or can't hear the announcements, pay attention to visual cues such as station signage, the landscape passing by, or nearby landmarks to know when your stop is approaching.
Stay calm and follow the protocol if an emergency occurs.
- All SkyTrain cars are equipped with two-way speakerphones and yellow silent alarm strips for contacting SkyTrain control operators in case of emergency or security issues.
- Cell phone service is available underground, so you can report any suspicious activity or behavior to Transit Police by calling or texting 87-77-77.
- If an evacuation is required, follow the instructions from SkyTrain staff. Never attempt to exit the train without guidance, as doing so could lead to electrocution from the electrified third rail.
- If there’s a fire, activate alarms and open windows to help clear the smoke.
Make the most of the window and end-of-carriage seats. While some sections of the track are underground, SkyTrain offers spectacular views of Metro Vancouver as it runs mostly elevated.
- At night, the iconic geodesic dome of Science World, near Main Street-Science World station, glows with blue lights.
- During Vancouver Canucks games, the Rogers Arena near Stadium-Chinatown station lights up in blue, matching the team’s colors.
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Consider your travel plans when deciding whether to purchase a Compass Ticket, load value onto a Compass Card, use tap-to-pay with a debit/credit card, or get a pass.
- If you're out for a day of sightseeing, whether as a tourist or a local, a DayPass might be your best option.
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Unless you're in a rush, don’t worry about running to catch the next train. SkyTrain operates frequently, especially during peak hours: 2 to 3 minutes for the Expo Line, 5 to 6 minutes for the Millennium Line, and 6 to 7 minutes for the Canada Line.
Important Warnings
- If you fail to present a valid fare during a random inspection, you may be removed from the train and face a fine of $173. This fine increases to $213 after 180 days and $273 after 366 days. If you continue to ignore the fines, you may risk having your driver's license application or renewal denied.
