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Visas & entry
Most tourists may be admitted for up to six months, but the border officer sets the actual stay and an eTA or visa does not guarantee entry. U.S. citizens do not need an eTA; U.S. permanent residents need a passport and valid Green Card or equivalent status document. Most visa-exempt visitors, including many British, EU, Australian, New Zealand, Japanese and South Korean passport holders, need an eTA when flying but not normally when arriving by land or sea; many other nationalities require a visitor visa. Mexican rules are more conditional than they used to be—check Canada’s official country-specific tool before booking non-refundable travel.
Getting in
- Vancouver International Airport: The airport to target for nearly every Vancouver-region itinerary. The Canada Line reaches downtown Waterfront in about 25 minutes; trips beginning at YVR toward downtown carry a C$6.50 airport AddFare unless using an exempt fare product.
- Abbotsford International Airport: Useful for some discount domestic flights and Fraser Valley-focused trips, but substantially less convenient than YVR for a Vancouver-centered stay.
- Seattle: A workable gateway for a wider Pacific Northwest or open-jaw trip. From Seattle, Amtrak Cascades runs daily to Vancouver; the train journey is roughly 4¼ hours before border and station time.
Getting around
Metro Vancouver works well without a car: use SkyTrain, SeaBus, buses and walking, with contactless bank cards or mobile wallets accepted directly on transit. Take a coach for a simple Vancouver–Squamish–Whistler trip; rent a car for Pemberton, trailheads, the Fraser Valley or meaningful Sunshine Coast exploration. Highway 99 is scenic but vulnerable to traffic, snow, rain, wildlife and weather closures, while Sunshine Coast travel is governed by ferry schedules and works far better with a car.
Money
Canada uses the Canadian dollar (CAD). Cards and contactless payment are routine in Vancouver and on transit, but carry a little cash for small purchases and remote stops; restaurant and bar tipping is customary, generally around 15–20% for good table service.
- Do not confuse Vancouver with Vancouver Island; adding Victoria to a short trip creates unnecessary ferry or flight logistics.
- A ferry timetable is not a guaranteed driving itinerary: arrive early, build in terminal time and do not gamble on a ferry connection before a flight.
- Downtown-to-North-Shore bridge traffic can be punishing at rush hour; treat the North Shore as a timed outing, not a casual detour.
- For summer and shoulder-season mountain trips, check DriveBC, BC Wildfire Service, air-quality forecasts and trail or lift operating status shortly before departure.
- Whistler weekends and holidays are expensive and crowded; use a shuttle if you are not exploring beyond the resort corridor.
- Winter driving on Highway 99 needs proper winter tires and conservative timing, not just confidence in a rental car.
Entry rules change — verify visa requirements for your passport before booking this region.