Where Vancouver January February 2017

NAVIGATE DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE Canada...................................................411 International............................................0 EMERGENCY Ambulance/Fire/Police.................911 Ambulance....................604-872-5151 Fire................................604-665-6000 Police................................604-717-3321 Poison Control..........604-682-5050 VISITOR SERVICES Destination BC......1-800-435-5622 Tourism Richmond....604-821-5474 Tourism Surrey..........604- 531-6646 Tourism Vancouver................. 604-683-2000 Tourism Victoria.................... 1-800-663-3883 Tourism Whistler.................1-800-WHISTLER TAXIS Black Top and Checker Cabs..................604-731-1111 MacLure’s Cabs.......604-683-6666 Vancouver Taxi...............604-871-1111 Yellow Cab...................... 604-681-1111 From your mobile...... #8294 (TAXI) TRANSPORTATION BC Ferries.................1-888-223-3779 HandyDART..............604-575-6600 TransLink..................... 604-953-3333 YVR Airport................ 604-207-7077 VEHICLE RENTALS Avis.............................1-800-879-2847 Budget........................1-800-299-3199 Hertz.........................1-800-263-0600 BABYSITTING Nannies on Call....... 1-877-214-2828 West Coast Child Care Resource Centre....1-877-262-0022 AROUND VANCOUVER BY BICYCLE Cycle-friendly Vancouver has a large network of traffic-calmed bike paths and dedicated bike lanes. Use these designated routes when available or ride on the road. Bikes are not permitted on sidewalks. Cyclists are required by law to wear helmets, and bicycles must be equipped with a bell. Theft is common, so securely lock your bicycle. Cyclists can take their wheels on TransLink’s bike-rack-equipped buses, the SkyTrain and SeaBus, as well as some Aquabus Ferries. Rent a ride from one of many bicycle rental shops, including several on Denman St. near Stanley Park. In the summer of 2016, the city is launching its first bike sharing program, operated through CycleHop. AROUND VANCOUVER BY CAR A vehicle isn’t required to navigate the city centre—especially when considering traffic and parking difficulties—but it is convenient when travelling to destinations beyond. A valid driver’s license issued from your home country is required. Note that the posted speed limits are in kilometres, not miles. It is illegal to drink and drive, and using a handheld electronic device while behind the wheel may result in a fine. Buckle up, as seatbelts are mandatory. Parking can be difficult to find and expensive, especially downtown. Read parking meters carefully to ensure your car is not towed. Often residential parking requires permits. The city hosts car-sharing service Car2Go, but you must be a member to hire a car. Rent a car from the many car-rental agencies around the city and at Vancouver International Airport. TO WHISTLER The route to Whistler follows the Sea to Sky Highway, known for scenic views of Howe Sound. By car, the drive takes 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic. Greyhound and Pacific Coach buses also service the route, and take approximately 2.5 hours. Snowbus offers a winter-only service. Allow extra time for adverse road conditions in winter. In summer, Harbour Air Seaplanes offers daily scheduled flights. TO VANCOUVER ISLAND & THE GULF ISLANDS Travel to Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands by ferry or seaplane. BC Ferries departs from Horseshoe Bay and Tsawwassen, and connects with three main ferry terminals on Vancouver Island: one in Victoria and two in Nanaimo. Harbour Air Seaplanes offers frequent floatplane service to Victoria, Nanaimo and the Gulf Islands. Helijet also has scheduled helicopter service to Vancouver Island. TO THE OKANAGAN Destinations in the Okanagan Valley are accessible by car, bus or flight. The trip takes four hours by car or five to six hours by bus. Flights to Penticton and Kelowna take approximately one hour. Buses depart from Pacific Central Station, close to the Main Street SkyTrain station. TO SEATTLE & PORTLAND Reach over-the-border destinations by car, bus, train or flight. The trip to Seattle takes three hours by car, 4.5 hours by bus, 3.5 hours by train and one hour by air. The trip to Portland takes 5.5 hours by car, 8.5 hours by bus and train, and approximately one hour by air. For land-based journeys, allow extra time to cross the border. Buses and trains depart from Pacific Central Station, close to the Main Street SkyTrain station. Upon arrival in the U.S., posted speed limits are in miles, not kilometres. Passports are required to cross the border. Note that Canadian currency is rarely accepted in the U.S. There are limits on the value of dutyfree goods that you can bring from the U.S. back to Canada, as well as limits on alcohol and cigarettes. Certain items, such as produce, cannot be transported across the border. JOIN THE CONVERSATION For photos and regular updates about what’s happening in and around Vancouver, follow @WhereVancouver on Twitter and Instagram. N16 where.ca PHOTO ©GUDELLAPHOTO/FOTOLIA.COM PHONE NUMBERS overcharging. Fare evaders risk a hefty fine. When travelling on the SkyTrain from Vancouver International Airport into the city, a $5 surcharge is added to the standard fare. All buses can carry a limited number of bicycles, and most routes are wheelchair-lift equipped. Visit the TransLink website at www. translink.ca for information on accessible transit, including HandyDART’s door-to-door service. Text the stop number to 333-33 to receive times for the next six buses. Foot-passenger ferries to Granville Island, downtown and around False Creek are operated by Aquabus and False Creek Ferries. Smoking is not permitted on any form of public transport.

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