Travel to Vancouver and UBC

Getting to Vancouver

Airlines & airport transportation

Vancouver is easily accessible by air. The Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is in Richmond, BC, approximately 12 km from Downtown Vancouver, and 15 km from the University of British Columbia. Abbotsford Airport (YXX) is located in Abbotsford, British Columbia, approximately 70 km from Downtown Vancouver, and 80 km from the University of British Columbia.

  • YVR

Most major airlines fly into and out of YVR. Airline options include Air Canada and WestJet, but there are many others. See the YVR website for more information.

  • YXX

Two airlines fly into and out of YXX: WestJet and Flair. See the YXX website for more information.

Travel by train

VIA Rail and Amtrak operate out of the Pacific Central Station in Vancouver. This station is located at 1500 Station Street, approximately 12km from the UBC campus. 

Travel by bus

A number of companies provide long distance bus service to Vancouver:

Travel by sea

Several seaplane airlines fly into Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre located in Downtown Vancouver, servicing Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and other Pacific Northwest coastal communities. BC Ferries provides service to Vancouver via the Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay ferry terminals.

Getting from YVR to UBC

Transportation from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) can be undertaken by taxi, rideshare apps, rental car, or  public transit. 

Use one of the taxi stands located on Level 2. Taxis operating from the airport are licensed, and will use a zoned fare rate that will depend on your destination.

Rideshare service is provided by Uber and Lyft. The pick-up areas are located on Level 2 of Domestic and International Arrivals.

  1. A taxi or rideshare from YVR to UBC takes approximately 20 minutes; the UBC zone rate for taxis is $42.
  2. Public transit from YVR to UBC takes approximately 60-70 minutes and costs $9.55 ($4.55 fare plus an additional $5 YVR AddFare for a Canada Line trip.)

Public Transit to UBC:

Take the Canada Line from YVR in the direction of Waterfront station, then transfer to a bus. There are four bus transfer options:

  1. Langara-49th Ave Station. From here, take the 49 bus (direction: UBC) from the bus stop on the north-east corner of the Cambie/W 49th Ave intersection.
  2. Oakridge-41st Ave Station. From here, take the R4 bus (direction: UBC) from the bus stop on the north-west corner of the Cambie/W 41st Ave intersection.
  3. King Edward Station. From here, take the 25 bus (direction: UBC) from the bus stop on the north-east corner of the Cambie/W King Edward intersection.
  4. Broadway/City Hall Station. From here, take the 99 bus (direction: UBC) from the bus stop on the north-west corner of the Cambie/W Broadway intersection

All routes are approximately 60-70 minutes travel time between YVR and UBC.

Taxi and Rideshare Apps to UBC:

Follow signs to the taxi stand or request a ride from the rideshare app, then proceed to the rideshare location on Level 2. Tell the driver where on the campus you wish to go.

Car Rentals

Please note that there is a $5.75 CFC charge for car rentals administered via the airport terminal.