acousticbiker

I'm taking my family of 6 (children ages ranging from 3 to 10) to Vancouver for a few days in July and wanted to get tips from the group:

- We'll be staying downtown and would prefer not to rent a car but would like to get to places like Stanley Park and Granville Island. Would you stay at the Westin Bayshore or Sheraton Wall?
- I notice there is no Uber. What would be the best way for our family to get around?

dddc

With the greatest of respect, what did you do before Uber??!!
I'm sure your hotel will be able to arrange a licensed taxi and advise of fares if needed. There seemed to be plenty going around when I was there, but the only time I needed them was to/from the Airport and the main trains station because of luggage.

As a recent visitor myself, I'm glad I didn't hire a car as traffic at times was pretty solid.

Will you be bringing a stroller? I found Vancouver quite walkable, but with children it could be different. There are ferries that can take you across to Granville Island. I had a hop on/off bus ticket that lasted for 2 non consecutive days and used that to get back up to Stanley Park the 2nd day. We used the hop on/off service about 4 times all up and found the commentary variable according to the driver.

I think the big thing is to know what your kids are like. Can they cope with a bit of walking? Are they controllable or do you need to have them on leashes for example?

acousticbiker

Thanks! They're pretty good with walking (lived in Europe for a time). Just wasn't sure whether there were many 6 passenger taxis available and/or good public transport options from Westin Bayshore to Granville, for example (or is there a water route between the two)?

gglave

Neither the Wall Centre nor the Bayshore are particularly close to public transportation hubs. That's not to say there isn't lots of public transportation near the hotels, it's just it's not as rich as you might find elsewhere.

Both those things being equal, I'd pick the Bayshore just because it's in such a beautiful location, next to Stanley Park.

There are Van-taxis, but you'll have to call ahead. The standard taxi in Vancouver is a four-passenger Prius.

Taxi companies in the City of Vancouver are -

Yellow Cab (604) 681-1111 (usually my choice)

MaClure's Cabs (604) 831-1111

Black Top Cabs (604) 731-1111

Vancouver Taxi (604) 871-1111

There is no water taxi from the Westin Bayshore to Graville Island.

I would take the #19 Bus Eastbound to Main and Terminal, then walk to Science World - The "Big Silver Ball" (hugely popular with kids).

To the left (east) of Science World is the Aquabus / False Creek Ferries dock. Hope on the passenger ferry for a great trip to Granville Island.

Science World & an Aquabus -

acousticbiker

That is super helpful - thanks! Woukd love suggestions on other family activities. So far we have:

- Bike around Stanley Park (including stop at water park and maybe aquarium)
- Granville Island
- Kitsilano Beach
- Science Ball (added per above)

With any suggestions, would appreciate tips on transport from Westin Bayshore (sounds like the way to go), especially involving water

gglave

We have a 3-year old and a 7-year old. Popular activities include -

Science World as already discussed: http://www.scienceworld.ca/

Vancouver Aquarium: http://www.vanaqua.org/

- In Stanley Park, walkable from the Westin Bayshore

SeaBus Ride across the harbour:

http://tripplanning.translink.ca/hiw...8&LineAbbr=998

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4121/...e45a62d9_z.jpg

- SeaBus is part of the transit system. SeaBus Passenger Ferries depart from Waterfront Station at the foot of Granville Street

Grouse Mountain:

https://www.grousemountain.com/

- Easily accessible from the North Vancouver SeaBus terminal at Lonsdale Quay via bus #236.

- The Capilano Suspension Bridge is also on the way to Grouse Mountain, but it tends to be a bit of a tourist trap. There is a beautiful free suspension bridge in Lynn Canyon Park in North Vancouver, but it's a bit scary for the little ones: http://lynncanyon.ca/tour/suspension-bridge/

- Granville Island, as discussed.

acousticbiker

Thanks! Where's the closest SeaBus station to Westin Bayshore?

gglave

The SeaBus goes back and forth between two terminals -

- Waterfront station, on the downtown side

- Lonsdale Quay (pronounced "key") on the North Vancouver side, on the other side of Burrard Inlet

So the closest (and only) station is Waterfront Station. Waterfront Station is also the terminal for the Expo, Millennium and Canada Line SkyTrains, as well as the Westcoast Express commuter train from the eastern suburbs.

On foot, it's a very scenic mile-long walk from the Westin Bayshore along the seaside: https://goo.gl/maps/twZnG

View of the walk: https://goo.gl/maps/ywFmf

By bus it's a quick trip on the #19, which will likely be your go-to bus for the time you're at the Bayshore: https://goo.gl/maps/72wEq

gglave

The small passenger ferries all operate in False Creek - On the opposite side of the downtown peninsula from where you are -

Granville Island Ferries -

http://www.granvilleislandferries.bc.ca

Route Map -

http://www.granvilleislandferries.bc...es/citymap.jpg

The Aquabus -

http://theaquabus.com/

Route Map is one homepage link above.

There are also harbour tours that depart close to your hotel -

https://www.boatcruises.com/tour.php?pv=p5

acousticbiker

Thanks, everyone! A couple more questions:

- Is there a more economical solution for short term (3-4 days for our family) public transportation than just buying tickets per trip?
- Is there a Vancouver city pass of some kind that provides discounted or all in one type pricing for attractions such as the aquarium, science center, etc?

gglave

You can buy transit DayPasses at most convenience stores - You can buy them up and use them another day, so if you want three days for five people you can buy 15 in a store at once (age four and under ride free). Note that most retailers only accept payment by cash or ATM card (called 'Interac' in Canada) for transit fares. Usually they don't accept credit cards for transit tickets.

You can also buy them at SkyTrain and SeaBus ticket machines, but unlike the ones bought in stores, those DayPasses can only be used on the day of purchase - So you can't buy one there today for use tomorrow.

You can't buy them on the bus.

http://www.translink.ca/en/Fares-and...s/DayPass.aspx

They're good on buses, SkyTrain and the SeaBus.

The Aquabus and Granville Island Ferries are private and require cash.

http://shop.entertainment.com/produc...ey-coupon-book

You'll need to buy it before you leave.

acousticbiker

Thanks - this is super helpful! Does anyone know whether I can use a Verizon phone in Vancouver without additional fee?

gglave

You'll need a roaming package on your phone - I'd call Verizon about that.

Jay71

You may want to look into a Vancouver hop on/hop off like Vancouver Trolley or Big Bus. They have some combo deals for attractions and may have family passes.

It depends on your plan but you likely have to pay roaming charges. Alternatively, you may have to buy a relatively limited travel pass to try to keep costs down. Otherwise, if you have an unlocked phone, another option is that you may be able to buy a prepaid sim and plop it in.

acousticbiker

Any good prepaid SIM options for an iPhone for a 4 day stay?