Getting to UBC from YVR airport
Public Transit
UBC is easily accessible by public transit. At YVR, follow the signs for “Canada Line” to get to the Skytrain station. To get to UBC, you’ll take the Skytrain and then the bus.
Routes
There are two different routes which take approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.
Route #1: Canada Line & R4 bus (~1 hr 10 mins)
Take the Canada Line Skytrain (bound to Waterfront) from YVR to Oakridge-41st Ave Station. Change here and exit the Skytrain station to take the R4 bus (bound to UBC) to UBC exchange.
Route #2: Canada Line & 49 bus (~1 hr 20 mins)
Take the Canada Line Skytrain (bound to Waterfront) from YVR to Langara-49th Ave Station. Change here and exit the Skytrain station to take the 49 bus (bound to UBC) to UBC exchange.
Google Maps is up to date with Vancouver’s public transit network and can reliably be used to work out your route. Vancouver’s Skytrains and buses have onboard, automated bus stop announcements, both audibly and visually, so you know when your stop is coming up.
Transit fares and how to pay
The fare to get from the airport to UBC is $10 (a 2-zone fare plus an additional fare for travelling from the airport). At Skytrain stations and on buses, you can pay with your contactless credit or debit card as well as with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. You can also buy a single use ticket by cash, debit, or credit card at the ticket machines at YVR station. Make sure you keep your ticket until your trip is done. A single fare is valid for 90 minutes on all Skytrains and buses. For more information on fares, check out the Translink website.
At Skytrain stations, you must tap in and out at ticket barriers. On buses, you only need to tap in as you enter. Remember to tap out of the Skytrain station with the same method of payment that you tapped in with, to avoid excess charges. Similarly, when transferring from the Skytrain to the bus, tap in to the bus with the same method of payment. As long as you are transferring within 90 minutes of when your trip started, you will not be charged again. It’s a good idea to have a backup method of payment in case the first one that you try doesn’t work.
If you anticipate using public transit extensively while in Vancouver, you may consider purchasing a Compass Card at the YVR Skytrain station and loading it to use while you are in Vancouver. Fares are slightly cheaper when paid for with stored value on a Compass Card, but you have to pay a $6 deposit for the card itself.
Taxis
There are plenty of taxis available to travel from YVR to UBC. Taxis fares from the airport are calculated according to zones, and most taxi drivers will ask which zone you need before they accept the trip. UBC is in zone 9 and the fare is $42. Taxi trips take between 30-60 minutes depending on traffic. Taxis accept cash, debit card, and credit card.
Rideshares
A number of rideshares operate in Vancouver and service the airport. Lyft, Uber and KABU are authorised providers of Ride App services at YVR. If you’re planning to use a rideshare, check ahead of time that you have downloaded the app. There is free WiFi at YVR so that you can use the app even if your data does not work in Canada. The price for rideshare trips is set by the rideshare provider. Rideshare trips take between 30-60 minutes depending on traffic.