Located on the west coast of Canada, Vancouver is a city with lots of personality. The city itself is full of things to do, including trendy restaurants, art galleries and museums, shopping, and nightlife. Throughout Downtown Vancouver, you’ll also be treated to incredible views of the harbour and the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Right outside the city, there are lots of outdoor activities you can take part in, including hikes and water sports. Canadians are known around the world for their friendliness and hospitality, and the people in Vancouver are no exception. Vancouverites will welcome you into their city with open arms and ensure you fall in love with Canada too.
With about 1200 flights Brisbane to Vancouver each week, you have plenty of options for your trip to Canada. Many airlines offer cheap flights Brisbane to Vancouver, including Air Canada, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Air China, and Air New Zealand. While many flights include a stopover in China, Los Angeles, or Auckland, Air Canada operates direct flights Brisbane to Vancouver each day. Without stopovers, these direct flights Brisbane to Vancouver will get you there in about 13 hours and 30 minutes. All of the airlines with flights Brisbane to Vancouver ensure you’ll be comfortable for the long-haul flight with meals on board and an entertainment system at your seat.
Are you ready to experience why everyone loves Canada? Webjet will help you find cheap flights Brisbane to Vancouver that will match your budget. For inspiration on how to make the most of your holiday from Brisbane to Vancouver, keep on reading for Webjet’s Vancouver guide.
Things to do in Vancouver
Stanley Park
Located just north of Downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park is the perfect contrast to the city. The park is a huge green space full of trees and surrounded by Vancouver Harbour. Take a walk through Stanley Park for some of the most beautiful views of the Vancouver skyline, harbour, and mountains.
Gastown
This neighbourhood is the oldest in Vancouver. It’s made up of cobblestone streets, pretty Victorian houses, and old-fashioned lamp posts. Gastown is scenic and photogenic and has also become one of the trendiest areas of the city. It’s full of nice boutiques, cool bars, and some of the best food in Vancouver.
Granville Island
Located just south of the Downtown peninsula, Granville Island was once home to factories. Today, it’s a trendy part of Vancouver full of great restaurants and cafes. Granville Island also has a large Public Market where you can purchase lots of different food and souvenirs.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Just north of Stanley Park is a neighbourhood called Capilano, which is home to the popular Capilano Suspension Bridge. The bridge spans across the Capilano River through tall evergreen trees that British Columbia is known for. The suspension bridge sits 70 metres above the water and is 140 metres long. Tickets to experience the bridge are normally $47 for adults and $35 for students. However, visit after 5PM and you’ll get a 30% discount.
English Bay Beach
When you think of Vancouver, beaches probably aren’t the first thing that come to mind. But Vancouver actually has a beautiful beach right on the edge of Downtown! If you visit Vancouver in the summer, English Bay Beach is the perfect spot to spend some time. The beach has views of the mountains, and you can rent kayaks to take out on the bay. In the spring and summer months, you may even be able to spot some whales as they pass through the Vancouver area!
Go on a Hike
Vancouver is surrounded by several beautiful mountains and mountain ranges. Head outside of Downtown for some of the most amazing hikes you could imagine. A popular hike just outside of Vancouver is called the Grouse Grind. Referred to as “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster,” it’s a challenging hike made up of 2,830 steps up the Grouse Mountain. From the top, you’ll be rewarded with views of the city, harbour, and other nearby mountains.
For some nice hiking and a different suspension bridge experience, head to Lynn Canyon in North Vancouver. The park has some great hikes and a free suspension bridge with amazing views of the canyon and the Twin Falls waterfall. Lynn Canyon Park is full of some extremely green and peaceful hikes. Close by in North Vancouver is another great hike at Quarry Rock. From there, you’ll get views of the harbour and some gorgeous waterfalls. North Vancouver is accessible by public transport and easy to get to from the city centre.
If you’d like to rent a car for a day and see more of British Columbia, there are lots of hikes outside of Vancouver. Joffre Lakes Provincial Park is located north of Vancouver and has lots of different hikes. Along with views of the large lakes, you can see glacier-topped mountains all around you. From Joffre Lakes, you could easily make your way to Whistler—a resort town surrounded by lakes and mountains. There are lots of different hikes to choose from in Whistler, with one of the most scenic located around Garibaldi Lake.
Queen Elizabeth Park
Located south of Downtown in Central Vancouver, Queen Elizabeth Park is the highest point in Vancouver. The high elevation makes for some pretty great views. The park is made up of beautiful gardens and is home to the Bloedel Conservatory, which is full of exotic birds and plants. From the park, you can see the Vancouver skyline and the mountains behind it.
When should you plan your visit from Brisbane to Vancouver?
With beautiful summer weather and mild winter weather (by Canadian standards), each season is an exciting time to visit Vancouver. If you book cheap flights Brisbane to Vancouver between March and May, you’ll experience the city in colourful spring bloom following the grey winter. Spring is the perfect time to see the thousands of migrating whales that pass through Vancouver each year.
Summer offers the warmest weather but is also the busiest time of year. More tourists flock to Vancouver in the summer months, so be sure to book your hotel early if you visit during this time.
Autumn between September and November is a gorgeous season to experience in Canada, particularly in Vancouver where there is such an emphasis on outdoor activities. The city and surrounding region experience bright orange and red foliage, making this the perfect time of year for some scenic hikes in the mountains.
And even winter offers a great experience in Vancouver. The city gets some rain, but doesn’t experience a harsh snowy winter like most of Canada. Vancouver is also in close proximity to some of Canada’s top skiing spots, including Grouse Mountain and Whistler.
Departing from Brisbane
Located northeast of the city, Brisbane Airport is one of the largest Australian hubs for long-haul international flights. There are around 170 cheap flights Brisbane to Vancouver every single day. Many major airlines fly from Brisbane to Vancouver, including Virgin Australia, Air Canada, Qantas, and China Airlines. Air Canada operates direct flights Brisbane to Vancouver, getting you to your destination in 13 hours and 30 minutes.
Getting to Brisbane Airport (BNE)
Brisbane has an Airtrain to take you from the CBD to the airport in just 20 minutes. The train runs every 15 minutes during peak time and every 30 minutes outside of peak time. It operates 5AM-10PM on weekdays and 6AM-10PM on the weekends. The Airtrain also has connections from the Gold Coast and Brisbane suburbs, so you can easily get to the airport no matter where you are travelling from in the Brisbane region. The Airtrain varies in price based on which station you travel from, and tickets can be purchased for a discount on the Airtrain website. Tickets from Brisbane Central Station cost $18 for adults.
You can also catch a taxi or an Uber to Brisbane Airport. The journey from Brisbane’s CBD to the airport takes about 20 minutes, and the ride costs between $45-$55.
Parking at Brisbane Airport
If you plan on driving to the airport, Brisbane Airport has several affordable parking options. For the best rates, pre-book your parking spot through the Brisbane Airport website.
AIRPARK Everyday
This car park is under 24/7 surveillance and is ideal for long-term parking. If your trip from Brisbane to Vancouver will be more than 10 days, you can use this car park for only $5 a day when you pre-book. If your trip to Canada will be a quick one, the car park is still a good option at $10 a day. A complimentary bus is available to take you from the car park to the airport terminals.
AIRPARK Undercover
For the same cost as AIRPARK Everyday, you can also book a covered spot—ideal for sheltering your car from the Brisbane sun. AIRPARK Undercover is only available to book online and also offers a complimentary shuttle bus to the airport terminals. This car park fills up quickly, so be sure to book your spot in advance.
Arriving in Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport is located on Sea Island 13 km south of the city centre. With lots of international flights connecting Vancouver with the rest of the world, it is the second busiest airport in Canada. Vancouver is proud of its sustainability, and examples of the city’s environmental initiatives can be seen throughout the airport, including environmental art installations. With the airport’s close proximity to the city centre, you’ll be in the city and ready to explore Vancouver in no time.
Getting to the city from Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
The Canada Line is the train that travels from the airport into Vancouver. Once you have gone through customs and collected your luggage, walk into the International Arrivals Greeting Area. From there, you will see signs pointing you in the direction of the Canada Line. The train makes several stops, including Richmond, Olympic Village, Vancouver City Centre, and the Waterfront. When you take the train from the airport, there is a $5 charge that will be added to the normal zone rate. If you are travelling to the city centre or waterfront, tickets cost $7.95 including the surcharge. If you plan to take public transport often during your time in Vancouver, you can purchase a Compass Card, which will give you a discounted rate. The card costs $6 and can be refunded if you return the card at the end of your holiday.
If you would like to take a taxi into the city, you can catch one on Level 2 of international arrivals. The central areas of Vancouver are broken up into zones, and taxi drivers offer fixed rates to the different zones. Much of central Vancouver falls into Zone 6, which is $28. Zone 8 makes up Downtown Vancouver and a portion of the waterfront and costs $31. The rest of the waterfront is spread across Zones 9, 10, and 11 and ranges between $35-$37. With the airport located close to the city, a taxi will get you into the central areas of Vancouver in less than 25 minutes.
