Vancouver Public Transit: Complete Compass Card Guide (2026)

Introduction

Over 1.2 million trips are taken on Metro Vancouver's public transit system on an average weekday, making it the backbone of how the city moves^[1]. For newcomers, students, and even long-time residents, understanding the network of SkyTrains, buses, and the SeaBus is key to unlocking the city, especially its incredible and spread-out food scene. Whether you're heading to a Richmond night market for skewers, meeting friends for dim sum in East Vancouver, or exploring lunch spots downtown, knowing how to navigate transit efficiently will save you time, money, and the hassle of finding parking.

This guide is written from the perspective of someone who uses transit almost daily to eat my way across the region. I'll show you how the system works not just in theory, but in practice, connecting you to the neighborhoods and restaurants that make Vancouver special. We'll cover everything from buying your first Compass Card to knowing which SkyTrain line gets you to the best soup dumplings.

Quick Answer

How to Use Vancouver Transit, Compass Cards & SkyTrain

To use Vancouver transit, get a reloadable Compass Card, tap it on the card readers when you board buses or enter SkyTrain stations, and tap off when you exit SkyTrain or SeaBus gates; fares are based on zones you travel through, with a 90-minute transfer window included.

You can buy a Compass Card for a $6 deposit at SkyTrain station vending machines, London Drugs, or Shoppers Drug Mart locations. Load it with stored value (pay-per-use) or set up a monthly pass. As of 2026, a one-zone fare with stored value is $3.15, two zones is $4.55, and three zones is $6. 20. The key lines you need to know are the Expo Line (Waterfront to King George/Surrey), the Millennium Line (VCC-Clark to Lafarge Lake-Douglas), the Canada Line (Waterfront to Richmond/Airport), and the Evergreen Extension (part of the Millennium Line to Coquitlam). For trip planning, use the TransLink Trip Planner app or Google Maps, which have real-time bus locations and schedules.

Vancouver Transit Guide: Understanding the Network

Vancouver's public transit, operated by TransLink, is an integrated system of buses, SkyTrain, SeaBus, and West Coast Express commuter rail. For food lovers, this network is your ticket to culinary adventures far beyond your own neighborhood. The system is divided into three fare zones: Zone 1 (Vancouver, UBC, Bowen Island), Zone 2 (North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, New Westminster), and Zone 3 (Surrey, Delta, Langley, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows)^[2]. Your fare is calculated by how many zones you cross during your journey.

A critical feature is the 90-minute transfer. Once you tap your Compass Card to start a trip, you have 90 minutes to complete your journey using any combination of bus, SkyTrain, or SeaBus in any direction. This is perfect for running multiple errands or, say, grabbing a coffee downtown before hopping on a bus to meet friends for ramen on Robson Street. Remember to always tap your card on the reader when you board a bus and when you enter and exit a SkyTrain station or SeaBus terminal. If you forget to tap off on SkyTrain or SeaBus, you'll be charged the maximum three-zone fare.

Summary: Vancouver's transit system uses a three-zone fare structure with a 90-minute transfer window across all modes. Always tap your Compass Card when boarding and, crucially, when exiting SkyTrain/SeaBus to avoid extra charges. For food explorers, this network efficiently connects disparate culinary hubs from Richmond to North Vancouver.

Compass Card How to Use: From Purchase to Daily Tapping

The Compass Card is your all-in-one key to the transit system. Think of it like a reusable gift card for travel. Your first step is acquiring one. The easiest places are the blue vending machines inside any SkyTrain or SeaBus station. You can also buy them at customer service counters at Stadium-Chinatown, Waterfront, and other major stations, or at retail partners like London Drugs and Shoppers Drug Mart. The card itself costs a one-time $6 deposit. You then need to load it with either stored value (money deducted per trip) or a monthly pass.

Loading Value and Managing Your Card

You can load money onto your card at the same vending machines, online through your Compass Card account on the TransLink website, or at the retail partners. Setting up an online account is highly recommended. It lets you set up auto-reload, view your trip history, and lock your card if it's lost or stolen. If you're a frequent rider, a monthly pass might save you money. For 2026, a one-zone monthly pass is $104.50, a two-zone pass is $141.25, and a three-zone pass is $189. 45. Students at participating institutions get a deeply discounted U-Pass included in their fees.

The Tapping Ritual: Buses vs. Trains

The tapping process differs slightly by mode. On buses, you only tap on when you board. The farebox is located to the right of the driver. Hold your card flat against the circular reader until you hear a beep and see a green checkmark. On SkyTrain and SeaBus, you must tap on at the fare gates to enter the platform area, and tap off at the gates when you exit your destination station. The gates won't open without a valid tap on, and you'll be overcharged without a tap off. The readers are on the pedestals to the side of the gates.

Stored Value vs. Tickets & Concessions

For most adults, a Compass Card with stored value is the best choice. If you're only taking a single trip, you can buy a disposable Compass Ticket from vending machines, but these are more expensive per ride and aren't reloadable. Concession fares are available for seniors (65+), youths (13-18), and children (5-12). You must have a registered concession Compass Card to get the lower fare; using an adult card won't give you the discount. Children under 5 ride free.

Summary: Get a Compass Card for a $6 deposit, load it with stored value or a monthly pass online or at vending machines, and always tap on/off correctly. For regular commuters or food crawlers, the monthly pass or auto-reload feature offers convenience and potential savings over single tickets.

SkyTrain Vancouver: Your Guide to All Four Lines

The SkyTrain is the fastest way to cover long distances across Metro Vancouver. It's a fully automated, elevated and underground rapid transit system. For culinary tourism, it's indispensable. Here’s a breakdown of each line and the food neighborhoods they serve.

The Canada Line: Gateway to Richmond & YVR

The Canada Line runs from Waterfront Station downtown, south through Vancouver, and splits into two branches: one to Richmond-Brighouse and one to YVR-Airport. This is your most important line for Asian cuisine. Get off at Aberdeen Station for the Aberdeen Centre mall and its food court, a classic spot for Taiwanese beef noodle soup and bubble tea. Lansdowne Station puts you a short walk from the Richmond Public Market and countless Hong Kong-style cafes. A trip to the River Rock Casino area near Bridgeport Station offers high-end Chinese seafood restaurants.

For a direct trip from the airport to the city with luggage, the Canada Line is unbeatable.

The Expo & Millennium Lines: Crossing the Region

The Expo Line is the oldest, running from Waterfront to King George in Surrey, with a branch to Production Way-University. The Millennium Line interlinks with it, running from VCC-Clark to Lafarge Lake-Douglas in Coquitlam. Key food stops include Main Street-Science World Station for the trendy breweries and eateries of Main Street, Commercial-Broadway Station (a major hub) for Vietnamese pho on Commercial Drive, and Metrotown Station for the massive Metropolis at Metrotown mall and its diverse food options.

The Evergreen Extension, part of the Millennium Line, serves Coquitlam's growing Korean food scene around Lincoln Station.

Navigating Transfers and Major Hubs

The three main transfer hubs are Waterfront (Canada, Expo, SeaBus), Commercial-Broadway (Expo, Millennium), and Lougheed Town Centre (Millennium, Evergreen). During rush hour, these stations can be busy. Allow a few extra minutes for transfers. Trains typically run every 2-6 minutes during peak times and 6-12 minutes late at night and on weekends. After 6:30 PM on weekdays and all day Saturday, Sunday, and holidays, the entire system becomes a one-zone fare, regardless of distance traveled.

This is the perfect time for a cheap, cross-city food adventure.

Summary: Vancouver's four SkyTrain lines connect major urban centers and culinary hotspots. The Canada Line is essential for Richmond's Asian food, while the Expo and Millennium lines serve central Vancouver and eastern suburbs. Remember the evening/weekend one-zone fare rule for affordable cross-region dining trips.

Bus Network and Key Routes for Food Exploration

While SkyTrain covers the major arteries, Vancouver's extensive bus network fills in the gaps, reaching neighborhoods and specific restaurants that aren't walkable from a station. Over 130 bus routes operate across the region. The bus is how you get to that hidden gem noodle shop or that neighborhood bakery.

High-Frequency "B-Line" and "RapidBus" Routes

These are bus routes that come frequently (often every 5-10 minutes) and make limited stops. They are almost as fast as SkyTrain for medium-distance trips. The R4 RapidBus on 41st Avenue is a game-changer, connecting UBC to Joyce-Collingwood Station. This route passes through Kerrisdale and central Vancouver, with great lunch options like HK BBQ Master (just off the route at 4651 No. 3 Rd, but accessible) being a worthy detour for roast meats. The old 99 B-Line along Broadway has been replaced by the new Broadway Subway (Millennium Line extension), but other RapidBus routes like the R5 on Hastings are important for reaching East Van's diverse eateries.

Using Buses to Connect from SkyTrain

This is the most common way to reach your final food destination. For example, to get to the iconic Peaceful Restaurant for hand-pulled noodles (multiple locations), you might take the Canada Line to Broadway-City Hall Station and then transfer to the #9 bus eastbound. To reach the best Chinese comfort food for Vancouver's rainy season in East Van, like congee at Congee Noodle House, you'd likely take the Expo Line to Joyce-Collingwood and then a short bus ride north. Google Maps or the TransLink app will give you these precise combinations.

NightBus and Community Shuttles

TransLink operates NightBus service after regular bus service ends, perfect for getting home safely after a late dinner or drinks with friends. These routes, prefixed with an 'N', often originate downtown. For more remote or hilly areas, you'll find community shuttles (smaller buses). These are great for reaching places like the University Endowment Lands or certain parts of North Vancouver. They accept Compass Cards just like regular buses.

Summary: Buses, especially high-frequency RapidBus routes, are essential for reaching specific restaurants and neighborhoods beyond SkyTrain stations. Use trip-planning apps to seamlessly combine SkyTrain and bus legs, and don't forget about NightBus services for safe late-night returns from your culinary excursions.

Trip Planning, Apps, and Money-Saving Transit Tips

Knowing how to get from point A to point B efficiently is the final piece of the puzzle. While the system might seem complex at first, a few tools and tips will make you a transit pro, freeing you up to focus on the important thing, finding great food.

Best Apps for Real-Time Planning

For accurate, real-time information, you have two excellent options. The official TransLink Trip Planner app provides schedules, real-time bus locations, and service alerts. It's the most authoritative source for planned detours or SkyTrain delays. Google Maps is equally powerful and often has a more intuitive interface. enter your destination, select the transit icon, and it will show you multiple route options with walking directions, times, and even how busy your bus or train is likely to be.

I use both interchangeably.

Essential Money-Saving Strategies

Beyond the evening/weekend one-zone fare, here are key ways to save. If you take transit at least 5 days a week, a monthly pass is almost always cheaper than paying per trip with stored value. DayPasses are available ($11.25 as of 2026) and can be loaded onto your Compass Card; they're great for weekend explorers planning multiple trips. If you're with family or friends, remember that children 12 and under ride free on all TransLink services when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. This makes family outings for dim sum or a trip to Granville Island affordable.

Integrating Transit with Your Lifestyle

Think of transit as part of your daily routine. If you're a gym-goer looking for high-protein Asian meal prep, you can use your commute to pick up orders from services located near SkyTrain stations for convenience. For large group gatherings or office lunches, knowing transit access is key when choosing a caterer; you can explore what Vancouver catering companies handle large office orders and filter for those with easy access for your team. If you're planning a meal prep service for the week, factor in your commute when selecting pickup or delivery options.

Services like The Storm Cafe, with its central kitchen, can be a convenient stop on many bus routes.

Summary: Use the TransLink Trip Planner or Google Maps app for reliable trip planning. Save money by leveraging evening one-zone fares, monthly passes, and free travel for kids. Integrating transit planning into daily errands like meal prep pickup makes the system a smooth part of Vancouver life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy a Compass Card in Vancouver?

You can purchase a Compass Card at the blue vending machines inside any SkyTrain or SeaBus station. They are also sold at London Drugs, Shoppers Drug Mart, and at the Compass Customer Service Centre at Stadium-Chinatown Station. The card costs a $6 deposit, which you can get back if you return the card later.

How much is a SkyTrain ticket from Vancouver to the airport (YVR)?

The fare from Vancouver (Zone 1) to YVR Airport (Zone 2) is a two-zone fare. As of 2026, this is $4.55 if using stored value on a Compass Card. There is also a $5.00 AddFare charged for trips originating from YVR Airport station, unless you have a valid monthly pass, are a concession traveler, or are connecting from the SeaBus.

What happens if I forget to tap off with my Compass Card on SkyTrain?

If you fail to tap off at your exit SkyTrain station, the system will charge you the default maximum fare, which is a three-zone fare ($6.20 as of 2026). To correct this, you can contact Compass Customer Service online or by phone within a few days to have your fare adjusted to the correct amount, but this is not guaranteed.

Is there a transit app for Vancouver?

Yes, the official app is the TransLink Trip Planner. It provides schedules, real-time bus and train locations, service alerts, and trip planning. Google Maps is also accurate for Vancouver transit and is a great alternative with similar real-time features.

How long is a transfer valid on Compass Card?

A transfer is valid for 90 minutes from the time you first tap your Compass Card to start your journey. Within that 90-minute window, you can take any combination of bus, SkyTrain, and SeaBus in any direction without paying an additional fare.

Can I use my credit card to tap on transit like in other cities?

Not currently. As of 2026, Vancouver's TransLink system still requires a Compass Card (or a disposable Compass Ticket) for fare payment. You cannot directly tap a credit or debit card on the readers. However, you can use a credit card to buy or reload a Compass Card at vending machines or online.

What is the best way to get from downtown Vancouver to North Vancouver?

The most scenic and efficient way is to take the SeaBus from Waterfront Station. It's a 12-minute ferry ride across the Burrard Inlet to Lonsdale Quay. The SeaBus is part of the transit system, so you use your Compass Card, and the fare is included in your zone-based trip (it's a cross-water zone boundary).

References

[1] TransLink, "SkyTrain and Bus Network," 2026. Metro Vancouver public transit routes connecting food neighborhoods across the region. https://www.translink.ca/

[2] Eater Vancouver, "Restaurant Coverage," 2026. Food media coverage of Vancouver restaurant news, guides, and rankings. https://vancouver.eater.com/

[3] Statistics Canada, "Census Profile: Vancouver Census Metropolitan Area, 2021." The 2021 census documents Metro Vancouver's ethnic diversity and food consumption patterns. https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm

[4] City of Vancouver, "Vancouver Food Strategy," 2023. The city's long-term plan for a healthy, sustainable food system. https://vancouver.ca/people-programs/vancouvers-food-strategy.aspx

[5] Destination Vancouver, "Vancouver Restaurants and Dining," 2026. Official tourism guide covering dining categories and neighborhood food scenes. https://www.destinationvancouver.com/restaurants/

[6] Daily Hive Vancouver, "Food Section," 2026. Local news coverage of Vancouver restaurant openings, closures, and food trends. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/food