car hire vancouver
Pick up your hire car at Vancouver International Airport, then combine a ski holiday with a harbour city break.Book car hire vancouver now
the 60-second guide to vancouver
in its own head
"This is the best place to live in the world. Don't believe us? Just ask The Economist - they've voted us into the number one spot five years in a row!"
but more realistically
Vancouver does have great restaurants, bars, architecture, parks and even beaches. And while it might not have the edge of other great global cities, it is indeed a highly appealing destination.
the vibe
Its cultural diversity is such that you can mix the highbrow with the hedonistic.
the natives
Friendly. Especially to dogs. The city has dog hotels, dog parks and even a doggy food festival.
the weather
Similar to Cornwall's climate. Seriously. You won't turn berry-brown here but you're also unlikely to lose a limb to exposure.
the local speciality
Wild rice and buffalo meat will provide skiers and boarders with their carb and protein fix for a strenuous day on the slopes.
the celebrity
Vancouver has spawned oodles of actors, including Ryan Reynolds, Hayden Christensen and Seth Rogen.
did you know?
Vancouver is the host of next year's Winter Olympics, with Whistler in particular opening its pistes to medal-seekers.
they say
"Vancouver is the most wonderful place. I put it up there with San Francisco and Sydney as a magic harbour city." - actor Terence Stamp
5 to see in town...
- 1. The Marine Building
- 2. Pacific Spirit Regional Park
- 3. Gastown Steam Clock
- 4. Bloedel Floral Conservatory
- 5. Capilano Suspension Bridge
This stately skyscraper used to be a flashy Chinese restaurant, but it's now the set for the HQ of the Daily Planet newspaper in Smallville, the US TV show about Superman's boyhood years.
where to park?
There are three well-signposted parking lots in the vicinity.
5 to see in town...
- 1. The Marine Building
- 2. Pacific Spirit Regional Park
- 3. Gastown Steam Clock
- 4. Bloedel Floral Conservatory
- 5. Capilano Suspension Bridge
This lush forest reserve, which is full of pretty beaches, is ideal for wholesome wandering and sultry sunbathing.
where to park?
5 to see in town...
- 1. The Marine Building
- 2. Pacific Spirit Regional Park
- 3. Gastown Steam Clock
- 4. Bloedel Floral Conservatory
- 5. Capilano Suspension Bridge
where to park?
There are free parking lots at Acadia, Spanish Bank and Jericho beaches, and at the information centre on 16th Avenue. Pay-and-display parking can be found in a lot near the Gate Seven entrance to the University of British Columbia, at the university's Museum of Anthropology and botanical gardens and in visitor lots around the campus.
5 to see in town...
- 1. The Marine Building
- 2. Pacific Spirit Regional Park
- 3. Gastown Steam Clock
- 4. Bloedel Floral Conservatory
- 5. Capilano Suspension Bridge
This is one of the only two steam clocks in the world. It hoots and spits every 15 minutes.
where to park?
Gastown has more than 2,000 covered parking spaces.
5 to see in town...
- 1. The Marine Building
- 2. Pacific Spirit Regional Park
- 3. Gastown Steam Clock
- 4. Bloedel Floral Conservatory
- 5. Capilano Suspension Bridge
Bloedel is a giant ecodome filled with exotic flora and 100 species of bird, flying free.
where to park?
There is limited parking along the edge of Queen Elizabeth Park. There is also a car park close to the park's central plaza.
and 4 to drive to...
Enjoy a sensational view of a not-too-distant Vancouver, while pulling off a skilful skiing maneuver at this park. There's also skating and sleigh rides for the non-skiers.
how to get there?
Follow Stanley Park Causeway Road out of the city, crossing Lions Gate Bridge. Pick up Capilano Road and follow signs to Grouse Mountain - the journey should take 20 minutes.
and 4 to drive to...
A mecca of sorts for boarders and skiers, Whistler is the big boy of British Colombian ski resorts and pulls in a whopping two million visitors a year.
how to get there?
Follow Stanley Park Causeway Road out of the city, crossing Lions Gate Bridge. Pick up the BC-99/HWY-1 W, then take exit 1 for BC-99/MARINE Dr toward Whistler/Squamish. Merge onto the BC-99 N. You should reach Whistler in under two hours.
and 4 to drive to...
With 52 ski runs and 600 acres of terrain to navigate, as well as night skiing opportunities and cross-country areas, Cypress Mountain is a snow playground for big kids.
how to get there?
Follow Stanley Park Causeway Road out of the city, crossing Lions Gate Bridge. Pick up the HWY-1/BC-99 and take exit 8 to merge into Cypress Bowl Road. You'll be hitting the slopes within 40 minutes.
and 4 to drive to...
You needn't be attached to some carbon-fibre contraptions to enjoy the delights of Vancouver - head to Squamish, the so-called "Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada", which offers golf, scuba diving, mountain biking and fishing.
how to get there?
Follow Stanley Park Causeway Road out of the city, crossing Lions Gate Bridge. Pick up the BC-99/HWY-1 W and take exit 1 for the BC-99. Merge into the BC-99 N and turn left at Cleveland Avenue. You'll be there in just over an hour.
ask a vancouver cabbie!
Local taxi driver Modli Ngcobo on car hire in Durban: "It's relatively safe to drive in and around Durban, as long as you take precautions. First, get a GPS so you don't need to ask for directions, and keep all valuables out of sight. It's probably best to avoid the Victoria Embankment area at night and watch out for taxis that randomly stop anywhere without indicating. You can walk from the beach to the city centre, but with the humid weather, it's better to drive and get the air-con on!"