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Transportation to Whistler

From Vancouver and Vancouver International Airport

Here’s what you need to know about getting to the Whistler ski area via buses, rapid transit to Vancouver, and vans. There’s no need to drive to Whistler, which is easy to explore on foot.

On the way to Whistler, be sure to sit on the left, as you face forward, for incredible views, and on the right on your return trip.

Your choices include:

• Perimeter Whistler Express
• Greyhound Canada
• Canada Line Skytrain rapid transit
• YVR Airporter (service ending October 2009)
• Whistler Mountaineer

Perimeter Whistler Express

Perimeter offers direct service to Whistler from Vancouver International Airport and various hotels in the Vancouver area. It even has service to condos in Whistler.

Some departures travel nonstop to Whistler; others stop at downtown Vancouver hotels on their way from the airport.

You should book your seat in advance. Perimeter monitors your flight schedule, and puts you on a later coach if your flight is delayed. (Call it anyway, if delayed.)

Service operates all year, but more often during ski season. See the website for schedules and prices.

Note that early flight departures from Vancouver Airport require pickups as early as 3:00 a.m. from Whistler.

For this reason, you may wish to leave Whistler the evening before and book a hotel at Vancouver Airport in Richmond. There’s a glut of fine airport hotels, and you’ll often find real bargains.

Or, use Perimeter to a downtown Vancouver hotel and enjoy Vancouver’s flourishing nightlife and dining scene. You'll usually find downtown hotel prices considerably cheaper than in U.S. cities for the same quality. On average, downtown puts you just eight miles from the airport.

Save up to 75% on 4-star Vancouver hotels!
Save up to 75% on 4-star Whistler hotels!

Greyhound Canada

Greyhound Canada offers service from Pacific Central Station near downtown Vancouver to Whistler Village.

Most coaches make street stops along Georgia Street near downtown hotels and hostels on their way to Whistler, but use Pacific Central Station to increase your chances of getting a seat on this unreserved service.

Greyhound is cheap and convenient. If you’ve heard horror stories about Greyhound in the U.S., Greyhound Canada is not the same breed (although they’re both owned by the same Canadian company).

When checking schedules and prices on the website, choose “Vancouver” and “Whistler Village.”

As of this writing, Greyhound Canada accepts skis and ski poles, as well as snow boards. These must be packed in canvas, wood, or another substantial container, and securely fastened.

On the Vancouver – Whistler Village route only, Greyhound also takes unboxed bicycles for a $10 fee. Reconfirm this prior to travel.

Canada Line Skytrain rapid transit

Completed several months ahead of schedule and in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics, the new Canada Line rapid transit service begins operation from Vancouver International Airport at 1:00 p.m. August 17, 2009.

This new line takes you from the airport to stations near most downtown Vancouver hotels.

See the link above for city center station locations and the TransLink trip planner for schedules. Connect at Waterfront station downtown to the Main Street station for Greyhound to Whistler at Pacific Central Station. (You can see Pacific Central one block away as you exit the Main Street station.)

You'll find the airport Canada Line station across from the domestic and international terminals.

YVR Airporter

YVR Airporter service ends October 2009. Apparently Vancouver airport spent so much on its share of the Canada Line extension that it wants to funnel airport users to that, with the result that Vancouver will become the only major airport I know of not to offer convenient shuttles to downtown hotels.

Until then, YVR Airporter offers frequent service between Vancouver Airport and downtown Vancouver hotels.

Regular rates are inexpensive, and there are discounts for seniors, children, and family groups.

Using a combo of YVR Airporter and Greyhound to Whistler saves some money, but it’s not as convenient, as YVR Airporter no longer serves the Greyhound station, and Greyhound does not drop you off at your Whistler hotel.

Whistler Mountaineer

Whistler Mountaineer train service operates between North Vancouver and Whistler from early May through mid-October along a beautiful route. This rather expensive service operates more as a scenic land cruise than as a mere transfer.

The Whistler Mountaineer includes coach transfers to and from numerous Vancouver and Whistler hotels to and from its stations.

From downtown Vancouver, you can also take the SeaBus ferry from Waterfront Station, adjacent to Canada Place, near the north end of Granville Street.

If using the Whistler Mountaineer from Whistler to Vancouver, don't book same day flight connections out of Vancouver. There may be delays to the train because of rock slides, etc. in this rugged area.

HINT: If you’re flying back into the U.S. from Vancouver Airport, be sure to read What U.S. travelers need to know about returning to Vancouver Airport.

Go to:

• The fastest driving directions to Whistler
• Scenic drive to Whistler - alternative I
• Directions to Whistler - introduction

1. The fastest driving directions to Whistler from Vancouver International Airport.
2. Timing your trip to Whistler, in order to avoid traffic jams.
3. Scenic drive to Whistler - alternative I.
4. Scenic drive to Whistler - alternative II. (under construction)
5. Transportation to Whistler from Vancouver and Vancouver Airport.
6. What U.S. travelers need to know about returning to Vancouver Airport.