Vancouver boasts the world's largest automated (driverless) light rapid transit system commonly known as SkyTrain. The trains run primarily on elevated tracks and over bridges, so you will see some great views of the city while travelling on the SkyTrain. This makes it an ideal way to get an overview of Vancouver while stopping along the way for shopping, dining, strolling through parks or visiting nearby attractions. Stations along the Millennium line all feature unique and interesting architectural designs.
Click on map for a large version - Scroll down page for Google Maps version cc licensed shared by DavidArthur
The Vancouver SkyTrain system consists of 3 lines - the Expo Line (completed in time for Expo 86), the Millennium Line (completed in the year 2001) and the Canada Line (opened in 2010) connecting a total of 48 stations throughout Metro Vancouver
Vancouver Airport transportation is now a breeze thanks to the Canada Line which provides service directly from Vancouver International Airport to Vancouver City Center in just 24 minutes! Check out the video below and you will see why riding the SkyTrain is a fun, inexpensive and quick way to explore Vancouver.
Trains travel at speeds up to 90 kph between stations unimpeded by the busy traffic below. Trains are frequent with service ranging from 2-20 minutes depending on location and time of day. Typical non-peak hour trains run every 6-8 minutes through most stations. For full schedules and travel time between stations click here. The SkyTrain system is integrated with Seabus and the bus system and you can move from one mode to the other on the same fare.
The Millennium Line and the Expo Line Divide at Broadway/Commercial Station and at Columbia Station in New Westminster. Note that Millennium Line Trains also operate on the Expo Line between Waterfront Station and Columbia Station, however at that point the lines divide. For travel on the Expo Line between Waterfront and Columbia Stations it doesn't matter whether you board an Expo or Millennium Train, but for travel beyond Columbia Station make sure you board the train appropriate to your destination. Expo trains remain on the Expo Line crossing the Fraser River into Surrey whereas the Millennium trains branch onto the Millennium Line and travel north and then west back into Burnaby and Vancouver.
It is usually quicker to take a North/South bus between the two lines rather than go all the way around if you are trying to get to a station that is adjacent on the other line. (See map below) There are two bus routes I would recommend to get you quickly from one line to the either. Between Joyce Station on the Expo Line and Rupert Station on the Millennium line take the #27 bus (travel time is under 10 minutes). Between Metrotown Station on the Expo Line and Brentwood Station on the Millennium Line take the #130 bus (travel time is under 18 minutes).
In addition to the schematic Vancouver Skytrain Map above we've ovelayed the Vancouver Skytrain Lines on Google Maps showing how they relate to the layout of the city. You can zoom in on the map to locate the individual Skytrain stations and check out the surrounding areas. You can also switch to satellite or earth view.
Color Coded Vancouver SkyTrain Map -- Click on Icons for names of the SkyTrain Lines. Zoom in to see individual stations and surrounding streets View in a larger map
SkyTrain Cars in Rupert Station on the Millennium Line cc licensed ( BY ND ) flickr photo shared by PoYang_??
