A car is not necessary if you want to travel to several cute small towns near Vancouver.
A Canada Line or TransLink bus ticket can take you to various charming places in B.C., meaning no stress about directions and parking and you can sit back and enjoy the journey.
Whether you want to visit a small town that resembles Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls, spend time by the water or hike in the mountains in Whistler, all of these options are possibilities via public transit.
Here are seven small towns near Vancouver you can get to without a car.
White Rock
Price: About $7 for Canada Line and TransLink bus tickets (one-way)
Address: White Rock, BC
Why You Need To Go: White Rock is about an hour outside of Vancouver and it’s home to one of the coolest attractions in B.C.
The seaside city is home to Canada’s longest ocean pier. According to Narcity editor Morgan Leet who visited White Rock, the end of the dock will make you feel like you’re in the middle of the ocean.
You can spend your day trip exploring the beach and taking a stroll along the pier. You can also pop into a number of locally-owned boutiques, galleries and craft breweries.
Historical guided tours are also offered where you’ll learn about White Rock’s promenade. The tours are an hour long and a recommended donation of $2 is appreciated.
White Rock is also a great destination to watch the sunset.
Deep Cove
Price: $3 by TransLink bus (one-way)
Address: North Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: Deep Cove is a small waterfront community in North Vancouver, about 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver.
According to the district website, this area is one of the most scenic spots on the Lower Mainland with the surrounding water, forests and mountains.
From a stroll along the water to a hike on the Quarry Rock Trail, there are a lot of fun activities you can do during your visit.
While you’re there, don’t forget to stop by Honey’s Doughnuts & Goodies, which is a beloved donut shop by the locals and celebrities.
Whistler
Price: From $35 via YVR Skylynx (one-way)
Address: Whistler, BC
Why You Need To Go: Whistler may be known as one of the prime B.C. locations in the winter, but there is lots to do in the ski town in the summer as well.
Take a two-hour shuttle bus from Vancouver to this incredible destination and with all the activities available to you, it’s a great place for a weekend getaway.
To get stunning 360-degree views of Whistler Village, mountain peaks, lakes and glaciers, take a ride on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola which reopens on June 15.
You can also spend a day hiking the various trails, playing golf or relaxing by Lost Lake. If you’re with a group of friends, another cool activity is seeing the view from above via a floatplane tour.
Fort Langley
Price: Approx. $8 by bus and SkyTrain or $45-60 to take Mountain Man Mike’s bus service (one-way)
Address: Langley, BC
Why You Need To Go: Located along the Fraser River, Fort Langley is a charming village that’s part of the larger city of Langley.
The area is filled with cozy cafes, boutiques and restaurants. If you’re a fan of Gilmore Girls then you’ll want to visit because it gives off serious Stars Hollow vibes with its cute antique stores and country bed and breakfasts.
You can also learn about the town’s history when visiting the Fort Langley National Historic Site. It’s at that site where B.C. was proclaimed a British colony.
Don’t forget to stop by the iconic yellow Community Hall which has been featured in many TV shows and movies.
Pemberton
Price: About $35 via YVR Skylynx to Whistler and then a TransLink bus (one-way)
Address: Pemberton, BC
Why You Need To Go: Getting to Pemberton from Vancouver is a bit of a longer trip (approx. 3.5 hours each way) so you may want to make this a weekend trip with a group of friends.
With more time in this beautiful village, it means you can take part in so many incredible activities.
Go hiking at Nairn Falls or Joffe Lake Provincial Park. You can also go mountain biking or for a guided horseback riding tour through the forests and meadows. If you like water activities, you can rent a kayak or try guided whitewater rafting down one of the area’s rivers.
There are also a number of great swimming spots if you want to relax by the water and go for a dip!
Squamish
Price: $45 via the Squamish Connector (round-trip)
Address: Squamish, BC
Why You Need To Go: Squamish is a small town between Vancouver and Whistler surrounded by mountains, including the Stawamus Chief.
There are plenty of hikes you can go on while you’re there with views of the turquoise water and the rugged mountain range.
Squamish is also a great place to visit for water lovers with its ocean fjords, lakes and rivers. You can book a boat charter, paddle a canoe or kayak or rent a jet-ski.
The town also has museums craft breweries, a distillery, restaurants, cafes and various boutiques.
Port Moody
Price: About $4 for a subway ticket (one-way)
Address: Port Moody, BC
Why You Need To Go: Port Moody is just 30 minutes outside of Vancouver, meaning it’s a convenient location for a weekday or weekend day trip.
The city is brimming with outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking on Burrard Inlet. You can also have a picnic at Rocky Point Park or go learn about the city’s heritage and culture at the museum.
You’ll also find plenty of charming artisan shops offering unique items and there are numerous restaurants you can head to for lunch or dinner.
If you’re a beer lover, you can check out the Port Moody ale trail, also known as Brewers Row, which includes six breweries along Murray Street.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
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