While our book profiles dozens of amazing local places to visit for free, you still have to get to them. And that can certainly add to your day out costs––especially when gas prices can surge faster than a cheetah chasing a fast-moving lunch.
Luckily, through, we have an extensive public transit system in our region. In fact, it’s so extensive that––with a little planning––we visited almost everything in FREECOUVER: 101 FREE THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND VANCOUVER by taking bus, SkyTrain or SeaBus services.
Throughout our research, the TripPlanner tool on the TransLink website was our constant companion. Based on Google Maps, this handy resource invites you to enter your start point and end point before it suggests various route options and service times based on your travel window.
Save on fares
You still have to pay, of course. But there are ways to keep those costs down as well. On all weekends, statutory public holidays and after 6:30pm on weekdays, all TransLink fares are treated as one-zone trips––which can make a big difference if you’re hopping around the region on a big day out. Keep in mind that all bus trips are one-zone fares at all times and also that all children aged 12 and under travel free on the entire network at all times.
You could also consider a DayPass. This provides unlimited trips on the entire system from the start of the first service until 4:00 a.m. the following day. If you’re planning to visit several places in a short period of time, this can be a good deal––but make sure it makes sense cost-wise by plotting your schedule first via the TripPlanner tool.
More deals and freebies
That’s not the only way to save via the transit system, though. TransLink also offers a surprisingly huge and diverse list of deals available to those showing their Compass Card or proof of same-day fare. From 2-for-1 attraction admissions to discounts on dining, it’s a great way to save some more dollars on your transit-driven days out around the region.
How about hopping on a bus that doesn’t anything, though? Every year (typically during the summer season), Richmond offers its free Discovery Shuttle bus service, taking in-the-know day-trippers on two routes around the city. The hop-on-hop-off service is a great way to explore, and the stops include the popular McArthurGlen Designer Outlet mall as well as Steveston’s Britannia Shipyards and Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Sites.
Walking and biking
You can cut your transportation costs even further with some smart itinerary planning. Every entry in our book includes––at the bottom of its page––a mini-list of other free sights and attractions located nearby. Many of these are just a short walk away, which means you can plan to visit several places on one transit fare.
Alternatively, why not hop in the saddle? Vancouver, Richmond and other communities each have extensive cycling routes that can get you around our region under your own leg-driven steam. Check out this link for cycling-ready maps, resources and more.
If you don’t have your own wheels, though, Vancouver’s popular Mobi bike share scheme––including regular bikes and e-bikes––is also worth considering. A wide range of rate packages are available, and that includes good value day passes and three-day passes.