Car Hire vs Transit in Vancouver

Tourists visiting Vancouver have a lot of decisions to make. Will they stay Downtown or outside of the core? In a Hotel or short-term rental apartment? Hit the mountains or the beach? Another thing that tourists often questions is whether they should get a car hire in Vancouver or stick to public transit.

Airport

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is located in the city of Richmond, just south of Vancouver. Whether you need car hire in Vancouver really depends on how much luggage you have and where you are staying. The Canada Line rapid transit is connected to the airport, so it is very easy to get to Downtown Vancouver using it. If you are staying outside of the city, then car hire in Vancouver is probably a better option. You can even do a mix of both and get the Canada Line downtown and avail of car hire in Vancouver from there.

Day Trips

If you want to take a day trip to Whistler or Harrison Hot Springs, you should get car hire in Vancouver. You do not need to rent a car for the entire length of your stay. However, for days where you are going quite far out of the city, it will make it much easier, as public transport doesn’t access these places and private coaches can book up very quickly. It will also give you a chance to see some fantastic scenery along the highways, such as the Sea To Sky highway.

Activities

Vancouver is surrounded by lots of local mountains. This is one of the top reasons why tourists flock to the city all year round. If you plan on going skiing or climbing when you are there, then car hire in Vancouver will help you with this. Lugging a snowboard on a bus is not practical in the slightest. Nor is trying to carry a tent and your backpacks if you want to go camping. Getting car hire in Vancouver for the days you choose to do these activities can make them so much easier from the get go.

Value

Car hire in Vancouver can be relatively good value. If you find you are hopping on trains and buses all day and then getting the occasional taxi, it can really add up, especially if you are travelling with a group. For the same price on transit heavy days, you may be able to rent a vehicle if you book it in advance and keep an eye on deals for certain vehicles that may have offers associated with them.