Best Day Trips from Vancouver Without a Car (15 Ideas)
Some of the best day trips from Vancouver without a car can easily be reached by public transit, ferry or shuttle. From the popular day trips to Whistler and Squamish to Bowen Island and Deep Cove, this article covers my favorite 15 car-free day trips from Vancouver.
I divided the day trips below into easy to reach and longer day trips. While some are relatively straightforward, others are a bit further away and may require more planning. For each destination, I included details on how to get there without a car, what to do once you’re there and whether I’d recommend it as a day trip.
If you’re staying in Vancouver a bit longer, read my guide on how to spend 3 days in Vancouver without a car.
Which Day Trip from Vancouver to Choose?
🏆 Best overall: Bowen Island, Deep Cove
🏔️ Best mountain trip: Squamish, Whistler Grouse Mountain
🚠 Best mountain town: Whistler
🌊 Best island trip: Bowen Island
♨️ Best relaxing trip: Harrison Hot Springs
🥾 Best hike: Tunnel Bluffs
🌲 Best forest experience: Lynn Canyon
🏙️ Best city escape: Victoria or Squamish
💰 Best budget trip: Lynn Canyon or Deep Cove
👨👩👧 Best family option: Whistler, Squamish, Victoria
📸 Best scenery: Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish
15 Day Trips From Vancouver Without a Car
You don’t always need a car to plan a day trip from Vancouver. Many towns, hiking trails and lakes can be reached by public transit, ferry or shuttle. Below I list my favorite 15 day trips from Vancouver, which I’ve divided into easy day trips that require little planning and longer day trips that are further away.
Easy Car-Free Day Trips from Vancouver
1. Bowen Island
Bowen Island is one of the easiest car-free day trips from Vancouver. You’ll first take the bus from Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay and then hop on a short ferry to Snug Cove. While you don’t need to book a ferry ticket in advance as a foot passenger, I’d still recommend it during busy weekends.
Bowen Island can easily be explored on foot and Snug Cove is close to cafes, restaurants, shops and several walking trails. If you have the time, I’d strongly recommend hiking to Mount Gardner, where you’ll have some of the best views of Howe Sound. Instead, if you prefer it, bring you bike to Bowen Island and adventure around some of its steep hills.
What to do on Bowen Island
- Walk around Snug Cover, stop at the Snug Cafe for brunch and visit the local shops.
- Walk to Killarney Lake or Mount Gardner, if you prefer a longer hike.
- Relax at one of Bowen’s beaches in summer.
- Rent a kayak and explore the Vancouver Coast. You can also book a kayak tour or take kayaking lessons.
2. Whistler
Whistler is one of the most famous day trips from Vancouver, whether your driving along the Sea to Sky Highway or visiting without a car. The easiest option is to book a seat on either Epic Rides or Skylynx. If you’re looking for connections between YVR airport and Whistler, Skylynx is a better option.
Once you arrive in Whistler Village, you can reach most activities without a car. The village is very walkable and surrounded by trails, lakes and local attractions. What you can do in Whistler depends heavily on the season, but I’ve visited at different times of the year and always enjoyed it.
A day trip to Whistler from Vancouver without a car can feel quite long. I’d recommend leaving very early or staying overnight in Whistler.
What to do in Whistler without a car
- Explore Whistler Village and enjoy a meal at one of the local restaurants. I’d strongly recommend Balam for an elegant dinner or Stinky’s for a more relaxed atmosphere.
- Ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola between Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb.
- Hike to Russet Lake via Singing Note trail or High Note trail from Whistler Roundhouse.
- Relax at the Scandinavian Spa when weather is not the best.
- Plan a skiing day at Whistler or enjoy a ski-free day in winter.
3. Squamish & Sea to Sky Gondola
If Whistler feels too far for a day trip, Squamish is exactly at the halfway mark on the drive from Vancouver to Whistler. The drive along the Sea to Sky Highway is as beautiful as the destination itself.
You can get to Squamish without a car by booking with Squamish Connector. Once you arrive in Downtown, you can either spend the day exploring the area or take one of the local buses to Sea to Sky Gondola. This is one of the main attractions near Squamish and one you don’t want to miss.
What to do in Squamish without a car
- Ride the Sea to Sky Gondola and walk the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge.
- Relax a the top of the Sea to Sky Gondola or take one of the easy trails nearby.
- Visit Shannon Falls, the third tallest waterfall in BC, and just a short distance from the Sea to Sky Gondola parking lot.
- Hike Stawamus Chief or go rock climbing if you want to stay active.
4. Mount Seymour & Deep Cove
Deep Cove is one of the easiest day trips from Vancouver without a car. You can easily take public transit from downtown and spend the day in Deep Cove, visit Honey Doughnut, hike to Quarry Rock or take a kayaking trip in Indian Arms.
Seymour Mountain is located close to Deep Cove, so it’s a perfect addition to a day trip. It’s one of the most popular North Shore mountains, where you can hike in summer or ski in winter. Also check these day hikes on Cypress Mountain for additional ideas.
One of my favorite activities on Seymour Mountain is doing the easy hike to Dog Mountain or the winter hike to Pump Peak.
5. Grouse Mountain for a North Shore Day Trip
Grouse Mountain is an easy day trip from Vancouver that doesn’t require a long day of traveling. You can simply take the SeaBus from Waterfront Station to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver and connect to a bus to Grouse Mountain. Once you get to the base, you can either ride the Skyride gondola or hike Grouse Grind to the top.
In winter, Grouse Grind trail is closed but you can do the BCMC trail instead. Just be prepared for slippery terrain and carry snow spikes with you.
At the top, get a warm or refreshing drink (my favorite is Talily Kombucha). You can also go visit the grizzly bear in summer or attend one of the ranger activities.
6. Lonsdale Quay & Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge
Lynn Canyon is one of my favorite spots on the North Shore, especially if visiting Vancouver in October. Here you can walk the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge for free (vs. the very expensive Capilano Suspension Bridge), take one of the trails through the mossy forest or extend the hike to Rice Lake.
You can combine Lynn Canyon with a stop at Lonsdale Quay and the Shipyards area. Here you can spend the afternoon exploring Lonsdale Quay Market, the waterfront, local breweries and restaurants. In December you can also go ice skating outdoors.
7. Steveston in Richmond
Steveston is a great day trip from Vancouver if you don’t want to spend half your day travelling. This historic fishing village in Richmond is laid-back and a great for a relaxing day.
One of my favorite spots in Steveston is Pajo’s fish and chips. This is one of the best fish in chips in Vancouver in my opinion. To digest continue for a walk at Garry Point Park or the waterfront.
If you’re looking to do a whale watching tour in Vancouver, Seabreeze Adventure offers tours between April and October. The zodiac tour is in my opinion the best.
8. Tunnel Bluffs Hike near Lions Bay
If you’re looking for car-free day trip to the mountains, then Tunnel Bluffs hike is a great option. While it’s not located in a touristy village like Whistler, Tunnel Bluffs is one of the best day hikes near Vancouver.
The hike to Tunnel Bluffs is moderately difficult, with most of the elevation gain in the first 2 km. Once you reach the viewpoint over Howe Sounds, you’ll understand why I added this hike to the list. You can see as far as the Sunshine Coast on a clear day and even hike it in November, when other trails might already be covered in snow.
The reward to effort ratio is high and I’d strongly recommend planning a sunset hike. But be prepared, carry proper gear and a headlamp if you want to do so.
9. Norvan Falls or Kennedy Falls: Waterfall Hikes
If you’re looking to do a waterfall hike near Vancouver without a car, North Vancouver has two great options. Norvan Falls and Kennedy Falls are both accessible by public transit. While Norvan Falls follows Lynn Creek through the forest and is longer, Kennedy Falls is shorter but more rugged.
Norvan Falls is 14 km round trip with 195 m elevation gain. You should plan at least five hours to complete. The Big Cedar and Kennedy Falls Trail is around 10 km round trip and 150 m of elevation gain. I hiked to Kennedy Falls in winter and the trail felt like out of a winter wonderland.
Longer Car-Free Day Trips from Vancouver
10. Victoria, Vancouver Island
I’m not gonna lie, Victoria is one of the most ambitious day trips from Vancouver without a car. I decided to add it to the list in case you want to leave early and only want to do just a few selected activities. But I’d still recommend staying overnight in Victoria, if you have the time.
If you’re traveling to Victoria without a car, you can board the ferry as a foot passenger and continue by bus to Victoria. I spent a car-free weekend in Victoria and have to admit that I had no issues relying solely on public transit.
How to spend one day in Victoria
- Explore Victoria’s Inner Harbour and walk to the Parliament Buildings.
- Stop in Chinatown for lunch and walk through Fan Tan Alley, North America’s narrowest commercial street.
- Walk to Fisherman’s Wharf and stop for a snack or break.
If you’re only spending one day in Victoria, you won’t have time to visit Burchart Gardens, the Royal BC Museum or Craigdarroch Castle. But if you only have a day, concentrate on just a few activities.
11. Sunshine Coast, BC
The Sunshine Coast is one of the most underrated destinations in BC. It’s also one where you might want to extend the trip to a few days. If you’re planning a day trip to the Sunshine Coast, don’t overpack it with activities. Instead focus on the southern Sunshine Coast around Gibsons. Plan a separate trip to Northern Coast, where you can also add the Tin Hat Hut hike to the itinerary.
The sailing from Vancouver to Langdale takes about 40 minutes and Gibsons is just 10 minutes from the ferry terminal. If you only have one day, explore the town, walk along the waterfront, visit local breweries and cafes.
If you still have time, take the bus to Sechelt and explore the central area of the Sunshine Coast.
12. Salt Spring Island
Salt Spring Island is another trip from Vancouver that may be ambitious if done in a single day. But if you decide to take the seaplane to Salt Spring Island, you may save a lot of time. The only other way to get to Salt Spring Island without a car is as a foot passenger on BC Ferries.
The island is spread out and there are many things you can do on Salt Spring Island. If you have the time plan to stay overnight, but if you only have a day, limit yourself to a few of the following activities:
- Visit the Saturday market for local food and produce, such as the goat cheese.
- Explore Ganges, the shops and local galleries.
- Book a local tour to visit Salt Spring Island without a car.
If you’re looking for the next island to explore, head to either Gabriola Island, Mayne Island or Saturna Island. They all are part of the Gulf Islands and make for great day trips, especially if you’re exploring by bike.
13. Harrison Hot Springs
Harrison Hot Springs is a village that sits beside Harrison Lake. It’s a beautiful setting surrounded by mountains, where you can walk along the waterfront and enjoy the views.
To get to Harrison Hot Springs without a car, take the train to Agassiz and then use the local Agassiz-Harrison Connector to reach the final destination.
14. Othello Tunnels
Othello Tunnels are part of Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park near Hope. This route is very popular if doing a Western Canada road trip as it connects Vancouver with Jasper and Banff in the Canadian Rockies.
At the Othello Tunnels you can take the short trail through the historic railway tunnels and along the canyon. It’s quite a popular destination and get very crowded on weekends. But it’s also a great destination to learn more about Canada’s railway history and an unusual day trip from Vancouver.
15. Garibaldi Lake Hike
Garibaldi Lake is one of the best hikes near Vancouver but the biggest challenge is transportation. Parkbus offers a shuttle service from Vancouver but it’s only offered in summer and during the peak hiking season.
The hike to Garibaldi Lake is 18 km round trip and over 800 m of elevation gain. You can also reserve a campsite by the lake and stay overnight in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Usually many hikers extend the hike to Panorama Ridge, where you get some of the best views of Garibaldi Lake and the surrounding mountains from above.
If you’re new to hiking, read my beginner’s guide on what you need to know before heading into the backcountry in Canada.
How to Get Around Vancouver Without a Car
If you’re spending 3 days in Vancouver or longer, you might want to explore beyond the city. Vancouver is one of the easiest towns in Canada to explore without a car. For nearby locations you can use the public transit network while ferries and shuttles cover the farther away destinations.
Public Transit in Vancouver (Bus & SkyTrain)
- Tickets: Compass Card or pay with a contactless credit card.
- How to search for a route: put your destination on Google Maps and switch to public transit to see all the available connections.
- Good to Know: you can transfer across bus, SkyTrain & SeaBus on a single fare for up to 90 min.
TransLink is the main company in Vancouver that operates buses, SkyTrain and the SeaBus. The SkyTrain is particularly useful for getting around the city, while buses connect areas further out. The SeaBus connects downtown Vancouver and the North Shore, departing from Waterfront Station and Lonsdale Quay.
Most locals use the Compass Card to pay for the bus fare, which is a preloaded card that you can use on any journey. But you can also pay for your fare with a contactless credit card or with a Compass Ticket. Once you purchase a ticket, this allows you to transfer between buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus within 90 minutes.
How to Travel by Ferry in Vancouver
If you’re planning on visiting Bowen Island, Victoria, the Sunshine Coast and Salt Spring Island, you’ll need to take a ferry. BC Ferries carries both vehicles and foot passengers, allowing you to decide whether to travel by car or without.
In Vancouver instead of using local transit, you can also take a False Creek Ferry to Granville Island or Kitsilano. It’s a scenic way of covering short distances and enjoying the views from the water.
Final Thoughts
I’ve been living in Vancouver for several years and I haven’t stopped exploring since. It’s amazing how in just 30 minutes you can be up a mountain enjoying a sunset over the sea. You can also choose to spend 3 days in Vancouver or plan a longer Western Canada road trip to explore even more of what this area has to offer.
If you’re just starting to plan your Canada itinerary and need some inspiration, read my Canada Travel Guide article.
