5 Reasons You Should Stay in Downtown Vancouver

If you're flying into the Vancouver International Airport (YVR), it's incredibly easy (and cheap) to get from the airport to Downtown Vancouver: just hop on the Canada Line (Vancouver's rapid transit/metro) and zip into the city for just a few dollars per person. 

If you're staying close to Stanley Park (which is about a 30-minute walk to one of the Canada Line stations), you can always grab a taxi from the Canada Line to your accommodations for far less money (and time) than a taxi from the airport.

If you stay in Downtown Vancouver, then you don't need a car. You can easily walk (or bike) to major attractions (including Stanley Park, English Bay Beach, Robson Square, the Vancouver Art Gallery), shopping, dining, and nightlife.

If you want to see more of the city, there are hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus tours and sightseeing boat cruises.

You can also use public transit to quickly and easily reach attractions outside the downtown core:

• There is free shuttle service to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park from Downtown Vancouver.
• You can take the False Creek Ferry or Aquabus to Granville Island, Vanier Park museums, and Kitsilano Beach.
• You can take the Canada Line / SkyTrain to Chinatown, Science World and Commercial Drive.

Generally speaking, the best nightlife in Vancouver is in the downtown core. There's the Granville Street nightlife district (home to many of the Top 10 Nightclubs in Vancouver), Yaletown nightlife, gay nightlife, and fabulously chic cocktail spots. If you stay in Downtown, you can walk home drunk.

Is it safe? Yes. I'm a lady who has walked home from a night out in Downtown Vancouver many times, albeit usually with other lady friends. But if you do feel unsafe, just grab an inexpensive) taxi. 

Another great reason to stay in Downtown Vancouver: the food! Many of Vancouver's best restaurants are in the downtown peninsula, which means they're likely in walking distance.

• Top 10 Restaurants in Downtown Vancouver 
• Best Restaurants in Gastown

Downtown Vancouver is home to several of the city's best places to shop, and if you exhaust those options you can take the Canada Line / Sky Train to Metropolis at Metrotown (the biggest mall in B.C.).

• Gastown Shopping Guide