Downtown Vancouver is undeniably vibrant but hotels come with a hefty price tag, especially from May to October during the Alaska cruise season.
If you choose to stay downtown, be prepared for additional costs like hotel parking, which can range from $25 to $66 per night. However, the convenience might outweigh the expense. Better yet, forgo the car entirely!
Downtown Vancouver: Expensive, Vibrant, Convenient
Downtown is highly walkable, offering immediate access to hundreds of restaurants and cafes, as well as grocery stores, retail shops, and attractions like Stanley Park: a 1,000-acre temperate rainforest featuring gardens, monuments, and beaches. The scenic seawall is also accessible downtown, which is a beloved waterfront walkway worth strolling for hours.
Public transit is robust downtown, connecting you to various tourist attractions. You can hop on the SeaBus to reach the North Shore for destinations like Lynn Canyon Park, Grouse Mountain, and Capilano Suspension Bridge. Additionally, False Creek Ferries and the AquaBus offer charming water taxi rides between downtown, Yaletown, Granville Island, Olympic Village, and Kitsilano.
Downtown Vancouver is sort of like a mini Manhattan, densely packed with skyscrapers and glass condo towers housing a diverse population—including families, international students, retirees, and professionals—creating a lively and dynamic atmosphere. But you do not want or need a car downtown, it’s more of a hindrance and you’ll be paying for parking, everywhere.
Richmond by the Airport: Cheaper, Suburban, Asian
In contrast, Richmond near the airport offers a more suburban feel, characterized by strip malls and concrete landscapes. However, it’s the heart of Metro Vancouver’s largest Asian community, renowned for its authentic Chinese restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and shopping centers. The famous Richmond Night Market operates on weekends, which can be a fun destination for the food.
Staying in Richmond is generally more affordable. If your hotel is near the Canada Line, you can conveniently leave your car parked and take the SkyTrain into downtown Vancouver. The Canada Line operates as an elevated train in Richmond and transitions underground as it approaches Vancouver. The journey from Bridgeport Station to downtown Vancouver takes approximately 17 minutes.
Alternatively, if your hotel isn’t within walking distance of a Canada Line station, you can drive to Bridgeport Station, which is typically a 5–10 minute drive, and park at the adjacent park-and-ride facility. It costs only $3 to park there for 24 hours.
A Hidden Gem: Steveston Waterfront Hotel
For a more charming experience, consider the Steveston Waterfront Hotel. This self-check-in, condo-style hotel is often more affordable than airport hotels and offers a unique setting. Located on the Fraser River, it’s steps away from Steveston, a historic fishing village brimming with ice cream shops, donut bakeries, fish and chips takeout, seafood and burger restaurants, and notable historical sites like Britannia Shipyards and the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site.
You can park your car in the hotel’s underground lot and explore Steveston on foot. When you’re ready to venture into Vancouver, it’s a 20-minute drive to the Bridgeport Station park-and-ride, where you can take the Canada Line downtown.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between downtown Vancouver and Richmond depends on your priorities. Staying downtown offers unparalleled convenience and immersion in the city’s vibrant culture but comes at a higher cost. Richmond provides more affordable options and a rich cultural experience, especially if you’re interested in authentic Asian cuisine. If you opt for Richmond, don’t miss the opportunity to dine at one of its renowned Chinese restaurants at least once!
