Accessibility Guide: Getting To and From Vancouver
Getting Around Vancouver
An essential part of planning your trip to Vancouver is figuring out how you'll get around and ensuring modes of transportation meet your group's accessibility needs. Whether you're getting to Vancouver by car, train, or plane, Vancouver is easy to navigate thanks to its excellent public transit network, ride-sharing services, and well-connected roadways.
Accessibility at Vancouver International Airport
As one of the world's most accessible airports, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has worked to ensure all passengers with disabilities have a positive experience travelling to and from Vancouver.
- Outside the terminals, ramps and special curbside parking are available at both the Arrivals and Departures areas. Relief areas for those travelling with assistance animals are also provided on the Arrivals level outside the International terminal as well as in the U.S. Departures area.
- Throughout the airport, facilities include fully-accessible restrooms; phone booths and TTY phones; plain language signage; low-mounted flight information monitors; visual paging monitors and public address systems; check-in counters adapted for wheelchairs and those with impaired hearing; airport gates equipped with dedicated wheelchair lifts for loading into the aircraft; lounge and restaurant seating with both arms and no arms; and contrasting, textured flooring to guide visually impaired travellers.
- YVR also have a helpful resources section on their website with an accessibility brochure, instructional video produced in partnership with Spinal Cord Injury BC, and tools for individuals and families living with autism to help them prepare for travelling through the airport.
Individual airlines have trained staff who can assist in escorting passengers through security checkpoints and to the gates. It is recommended that travellers with disabilities state their particular needs when booking, and again at the ticket counter. Additionally, YVR Airport Customer Care personnel can be reached at 604.207.7077.
SkyTrain
The Canada Line of the SkyTrain connects YVR to Richmond and downtown Vancouver quickly and easily. The line is fully accessible by elevator from both the Arrivals and Departures levels.
Taxis
Wheelchair-accessible taxis and vans are integrated into the pool of vehicles that service YVR. No reservations are required, and curbside staff are available to provide assistance.
Car Rentals
Most airport rental car companies can provide accessible vehicles, but a minimum of 48 hours' advance booking is required. Check out what Avis has to offer, or contact your rental car company for more information.
Limousines
KJ Limousine provides transportation services to travellers with mobility challenges in their luxurious MV-1 vehicle. Along with YVR airport transfers, they also offer private tours and transfers to Whistler and cruise ships. The wheelchair-accessible vehicle is designed specifically to accommodate wheelchairs and scooters, with passengers entering the MV-1 from the side via a motorized ramp. The vehicle can seat one wheelchair or scooter comfortably, plus three additional passengers. To book, call 604.377.1618 or email info@kjlimousine.com.
Mini Buses
Vanwest Charters has fully equipped, certified, wheelchair-accessible minibuses available for hire. Each vehicle can hold between 2 and 4 wheelchairs and 1 to 16 additional passengers.
Courtesy Shuttles
Hotel courtesy shuttles provide transportation service from the airport to some hotels in Richmond. Many hotel shuttles can accommodate wheelchairs and mobility aids, but it's advisable to contact hotels directly to confirm availability and book a pick-up.
Getting to Vancouver by Train
VIA Rail
VIA Rail staff are trained to escort travellers with disabilities to the platform, assist in boarding and disembarking from the train, and help with loading and unloading baggage. Priority boarding is available five minutes before regular boarding commences. All VIA trains are fully accessible to passengers in wheelchairs. More information on accessible travel, including guidelines on width and weight restrictions for wheelchairs and scooters, is available on their accessibility page.
In certain circumstances, VIA Rail offers free travel to one companion for a person with a disability. Any additional persons needed to assist those with disabilities to board and disembark will be offered the best available fare. Guide dogs and service animals travel free. Passengers are asked to book travel and specify their unique needs 48 hours or more in advance by calling 1.888.VIA.RAIL (842.7245) or TTY 1.800.268.9503, or by visiting their local VIA ticket counter.
Amtrak
Amtrak’s Cascades service from Portland and Seattle is accessible, offering space for up to four mobility-impaired passengers per train, as well as providing braille signage throughout the train and open captioning on all onboard displays. Travellers must make reservations for accessible services (such as space for a wheeled mobility device, access to a transfer-accessible seat or accommodation, and those with hearing or vision impairment) by either visiting their local Amtrak ticket agent, booking online, or by calling 1.800.USA.RAIL (872.7245) or TTY 1.800.523.6590.
Please specify the type of assistance required at the time of booking. Amtrak also offers a 15% discount to passengers with mobility issues and their adult travel companions, subject to certain requirements. Guide dogs and service animals travel for free.
Rocky Mountaineer
Rocky Mountaineer offers two-day and three-day train journeys between the Canadian Rockies and Vancouver, from April through October each year. Rocky Mountaineer train coaches are fully wheelchair-accessible, with the option to transfer to a regular seat and borrow a narrow chair for use onboard, or use your own chair. Bi-level GoldLeaf Service coaches have elevators for guests to reach the lower dining room. Wheelchair-accessible transfers, sightseeing and accommodations can also be arranged. Guests should inform Rocky Mountaineer of accessibility needs at the time of booking to ensure that they can be accommodated. For complete information on services for travellers with disabilities, contact Rocky Mountaineer at 1.877.460.3200 or visit their website.
Getting to Vancouver by Ferry or Seaplane
BC Ferries
BC Ferries provides a variety of services for persons with disabilities, including special vehicle loading for people who require wheelchair access to an elevator. A limited number of wheelchairs are available to those travelling without a vehicle. Service animals are permitted in BC Ferries’ terminals and onboard ships, and grassed areas are available at most terminals. Persons with disabilities can have a friend or relative assist them to the ship using a BC Ferries visitor pass. Reservations are required. Please call 1.888.BCFERRY (223.3779) at least 24 hours in advance of travel to reserve a wheelchair or arrange assistance.
Hullo Ferries
Hullo Ferries offers high-speed catamaran ferries that connect downtown Vancouver with downtown Nanaimo in just 70 minutes. For travellers who use a wheelchair, wheelchair-accessible seats are available on the main deck. There is one spot for a specialized or electric wheelchair that is securely tied down, and three spots for wheelchairs that are not tied down. Accessible washrooms are available on board, and discounted fares are offered to travellers using wheelchairs and one companion. Learn more about Hullo Ferries accessibility and book your seat on their website.
Harbour Air
Harbour Air is North America’s largest seaplane airline and offers 150+ daily scheduled flights to 12 west-coast destinations (including downtown Vancouver and Richmond), scenic tours, adventure packages and private charters. Harbour Air makes every effort to serve guests with mobility challenges, including pre- and post-flight boarding options, escorting guests with mobility devices to and from the aircraft, and having crew offer a steady hand for assistance during boarding and deplaning. If guests believe they may have difficulty boarding an aircraft or will require additional assistance, they should contact Harbour Air Customer Care at customercare@harbourair.com or 1.800.665.0212 at least five days prior to their preferred date of travel. For further information on mobility, visit their accessibility page.
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