Questions answered
Big Bus Vancouver FAQ: Stops, Timing and Tickets
Independent guide, not operated by or affiliated with Big Bus Tours.
- Routes1
- Stops8
- Full loop1H 50M
- Sights6
Most people asking about the Big Bus in Vancouver want to know one thing: whether the route reaches the places they came to see. The short answer is that the downtown loop has stops at the waterfront, in Stanley Park, at Granville Island and around Robson Street. The questions below cover the stops, timing, accessibility, weather and how to choose a ticket.
Sights in this guide
Before you ride
The route is a single downtown loop.
Plan around the stops rather than the neighbourhoods. Stanley Park, Granville Island, Canada Place and Robson Street each have a stop at the sight itself, while Vancouver Lookout is about 450 metres from the Canada Place stop.
Choosing a ticket
The ticket is the part of the decision that sits outside the route itself, so compare ticket options on their own pages. Across the city, there are three hop-on hop-off products from three operators, with loop lengths from roughly 105 to 120 minutes. Some are open-top or double-decker loops, some add a river or boat cruise, and some bundle a bus ticket with an attraction or a second activity.
Before you pick one, check the ticket page for how long the ticket runs, which age groups count as children, and what it includes.
Route and stops
- Red Route
Red Route
Bus turístico en Vancouver
Questions about Big Bus Vancouver
Is the Big Bus worth it in Vancouver?
It is worth it if your day is built around Stanley Park, Granville Island, Canada Place and Robson Street, since each of those has a stop at the sight itself. It is much less useful for Capilano, Lions Gate Bridge or the North Shore mountains, because none of them has a stop close by. If your list is mostly downtown, compare the ticket options before committing to a day of riding.
How long does a full loop take?
A full circuit of the downtown loop takes about 1 hour 50 minutes if you stay on board. Getting off at Stanley Park or Granville Island will stretch the day, so treat the loop time as a minimum rather than a plan. Check the ticket page for how long the ticket you are considering remains valid.
Which stop comes first on the route?
From Canada Place the loop moves on past the Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront to the Stanley Park Pavilion / Vancouver Aquarium stop. Because the route is a loop, the order is the easiest way to plan which sights you reach first.
Does the bus stop at Stanley Park?
Yes. The stop is named Stanley Park Pavilion / Vancouver Aquarium and sits at the sight itself, which makes it the natural point for a walk along the seawall and a visit to the Totem Poles at Brockton Point. The Vancouver Aquarium is also reached from that stop.
Does it go to Granville Island?
Yes, there is a stop named Granville Island, and it is at the sight itself. The island is compact, so the market, the artisan studios and the theatres are all easy to reach on foot from the stop. It is a practical place to get off for lunch.
Can children ride?
Check the ticket page for the age rules and child tickets on the tour you are considering.
Is the bus wheelchair accessible?
Motorised wheelchairs and scooters are not permitted, although guide dogs are allowed. Confirm these points on the ticket page before you book, particularly if you use a mobility aid.
Can I get off and get back on?
Yes, it is a hop-on hop-off route, and the stops at Stanley Park and Granville Island are good places to leave the bus for a while. The ticket page sets out the rules for getting back on, so read those before you choose a product.
What weather suits the open-top ride?
Summer in Vancouver is warm and mostly dry, and late spring to early autumn is the most pleasant time to ride open-top. Autumn and winter are often rainy, with winter mild in the city and snow mainly on the nearby slopes. Mornings and weekdays are typically calmer than summer afternoons around Stanley Park and Granville Island.
Is there commentary, and in which languages?
Yes, commentary is offered in several languages, through a free app or through the onboard audio. Check the ticket page for the exact list of languages before you book, especially if a particular language matters to your group.
Does the route cover Gastown or Chinatown?
Gastown and Chinatown sit in the same downtown area as Canada Place, Robson Street and Vancouver Lookout, and that cluster can be walked in one half-day. Walking between those places is the simpler way to see them, with the bus saved for Stanley Park and Granville Island.
How does it compare with a walking tour?
A walking tour suits the compact old-town area, where Gastown, Chinatown and Canada Place are close together. The bus suits the longer hops between Canada Place, Stanley Park and Granville Island, where walking takes much longer. Many visitors do both, walking the downtown cluster and riding for the parks and the market.
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