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Getting Here & Around

Arriving

Richmond is centrally located in Metro Vancouver. Choose from car, air, rail, ferry, and public transit options to get here and get around Richmond, the home of Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

Entry Points

Many different land, air, and sea connections serve Richmond. Choose what’s best for your journey.

Traveling by car? Access Richmond by Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway), Highway 10, or Highway 99 (I-5 in the United States).

Arriving by air? Vancouver International Airport is your gateway. Buses, taxis, rental cars, limousines, free hotel shuttles, and the Canada Line rapid transit link are available to take you to your destination.

Coming by ferry? From Vancouver Island, BC Ferries offers regular service to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal. From Tsawwassen, it’s about 30 minutes to Richmond, and Horseshoe Bay is about 60 minutes away.

By Car

Richmond can be accessed by Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway), Highway 10, or Highway 99 (I-5 in the United States). Driving around Richmond is easy.

The city’s roads are flat, and it’s largely laid out on a grid system. Three bridges connect to Metro Vancouver: the Arthur Laing Bridge, the Oak Street Bridge, and the Knight Street Bridge. It’s a 20-minute drive to downtown Vancouver.

Rent a car at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or at rental agencies in the City Centre. Several taxi companies serve Richmond as well.


By Air

Served by 70 airlines,Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is located on Richmond’s Sea Island. Welcome to North America’s top-ranked airport.

Taxis, rental cars, buses, hotel shuttles, and the Canada Line rapid transit link serve YVR. Via the Canada Line, it takes just 26 minutes to downtown Vancouver. Direct bus and shuttle transfers to Whistler are available.

Spending some time at the airport? Enjoy casual or fine dining. Shop at close to 160 retail outlets. Visit the spa. Or stay at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel.


By Rail

You can use public or private rail options for easy travel to and around Richmond.

In downtown Vancouver, Via Rail and Amtrak trains arrive at the Pacific Central Station (1150 Station St) from elsewhere in Canada and the United States. Transfer to public transit or catch a taxi to Richmond from there.

The Canada Line rapid transit link was built for the 2010 Winter Olympics. It’s an amazing tool for getting around Richmond. The city boasts seven Canada Line stations, including ones directly outside major shopping malls (Aberdeen and Lansdowne) and the River Rock Casino Resort (Bridgeport). Check with TransLink (translink.ca) for up-to-date fares, schedules, and other information.


By Ferry

If you’re coming from Victoria or Nanaimo, both located on Vancouver Island, hop aboard BC Ferries.

BC Ferries offers regular service to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal (from Victoria) and Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal (from Nanaimo). From Tsawwassen, it’s about 30 minutes to Richmond, and Horseshoe Bay is about 60 minutes away.


Bridges

Richmond is connected to Metro Vancouver by three bridges, the Arthur Laing Bridge, the Oak Street Bridge, and the Knight Street Bridge.

En route to or from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on Sea Island, access the Arthur Laing Bridge via Granville Street in Vancouver, and via Russ Baker Way in Richmond. The Oak Street Bridge is part of Highway 99.

Within Richmond, use the Sea Island Connector bridge to go from Bridgeport Road on Lulu Island to Sea Island. When traveling the opposite way – from Sea Island to Bridgeport Road – take the Moray Bridge. Dinsmore Bridge offers easy access between Sea Island and the

 


Notice to US Visitors

All citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean are required to present a valid passport when entering the United States at any airport. For land and sea border crossings, you must have a passport or a government-issued I.D. plus proof of citizenship. For more information on document requirements for travelling in and out of the U.S., please visit the US Department of State website.

Washington State residents can apply for an enhanced driver license and ID card (EDL/ID). The EDL/ID will securely denote identity and citizenship and is an acceptable alternative to a passport for re-entry into the U.S. at land and sea border crossings.  For more information, please visit the state of Washington’s website.

Canada Customs

Personal items (clothing, toiletries etc.) that will return with you are admitted free of duty. Pets entering Canada from the United States that are more than three months old must be accompanied by a signed certificate by a licensed veterinarian from Canada or the US, verifying that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies during the preceding 36 months. For more information and permits, visit the website for the Canada Border Services Agency and go to the Travellers section.

Weapons are prohibited entry into Canada. For more information, contact the Canadian Firearms Centre at 1-800-731-400. Or visit the web site for the Canada Border Services Agency  and go to the Visitors section.

Liquor Laws

The legal drinking age in British Columbia is 19. A government-issued photo ID plus a second ID with a photo or signature are required to purchase alcoholic beverages. Alcohol to take home with you is sold only through government liquor stores, privately owned cold beer and wine stores, and duty-free shops. For more information, visit the government of British Columbia’s website.

Accessing Richmond

Richmond residents enjoy the city’s flat terrain and a Canada-best life expectancy of 83.4 years. It’s no surprise this is one of the world’s most accessible cities.

Richmond stores, restaurants, attractions, and hotels make accessibility a priority for people with mobility challenges, including seniors and those with disabilities.

Icons are displayed to indicate whether a business is fully wheelchair accessible or partially wheelchair accessible. Other icons show whether the business offers visual accessibility or hearing accessibility. This can include appropriate emergency alarms and plans, and communication materials in accessible formats.

Canada Customs
Coming to Richmond from the United States or another foreign country? Take a moment to double-check that you meet the requirements of Canada Customs (www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca).

Entering Canada
 
For more information on customs regulations when entering Canada, visit the website for the Canada Border Services Agency (www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca). You can also call 1-800-461-9999 (toll-free in Canada), or 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064 from outside Canada (long-distance charges will apply ).
 
Entering and Returning to the United States
 
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) that requires travellers to the US to show passports (including returning US citizens) has come into effect. This is a phased program, and requirements are constantly changing. Travelers are advised to confirm well before they travel that they have the appropriate documents to travel to and from the US. Learn more about this new travel policy, including how to apply for a passport. Or visit the US Department of State web site (www.state.gov).
 
Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) have been formally identified as acceptable documentation requirements for land and sea crossings. If you are a US citizen and a Washington State resident you are eligible to purchase an Enhanced Driver License (EDL) which will meet the requirements for proof of citizenship to re-enter the US from Canada and Mexico by land or sea. Further information for Washington residents is available at the Department of Licensing website (www.dol.wa.gov).
 
If you are a Canadian citizen and a British Columbia resident, further information on Canada's first Enhanced Driver's License for British Columbia residents is available at the ICBC website.
 
Children age 18 or under wishing to enter the US will need to present a birth certificate, naturalization certificate or a passport to enter the US.
 
Visa Requirements: To find out if you need a visa to enter Canada, please visit the web site of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp).
 
Traveller Program Cards: Trusted traveller program cards will continue to be accepted for cross-border travel.
 
For more information on NEXUS (www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/menu-eng.html): Canadian residents / U.S. residents
 
For more information on FAST (www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/fast-expres/menu-eng.html): commercial truck drivers only
 
For more information on CANPASS (www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/canpass/menu-eng.html): travelers entering Canada only
 
Passports: If you are a Canadian citizen looking for information on passports, please visit the Passport Canada web site (www.ppt.gc.ca)
 
If you are a U.S. citizen looking for information on passports, please visit the U.S. Department of State web site (travel.state.gov)
Public Transportation
Richmond belongs to Metro Vancouver’s TransLink public transportation system. It’s easy, safe, and fast to take transit all over Richmond.
 
Buses operate between 5 am and 1 am approximately. Take advantage of discount fares after 6:30 pm and on weekends and holidays. For up-to-date TransLink customer information, call 604-953-3333.
 
The Canada Line train whisks travelers from the airport to downtown Vancouver in 26 minutes. It also offers service to Richmond shopping malls in the Golden Village and City Centre. Richmond boasts seven Canada Line stations: YVR-Airport, Sea Island Centre, Templeton, Bridgeport, Richmond-Brighouse, Lansdowne, and Aberdeen. Regular TransLink fares are in effect.