Getting to Whistler from Vancouver (YVR Airport & Downtown): Skylynx, Epic Rides & Driving

Because Whistler Village is pedestrian-only and hotels charge a nightly fee for underground parking, you do not need a rental car if you are spending your time in Whistler Village, riding the gondolas and cycling the Valley Trail. Express coaches connect both Vancouver International Airport (YVR, 135 km / 2.5 hours) and Downtown Vancouver (120 km / 2 hours) directly to the heart of Whistler Village 10 to 15 times a day.

1. By Bus from Downtown Vancouver or YVR Airport (Best Options Compared)

• Option A, From Downtown Vancouver ('Epic Rides'): the best-value express shuttle from downtown Vancouver; check current one-way and return fares on the official website. Coaches depart from right outside Burrard SkyTrain Station (on Melville Street) up to 10 times daily in winter and 5 to 6 times daily in summer, driving non-stop up the Sea-to-Sky Highway to the Whistler Gateway Bus Loop (right beside the Visitor Centre in the middle of Whistler Village) in 1 hour 50 minutes, and they carry skis, snowboards and boxed bikes at no extra charge.
• Option B, Directly from Vancouver Airport (YVR, 'YVR Skylynx' & 'Whistler Shuttle / Ridebooker'): stepping off a flight at YVR? You don't even have to go into downtown Vancouver first: walk to the YVR Ground Transportation desks and board a direct YVR Skylynx or Whistler Connection coach (departing every 60 to 90 minutes), which drives through Vancouver and up Highway 99 straight to Whistler Village or your hotel door.

2. Driving a Rental Car on the Sea-to-Sky Highway (And the Winter Tyre Law)

If you want to stop at Shannon Falls, the Sea to Sky Gondola and Brandywine Falls on the way up, or drive north to Joffre Lakes, rent a car at YVR or downtown Vancouver and follow Highway 1 West across the Lions Gate Bridge onto Highway 99 North:

• Mandatory Winter Tyre Law (1 October to 31 March): by British Columbia law, every vehicle driving north of Squamish on Highway 99 between 1 October and 31 March must be equipped with M+S (Mud + Snow) or 3-Peaked Mountain Snowflake winter tyres with at least 3.5mm tread depth. When renting a car at YVR in autumn or winter, explicitly verify that the tyres have the M+S or Snowflake symbol stamped on the sidewall.