How To Explore Squamish From Vancouver Without A Car
If you’re spending time in Vancouver, a trip up to Squamish is the best way to experience some of British Columbia’s stunning landscapes. And you don’t need your own vehicle to do it! Here’s how to get to Squamish from Vancouver without a car.
When we initially planned out our Vancouver trip, we had big dreams of hiring a car and spending some time roadtripping around British Columbia’s beautiful landscapes, pitching our tent in the middle of nowhere and gazing up at the starry skies. Then we checked out car hire prices. Instant change of plan required.
Squamish is a small town I’d been aware of since my last road trip in Canada, as we stopped off there very briefly to check out Shannon Falls, and locals had recommended it as an easy location for getting out of Vancouver and into nature without having to travel too far.
So we left most of our belongings with friends, borrowed a tent and headed out for a couple of nights of classic Canadian camping and outdoor activities. And guess what? We did it all without a car! Here’s how…
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Travelling from Vancouver to Squamish Without a Car
Getting from Vancouver to Squamish without a car was actually incredibly easy, as the YVR Skylynx bus service to Whistler conveniently stops at the Squamish Adventure Centre en route.
As you leave the city, you’re quickly whisked into a whole new world of stretching ocean and mountainside views. Honestly, the views from the bus ride itself are enough to justify the ticket cost – try and get a window seat on the driver’s side on the way out and the opposite side on the way back to get the best of them!
Skylnx Pickup Locations
- YVR Vancouver Airport: Bus Bay 9.
- Vancouver Downtown: Outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel near Burrard Metro Station.
- Squamish: Squamish Adventure Centre
Skylynx Prices
Single Trip:
- From/To Vancouver Airport – $55 (Standard) / $59 (Flexible)
- From/To Downtown Vancouver – $32 (Standard) / $35 (Flexible)
Return Trip:
- From Vancouver Airport – $75 (Standard) / $79 (Flexible)
- From Downtown Vancouver – $42 (Standard) / $46 (Flexible)
Budget Tip: It’s way cheaper to make your own way from Vancouver Airport to the Burrard Skytrain stop – saving you more cash for cheap eats in Vancouver!
Skylnyx Daily Timetable (Outbound)
| Vancouver Airport | Downtown Vancouver | Squamish |
| 7am | 8am | 9am |
| 8.30am | 9.30am | 10.30am |
| 11.30am | 12.30pm | 1.30pm |
| 3pm | 4pm | 5pm |
| 7.30pm | 8.30pm | 9.30pm |
Skylnyx Daily Timetable (Return)
| Squamish | Downtown Vancouver | Vancouver Airport |
| 8.30am | 9.30am | 10.30am |
| 12pm | 1pm | 2pm |
| 1.30pm | 2.30pm | 3.30pm |
| 4.30pm | 5.30pm | 6.30pm |
| 8pm | 9pm | 10pm |
Getting Around Squamish
The bus drops off at the Squamish Adventure Centre, which easily located across the road from Downtown Squamish, which makes a great base for exploring the surrounding area without a car. We stopped off there as soon as we arrived to gather information and maps before heading out to explore.
Around Downtown Squamish, there’s plenty enough to do, but to explore further around the district, the local bus is your friend! It’s $2 for a single ride, a day pass is $4 or you can purchase 10 rides for $18 if you’re planning on visiting a few different places. The bus drivers don’t carry change, so either make sure you have the right cash on you, or visit City Hall to buy tickets in person. You can also buy an Umo card, or use the Umo app (via Apple Store or Google Play Store).
Timetables are on most bus stops, and you can also check the schedules online – buses get less regular towards the evening so bear this in mind if you’re out late!
Squamish doesn’t have Uber or other rideshare apps, but there are two main taxi companies, Squamish Taxis and Howe Sound Taxi that operate in the area. We found it pretty easy to get a taxi with Squamish Taxis one night when we decided to treat ourselves to a ride back to camp, although they’re obviously pricier than getting the bus around.
Where to Stay in Squamish
We were travelling on a budget, and really wanted to spend some time under canvas, so we borrowed some camping gear from friends and headed to Mamquam River Campground – pitches start at just $10 per night. We stayed here and got the bus from Downtown to Brennan Park Recreation Centre, and then it’s about a 10-15min walk to the campsite entrance.
Away from the town and on the edge of a river, it’s a great place for a more ‘out there’ experience – there’s no running water on site though, so we topped up our water bottles at the Recreation Centre and did a ‘back to nature’ wash in the shallows of the river!
The campsite section we stayed in had communal firepits, and we ended up befriending some other travellers around the fire, sharing a beer and making s’mores. Front-country camping with a backcountry feel, it was exactly what we were looking for from our Squamish experience.
Other options for accommodation in Squamish:
Klahanie Campground ($) – close to Shannon Falls and the Sea To Sky Gondola. From $40 per night for a 2-person tent pitch, with drinking water, coin operated showers and laundry. Booking in advance advised.
Stawamus Chief Provincial Park Campground ($) – walk in sites in the shadow of the Stawamus Chief Monolith
Squamish Adventure Inn & Hostel ($) – offers dorm beds and private rooms, great for travellers on a budget looking for a central location
Crash Hotel Squamish ($$) – simple hotel with quirky character in Downtown
August Jack Motor Inn ($$) – warm and welcoming in a great location
Sea To Sky Hotel ($$$) – further north in the Garibaldi Highlands area
Howe Sound Inn & Brewing ($$$) – rustic hotel with brewpub in Downtown, on the upper end of Squamish hotel prices
Sandman Hotel & Suites ($$$) – chain hotel, spacious and comfort-focused rooms
Things To Do in Squamish
Hiking in Squamish
With all that nature, what better way to explore than on foot? Squamish has plenty of trails in the vicinity of downtown that offer incredible views of the surrounding landscape. You could look up trails in advance online, but we decided to go a bit old school and pick up some maps from the Squamish Adventure Centre and wing it when we got there.
It was actually ROASTING hot on the day we went out hiking (we’re talking 36 degrees Celsius…) so we stuck to the mostly flat, easy downtown trails – which were still quite a challenge in the blazing sun. The map we picked up from the Adventure Centre was super easy to read, and took us around some of the more accessible local trails, through woodland and plains.
If you’re after a more challenging hike in Squamish, within easy access of town, the Sea To Sky Summit Trail takes you to the same spot as the Sea To Sky Gondola, and the Stawamus Chief Trail gives you the option of three summits, all with amazing views.
Travelling solo? Join a guided group hike to Stawamus Chief.
If you’re feeling extra daring, check out the Via Feratta Climbing Adventure – a challenging but safe guided activity to uncover the stunning landscapes of Squamish.
Sea To Sky Gondola
A short bus ride away from downtown, you can pick up the Sea To Sky Gondola for panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge and plenty of high-level trails to explore. Tickets cost from CA$71 for a round trip, so be prepared to factor that in if this is something you want to do!
Mountain Biking
Ride BC are based in downtown and offer guided rides and lessons for newbies! You can also join a guided electric mountain bike tour around Howe Sound and the Squamish estuary – no previous mountain biking experience required!
Kayaking & SUP
With plenty of rivers around, watersports are abundant – the Adventure Centre has loads of info on the best companies, with options within a walk or bus ride from town.
You can book a four hour kayak rental to explore Howe Sound at your own pace.
Looking for something even more exhilarating? Brave the Elaho and Squamish rivers on a Wet and Wild Rafting trip, surrounded by awe-inspiring forest, pounding waterfalls and towering glaciers.
Craft Beer Tasting
Pick up a Craft Tasting Trail Passport at the Adventure Centre, try out the brewing spots around town, get stamped and exchange stamps for cool souvenirs before you go!
Explore the history of the Squamish Nation
At the Adventure Centre and around downtown, you’ll find displays that tell the story of the Squamish nation. If you want to find out more about the history of Squamish and its first people, you can read more here and here.
The Railway Museum of BC
Ride a steam-powered mini railway! (Saturdays only)
Squamish Mural Walk
Around the downtown area, we stumbled across various murals that showcase the diversity, culture, history and heritage of Downtown Squamish. The Squamish Mural Walk is a self-guided tour, available year-round.
Rope Runner Aerial Adventure Park
Scale obstacles in the sky, just next to Squamish Adventure Centre. If you’re still not done with the adrenaline rush, there’s also Axe Throwing on the same site.
Food & Drink in Squamish
Compared to finding cheap eats in Vancouver, Squamish’s delicacies seemed a little on the pricier side – but weighing up our options, we decided to splash out a little rather than invest in cooking gear for the campsite that’d be way too much effort to travel back with!
Mountain Burger House
We arrived hungry, and fell into one of the first places we saw, Mountain Burger House – which, contradictory to the name, serves much more than burgers, including traditional American-style breakfasts. Poached egg on English muffins doused in hollandaise with a GIANT hash, all washed down with a chocolate milkshake. Breakfast of champions (at lunchtime).
Mountain Burger House ($$) – burgers, American style breakfasts and more
38198 Cleveland Ave, Squamish, BC V8B 0B4
Howe Sound Brewery
In Downtown Squamish, Howe Sound Brewery is a rustic brewpub with a great selection of beers, including regular specials. When we visited, it was a Mango Jalapeno Sour, which might be the most wonderfully interesting thing I’ve ever tasted. We also ordered a tasting flight, where you can try any four beers available – definitely recommended as they have some really good sours, IPAs and lagers on the menu.
Howe Sound Brewery ($$$) – brewpub dishes, pizza, sharing platters
37801 Cleveland Ave, Squamish, BC V8B 0A7
The Copper Coil
For one evening meal, we splashed out on a pretty expensive dinner (as in, the most expensive we had all trip) at The Copper Coil. We managed to get a table for two after a short wait, and the sizzling pan of jambalaya I ordered appeared at the table a while later. The flavours were great and the portion size was impressive, although for my budget travel tastes, I’m not sure it quite lived up to the price. A great range of beers, though.
The Copper Coil ($$$) – deep South inspired deliciousness
37996 Cleveland Ave, Squamish, BC V8B 0A7
Chef Big D’s
The next day, we had plenty of hiking planned in, so a big breakfast was on the table. Quite literally, because my pancakes at Chef Big D’s were HUGE. If you’re looking for a classic diner vibe with a modern twist, it’s definitely worth checking out.
Chef Big D’s ($$) – diner/cafe style eats
38042 Cleveland Ave, Squamish, BC V8B 0A1
Backcountry Brewing
After hiking around in 36 degree heat on our second day in Squamish, a beer was DESPERATELY needed, and Backcountry Brewing came to our rescue. With a whole menu section for sours, Backcountry have some of the absolute best beers I tried on the whole trip to Canada – and The Floor is Guava is a contender for the best sour I’ve ever HAD.
Backcountry Brewing ($$) – brewery with kitchen serving mainly pizza and sharing bites
Mags99
For our last evening meal, we were looking for something a little cheaper and more casual than the previous night’s adventures, so ended up grabbing Mexican at Mags99 – a fast food style restaurant with counter order and payment service. The taco salad I had was just what I needed, and we headed back to camp full and ready for some firepit beers before bedtime.
Mags99 ($) – cheap and cheerful Mexican food and fried chicken
1257 Commercial Way #5, Squamish, BC V8B 0R5
More places to eat and drink in Squamish:
Other places you can grab a bite to eat on your visit to Squamish include:
Sunflower Bakery and Cafe ($) – savoury baked goods and sweet treats
38086 Cleveland Ave, Squamish, BC V8B 0B7, Canada
Caffe Garibaldi ($) – a small selection of paninis at the Squamish Adventure Centre
38551 Loggers Ln, Squamish, BC V8B 0H2
Cordelia’s Locket ($$) – fresh comfort food with a changing menu and waterfront views (reservations usually required)
38038 Loggers Ln, Squamish, BC V8B 0V7
The Locavore Bar & Grill ($$) – sandwiches and easy bites
1861 Mamquam Rd, Squamish, BC V8B 0G2
Salted Vine ($$$) – upscale dining in the heart of Squamish.
37991 2 Ave, Squamish, BC V8B 0R2
General Tips For Visiting Squamish Without a Car
- Pack as light as possible, if you’re going to be carting your gear around town. Make sure you’ve got some warm layers, waterproofs and sensible walking shoes.
- If you’re camping, check out the Walmart for inexpensive camping gear, or you can rent tents and sleeping bags when you arrive. You can also drop any gear you don’t want to take home to Squamish Helping Hands, who provide shelter, food and community to those in need in the area.
- Take a refillable water bottle – there are plenty of spots in town where you can fill up for free.
- If you’re camping – make sure you’re clued up on bear safety in Canada!
