Travel tips · Vancouver · Canada
Vancouver travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Vancouver is a young, outdoorsy and diverse city on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, with large Chinese, South Asian, Filipino and Japanese communities. The pace is relaxed: people ski or hike before work, dress casually and take recycling and the environment seriously.
Key facts
- Language
- English
- Currency
- CAD
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink and comes from protected reservoirs in the North…
- Emergency
- 911
Things to know
- Sort waste into the recycling, compost and garbage bins provided; locals take it seriously.
- Thank the bus driver as you get off, even by the back door; it is a local habit.
- On the seawall, cyclists and walkers have separate lanes, so stay in yours.
- Casual dress is accepted almost everywhere, including good restaurants.
- Respect trail closures and wildlife warnings on the North Shore, where bears are present.
- Book Capilano Suspension Bridge Park ahead: Book online in summer and during the winter lights season, when time slots fill.
- Lynn Canyon Park's suspension bridge is free and a good alternative to Capilano.
Tipping
Tip 15–20% in restaurants and bars and about 10–15% for taxis; card machines will prompt you. Tipping at counter-service cafés is optional.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The North Shore | North and West Vancouver, across Burrard Inlet |
| The Drive | Commercial Drive |
| Raincouver | Joking nickname for the wet winters |
| Hollywood North | Nickname for the city's film industry |
| Washroom | Toilet / restroom |
What to wear
Bring a waterproof jacket in any season and layers for changeable weather; outdoor gear is worn everywhere, and smart-casual is as formal as most places get.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink and comes from protected reservoirs in the North Shore mountains.
- Emergency number
- 911
- Phone and internet
- Free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, libraries and public buildings; eSIMs and Canadian SIM cards work well.
- Time zone
- America/Vancouver
Car break-ins are common, so leave nothing visible in parked cars. The streets around East Hastings between Gastown and Chinatown have visible homelessness and drug use; pass through by day with normal awareness and take a taxi at night. In the mountains, weather changes quickly, and the sea stays cold even in summer.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Canada's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Vancouver?
Tip 15–20% in restaurants and bars and about 10–15% for taxis; card machines will prompt you. Tipping at counter-service cafés is optional.
+Can you drink the tap water in Vancouver?
Tap water is safe to drink and comes from protected reservoirs in the North Shore mountains.
+What plugs are used in Vancouver?
Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Vancouver?
English.