During my time in Canada, I stayed with family in Abbotsford, which meant we had a car and could easily do a few day trips. But I also wanted this blog post to be helpful for travelers who are staying in Vancouver without a car.
The good news is that many of these places are either reachable by public transport or guided day tours. If you’re based in Vancouver and looking to explore beyond the city, here are a few easy and enjoyable day trips to consider.
Fort Langley
Fort Langley is a charming little village with historic roots. It’s a bit of a hidden gem with boutique shops, local cafés, and the Fort Langley National Historic Site, where you can learn about BC’s early fur trading days. It's about an hour's drive from Vancouver, and while there are public transit options, they do take longer – so this one's easiest if you have access to a car.
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| Fort Langley Community Hall, also used as the Riverdale Town Hall in the Netflix series |
We went on a weekend and enjoyed just walking around the town, grabbing coffee, and browsing through antique and thrift stores. One fun surprise was the train station – there’s a small heritage railway site where you can actually go inside an old train carriage. It’s a nice little stop, especially if you like anything vintage or nostalgic, and it's free to visit.
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| Heritage CNR Station Fort Langley |
There’s also a nice riverside area nearby if you want to take a stroll after lunch. It’s a relaxing and low-key place, perfect for a slower-paced day trip.
Squamish + Sea to Sky Gondola
Squamish is often overlooked because it sits between Vancouver and Whistler, but it’s worth visiting. It has stunning mountain views, beautiful trails, and one of the best gondola rides in BC. We went by car, but if you don’t have one, you can book a guided day tour from Vancouver that includes stops in Squamish, the Sea to Sky Gondola, and sometimes Whistler Village too.
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| Sea to Sky Gondola |
The gondola ride itself is about 10 minutes one way and takes you 885 meters above sea level. At the top, there’s a suspension bridge, multiple viewing platforms, a café, and walking trails.
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| taken from the view deck after getting off the gondola |
We did the shortest trail, which still gave us amazing views from other vantage points. You can buy tickets onsite or online, and sometimes GetYourGuide offers discounted passes or bundled tours with other attractions.
Richmond + Steveston Village
If you're craving good food and seaside charm, this combo is an easy day trip from Vancouver. Richmond is famous for its incredible Asian food scene – some even say it has the best Chinese food in North America. You can easily reach it via the Canada Line on the SkyTrain, making it perfect for a quick escape from the city.
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| Chinese food is always a good idea when in Richmond |
We had lunch at No. 9 Restaurant, a well-loved local spot known for its huge menu and fast service—classic Hong Kong-style comfort food.
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| view from the boardwalk |
After our food stop, we made our way to Steveston Village, a historic fishing town in the southern part of Richmond. Once there, you can stroll along the boardwalk, check out the boats, and stop by the Gulf of Georgia Cannery, a national historic site. The vibe is very laid-back, and it’s a great spot for fish and chips by the sea or just relaxing by the pier.
Having a car definitely made these day trips a lot more convenient, but it’s totally possible to do versions of them from Vancouver using public transport or by booking a day tour. If you're visiting Canada and staying in the city, it's nice to know you can still enjoy a change of pace without having to drive.
If you have any questions about logistics, feel free to drop them in the comments.
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