Most people think that Vancouver International Airport is the only port of entry for travelers heading to the Vancouver area.
And for a long time, they were right…..
However, increasing tourism and the proliferation of low-cost carriers have opened up space in the market for another airport—enter Abbotsford International Airport (YXX).
Abbotsford Airport to Vancouver
Most people who fly into Vancouver go through Vancouver International Airport (YVR). However, another small upstart airport has recently become a regional hub for low-cost airlines.
Located just 60 kilometres southeast of Vancouver in the suburb of Abbotsford, YXX services budget carrier Flair and established Canadian heavyweights West Jet.
Besides cheap flights, the airport is an excellent alternative for residents of Surrey, Langley, and, naturally, the Fraser Valley. But what if you’re a traveller or don’t live east of the river?
You’ll be left with one key question: How exactly do I get to downtown Vancouver?
How do I get from Abbotsford Airport to Vancouver?
Assuming you don’t have a car, four key transport options from YXX can have you downtown in as little as an hour.
Just remember, traffic on the Trans Canada Highway #1 can add to this number significantly.
Here is a quick overview:
- Abbotsford Airport Buses: Operated by Ebus & Rider Express, the bus takes around an hour and costs $45-55.
- The Valley Airporter Shuttle: A private shuttle service that offers a flat rate to your location of choice.
- YXX Airport Taxis/Rideshare: You’ll be looking at $150-200 to downtown Vancouver depending on traffic.
- Private Transfer: Somewhat limited; will cost $350-350. But can accommodate up to 15 people.
As you can see, the trip is a somewhat lengthy and costly endeavour. But the bus is a solid option, and it leaves you at Pacific Central Station—right across the street from the Skytrain’s Main Street-Science World Station.
Abbotsford YYX Car Rentals
If you’re travelling to Vancouver via YXX, renting a car is undeniably the best option. If you choose to drive, you can be central in as little as an hour.
What if you don’t need a vehicle during your travels? In most cases, it can be returned to a downtown location of the same rental car company. So you’ll only need to pay for 24 hours—trust me, it’s much cheaper than an Uber.
Car Rentals.com
Most of the major car rental companies service the airport. For my money, the best way to book a vehicle is via carrental.com, a booking owned price aggregator that finds you the best rate available on site.
Click below to find yourself a vehicle with their coveted price match guarantee:
Abbotsford Airport Bus
Maybe renting a vehicle isn’t for you. If not, the cheapest way to get to downtown Vancouver is by taking the airport bus. You’ll be transported to Pacific Central Station on the fringes of the city centre in around an hour.
Just keep in mind that these are not dedicated services. Abbotsford Airport is one stop of many, usually on a trip from Kamloops or Calgary to Vancouver, depending on the provider.
While this is not a deal breaker, you’ll want to keep an eye on the schedule—you don’t want to miss your bus.
The two providers offering service are:
- EBus: Their Kamloops to Vancouver service stops at Abbotsford International 2 times per day (4X on Fri- Sun). The trip is 1 hour 10 minutes, priced at around $55.
- Rider Express: Offers twice-daily service to YXX as part of its Calgary to Vancouver route. The trip is also 1 hour 10 minutes and is priced around the same.
How to Book
The best way to book is to visit our partners at BusBud. This Canadian-owned coach-travel site displays all of the departures available from both providers, their price, and journey length.
That way, you can select the option that works best for you. To learn more and to compare rates, click on the button below:
Abbotsford Airport Shuttle
The Valley Airporter Shuttle is the preferred option for those staying in Vancouver’s eastern suburbs and for budget-conscious travellers looking to get right to the heart of Downtown Vancouver.
You can be dropped off right at the doorstep of your destination for between $25 and $75, depending on the zone. Just keep in mind that the shuttle does not offer direct service to Vancouver or YVR.
Nevertheless, after a 45-minute trip to Surrey, you can be connected with the Skytrain’s Expo Line at Surrey-Central Station. The journey to Waterfront Station downtown will take an additional 40 minutes.
Abbotsford Airport Taxi & Rideshare
In short, if you intend to stay in downtown Vancouver, don’t do it!
To get from Abbotsford Airport to the City Centre, you will be looking at rates of around $150-200. And that doesn’t even factor in the additional costs that can be associated with being stuck in traffic on the often busy Highway #1.
For the cost of a taxi, you can likely rent a car for a few days, which obviously provides a higher degree of comfort, convenience, and flexibility. It really only makes sense if you have a family or larger group. But even then, a rental is cheaper.
However, suppose you are staying in the Fraser Valley (Abbotsford, Mission, Langley or Chilliwack). In that case, a taxi or Uber is a perfectly viable alternative.
- Central Valley Taxi: The leading provider of taxi and limousine service at YXX. Check out the Central Valley Taxi website for more information or to book a taxi.
- Rideshare: Uber and Lyft provide service from the Abbotsford International Airport. Check your phone for rates to your destination.
Abbotsford Airport to Vancouver Private Transfer
If you feel that all of the transport options we’ve discussed seem inconvenient, time-consuming, and downright inefficient, you aren’t alone. The lack of transportation to Vancouver from YYX is the one thing preventing many travelers from taking advantage of this upstart budget airport.
However, we have one last solution that increases your comfort while getting you to your destination as quickly as possible— an Abbotsford International private shuttle.
You can pack into a luxurious Mercedes Sprinter van that can accommodate up to 15 people. In as little as 60 minutes, you’ll be transported directly to your place of lodging.
While it isn’t cheap, if you have a large group or family, the rates can be surprisingly competitive with the other options due to economies of scale.
For more information or to book your shuttle, click on the button below.
Abbotsford Airport to YVR
Unfortunately, transferring between YXX and YVR can be a time-consuming and expensive proposition. Currently, neither a public transit option nor a private coach service connects the two airports.
For this reason, we recommend leaving a significant amount of time between flights if you need to transfer between airports.
Follow the advice in this article and couple it with the information in our YVR to Downtown article.
Connecting to YVR using the Ebus/YXX shuttle and public transit can take up to three hours.
Abbotsford Airport to Vancouver FAQ
In case you didn’t find the answer you need above, here it is! If you’re still not sure please hit us up in the comments below for some custom advice.
Is there an Abbotsford to Vancouver airport map?
Yes sir! Here is the map of the trajectory via Google Maps.
What’s the best way from Abbotsford Airport to Vancouver?
The Ebus is the only direct connection to dt Vancouver. However, if you are willing to make one connection, combining the YXX shuttle to Surrey Central with the Expo Line will be slightly cheaper and get you central just as fast.
What’s the cheapest way to get from Abbotsford Airport to Vancouver?
At just under $25, the YXX shuttle/Expo Line combo is considerably cheaper than the taxi, Ebus and shuttle/taxi combinations offered to serve the city of Vancouver.
Is there a shuttle from Abbotsford Airport to Vancouver?
No. Currently, there is only shuttle service to Vancouver’s Eastern suburbs like Burnaby and Surrey via the Valley Airporter.
Can I somehow get to Vancouver using the Abbotsford airport shuttle?
It is possible to take the Airport Shuttle to Surrey Central Skytrain Station. From there you can jump on the Expo line to be connected to Vancouver’s regional transit system.
Is there Uber from Abbotsford Airport to Vancouver?
Unfortunately Uber and Lyft currently only operate as far East as the suburb of Langley.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!
We hope we have answered all of your questions regarding the sometimes daunting task of getting downtown from Abbotsford International Airport.
If we missed something, leave us your lodging information in the comments below, and we’ll do our best to answer any of your questions.
And remember, we are here for any other questions you may have regarding your stay in the Vancouver area. So don’t be shy!
Enjoy your stay!
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