The Vancouver hop on hop off bus tour is an efficient, affordable, and convenient way for you to discover the city’s most stunning attractions.
In this article I’m going to show you what’s included with this sightseeing bus, and how to make the most of your trip.
Let’s hop on and see if it’s right for you!
Hop On Hop Off Tour: The Vancouver Sightseeing Bus
⚠️ Warning ⚠️ – Especially during cruise season, lineups to get HoHo tickets at Canada Place can really back up. Make sure you walk right on by booking your Hop On Hop Off tickets in advance.
I love this Vancouver bus tour because it combines the social atmosphere of a guided tour with the flexibility of independent travel.
It’s easily one of the best Vancouver city tours around as it eliminates transit worries and makes you a city expert with its world-class commentary.
On these sightseeing bus tours you’ll see the city’s top sights in as little as two hours.
You can get on and off as many times as you want.
In all, it’s a fine choice for:
- Time-restricted travellers
- First time visitors looking to get their bearings
- Cruise ship passengers
- People visiting Vancouver with kids (they love being up top on the double decker bus)
- Senior citizens and people with limited mobility
Hop On Hop Off Vancouver Routes
The hop on hop off bus tour of Vancouver has two routes.
In 2024, your hop on hop off passes get you access to :
- Gastown, Canada Place Cruise Terminal, Pinnacle Hotel Vancouver, Robson Shopping District, Coal Harbour, Stanley Park Pavilion, Vancouver Aquarium, Stanley Park Totem Poles, Prospect Point, Ferguson Point, Second Beach, English Bay Beach, Granville Island, Granville Entertainment District, Library Square, Stadium District, Chinatown, and Maple Tree Square
What’s great about these hop on hop off routes is that they give you the chance to customize your own Vancouver itinerary at your own pace.
You can draw up a shopping vacation, museum excursion, nature & wildlife pilgrimage, or an entertainment and Vancouver sports outing all with one ticket – or mix them all for an all-inclusive feel.
Each Vancouver hop on hop off bus route also passes through the best Vancouver restaurants and bars neighbourhoods in the city.
Hop On Hop Off Vancouver Prices
- Adults (24 hours): $56.70 CAD
- Adults (48 hours): $80.48 CAD
- Children 3-12 (24 hours): $31.50 CAD
- Children 3-12 (48 hours): $40.79 CAD
- Children (0-3): Free
As you can see, tickets are valid for 24 hours or 48 hours – unlike tours in other cities.
So, if you board at 4:00 pm you’ll get unlimited rides until 4:00 pm the next day (or the day after, for the 48 hour pass).
These flexible tickets can let you do the City Route one afternoon (ending with a nice dinner in Gastown for example) and then do the Park Route the next morning.
Vancouver Hop on Hop Off Tour Tickets
Hop on hop off tickets can be bought on site at the Canada Place Welcome Centre and it’ll be the same price as buying online.
That said, I suggest buying them in advance so that:
- You won’t have to wait in line to buy tickets in a busy tourist area
- You get instantly delivered smartphone tickets
- You get reserve now and pay later tickets for great budgeting
- You get free cancellation tickets up to 24 hours in advance in case of emergency
I suggest booking the bus tour with GetYourGuide, the world’s largest tourist ticketing platform.
Need more info? Check out the HoHo pass at GetYourGuide using the orange button below.
Is the Vancouver Hop on Hop Off Tour Worth It?
Honestly, if you’ve already seen most of the sights, you love driving, or you just plan on walking around downtown Vancouver it might not be for you.
That said, since I know you’ve come to this page because you’re interested in Vancouver bus tours – let me add a bit of local knowledge to help understand the advantages of the hop on hop off tours:
- Vancouver is hemmed in by mountains to the north, water to the west, and a river to the south.
- As a result, it’s one of the densest cities in North America
- Mass Vancouver public transit is limited mostly to the east (an area with zero major attractions)
- Parking is expensive and there are tons of one way streets, bridges, and hills
In other words, covering all this ground by driving or transport can get stressful.
Sitting back and learning about the major Vancouver attractions is better than looking for a parking spot, or checking Google Maps to make sure Granville Island is near a Canada Line station (it isn’t).
Vancouver Hop on Hop off Discount Code
Unfortunately, contrary to popular belief, there are no hop on hop off Vancouver discount codes.
I’m still waiting to see if any of the Vancouver tourist discount passes come back – the Vancouver Attraction Passport is back, but doesn’t include hop on hop off discounts.
For now, I suggest booking your bus tour via GetYourGuide.
It provides the highest level of convenience, allows you to avoid lengthy queues, gives the best rates, and allows for free cancellation and book now pay later tickets.
Vancouver Hop on Hop off Route Map
Here’s a quick hop on hop off Vancouver route map with the major stops on the City Route:
- Stop 1 : Canada Place
- Stop 2 : Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
- Stop 3 : Robson Shopping District
- Stop 4 : Coal Harbour / Stanley Park
- Stop 5 : Stanley Park Pavillion / Vancouver Aquarium
- Stop 6 : Sutton Place Hotel / Robson street
- Stop 7 : Granville Island
- Stop 8 : Entertainment District / Chateau Granville
- Stop 9: Sports District / Sandman Hotel
- Stop 10 : Library Square
- Stop 11 : Parq Casino
- Stop 12 : Chinatown
- Stop 13 : Gastown (Maple Tree Square)
- Stop 14 : Gastown Steamclock
As you can see, all major sites that you could pack into a Vancouver two day itinerary are here.
Of course, you will be given one on board (naturally) – but just in case I’ll leave you a Vancouver hop-on hop-off route map pdf in case you want to download it.
Hop On Hop Off Vancouver Schedule
I’m happy to report that the full hop-on hop-off Vancouver schedule is now back – and running year round.
- Summer: from 8:45 AM to 5:00 PM (every 20 minutes)
- Winter: from 8:45 AM to 5:00 PM (every 40 minutes)
The complete hop on hop off route takes 2 hours without stopping.
Note that the last bus leaves at the start of the route – 1.5-2 hours before ending time.
Tips for Vancouver Canada Bus Tours
- Buy your hop on hop off tickets online: Buying your Vancouver bus tour tickets in advance is convenient, allows you to avoid queues and most importantly can save you money!
- Take the tour on your first day: This allows you to get oriented with the city’s layout early on in your trip. You’ll be thankful afterwards!
- Prepare for Vancouver weather: Bring a hat, sunscreen, and water for the sun – but maybe a jacket for Vancouver’s famous rain!
- Take your own headphones: Yours will be much better quality than the free ones.
- Start early: The hop on hop off bus Vancouver can get very busy during peak season. Start with the first bus to guarantee a bit of space.
- Board at lesser known stops: If you can, avoid jumping on the bus at the main stops (Gastown, Canada Place, Granville Island etc.) during peak season.
Vancouver Hop on and Off Bus Reviews
In reading through hundreds of Vancouver sightseeing bus reviews, I noticed a few common threads.
Number one, guests were usually very satisfied with the onboard guides:
They also noted the quick pickups and routes:
Also, it was noted about how easy it was to use to check off the city’s top attractions:
Again, no Vancouver hop on hop off reviews are perfect, and some guests also complained about the ages of the buses – but comfort is never an issue.
Where to Buy Vancouver Hop on Hop Off Bus Tickets
If you’re in the market for a Vancouver open top bus tour you’ve got two options:
Number one, you can go old school and buy your tickets on site at the Canada Place Welcome Centre – just a stone’s throw from the Vancouver Cruise Port.
I recommend this option for people who want to pay cash, but not much else.
Getting them at the window means a few things:
- Long lines especially in Vancouver in summer
- Having to actually get to Canada Place from other best areas in Vancouver
- Having to board way later and not being able to get on at just any stop
Again, I can’t stress enough how tickets cannot be bought at any other stops.
That’s why I strongly suggest booking your tickets online.
Booking Your Vancouver Bus Tour Tickets Online
In the post-COVID world online booking is king.
With many ticket offices shutting down and smart phones in everybody’s pocket, you can reserve your hop on hop off bus tickets in just a few clicks and have them on your phone in seconds.
This means you don’t have to wait in lines and you can board at any stop you want: Stanley Park, English Bay Beach, Chinatown, Gastown, Stadium District, Yaletown, you name it.
In booking online you also get free cancellation tickets up to 24 hours before your date.
My Vancouver Hop on Hop Off Experience
Even though I grew up in the city, this May I decided bite the bullet for you guys and take the Vancouver hop on hop off bus tour – and chime in with my two cents.
Here’s a quick rundown of the experience:
How to Board the Vancouver Tourist Bus
I boarded at Canada Place, just a stone’s throw from the cruise port and Vancouver’s main transport hub.
What was great is that I didn’t have to wait in line at the hop on hop off ticket booth – which was crowded with recently arrived cruisers waiting for tickets.
With my hoho bus tickets already bought from Viator, I was able to board right away after a quick scan of my mobile.
I estimate that I saved about 12-15 minutes by boarding with mobile tickets – I would’ve missed the first bus if not.
What I Saw on the Vancouver HoHo Bus
Once aboard, we were underway!
The driver, a longtime Vancouverite, was super helpful with historical facts and insights into downtown – he even suggested what has since become my favourite Korean restaurant in the city: Sura Korean Cuisine.
It’s amazing how much passionate info he shared with us before I had to get off a Stanley Park – and epic views of the mountains and skyline.
After and hour in the park, I re-boarded and the bus took me through the Stanley Park Rose Garden, along the city’s best beaches, into Kitsilano, and over to Granville Island.
Honestly, the second driver was not as good – and was actually battling a cold.
For this reason, I feel like the experience can be a bit hit and miss.
A Quick Tip for Riding + The End of the Line
Which is why I suggest playing hoho stop roulette: by getting off at the next stop if you don’t like the driver – you can explore a new area and wait for the next driver.
In the end though, he gave us a great suggestion for a snack at Granville Island: Longliner Seafoods.
After my hour at Granville Island, I took the bus back through downtown: Yaletown, Chinatown, and back to the origin stop.
The third driver was hot with bar/aperitivo/happy hour suggestions and was funny as hell talking about the violent past of Gastown – something I didn’t expect was a dark sense of humour, right up my alley!
In the end, being a local with my own travel blog, I found it hard to hear info I already knew – about neighbourhoods I’ve already been to…
My Hop on Hop Off Bus Review
So, is the Vancouver hop on hop off bus worth it?
If you’re looking to cover maximum ground and learn about the city with some inside info – then yes, it is more than worth it!
I especially recommend it to people with limited time or mobility – or anybody who doesn’t have a car.
Best Hop-on Hop-off Bus Vancouver FAQ
Does Vancouver have a hop on hop off bus?
Yes, Vancouver has a Hop-On Hop-Off bus service for sightseeing.
How much is the Vancouver hop on hop off bus?
The hop on hop off bus costs $56.70 for adults and $31.50 for children for a 24 hour pass, and $80.48 for adults and $40.79 for a 48 hour pass.
What is the Vancouver Hop On Hop Off Bus?
The Vancouver Hop-On Hop-Off Bus is a flexible sightseeing tour service, allowing tourists to explore Vancouver’s major attractions at their own pace with unlimited on-and-off privileges.
Where to buy hop on hop off bus tickets Vancouver?
Hop on hop off bus tickets in Vancouver can be purchased online or at various tourist spots – though online is recommended for skipping lines.
Wow does the hop on hop off work in Vancouver?
The hop on hop off in Vancouver works by allowing passengers to board and leave the bus at designated stops, exploring attractions at your own pace.
What to do on the Vancouver hop on hop off bus?
With the Vancouver hop on hop off bus you can visit all major landmarks, parks, and the city’s best neighbourhoods; enjoy panoramic views and learn about the city’s history.
Where should I start my hop on hop off tour of Vancouver?
You should start the hop on hop off tour of Vancouver at Canada Place. That said, this is typically the most crowded spot to do it.
Other popular starting spots include Granville Island and Stanley Park.
Do my hop on hop off bus tour tickets include entrance to attractions?
No, hop on hop off bus tour tickets do not include entrance to any of attractions along the route – they must be purchased separately.
What is the bus frequency at each Vancouver hop on and off bus stop?
Hop on hop off bus frequency in Vancouver is every 20 minutes in summer, while in the winter season they’re scheduled for every 60 minutes.
For up-to-date Vancouver BC hop on hop off bus schedule information you can call 604-451-1600.
When does the last Vancouver hop on hop off bus depart?
The last Vancouver hop on hop off bus departs from Canada Place at 3:30 pm (Oct-Apr) and 5:00 pm (May-Sept).
When is the first Vancouver hop on hop off bus?
The first Vancouver hop on hop off bus is at 8:45 am in both winter and summer.
How long is the Vancouver hop on hop off bus tour?
The Vancouver hop on hop off bus lasts about 2 hours depending on traffic, but you’ll need to add time for any stops.
Can I take luggage aboard the Vancouver hop on hop off bus?
Yes, passengers can take standard size hand bags and backpacks but larger luggage (like checked in luggage on airlines) is not permitted.
In a rut? Remember that there’s an all day baggage storage spot at Canada Place (a typical bus tour starting point). Simply head to 999 Canada Place Way between 8:00am until 5:00pm to drop off or pick up.
How does the validity of Vancouver hop on hop off bus tickets work?
Tickets for the Vancouver hop on hop off bus tour do not simply expire at the end of every day.
You’re granted 24 hours from the time you first board. In other words, if you get on the Vancouver city tour bus at 3:00 pm on a Friday you’ll have until 3:00 on Saturday to explore Vancouver.
Still Looking for Vancouver Bus Tours?
Maybe I missed something that you’re just dying to know? Or maybe you’ve got something to say to help improve the blog.
Make sure you get in touch for questions about Vancouver bus tours or anything else related to your Vancouver vacation planning in the comment section below.
Enjoy! ⭐
Photo credits: Grey Line West Coast Sightseeing Bus
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The Vancouver Hop On Hop Off lists my hotel as one of the 16 stops (Century Plaza Hotel) however on the Hop On Hop Off website it lists Exclusions and it says Pick up and Drop Off at Hotels is an exclusion. I am confused about this, can I hop on at my Hotel or do I need to hop on at some other spot?
Hi Harold,
When they’re referring to hotel pick up and drop off it refers to the potential of a shuttle which will grab you at any hotel and drop you off at one of the stations. This is common with big tour packages, but no the HoHo.
Your hotel is indeed one of the stops, and I’m assuming it’s because there isn’t any major attraction right out front so they took the easy/lazy name.
You’re good to hop on there! Hope you love it 🙂
A couple of questions: What happens if the bus is already full when you want to board? How do you know when you have to board to get back to your starting point before the tour finishes for they day?
Hi Debbie,
Unfortunately when buses are full you have to wait for the next bus to come.
That said, aside from the first stop this is actually a very rare occurrence. It might happen on the busiest days of the year when the weather is really shining, but I’ve yet to hear of it happening to anybody.
As for knowing when to board, the last bus leaves at 5:15 pm and takes 90 min to complete the full loop. Just ask the guide and they’ll show you how to connect to their live interactive map that shows all the buses in circulation, it’s impossible to miss!
Cheers,
Where is the closest pickup spot from Abbottsford please?
Hi Sue,
Abbotsford is nowhere near the HoHo bus stops… in fact it’s about and hour from downtown. If you don’t have a car you are going to have to take multiple buses to get into the city and it’ll take about 90 minutes.
The closest stop would be Chinatown.
Cheers,
Hi – I’m trying to find out which stop is the closest to the Railway Station
Hi Jane,
Closest one will be number one on the map above. It’s the terminus stop which is at Canada Place.
Cheers,
Dear sir/madam, I will be in Vancouver on 1/9/23 and see at the top of your website two routes city and park but only one map. Has the itinerary changed to one route? if so the words at the top are misleading. Look forward to hearing from you Kind regards Geoff
Hi Geoffrey,
After COVID this separate route was integrated into the original route… apologies if there is some confusion. That said, Stanley Park and all its stops and the beach etc. are still accessible.
Cheers,
A couple of questions: Is Canada Place the only place from where you can buy NON on-line tickets for the Hop On Hop Off Bus or are there other locations? Also, your webpage only indicates schedules for Summer and Winter in relation to bus frequency, however after a search, I found that Canada recognises the start of Summer being 21st June, so if I’m interested in using the HoHo Bus on the weekend of 8/9 June 2024, what will the bus frequency be as wouldn’t these dates be in Spring (not Winter or Summer)?
Hi John,
The only place I’ve seen them for sale in person is at the Canada Place… though you may find them at touristy/souvenir shops in the area as well, I haven’t seen them.
As for the summer/winter debacle most attractions don’t go by the exact summer solstice date… it’s generally May/June to September. I think you should be fine for the summer frequency, but just in case I’d contact them in advance to double check if it’s really a big deal for your plans. It is not spelled out concretely in any of the websites I’ve seen so it’s only an educated guess here.
Cheers,
Can I ride the bus around the route more than once on one ticket since it is a 24 hour ticket? I am not able to walk very far so it would be helpful for me to find something to do for a few hours where I can sit.
Hi Charlotte,
Yes, you’re free to ride as many times during the validity of the ticket 🙂
If you take the Hop on, Hop off bus in Vacouver the only one that is worth the price and the ride is the double decker bus with Mary as your tour guide. I was there on Sep 20, 2023 and thoroughly enjoyed the tour with Mary as she was funny and informative. After a complete tour I stopped off at Stanley Park where I enjoyed the gardens and tour of the Aquarium. Another bus took me back to my final destination but there were no guides on that bus, only a prerecorded talking tour which was very poor compared with my experience with Mary. She was great!!!! 10*s for her, 0 stars for the prerecorded tour.
So good to hear Dorine! It’s unfortunate that some of the later buses don’t have guides as they really add a lot of colour (and knowledge) to the trip
We will be in Vancouver on May 4th. Is this considered summer hours and there fore the bus runs every 20 minutes?
Hello Avis, yes, in May it is considered summer hours 🙂
Hi there, I’m only seeing the city route map online, we’re travelling mid September, will the park route be available then?
We’re wanting to do more park stops and would be easier with 2 kids under 3yrs
Cheers
Hi Sarah,
Honestly, I just took it last month to see what the deal is and it looks like they’ve blended the two… even though there was no official announcement. It looks like the one route now is what I have added above.
It looks like just the one Stanley Park stop for now but I’ll update if that changes.
Cheers,
Where is the closest place to board the bus to the Holiday Inn and Suites Downtown hotel?
That would be the Sutton Place hotel, one block up and another block north on Burrard Street 🙂 About 5 minutes’ walk away.
I have vouchers for two hop on hop off two day passes from Railbookers. Will I have to stand in the “buy tickets” line to get the voucher converted to tickets?
Hello Steve,
I can’t speak for Railbookers but with Viator (the links above) you simply need to show your voucher at the bus. They’ll give you a paper receipt which you can use to reboard. No need to stand in the line. Should be the same for Railbookers.
Cheers,