Vancouver Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go

Practical tips for Vancouver

• Tipping 15–20% at restaurants; 5% GST + 5% PST + 2% MRDT hotel tax added at checkout.

• Legal cannabis retail (private stores + BC Cannabis Stores); consumption same rules as alcohol — no public/beach smoking.

• Bring waterproof layers Oct–May; even 'sunny' days can turn to rain in an hour.

Staying safe and comfortable

Local emergency number: 911.

• One of North America's safest large cities — Downtown, West End, Gastown safe day + night.

• Downtown Eastside (East Hastings between Main + Gore) has visible drug/homelessness — avoid at night, no immediate threat day.

• Bears possible on North Shore trails — carry spray in shoulder season.

• Emergency 911.

Visas and entry

Entry policy: mixed, typically up to 180 days. US citizens enter visa-free with passport. Visa-exempt nationals (UK, EU, Japan, Korea, Australia, NZ, GCC + others) need eTA CA$7 before boarding. Everyone else needs Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).

Budgeting your trip

Accommodation is the largest controllable cost in Vancouver. Compare live rates for your dates and neighbourhood shortlist before locking in flights — the difference between areas is often larger than the difference between travel weeks.