Question 1

How much does accommodation cost in Vancouver?

Accepted Answer

The price of a room depends on location, hotel level, and season: a double room in a 3-4* hotel averages about 150 USD per night. Check the map in the overview article for details by district.

Question 2

What are the interesting sights to see in Vancouver?

Accepted Answer

The main spots are Stanley Park (rent a bike in summer), Burrard Inlet with great port views, and the VanDusen Botanical Garden, where you can spend a whole day.

Question 3

How much do flights from Vancouver to Tokyo cost and how to save on them?

Accepted Answer

A direct round-trip economy ticket Vancouver–Tokyo costs about 80 thousand rubles; the flight is almost 10 hours, so it's best to book early and consider a higher class. Flights with connections (e.g., via the Philippines) are cheaper — around 53 thousand rubles, but take longer.

Question 4

What dishes and cuisine are typical for Vancouver restaurants?

Accepted Answer

Vancouver's cuisine is built on the freshest seafood (the city is surrounded by water) and numerous ethnic cuisines brought by immigrants. See the overview article on Vancouver for restaurant details and prices.

Question 5

Is it worth renting a car in Vancouver and where is it useful?

Accepted Answer

For getting around the city, a bike, public transport, or car share works better; a rental car is only needed for trips to the mountains, waterfalls, and other distant places. See the Vancouver overview article for details.

Question 6

Where to go and what to visit in Vancouver?

Accepted Answer

Vancouver is a modern city well worth visiting; detailed information about the attractions is in the overview article.

Question 7

What is the summer temperature in Vancouver?

Accepted Answer

Summer in Vancouver averages +19 to +20°C, about +17°C in June; sharp swings are common — after warm days up to +22, overcast weeks with rain and +12 can follow, and nights stay cool due to the ocean and mountains.

Question 8

Where to celebrate New Year in Vancouver?

Accepted Answer

Locals usually rent restaurants and banquet halls in advance; the city has organizers who host annual celebrations. Visitors should join Vancouver's Russian-language Facebook groups to join the festivities.

Question 9

How to dress in winter in Vancouver?

Accepted Answer

Dress simply, comfortably, and in layers: the local style favors comfort over fashion. Keep transitional items in your wardrobe — light sweaters, jumpers, jeans, and trousers.

Question 10

Does it snow in Vancouver in winter?

Accepted Answer

Snow is scarce in Vancouver itself, and some winters are snowless, but all the rain that falls on the city settles as snow in the mountains. Visiting in December–February, you can go skiing.

Question 11

How much does a taxi cost in Vancouver?

Accepted Answer

Fares do not differ between Vancouver companies — you pay for the distance traveled. What matters is that you can order an SUV, a child seat, or a taxi with a lift for a wheelchair user.

Question 12

How much does a trip to Vancouver cost per person?

Accepted Answer

On average per person: flights round-trip — $1500-2000, hotel — $100-200 per night, food — $30-50 per day, transport and tours — $50-70 per day. That's roughly $4000 for five days.

Question 13

Is buying groceries in Vancouver cost-effective and where is it cheaper to eat?

Accepted Answer

Buying groceries is not very cost-effective: Vancouver has many cheap spots for quick, filling meals — chains like Tim Horton's, White Spot, Wendy's, and small family restaurants. Almost any diner here is called a "restaurant," including McDonald's.

Question 14

What dishes and cuisine is Vancouver known for?

Accepted Answer

Surrounded by water, Vancouver offers a huge seafood selection and a kitchen specializing in fish. Be sure to try salmon in its many recipes, as well as shrimp, shellfish, octopus, crabs, lobsters, and sea urchins.

Question 15

Where to buy souvenirs in Vancouver?

Accepted Answer

Don't leave souvenir shopping until the last minute. They are sold everywhere: Gift Shops at every museum offer maple-leaf keychains as well as expensive handmade wood and stone crafts from local artisans.

Question 16

What to do in Vancouver?

Accepted Answer

Wander around Granville Island — a former industrial area on a False Creek peninsula turned tourist hub and artists' oasis. You can spend a whole day there: the waterfront, studios of sculptors, woodcarvers, and jewelers, and cafes.

Question 17

What is the weather like in Vancouver?

Accepted Answer

Vancouver has a mild oceanic climate: around +19-20°C in summer, rarely below freezing in winter with little snow, but frequent rain and sharp weather swings. See the city overview article for details.

Question 18

What to buy in Vancouver and what shops are there?

Accepted Answer

Vancouver has many huge shopping malls, designer boutiques, and small private shops: both pricey one-off items and cheap mass-produced goods. What you buy depends on your budget — from a keychain to designer pieces.

Question 19

Is a visa required for Vancouver and how can it be obtained?

Accepted Answer

A visa for Canada is mandatory — even for transit without leaving the airport. It can be obtained on the official website of Canada's Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration (CIC, cic.gc.ca) or through a visa agency.

Question 20

What language is commonly spoken in Vancouver?

Accepted Answer

The main language of Vancouver is English (82% of the population); about 9% speak French, and Chinese and Ukrainian are also common.

Question 21

Which city is better to live in — Vancouver or Toronto?

Accepted Answer

The two cities differ drastically in pace of life, culture and mentality. Toronto is a large business metropolis with a high population density, while Vancouver is calmer — the choice depends on personal preferences.

Question 22

Which hotel or accommodation should one choose in Vancouver?

Accepted Answer

Prices in Vancouver depend on the hotel's level rather than the district: a water or mountain view adds a few hundred to the cost. Good hotels or AirBnb can be found in any area; if the view matters, choose accommodation closer to the waterfront, and always read reviews.

Question 23

Is it worth visiting Vancouver and what can be done there?

Accepted Answer

Vancouver is less about sightseeing and more about beaches, parks and mountain hikes; you can swim in the ocean, rivers and lakes, although the water is very cold in places.

Question 24

How much does apartment rental cost in Vancouver and how are listings described?

Accepted Answer

In Canada, apartment size is described by the number of bedrooms: 1 bdrm, 2 bdrm, plus den (den is a study); the living room is taken for granted and is not included in the description.

Question 25

Where in Vancouver can one play drop-in hockey without long-term commitments?

Accepted Answer

Vancouver has eight rinks offering drop-in hockey: Britannia Rink, Hillcrest Rink, Kerrisdale Cyclone Taylor Arena, Killarney Rink, Kitsilano Rink, Sunset Rink, Trout Lake Rink, West End Rink. Some operate year-round, others seasonally.