You're standing at Waterfront Station, looking at the colorful lines on the wall. It looks simple enough, right? But the vancouver bc subway map is actually a bit of a trickster. For starters, we don't even call it a subway. Locally, it’s the SkyTrain. If you ask a local for the "subway entrance," they might point you toward a sandwich shop before they realize you mean the train.
Most of the system is elevated—hence the name—giving you some of the best views in the city for the price of a transit fare. But as the city grows, that map is changing fast. In 2026, we are in the thick of a massive transit evolution. If you’re using an old map from even three years ago, you’re basically looking at a relic.
The Three Lines You Need to Know
Basically, the system is split into three main arteries. They all converge downtown, but they head in wildly different directions.
The Expo Line is the workhorse. It’s been around since Expo 86. It starts at Waterfront and snakes its way through Burnaby and New Westminster before splitting. One branch heads to King George in Surrey, and the other hits Production Way-University. Honestly, if you're trying to get to a concert at Rogers Arena or a game at BC Place, this is your line. Main Street-Science World station is the sweet spot for that.
The Millennium Line is the one currently undergoing "open heart surgery." It used to be a big loop, but now it runs from VCC-Clark out to Lafarge Lake-Douglas in Coquitlam. It’s the line you take if you’re visiting the quirky shops in Commercial Drive or heading out to the suburbs.
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The Canada Line is the "tourist line." It was built for the 2010 Olympics and connects Vancouver International Airport (YVR) directly to downtown in about 25 minutes. It also branches off to Richmond-Brighouse. Pro tip: there is a $5 "YVR Add-Fare" if you're leaving the airport, but it doesn't apply if you're heading to the airport or if you have a monthly pass.
The Broadway Subway Extension: Where is it?
If you look at a vancouver bc subway map today, you’ll see a lot of dashed lines or "under construction" symbols along Broadway. This is the Broadway Subway Project. It’s a 5.7 km extension of the Millennium Line.
People are impatient. We’ve been waiting. Originally, the goal was to have it open by now, but the timeline shifted to 2027 due to some delays, including a concrete strike a few years back. When it’s done, it will replace the 99 B-Line bus, which is currently the busiest bus route in North America.
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The new map will feature six new underground stations:
- Great Northern Way-Emily Carr
- Mount Pleasant
- Broadway-City Hall (where you can transfer to the Canada Line)
- Oak-VGH
- South Granville
- Arbutus
For now, Arbutus is the end of the line. If you’re trying to get all the way to UBC, you still have to hop on a bus at Arbutus. The dream of the SkyTrain reaching the university is still in the "planning and funding" phase of the 10-year priority list.
Navigating the Zone System (Don't Get Fined)
Vancouver uses a three-zone system. It’s a bit weird. Basically, the more boundaries you cross, the more you pay.
- 1 Zone: All of Vancouver.
- 2 Zones: Crossing into Burnaby, New Westminster, or Richmond.
- 3 Zones: Crossing into Surrey, Coquitlam, or beyond.
But here is the catch: Buses are always 1 Zone. You could ride a bus from the North Shore all the way to Langley for a single zone price. But the moment you step on the SkyTrain, the zone rules kick in. Also, after 6:30 PM on weekdays and all day on weekends/holidays, the entire system becomes a 1 Zone fare. It's the best time to explore.
The South of Fraser Expansion
While everyone is looking at Broadway, there’s a massive project happening south of the Fraser River. The Surrey Langley SkyTrain is extending the Expo Line another 16 kilometers.
Right now, in early 2026, you'll see a lot of guideway construction along Fraser Highway. This extension will eventually hit Fleetwood, Clayton, and Langley City. It’s not expected to be "in-service" until 2029, but it's already reshaped the map of where people are choosing to live.
Tips for Reading the Map Like a Local
Don't just look at the train lines. The vancouver bc subway map often integrates the SeaBus and the West Coast Express.
The SeaBus is a ferry that leaves from Waterfront every 15 minutes and takes you to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. It’s technically part of the transit system, so your Compass Card works there too. The West Coast Express is a commuter train that only runs during rush hour on weekdays, heading out to Mission. It's much more expensive and has its own fare structure.
Actionable Steps for Navigating Vancouver Transit:
- Download the Transit App: Don't rely on the static maps at the stations. The real-time data for Vancouver is surprisingly accurate.
- Get a Compass Card: You can use "Tap to Pay" with a credit card or phone, but you'll pay the full cash fare. A Compass Card saves you about $0.65 to $1.50 per trip.
- Check the "Buzzer Blog": TransLink (the transit authority) runs a blog that details every single service change. If a station is closed for maintenance on a Sunday, it’ll be there.
- Mind the Yellow Line: SkyTrain attendants are strict about safety. Stay behind the yellow textured tiles until the train stops.
- Use the Arbutus "Interim" Terminus: If you're heading to Kitsilano, take the Millennium Line to Arbutus and use the Greenway to walk or bike the rest of the way—it’s much nicer than the bus.