You can get to UBC by car, bus or bike. Public transit is definitely recommended: it’s efficient, inexpensive, good for the environment — and you can bring a bike on transit to help speed your travels across the vast campus. If you do drive, there are many parking options on campus.
Public Transit
UBC is easily accessible by public transit: the R4, 44, 84 and 99 express buses run directly to the Vancouver campus.
Use the Trip Planning feature on the Translink website to find the most efficient routing from anywhere in the Metro Vancouver region. And remember: you can take your bike on transit. Just tell the bus driver that you’ll be placing your bike onto the rack at the front of the bus.
It’s a good idea to pay close attention to where you get on and off the bus at UBC. There are several bus exchanges and many individual stops, and at the end of a long day of exploring it’s easy to lose track of where you should get on board for your return journey. If you do get turned around, check Translink’s UBC Bus Exchange map for bus stop locations, ask a bus driver for directions — or drop by the Welcome Centre for a nudge in the right direction.
Driving and Parking
To get to UBC from downtown Vancouver by car, cross the Burrard or Granville Street bridges, and then head west on 4th Avenue, 10th Avenue or 16th Avenue. To get to UBC from the airport, cross the Arthur Laing bridge and then head west on SW Marine Drive.
There’s plenty of paid visitor parking at UBC for personal vehicles. You’ll find a helpful UBC parkades map online, as well as up-to-date information about available space at parking lots and hourly parking rates.
You’ll also find reserved spots for car-shares such as Evo, MODO, and Zipcar. Ride-hailing is also available to and from campus for those without a personal vehicle. There are designated ride-hail spots for pick-up and drop-off.
Pay careful attention to signs in parking areas — you will be ticketed or towed if you park in a reserved space, or if you neglect to pay. Consider downloading the Honk Mobile app to pay by phone and extend your parking time remotely.
If you’re planning to park a large or over-height vehicle, like a motorhome or a car with a roof rack, contact UBC Parking at parking.support@ubc.ca or 604 822 6786 ahead of your visit to find the best location that can accommodate your vehicle.
And don’t forget: public transit is the most popular way to get to UBC.
Cycling
Vancouver is a bike-friendly city. It has a vast network of safe and convenient cycle paths, many of which route directly to UBC. Check out the City of Vancouver’s helpful map to plan a route that suits your cycling abilities.
Remember: you can bring your bike on transit by securing it on the racks at the front of the bus.
Questions?
UBC’s Welcome Centre’s knowledgeable staff can answer your trip-related questions, provide maps and directions, offer helpful tips and free guided tours, and let you know what events are happening during your visit to UBC.