Resources for Visitors
Please refer to the information below to help you plan your stay in Vancouver.
About Vancouver
Located on the West Coast of Canada, Vancouver has been consistently voted by the United Nations as one of the world's most desirable places to live. With a population of about two million people, Vancouver is British Columbia’s largest and Canada’s third largest city.
Vancouver is a multicultural city with social and cultural activities to appeal to every taste. Parks and public beaches surround the city's harbour, offering plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities year-round. Attractions include: Granville Island Market, Vancouver Aquarium, Stanley Park, and shopping along South Granville, in Chinatown, on Robson St, and in Gastown.
- Tourism Vancouver www.tourismvancouver.com
- Hello BC www.hellobc.ca
About the University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia, established in 1908, serves a student population of 50,000 on two major campuses in two cities and holds an international reputation for excellence in advanced research and learning. Independent international rankings have placed UBC among the world's top universities. UBC is a world leader in advanced research and instruction offering students the opportunity to engage in research and bring new knowledge and expertise to their fields.
Along with its breathtaking vistas of the ocean, forest and mountains, the university boasts some of the city's best attractions, including the Museum of Anthropology, the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, the UBC Botanical Garden, and forested trails in the adjoining Pacific Spirit Regional Park.
UBC has campuses and facilities throughout British Columbia:
- UBC Point Grey campus (Vancouver)
- UBC Robson Square (downtown Vancouver)
- UBC Okanagan (Kelowna, BC)
- Great Northern Way campus (Vancouver)
- Faculty of Medicine Education Across British Columbia
Accommodation
On the Point Grey Campus: We encourage participants to consider on-campus accommodation. UBC Conferences and Accommodation offers a wide range of accommodation options, from deluxe rooms at the West Coast Suites, to standard and premium suites at Gage Towers, as well as cost effective single rooms in shared apartments. Please visit UBC Conferences and Accommodation or call 1.888.822.1030 for more information about accommodations at the Point Grey campus. Green College, also located at the Point Grey campus, has other accommodations available. Please visit Green College accommodation for details.
Off-campus: There are a variety of off-campus accommodations available, many of which are located in the downtown area, which is about 10km from UBC and is accessible by public transportation. Please visit the Tourism Vancouver website for more information.
Homestay: Homestay is another accommodation option available to international students registered in a program through the UBC Continuing Studies English Language Institute. For more information, click here.
Transportation
To and From the Airport (Point Grey campus or Robson Square): The Vancouver International Airport is located 25-30 minutes to either the Point Grey campus or UBC Robson Square by car or taxi. Travel options to and from the airport include public transportation, the Airport Shuttle Bus, as well as taxi and limousine services. For more detailed information, please visit Getting to & from YVR.
Vancouver Public Transit: Translink's free Trip Planning Service allows you to plan your trip to UBC from virtually any Lower Mainland location by Bus, Skytrain, or Seabus. View Translink's Transit System Map. Route and schedule information, including bus frequency listings and route maps, are available on the Translink web site, or call 604.953.3333.
UBC Point Grey Campus Parking: There are six parkades available on the Point Grey campus. Please consult UBC Parking and Access Control Services for detailed parkade locations and fees. All parking areas are available on a first come, first served basis.
UBC Robson Square Parking: Enter Robson Square's underground parkade from Howe Street, just north of Nelson Street. Hourly parking charges apply. There is also limited, metered parking nearby. For more information, visit UBC Robson Square.
