Vancouver: Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour with Stanley Park & Gastown

Summary

Stanley Park trees, Gastown steam clock and city stories from a trolley seat

You’ll ride Vancouver’s vintage-style trolley through neighborhoods like Gastown and Yaletown, with time to wander Stanley Park or snack at Granville Island Market. Hop off whenever something catches your eye—the ticket covers all stops for 24 or 48 hours, plus you get a handy map so you never feel lost. It’s an easy way to feel part of the city’s daily rhythm.

What’s the experience like?

“You ever seen trees this big?” the driver asked as we rolled into Stanley Park. I just shook my head — honestly, I hadn’t. The trolley windows were open and you could smell that mix of rain and cedar that kind of clings to Vancouver. We’d hopped on at Canada Place (easy to find, right by the water) and within five minutes I was already plotting where to jump off first. There’s something about seeing a city from a slightly higher seat — you catch people’s faces at crosswalks, hear snippets of conversation in English and Cantonese, even caught a couple laughing over coffee outside Robson Street.

I liked having the map in my hand but mostly just followed my nose — literally, when we hit Granville Island. The air there was thick with bakery smells and someone playing jazz near the market entrance. Our guide pointed out Library Square (“that’s where locals go for quiet,” she said), but I got distracted by a street artist sketching the old post office. At Gastown, I hopped off for the steam clock — it let out this weird little whistle right as I was taking a photo and made me jump (some guy nearby grinned like he’d seen it happen before). Didn’t expect to linger so long there but ended up chatting with a shop owner about hockey jerseys. She told me which bus to take if I missed the trolley back — “but don’t worry,” she winked, “they come around again soon.”

Back on board, we rattled past English Bay and into Stanley Park again. Sun came out for maybe ten minutes — enough to light up those North Shore mountains in the distance. There was a kid pressed against the window counting bikes along the seawall; his dad kept pointing out herons nesting above us. It felt easy to just sit and watch Vancouver roll by, knowing you could hop off wherever called to you next. I still think about that view through raindrops on glass, how it all felt both familiar and new at once.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Vancouver hop-on hop-off trolley tour

• Board trolley at Canada Place
• Explore shops and restaurants near Blue Horizon Hotel
• Visit Rose Garden and Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park
• Walk along Stanley Park seawall
• Discover indigenous heritage and city views on Stanley Park Drive
• See Lumbermans Arch and North Shore Mountain views
• Enjoy Burrard Inlet and Lionsgate Bridge scenery
• Visit famous hollow tree and walking trails
• Explore Third Beach views near Tea House
• Visit English Bay and Second Beach
• Stop at Stanley Park Brewing and heron nesting area
• Explore Art Gallery and Pacific Centre on Burrard St
• Visit Davie Street and Granville Street
• Experience Entertainment District at Granville & Helmcken
• Admire Library Square and lower Robson Street
• Explore Sports District on W. Georgia Street
• Visit historic Gastown and Steam Clock

Top questions

How many stops are included on the Vancouver hop on hop off trolley tour?

The tour has 19 convenient stops covering downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park, Gastown, Granville Island and more.

Can I start the Vancouver hop on hop off trolley tour at any stop?

Yes, you can board or leave the trolley at any of the official stops along its route.

Are tickets valid for one or two days?

You can choose between 24-hour or 48-hour ticket options when booking.

Is commentary available in languages other than English?

Yes, fully narrated commentary is available in multiple languages including English.

Does the tour include entry fees to attractions?

No entry fees are included; your ticket covers unlimited rides between stops only.

Is pickup from hotels included?

No hotel pickup is not included; join at any designated stop such as Canada Place.

Are service animals allowed on board?

Yes, service animals are permitted on the trolley buses.

Is this tour suitable for families with children or infants?

Yes, families are welcome—infants must sit on an adult’s lap during travel.

What’s included

Your day includes unlimited rides on Vancouver’s hop-on hop-off trolley for either one or two days (depending which ticket you pick), plus a brochure with route maps and timetables so you can plan your own pace as you explore neighborhoods like Stanley Park, Gastown and Granville Island.