Major city · Canada
Burnaby
Base in Burnaby only if you want cheaper beds and SkyTrain access to Vancouver: 20 min to downtown, 1–2 nights, not a sightseeing destination.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep; May and Sep are quieter and cheaper
- avoid Nov–Feb (rain, short days)
- Airport
- YVR
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
Burnaby is a Vancouver suburb of 223,000 people, not a standalone stop. Its value is practical: Metrotown and Brentwood give cheaper hotel rooms on the Expo and Millennium SkyTrain lines, 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver, plus two lakes, a heritage village and a mountain park if you want a slow half-day. Most travellers sleep here to cut costs and ride in.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Burnaby, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyBurnaby is a normal, safe suburb by Canadian standards; the real issues are rain, dark unlit park trails after dusk and petty theft around Metrotown.
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckYVR Vancouver International (Canada Line to downtown, then SkyTrain; about 45–60 min to Metrotown by transit, 25–35 min by car (check)).
- Getting aroundTransLink runs the SkyTrain (Expo and Millennium lines loop through Burnaby), buses and the West Coast Express.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeC$3–6 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealNoodle or rice bowlC$14–20 (≈ US$11–15)
- Beerdraught in a pub / can at a liquor storeC$8–10 (≈ US$6–8)C$3–5 (≈ US$3–4)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 mi5 km taxi3.1 mi taxiC$18–25 (≈ US$14–19)
- Metro or bus rideSkyTrain or bus fare, one zoneC$3.20–4.65 (≈ US$3–4) (check)
- Museum or sight ticketBurnaby Village Museum entryC$6–12 (≈ US$5–9), carousel C$2 (≈ US$2) per ride (check)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personC$45 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomC$200 (≈ US$150)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomC$320 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$160 (≈ US$120) · High C$260 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YVR Vancouver International (Canada Line to downtown, then SkyTrain; about 45–60 min to Metrotown by transit, 25–35 min by car (check))
Weather and climate
Burnaby: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C43°F
1°C34°F
20 rd
Feb
8°C46°F
2°C36°F
15 rd
Mar
10°C50°F
3°C37°F
18 rd
Apr
13°C55°F
5°C41°F
15 rd
May
17°C63°F
8°C46°F
13 rd
Jun
20°C68°F
11°C52°F
11 rd
Jul
23°C73°F
13°C55°F
7 rd
Aug
23°C73°F
13°C55°F
7 rd
Sep
20°C68°F
10°C50°F
10 rd
Oct
14°C57°F
7°C45°F
17 rd
Nov
9°C48°F
3°C37°F
20 rd
Dec
6°C43°F
1°C34°F
21 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
TransLink runs the SkyTrain (Expo and Millennium lines loop through Burnaby), buses and the West Coast Express. Tap a contactless credit card or mobile wallet, or buy a Compass Card ($6 refundable deposit); transfers last 90 minutes. Zone fares apply on SkyTrain and SeaBus on weekdays before 6:30 pm; buses are one zone at all times. Children 12 and under ride free. From downtown Vancouver to Metrotown is about 20 min on SkyTrain.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Vancouver
goDoor to door: About 20–25 min
SkyTrain Expo Line from Metrotown to downtown
The main reason to stay in Burnaby: downtown is a short ride away.
New Westminster
goDoor to door: About 15 min
SkyTrain Expo Line
Riverfront quay and a small historic downtown.
Coquitlam
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
SkyTrain Millennium Line to Lafarge Lake–Douglas
Town Centre Park and easy access to the Tri-Cities.
Port Moody
goDoor to door: About 25 min
SkyTrain Millennium Line to Moody Centre
Breweries and the inlet shoreline at Rocky Point.
Port Coquitlam
cautionDoor to door: About 50–60 min
SkyTrain to Coquitlam Centre, then bus
Only worth it for a specific errand or trail.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Metrotown
Expo Line, biggest mall in the area, most hotel rooms; 20 min to downtown Vancouver.
Brentwood
Millennium Line, newer towers and mall; good for Coquitlam and Port Moody side.
Lougheed Town Centre
Expo and Millennium lines meet; cheapest beds, 30 min to downtown.
Burnaby Heights (Hastings St)
Low-rise, cafés and delis, buses to downtown; few hotels.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$90–140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$150–230 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
- High
- C$250 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 2 nights × C$200 | C$400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × C$160 | C$640 |
| TransLink day of travel, per person2 × C$12 · check | C$24 |
| YVR to Metrotown by transit, per person2 × C$10 · check | C$20 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$20 | C$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$112 |
| Trip total≈ C$309 per person per day, bed included | C$1,236≈ US$900 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$3–6 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Noodle or rice bowl | C$14–20 (≈ US$11–15) |
| Beer: draught in a pub / can at a liquor store | C$8–10 (≈ US$6–8) / C$3–5 (≈ US$3–4) |
| SkyTrain or bus fare, one zone | C$3.20–4.65 (≈ US$3–4) (check) |
| 5 km taxi | C$18–25 (≈ US$14–19) |
| Burnaby Village Museum entry | C$6–12 (≈ US$5–9), carousel C$2 (≈ US$2) per ride (check) |
| Burnaby Central Railway train ride | C$3.50 (≈ US$3) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Zone fares on SkyTrain rise on weekday daytimes: tap the same card in and out or you pay the maximum.
- Cash on buses gives no change and no transfer.
- Deer Lake and Burnaby Lake paths flood or turn muddy after heavy rain.
- Burnaby Village Museum is seasonal: closed most of the year outside May–early Sep and late Nov–Dec.
- Ride-hailing (Uber, Lyft, Kabu) works but is thin late at night; taxis are the fallback.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BurnabyBurnaby
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
Most embassies and consulates for Canada are in Ottawa or Vancouver; check your country's list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- SkyTrain Metrotown → downtown Vancouver: about C$3.20–4.65 (≈ US$3–4) one zone, 20 min (check)
- YVR → Metrotown by transit: about C$10 (≈ US$8), 45–60 min (check)
- Taxi Metrotown → downtown Vancouver: C$35–50 (≈ US$30–40), 25–35 min (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Sorry — Sorry / Excuse me
- Two tickets, please — Two tickets, please
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the SkyTrain station? — Where is the SkyTrain station?
Tipping is expected in Canada: 15–20% at restaurants and bars, 10–15% for taxis.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Burnaby. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep; May and Sep are quieter and cheaper · avoid Nov–Feb (rain, short days) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YVR: last Canada Line and SkyTrain connections, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Metrotown and Crystal Mall, Deer Lake and the village museum, Burnaby Lake, Burnaby Mountain and SFU.
- Place pages with verified hours (Burnaby Village Museum, Burnaby Art Gallery, Burnaby Central Railway) and eat pages with last orders.
- Rain-day and late-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialCity of Burnaby
- officialTransLink
- officialBurnaby Village Museum
- officialMetro Vancouver regional parks
- secondaryWikivoyage: Burnaby, revision 5104642 (CC BY-SA 4.0)