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Major city · Canada

SurreySurrey, British Columbia

Skip Surrey as a base unless you have family or a specific errand: 1 night max, and only if you are already in the Vancouver area.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
CAD
Best months
Jun–Sep
avoid Nov–Mar (rain)
Airports
YVR · YXX · BLI
Nights
1
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
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.

Surrey is Metro Vancouver's largest suburb by area and the second-largest city in British Columbia, about 45 minutes from downtown Vancouver on the Expo Line SkyTrain. It is a residential and industrial city with South Asian food, a small historic village in Cloverdale and a beach at Crescent Beach, not a sightseeing destination. Most travellers pass through or use it as a cheaper bed near Vancouver.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Surrey, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeC$3–6 (≈ US$3–5)
  • Beerdraught in a pub / can at a liquor storeC$7–10 (≈ US$6–8)C$2–4 (≈ US$2–3)
  • Taxi, about 5 km5 km taxi or rideshareC$18–28 (≈ US$14–25)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)
  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personC$45 (≈ US$35)
  • Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomC$180 (≈ US$140)
  • High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomC$320 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$70 (≈ US$55) · Mid C$130 (≈ US$95) · High C$220 (≈ US$160)

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.

South Asian food, especially in NewtonCloverdale historic village and antiquesCrescent BeachSurrey Central SkyTrain hub
Airports
YVR Vancouver International (About 30 min by car via Highway 91 or 99; also reachable by Canada Line to Waterfront, then Expo Line to Surrey Central) · YXX Abbotsford International (Smaller airport east of Surrey, reached via 16 Ave) · BLI Bellingham International (About 25 min south of the US border; limited direct routes)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Surrey: 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

7°C

1°C

18 rd

Feb

8°C

1°C

15 rd

Mar

10°C

3°C

16 rd

Apr

13°C

5°C

14 rd

May

17°C

9°C

12 rd

Jun

20°C

12°C

10 rd

Jul

23°C

14°C

6 rd

Aug

24°C

14°C

6 rd

Sep

20°C

11°C

9 rd

Oct

14°C

7°C

14 rd

Nov

9°C

3°C

18 rd

Dec

6°C

1°C

18 rd

High / low °C · 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 SkyTrain, buses and the SeaBus across Metro Vancouver. The Expo Line links Surrey Central and King George stations to downtown Vancouver in about 45 min. Compass Cards cost a $6 refundable deposit; contactless credit cards and mobile wallets also tap in. Fares are zone-based on weekdays before 6:30 pm when SkyTrain or SeaBus is involved, and single-zone otherwise; transfers last 90 minutes. Children 12 and under ride free.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Vancouver

go

Door to door: About 45–55 min

Expo Line SkyTrain from Surrey Central or King George to Waterfront

The main reason to sleep in Surrey: cheaper rooms with a direct rail link downtown.

White Rock

go

Door to door: About 1 h by bus

Bus 321 from Surrey Central toward South Surrey, or drive via King George Blvd

Seafront promenade and pier; pairs well with Crescent Beach.

Delta

caution

Door to door: About 45–60 min

Bus 301 or 340 toward Delta, or drive via Highway 99 or 17

Mostly farmland and the Tsawwassen ferry terminal; go only if you are catching a ferry.

Abbotsford

caution

Door to door: About 1–1.5 h

Drive via Highway 1, or bus 503 to Aldergrove then BC Transit route 21

Only worth it for the airport or the Abbotsford area itself.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Surrey City Centre / Whalley

High-rises around Surrey Central SkyTrain; cheapest beds with the fastest link to Vancouver.

Guildford

Mall and bus exchange; quieter, still on the Expo Line corridor.

Newton

Central Surrey; the main South Asian shopping and restaurant cluster.

South Surrey / Crescent Beach

More affluent, near the US border and the water; needs a car or a long bus ride.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
C$70–110 (≈ US$55–80) excl. bed
Mid
C$120–190 (≈ US$90–140) excl. bed
High
C$200 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel or hotel double room1 × 1 night × C$180C$180
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$130C$260
TransLink day of travel, one zone2 × C$7 · checkC$13
TransLink three-zone trip Surrey to Vancouver2 × C$12 · checkC$24
eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25C$50
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeC$53
Trip total≈ C$290 per person per day, bed includedC$580≈ US$450

2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeC$3–6 (≈ US$3–5)
South Asian meal in NewtonC$12–22 (≈ US$9–16)
Beer: draught in a pub / can at a liquor storeC$7–10 (≈ US$6–8) / C$2–4 (≈ US$2–3)
5 km taxi or rideshareC$18–28 (≈ US$14–25)
TransLink single fare, one zoneC$3.05 (≈ US$3) (check)
eSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Surrey is a normal big suburb, not a dangerous city, but it has pockets of property crime around Whalley and Newton. Use the SkyTrain stations at night, avoid unlit side streets, and do not leave anything visible in a parked car.
  • Surrey is spread out and mostly low-density: a car or a long bus ride is needed for Cloverdale, Newton and Crescent Beach.
  • Some blocks around Whalley and Newton have property crime; keep bags close at night and use the SkyTrain stations rather than unlit side streets.
  • The Expo Line does not run overnight; the N19 night bus is the only transit link to Vancouver after the last train.
  • Border waits at Highway 99 (Peace Arch) and Highway 15 (Pacific Highway) can run to an hour on summer weekends.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

SurreySurrey, British Columbia

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Embassy

The US has a consulate general in Vancouver; most other countries keep consulates in Vancouver or embassies in Ottawa.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • SkyTrain Surrey Central to Waterfront, three zones: about C$5.90 (≈ US$5), about 45 min (check)
  • Taxi YVR to Surrey: C$60–80 (≈ US$45–60), about 30 min (check)
  • Bus 321 Surrey Central to White Rock: one-zone fare, about 1 h (check)

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Excuse me — Excuse me
  • How much is it? — How much is it?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Where is the SkyTrain station? — Where is the SkyTrain station?
  • To this address, please — To this address, please

English is the working language; no phrase list is needed.

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 Surrey. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (rain) · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for YVR: Canada Line plus Expo Line timing, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Surrey Central, Guildford, Newton, Cloverdale and Crescent Beach.
  3. Place pages with verified hours (Museum of Surrey, Darts Hill Garden Park, Surrey Arts Centre) and eat pages with last orders in Newton.
  4. Border-wait fixtures for Peace Arch and Pacific Highway so day-trip gates can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Canada

Sources