New Westminster

The questions people ask first about New Westminster, 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
• SafetyA safe, well-lit suburb on the SkyTrain line; the real issues are the hill, rain and late-night quiet streets near the stations rather than crime.
• RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
• Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 811 HealthLink BC (24 h nurse line)
• 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.
• AirportYVR Vancouver International (SkyTrain Canada Line to Waterfront, then Expo Line to New Westminster; about 50–60 min total.
• Getting aroundThe city is about 11 km long and 6.5 km wide but sits on a hill, so walking downtown is easy and walking uptown is a climb.The city is about 6.8 mi long and 4 mi wide but sits on a hill, so walking downtown is easy and walking uptown is a climb.

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 mealBurger or sandwich lunchC$12–22 (≈ US$9–16)
• BeerPub main with a pintC$25–40 (≈ US$19–30)
• Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi across downtownC$12–20 (≈ US$9–15)
• SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$15–35 (≈ US$11–30)
• Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Anvil Centre galleries)C$5–12 (≈ US$4–9) (check)
• Budget bedHostel or shared dorm bed, a night, per personC$45 (≈ US$35)
• Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomC$190 (≈ US$140)
• High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomC$320 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$70 (≈ US$55) · Mid C$140 (≈ US$110) · 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 →

The city is about 11 km long and 6.5 km wide but sits on a hill, so walking downtown is easy and walking uptown is a climb. Five Expo Line SkyTrain stations serve New Westminster; New Westminster station is one block from the riverfront and the most useful. TransLink buses link to Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey and Richmond; there is no direct bus to downtown Vancouver, so use SkyTrain. Fares are zone-based on weekdays before 18:30 and a single zone rate applies at other times; tap a Compass Card, Compass Ticket or contactless card. Taxis and Uber/Lyft/Kabu also operate.

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

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for New Westminster. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

• officialCity of New Westminster
• officialTourism New Westminster
• officialTransLink
• officialYVR — Vancouver International Airport
• secondaryWikivoyage: New Westminster, revision 5332072 (CC BY-SA 4.0)