No Uber in Vancouver??

We are flying into YVR in a month and staying at a hotel near Granville Market (Residence Inn) for one night before flying to NZ. We had been planning to take an uber from the airport to our hotel but have just learned there is no uber in Vancouver. I imagine a cab for that distance will be quite expensive...would the skytrain be a reasonable option? We will have four suitcases between the two of us so don't really want to be walking long distances with them.

Thanks for any and all suggestions!

if the hotel is in Hornsby then look here:

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps/travel/yvrdr-residence-inn-vancouver-downtown/

those a short blocks in that walking direction. "maps" report an 11 minute walk from Yaletown Skytrain . its slightly uphill for bit.

That light rail line is direct from the airport and the cars are designed for luggage

I can tell you to the penny what your cab will cost: CAD$31 (fixed rates apply FROM the airport to various Zones around the Lower Mainland - and your hotel is in Downtown/Kitsilano, thus $31 - tipping is at your discretion). SkyTrain is definitely cheaper for two people - even with the inbound AddFare you're looking at $9.10pp or less (evenings, weekends, seniors all discounted), but to the Residence Inn on Hornby (no 's') it's a bit of walk from nearest station - and while on average 'slight' the first block or two from Yaletown station has a much steeper slope that is no fun with suitcases. I'd actually walk from Vancouver City Centre myself to avoid the hill, even though it's a wee bit longer at 1.1km.

While ordinarily I am 100% behind staying downtown for cruisers, you say that you are flying to NZ next day - so you're returning to YVR? Frankly you'd be best advised to take an airport hotel - these will be cheaper than downtown (except the fabulously bargain priced YWCA Hotel), and since you need to make a return trip anyway you may as well take SkyTrain downtown without your luggage. You'll also save money on SkyTrain as there's no $5 AddFare except from Sea Island itself (airport and a big mall), and 'airport' hotels are not on that island (well, a couple are but they're pricier).

Get any hotel walking distance from SkyTrain in Richmond, take the free shuttle to the hotel after landing, walk to SkyTrain and come downtown to sightsee/eat/shop, head back late at night for sleeping. Plus, Granville Island Public Market is not an easy walk from the RI you've chosen - unless you pay for a ferry. You can walk, but it adds significant distance by overshooting the 'island' before you can get back down to ground level and then walk down to GI. Google Maps does work - but you have to ensure that you select Avoid Ferries to see the actual walk, otherwise it assumes you will walk to nearest ferry stop and take that across.

So not only would you save money, but also time if you stay out at the airport if GI is the primary downtown thing you want to do - aside from the GI Hotel itself, there is no hotel actually convenient and fast to walk to GI from even if 'as the crow flies' they look very nearby. Get off SkyTrain at Olympic Village station (a terribly inaccurate name as it's not even the closest station to the village!) and transfer free onto the 50 bus which takes you to GI - total of 6 mins walking. Again, Google Maps is fully integrated with local transit so you can check scheduling on your date, exact bus stop location etc.

Thank you Martincath for this great info. We are rethinking our hotel accommodation and looking at something closer to the airport. Waiting for a "friends and family" price on the Fairmont at the airport otherwise we're thinking the Radisson looks good. Any other suggestions for somewhere clean and updated with free shuttle and close to the skytrain line? Thanks again!!

^You're very welcome. As actual-downtown-living locals we never need an airport hotel, so I don't have any personal reccos - I'd suggest looking at tripadvisor's Richmond hotels. Fairmont F&F rates are often superb - we've scored those occasionally in the past and if you can get a good deal jump on it.

Otherwise the wee clump of hotels near Bridgeport Station including Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, BW Abercorn Inn, and River Rock Casino (the latter is the most convenient of any airport hotel even including the Fairmont, as it's right on the SkyTrain line and also doesn't incur the $5 AddFare!)

My vote is the Raddison Vancouver Airport....

• hotel rate
  
• ride the subway from the Waterfront station to the Aberdeen station. The Raddison is waiting across the street.
  
• the subway can get you to the airport, but the Raddison has a airport shuttle too. The skips the Brighouse train transfer. Important for very early morning flights.
  

I have stayed at the BW Albercorn and it’s a nice property.

My vote is the Raddison Vancouver Airport....

• hotel rate
  
• ride the subway from the Waterfront station to the Aberdeen station. The Raddison is waiting across the street.
  
• the subway can get you to the airport, but the Raddison has a airport shuttle too. The skips the Brighouse train transfer. Important for very early morning flights.
  

The Radisson is currently undergoing major renovations and there've been recent reviews complaining of construction noise and areas being closed off. I'm sure once the renos are complete it'll be a great stay. Also, it sounds by the reviews that the restaurants/cafes within close walking distance are pretty much all Asian based which isn't our first choice for dining. Perhaps I'm only seeing a limited number of reviews on TA regarding this tho.

The Radisson is currently undergoing major renovations and there've been recent reviews complaining of construction noise and areas being closed off. I'm sure once the renos are complete it'll be a great stay. Also, it sounds by the reviews that the restaurants/cafes within close walking distance are pretty much all Asian based which isn't our first choice for dining. Perhaps I'm only seeing a limited number of reviews on TA regarding this tho.

You'll be dining downtown unless Asian food is what you want; the entire area where the airport hotels are is extremely Asian, with very few western dining options. There's a Timmies right at Aberdeen Station if you don't get brekky in the hotel next morning, but personally I'd just head for airport and eat after security - prices are marked up most places but casual brekky options minimally so (including another Timmies of course!)

The Radisson is currently undergoing major renovations and there've been recent reviews complaining of construction noise and areas being closed off. I'm sure once the renos are complete it'll be a great stay. Also, it sounds by the reviews that the restaurants/cafes within close walking distance are pretty much all Asian based which isn't our first choice for dining. Perhaps I'm only seeing a limited number of reviews on TA regarding this tho.

Looks like work will be completed April 30th. Just in time for cruise season.

Yes, it can feel like you are in some Asian city when you arrive. For some, the Golden Village can be a thrill. For those looking for Western food options...

• the Canada Line subway can take you downtown on Richmond Centre with more food options
  
• the nearby casino has Western food
  
• Burger King is a 13 minute walk North.
  
• Ricky's Country Restaurant is 5 minutes North
  
• The Italian Tomato and the Boathouse is 17 minutes North
  
• the hotel front desk can make suggestions
  
• Steveston (Storybrooke) is a cab/bus ride away for seafood experiences.
  
• Felico's is 10 minutes walk South
  
• Earl's is 17 minutes walk South
  
• White Spot is 19 minutes walk South with Boston Pizza
  

Thanks everyone for all the great info and recommendations. After reviewing Richmond hotels on TA, and other sites, and considering our likes when it comes to food and activities, unless our contact with Fairmont comes through we'll stick with our reservation at the RI near Yaletown. Makes it easier for friends that are meeting up with us for dinner near there and the walking we plan to do. For the cost of cabs to/from the airport we're still saving considering the included amenities with our hotel. I just couldn't find a comparable hotel in Richmond that could compete. I've already had two price drops on it so I'll keep watching. At least on our return to YVR we'll be staying with family in Coquitlam so that makes that decision easier lol!

Thanks again everyone...always great advice on CC!