Vancouver Info if needed

[martincath]

The other (much less expensive option) would be to basically drive the route of the trolley with the mini van and stopping at the big highlights, giving ourselves a self tour. How difficult is it to find parking mid week if we chose to do it this way?? How long would this take?? Thanks again!

Street parking is pricey and often rare - but the Stanley Park self-tour would be very feasible as they have an eminently-sensible parking scheme in place. You stop in the first lot you want to walk around from, buy a ticket for X hours (@$3.25/hr) or all-day ($11) and it's valid for ALL parking in the whole park. So you can pull in by the Aquarium, Rose Garden, Totem Poles, Prospect Point, etc. - everywhere the trolley stops around the park and more.

 

I concur with PD that a HOHO would be a poor economy for you, especially with 6 tickets to buy (although I think your toddler would be free). Since you're on the same NCL cruise as me that finishes in Seattle, making use of the second HOHO day at the end of your trip isn't possible.

 

I'd also check to see if you can return your van to the downtown location of the rental agency - although if that costs more, your Skytrain trip only needs to be for one person Off-peak ($7.75) so factor that in.

[Putterdude]

If may in fact be less expensive to return the van to a downtown location as you would avoid the airport tax/fee on rental cars. Having said that downtown locations are supposed to charge a modest fee to cruisers returning a car...the last I knew of it was of the magnitude of $5/ car......but who is to know that you are going on a cruise.:confused:

[merribooks]

Hello, My three 20-somthing kids and I are disembarking Saturday morning May 17th and have one day to spend in Vancouver before we catch the 6am Amtrak to Seattle the next morning. A city tour has been recommended, but not which city tour. Any recommendations or something else to do entirely? Also, where is the best place to stay given that we disembark early, need a place to stash luggage until check-in and catch Amtrack the following morning. I am guessing we will need to take a cab to Amtrak, but not sure. Also, read that some tour operators will pick us up at the cruise terminal, hold our luggage and drop us at the hotel after the tour. Thank you.

[Eventer84]

Thank you Putterdude and martincath for your info! I think we decided to just drive around Vancouver a bit the first afternoon so we can see some of the highlights and explore Stanley Park a little and then do a some walking from our hotel in the morning before we head for the pier. It initially sounded like enough time to get to explore the city, but with the toddler having an early bedtime and then having to pack up and check out of the hotel by 11:00 the next morning we'll hardly get to say we "saw" Vancouver. Will have to come back again.. It was a lot more expensive to drop our car anywhere except the airport so we are planning on just one or two of us dropping it off after 6:30 so they can pay the off peak fare. Thanks again for your advice!

[Putterdude]

Hello, My three 20-somthing kids and I are disembarking Saturday morning May 17th and have one day to spend in Vancouver before we catch the 6am Amtrak to Seattle the next morning. A city tour has been recommended, but not which city tour. Any recommendations or something else to do entirely? Also, where is the best place to stay given that we disembark early, need a place to stash luggage until check-in and catch Amtrack the following morning. I am guessing we will need to take a cab to Amtrak, but not sure. Also, read that some tour operators will pick us up at the cruise terminal, hold our luggage and drop us at the hotel after the tour. Thank you.

 

Well first, welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

Amtrak uses the Pacific Central Station but there are not hotels in the area of the station that any cruiser would want to stay in. However, no hotel in the downtown core is more than a $15 cab ride to the PCS.

 

What follows is my well used list of downtown area 3*+hotels that are within about 8 blocks of Canada Place:

 

The Pan Pacific (part of Canada Place)

Fairmont Waterfront (across the street from Canada Place)

Fairmont Pacific Rim

Marriott Pinnacle

Renaissance

Hyatt Regency

Fairmont Vancouver

Auberge

Coast Coal Harbour

Delta Suites

Metropolitan

Four Seasons

Rosewood Georgia

Sutton Place (about 8.5 blocks)

Sheraton at the Wall Centre (about 10 blocks)

le Soleil

The Wedgewood

 

Any of these hotels would take your luggage in the morning and hold it in their lock up while you head out on tour.

 

IMO the very best way to see a lot of Vancouver in a little time is on one of the HOHOs and I tend to recommend the Vancouver Trolley who were pioneers of this business in Vancouver, operate year round and offer live narration. Another tour operator who comes with glowing credentials is Land/Sea Tours but they offer fully escorted tours and are a bit pricey.

[Putterdude]

Thank you Putterdude and martincath for your info! I think we decided to just drive around Vancouver a bit the first afternoon so we can see some of the highlights and explore Stanley Park a little and then do a some walking from our hotel in the morning before we head for the pier. It initially sounded like enough time to get to explore the city, but with the toddler having an early bedtime and then having to pack up and check out of the hotel by 11:00 the next morning we'll hardly get to say we "saw" Vancouver. Will have to come back again.. It was a lot more expensive to drop our car anywhere except the airport so we are planning on just one or two of us dropping it off after 6:30 so they can pay the off peak fare. Thanks again for your advice!

 

Glad you got it figured out....I must admit I have just gone thru the toddler stage with grandchildren and all the time I was wondering how you were going to manage.

[fivefoot4]

We are on a B2B on the NCL Sun arriving in Vancouver on 19 May and while everyone is boarding for our next leg we would like to go to Granville Island to the markets for a few hours. I looked up the buses and was totally confused. I then thought we might be able to get the Canada Line to Yaletown and get a ferry across. What is the best way from the pier?

 

We will clear customs probably around 9 am and then have to get back on board around 2 pm. Any help would be appreciated.

[martincath]

We are on a B2B on the NCL Sun arriving in Vancouver on 19 May and while everyone is boarding for our next leg we would like to go to Granville Island to the markets for a few hours. I looked up the buses and was totally confused. I then thought we might be able to get the Canada Line to Yaletown and get a ferry across. What is the best way from the pier?

 

We will clear customs probably around 9 am and then have to get back on board around 2 pm. Any help would be appreciated.

 

The trouble with Google directions or Translinks own website is that once you plug Transit in as an option, the ferries disappear because they're not part of the Translink system - you need to set Google to Walking in order to use the ferries.

 

If you can handle the 2.5km walk, the simplest way of all is just walk out of Canada Place, turn right, cross the street where the Waterfront Centre sign is - with McDs, Tim Hortons etc. - and go up the stairs - this takes you to Hornby Street which you just follow all the way to the other side of downtown, where you'll find the closest ferry dock to Granville Island. If that's too far, read on.

 

Yes, bus routes can get confusing with Granville Island - you have to go over False Creek and double back because there are no stops on GI itself. That said, the 50 bus gets you very close to GI, with no transfers required, so may be easier than Skytrain/foot/ferry. This would be the route.

 

Doing what you suggested above, Canada Line to Yaletown-Roundhouse Skytrain station then a ferry is straightforward though - it's a very easy walk downhill on Davie towards the water and onto a ferry. This Google link gives 'walking' directions from Yaletown-Roundhouse Station - getting to this station simply means getting on the Canada Line Skytrain at Waterfront and getting off two stops later.

 

Once out of Y-R station, you walk downhill and keep going until you run out of land - then you walk out onto the marina dock, following the signs. It's really obvious where you need to go.

 

Honestly, between paying for transit tickets and the ferry, it would definitely be quicker and probably just as cheap hiring a cab - less scenic though.

 

One thing to note - this year 19th May is Victoria Day, when all Canadians outside Quebec get the day off to drink a case of beer each ('The May Two-Four Holiday'). It's our unofficial start of summer, transit will be quieter but on a reduced holiday schedule, and there will be a metric buttload more locals on Granville Island than normal if it's a nice day. Probably still less than during summer, and don't worry almost all the stores on GI will be open and certainly all the restaurants if you want to do lunch before re-embarking.

[fivefoot4]

Thanks Martincath I will check those links. Yes I knew about Victoria Day and will be prepared for more people around. I appreciate your help with several options.

[lovetochill]

I have read about 30 pages of this long thread and can't find what I'm looking for so hope someone can help.

 

We arrive from Seattle on the train on 12th May. We are staying at the Ramada Downtown (bit dubious but good price). We are going to spend the rest of that day walking around to get our bearings. The Tuesday and Wednesday we have booked the Vancouver Trolley Ho Ho bus which I had seen someone recommend on here. Sounds good for the places we want to see. The Thursday we have free before catching our cruise from Ballantyne Pier on Friday, and we were planning on going to see the Capilano Suspension Bridge. What is confusing is how to get there. I've looked in so many places and it mentions you need to get a boat and then a bus. Is this right or is there an easier more straightforward way of getting there? Any tips on the CSB too?:confused:

[martincath]

I have read about 30 pages of this long thread and can't find what I'm looking for so hope someone can help.

 

We arrive from Seattle on the train on 12th May. We are staying at the Ramada Downtown (bit dubious but good price). We are going to spend the rest of that day walking around to get our bearings. The Tuesday and Wednesday we have booked the Vancouver Trolley Ho Ho bus which I had seen someone recommend on here. Sounds good for the places we want to see. The Thursday we have free before catching our cruise from Ballantyne Pier on Friday, and we were planning on going to see the Capilano Suspension Bridge. What is confusing is how to get there. I've looked in so many places and it mentions you need to get a boat and then a bus. Is this right or is there an easier more straightforward way of getting there? Any tips on the CSB too?:confused:

 

I'm surprised that you didn't come across the free shuttle in your research - it's often mentioned in the same post as the public transit method.

 

The dates on the website do need to be updated as they only run until April 30th; but basically the difference from May 1st will be more departures for the shuttle once it's on Summer Schedule. Check the website again nearer your trip.

 

Tips about the bridge? Well, the best tip I can give is that there's a less-busy, free bridge crossing a rather similar area up at Lynn Canyon. Obviously no shuttle to that, but the ~$30pp saving over Capilano pricing pays for a lot of transit tickets... to be fair, Capilano now has the Cliff Walk as an additional attraction - this certainly ups the value.

[scottbee]

I'm surprised that you didn't come across the free shuttle in your research - it's often mentioned in the same post as the public transit method.

 

The dates on the website do need to be updated as they only run until April 30th; but basically the difference from May 1st will be more departures for the shuttle once it's on Summer Schedule. Check the website again nearer your trip.

 

Tips about the bridge? Well, the best tip I can give is that there's a less-busy, free bridge crossing a rather similar area up at Lynn Canyon. Obviously no shuttle to that, but the ~$30pp saving over Capilano pricing pays for a lot of transit tickets... to be fair, Capilano now has the Cliff Walk as an additional attraction - this certainly ups the value.

 

I actually enjoyed the canopy walk (treetops adventure) more than the cliffwalk at Capilano. It's a great perspective among the trees

 

But I agree Lynn Canyon (via bus) is a great visit too, and if you're a hiker, it's actually got a lot more natural area to cover. Certainly the price is right (just buy a book of 10 transit tickets, or a couple of day passes to get there)

[tlcoke]

I have a couple questions regarding the HoHo operated by the Vancouver Trolley Company, that I have not been able to find an answer to either here on CC or via Google.

 

What hours does the HoHo generally operate during the summer months?

 

Does the HoHo ticket work for the Stanley Park Shuttle that they operate within the park or do you have to purchase the separate ticket to use the Shuttle at the stops outside the normal HoHo stops within the park.

[lovetochill]

I'm surprised that you didn't come across the free shuttle in your research - it's often mentioned in the same post as the public transit method.

 

The dates on the website do need to be updated as they only run until April 30th; but basically the difference from May 1st will be more departures for the shuttle once it's on Summer Schedule. Check the website again nearer your trip.

 

Thank you for this. I've just been on the website link you gave and found it! Thank you. I will e-mail them for summer schedules. I think you have just made the rest of my Vancouver trip! :)

[lovetochill]

I have a couple questions regarding the HoHo operated by the Vancouver Trolley Company, that I have not been able to find an answer to either here on CC or via Google.

 

What hours does the HoHo generally operate during the summer months?

 

Does the HoHo ticket work for the Stanley Park Shuttle that they operate within the park or do you have to purchase the separate ticket to use the Shuttle at the stops outside the normal HoHo stops within the park.

 

We have booked ours through Viator in the UK, but I think they have a worldwide webpage. Have a look at this link http://www.viator.com/tours/Vancouver/Vancouver-Trolley-Hop-on-Hop-off-Tour/d616-3005TROLLEY

:D

[tlcoke]

We have booked ours through Viator in the UK, but I think they have a worldwide webpage. Have a look at this link http://www.viator.com/tours/Vancouver/Vancouver-Trolley-Hop-on-Hop-off-Tour/d616-3005TROLLEY

:D

 

Thanks for this info, though not specifically what I am looking for as it is showing their winter schedule, which is the same info I can find on the Vancouver Trolley's website.

 

I am specifically trying to find out more info in regards to their summer schedule when they run the two loops (Blue & Red) for the HoHo and the separate Stanley Park Shuttle. I am trying to decide if using the HoHo will work for what I want to do on my City Tour day, since I am not planning on hitting the major museums in town, or if I should stick with Public Transportation and/or rent a bicycle.

 

I am specifically wanting to visit:

Dr Sun Yat Sen Garden

Stanley Park

Library Square

Granville Island

Gastown/Vancouver Outlook

Sea Wall

 

Along with these locations on the HoHo tour, I also want to visit Queen Elizabeth Park/Bioedel Conservatory and VanDusen Botanical Gardens that I will have to use the Skytrain to get to.

 

I will have a full day to visit all these places and I am staying at the Pan Pacific.

[martincath]

Thanks for this info, though not specifically what I am looking for as it is showing their winter schedule, which is the same info I can find on the Vancouver Trolley's website.

 

I am specifically trying to find out more info in regards to their summer schedule when they run the two loops (Blue & Red) for the HoHo and the separate Stanley Park Shuttle. I am trying to decide if using the HoHo will work for what I want to do on my City Tour day, since I am not planning on hitting the major museums in town, or if I should stick with Public Transportation and/or rent a bicycle.

 

I am specifically wanting to visit:

Dr Sun Yat Sen Garden

Stanley Park

Library Square

Granville Island

Gastown/Vancouver Outlook

Sea Wall

 

Along with these locations on the HoHo tour, I also want to visit Queen Elizabeth Park/Bioedel Conservatory and VanDusen Botanical Gardens that I will have to use the Skytrain to get to.

 

I will have a full day to visit all these places and I am staying at the Pan Pacific.

 

Here's a link to an archived version of last year's summers schedule - no guarantees it will be the same this year though!

 

Frankly unless you feel that the commentary you will receive on the tour is of value, the HOHO would be an inefficient way to actually *visit* those attractions rather than just see the exteriors. With only one day to see all of these, I would be inclined to say - don't, it's just too much.

 

Three hours apiece for Stanley Park & Granville Island (if you don't shop or watch the buskers the latter could be walked around in as little as an hour I guess); both Bloedel and Van Dusen will need at least an hour each if you're going to do them justice - a lot more if you actually explore QE Park properly; 90 minutes for Dr Sun Yat Sen; an hour for the lookout tower; an hour to wander Gastown; and if you want to actually WALK on the Seawall rather than just stand on it then that's at least another hour gone, even if you only walk along a bit of Coal Harbour and False Creek.

 

Even after trimming your list back, the time wasted waiting on HOHOs (if you wait ten minutes per stop on average, you can easily spend an hour of wait time...) and only being able to go in one direction per loop will pooch your schedule. Have a backup plan in case of rain (Bloedel, Van Dusen & Sun Yat Sen are all good when raining, but only once you're actually inside them - it's a bit of a hike from the nearest bus stop to Bloedel especially). Harbour Centre viewing is indoors, but in heavy rain you may not see much.

 

Personally, good as the hilltop gardens are, I'd be inclined to drop them just to cut transit time down. If you plan to make flying visits to each of the others you could fit them in using HOHO - start at the library (unless you want to sit down for a coffee, a few minutes taking photos here is enough) and get on the HOHO there on the first departure of the day.

 

Only get off at things you really want to see - e.g. Totem Poles and Prospect Point inside the park, staying onboard just can't get the angles for photos. Ditto Rose Garden if you actually like seeing roses. Use the free ferry ticket to cut out the museum stops and go straight from stop 11 Red Loop to Stop 9 Blue Loop.

 

Actually, you'll find it quicker to also pay for a ferry ticket to Yaletown and flag down the trolley there than walk back off GI to the trolley stop on 2nd Ave - it's also a lot easier finding the former stop as a first-time visitor, you can see the Hurricane Grill from the ferry dock.

 

The loop around BC Place from Yaletown, back to Library Square and on to Sun Yat Sen could be avoid with strategic walking - this might check off your Seawall box too. Instead of flagging down the trolley at Yaletown, follow the seawall around to the right until you pass the Casino. After the casino you'll pass one of our Urban Farms on the left, and when the chainlink fence ends go left - this is the bottom of Carrall Street. Follow it up, across Pacific & Expo (under the viaducts & Skytrain line) and it will bring you to Sun Yat Sen - Google Map here.

 

I'd walk from Sun Yat Sen up into Gastown rather than wait for the trolley again - but don't go straight up Carrall despite the convenient access to Gassy Jack. Pigeon Park @ Carrall & Hastings always has local street people hanging out - it's far too busy a street to be worried about being robbed, but odds are high you'll be asked for money, see 'alternatively sourced' goods being openly sold on the sidewalk, see people the worse for wear with drugs & booze.

 

Instead go along Pender so you can take photos of the Chinatown gate, then hang a right up Abbott. This brings you onto Water Street - the main 'historic' street of Gastown. Go right a block to see Gassy Jack; return along Water for the Steam Clock and then the Lookout (I'd also recommend a quick stop inside Waterfront Station - it's beautiful, decently reno'd, and while the angles are terrible to get photos of the paintings around the top of the walls you can see enough to appreciate them). Again, Google Map.

[tlcoke]

Here's a link to an archived version of last year's summers schedule - no guarantees it will be the same this year though!

 

Frankly unless you feel that the commentary you will receive on the tour is of value, the HOHO would be an inefficient way to actually *visit* those attractions rather than just see the exteriors. With only one day to see all of these, I would be inclined to say - don't, it's just too much.

 

Three hours apiece for Stanley Park & Granville Island (if you don't shop or watch the buskers the latter could be walked around in as little as an hour I guess); both Bloedel and Van Dusen will need at least an hour each if you're going to do them justice - a lot more if you actually explore QE Park properly; 90 minutes for Dr Sun Yat Sen; an hour for the lookout tower; an hour to wander Gastown; and if you want to actually WALK on the Seawall rather than just stand on it then that's at least another hour gone, even if you only walk along a bit of Coal Harbour and False Creek.

 

Even after trimming your list back, the time wasted waiting on HOHOs (if you wait ten minutes per stop on average, you can easily spend an hour of wait time...) and only being able to go in one direction per loop will pooch your schedule. Have a backup plan in case of rain (Bloedel, Van Dusen & Sun Yat Sen are all good when raining, but only once you're actually inside them - it's a bit of a hike from the nearest bus stop to Bloedel especially). Harbour Centre viewing is indoors, but in heavy rain you may not see much.

 

Personally, good as the hilltop gardens are, I'd be inclined to drop them just to cut transit time down. If you plan to make flying visits to each of the others you could fit them in using HOHO - start at the library (unless you want to sit down for a coffee, a few minutes taking photos here is enough) and get on the HOHO there on the first departure of the day.

 

Only get off at things you really want to see - e.g. Totem Poles and Prospect Point inside the park, staying onboard just can't get the angles for photos. Ditto Rose Garden if you actually like seeing roses. Use the free ferry ticket to cut out the museum stops and go straight from stop 11 Red Loop to Stop 9 Blue Loop.

 

Actually, you'll find it quicker to also pay for a ferry ticket to Yaletown and flag down the trolley there than walk back off GI to the trolley stop on 2nd Ave - it's also a lot easier finding the former stop as a first-time visitor, you can see the Hurricane Grill from the ferry dock.

 

The loop around BC Place from Yaletown, back to Library Square and on to Sun Yat Sen could be avoid with strategic walking - this might check off your Seawall box too. Instead of flagging down the trolley at Yaletown, follow the seawall around to the right until you pass the Casino. After the casino you'll pass one of our Urban Farms on the left, and when the chainlink fence ends go left - this is the bottom of Carrall Street. Follow it up, across Pacific & Expo (under the viaducts & Skytrain line) and it will bring you to Sun Yat Sen - Google Map here.

 

I'd walk from Sun Yat Sen up into Gastown rather than wait for the trolley again - but don't go straight up Carrall despite the convenient access to Gassy Jack. Pigeon Park @ Carrall & Hastings always has local street people hanging out - it's far too busy a street to be worried about being robbed, but odds are high you'll be asked for money, see 'alternatively sourced' goods being openly sold on the sidewalk, see people the worse for wear with drugs & booze.

 

Instead go along Pender so you can take photos of the Chinatown gate, then hang a right up Abbott. This brings you onto Water Street - the main 'historic' street of Gastown. Go right a block to see Gassy Jack; return along Water for the Steam Clock and then the Lookout (I'd also recommend a quick stop inside Waterfront Station - it's beautiful, decently reno'd, and while the angles are terrible to get photos of the paintings around the top of the walls you can see enough to appreciate them). Again, Google Map.

 

Thank you for your detailed response. It is very helpful and along the lines of some of my thinking in regards to the HoHo for what I want to see.

[scottbee]

Thanks for this info, though not specifically what I am looking for as it is showing their winter schedule, which is the same info I can find on the Vancouver Trolley's website.

 

I am specifically trying to find out more info in regards to their summer schedule when they run the two loops (Blue & Red) for the HoHo and the separate Stanley Park Shuttle. I am trying to decide if using the HoHo will work for what I want to do on my City Tour day, since I am not planning on hitting the major museums in town, or if I should stick with Public Transportation and/or rent a bicycle.

 

I am specifically wanting to visit:

Dr Sun Yat Sen Garden

Stanley Park

Library Square

Granville Island

Gastown/Vancouver Outlook

Sea Wall

 

Along with these locations on the HoHo tour, I also want to visit Queen Elizabeth Park/Bioedel Conservatory and VanDusen Botanical Gardens that I will have to use the Skytrain to get to.

 

I will have a full day to visit all these places and I am staying at the Pan Pacific.

 

If you're comfortable on buses/etc, buy yourself an all day transit [bus/skytrain/seabus] pass for $9.75 and you can get to all of these places. The HoHo limits you to downtown, and a less frequent than transit schedule.

[merribooks]

Thank you so much Putterdude. I am going to take your recommendations.

[tlcoke]

If you're comfortable on buses/etc, buy yourself an all day transit [bus/skytrain/seabus] pass for $9.75 and you can get to all of these places. The HoHo limits you to downtown, and a less frequent than transit schedule.

 

Thanks, That is the direction I am leaning.

[MontiD]

Our group of 6 will be disembarking our cruise in Vancouver and will be taking the late afternoon/evening Amtrak train to Seattle. I'm trying to figure the best itinerary & mode of transit for our group to go visit Grouse Mountain to kill time before meeting the train. What would be a good suggestion on how to proceed with our day? I'd like to start with dropping all the luggage at the train station first (will they accept early baggage to hold for train departure?). I'm not sure of how long it will take to get off the ship and get thru customes, so I'm thinking hailing a taxi (might need 2 for our group unless we can find one thats a minivan or large suv). Would taking a taxi from cruise port to the train station to drop luggage, then taxi to/from Grouse Mtn make sense? I've checked out the city tours, but given the time frame of the tours, I don't think we would be back at the train station early enough for check-in. Not sure how hard it would be to get the taxi to/from Grouse Mtn - would we need to call ahead for pickup? Any suggestions?

[scottbee]

Our group of 6 will be disembarking our cruise in Vancouver and will be taking the late afternoon/evening Amtrak train to Seattle. I'm trying to figure the best itinerary & mode of transit for our group to go visit Grouse Mountain to kill time before meeting the train. What would be a good suggestion on how to proceed with our day? I'd like to start with dropping all the luggage at the train station first (will they accept early baggage to hold for train departure?). I'm not sure of how long it will take to get off the ship and get thru customes, so I'm thinking hailing a taxi (might need 2 for our group unless we can find one thats a minivan or large suv). Would taking a taxi from cruise port to the train station to drop luggage, then taxi to/from Grouse Mtn make sense? I've checked out the city tours, but given the time frame of the tours, I don't think we would be back at the train station early enough for check-in. Not sure how hard it would be to get the taxi to/from Grouse Mtn - would we need to call ahead for pickup? Any suggestions?

 

Pacific Station does have early drop and/or luggage check. However, that's the past and things change, their phone number is (888) 842-7245 if you want to double check.

 

From Canada Place terminal to Pacific Station, you'll need two taxis (10-15$/ea) or ...

Take Skytrain (our subway/elevated rail system). Exit the cruise terminal and head down using the entrance right outside the cruise terminal -- where the taxis line up, look left as you exit Canada Place. Buy a 2 zone ticket (which is good for 90 minutes); and

• Take a "Train to Main" train to Main St Science World station (which is also Pacific Station for Amtrak/Via); check in your luggage;
  
• Get back on Skytrain and head back to Waterfront where you came from - using the same ticket;
  
• Get off and follow the signs to Seabus, and take the seabus to Lonsdale Quay (same ticket);
  
• Get off Seabus and get on a #236 "GROUSE MTN" bus (same ticket)
  

 

To save even a little bit more, you can buy books of 10 tickets called farsavers (a book of 10 two-zone is $31.50 vs $4/ea). The little convenience store just down the 1st set of escalators and to the right sells them IIRC, if not the little store at the front of the building to the left of the Skytrain entrance does.

 

Taking a taxi to Grouse Mountain would be quite expensive as you'll need two taxis and need to cross a busy (and often slow) bridge

[tlcoke]

This is the page listing all food outlets inside the Waterfront Centre and here is the current floorplan (it's the closest McDs location to Canada Place, just across the road). I wouldn't describe any of the current places as a diner, but it's possible the place you're thinking of closed down since your last visit. Can you recall a name?

 

Do any of these food outlets at Waterfront Centre open earlier than the posted 9:30 a.m opening (the hours listed on website), looking for quick place for early breakfast close to Pan Pacific.

[martincath]

Do any of these food outlets at Waterfront Centre open earlier than the posted 9:30 a.m opening (the hours listed on website), looking for quick place for early breakfast close to Pan Pacific.

The McDs, Timmies and Starbucks will definitely be open much earlier - 6am weekdays, 7 on weekends for McDs and I think the same hours for the others - as breakfast is their proverbial bread-and-butter financially. One of the two Subways opens at 6am weekdays, 7am Sat, 8am Sun (the other is 8/9/9).

 

If you want a cheap sit-down, try Scoozis on Howe - they're open for 7am daily.