How to Get to Whistler – From Anywhere!

The journey to Whistler follows the most scenic highway in the world – BC-99 N or as locals refer to as the Sea to Sky Highway. Whether you take in the journey by air, train, or bus you will see where the highway gets its name, so prepare to make a few unscheduled rest stops (and keep your camera handy!).

The Sea to Sky Highway is a mountain highway and conditions can change rapidly. Be prepared and check DriveBC for current conditions on the Sea to Sky Highway and always drive to the conditions. Snow tires are required between October and March with police regularly monitoring and ticketing offenders of this rule.

There are many alternatives to self-driving to Whistler, and most visitors realize that a car isn’t needed once you arrive at the pedestrian-friendly village. Whistler Village has everything you need within a short distance, and if you don’t feel like walking there’s always a local bus, taxi, or chartered vehicle ready to assist you.

How to get to Whistler from Seattle 

The easiest route from Seattle to Whistler.

The drive from Seattle to Whistler takes about four hours on a really good day. Plan to add an hour or two to this trip to account for traffic in Seattle, border line ups and traffic in Vancouver. Have your co-pilot keep a phone handy to regularly check border wait times and traffic or tune in to a local radio station.

1. Follow I-5 north to Canada-U.S. border. (160km/100 mi.)
2. When in Canada, I-5 turns into Highway 99. Follow Hwy.
3. 99 north over Oak Street Bridge. (50 km/30 mi.) Highway 99 becomes 99/Oak Street.
4. Turn left onto West 41st Avenue. (1 km/0.5 mi.).
5. Turn right onto Granville Street. Follow Granville over the Granville Street Bridge into downtown Vancouver. (15 km/9 mi.)
6. Take Seymour Street exit off Bridge.
7. Follow Seymour Street, turn left on Georgia Street.
8. Follow Georgia Street through downtown Vancouver.Georgia Street becomes the Stanley Park Causeway and will take you over the Lions Gate Bridge. (3 km/2 mi.).
9. Follow signs to West Vancouver off the Lions Gate Bridge. Continue west on Marine Drive. (0.5 km/0.25 mi.).
10. Turn right onto Taylor Way.
11. Continue uphill and turn left onto Highway 1 West.
12. Take exit #2 to Whistler via Highway 99.
13. Follow Highway 99 to Whistler-Blackcomb. (110 km/70 miles).
14. Continue northbound on HWY 99 to Whistler.

How to Get to Whistler From Vancouver

The drive from Vancouver to Whistler takes about one and a half hours. Add in an extra hour + for the number of stops you’ll make along the scenic Sea to Sky highway.

1. Head east on Georgia Street through downtown Vancouver.
2. Georgia Street becomes the Stanley Park Causeway and will take you over the Lions Gate Bridge. (3 km/2 mi.).
   Follow signs to West Vancouver off the Lions Gate Bridge.
3. Continue west on Marine Drive. (0.5 km/0.25 mi.).
4. Turn right onto Taylor Way.
5. Continue uphill and turn left onto Highway 1 West.
6. Take exit #2 to Whistler via Highway 99.
7. Follow Highway 99 to Whistler-Blackcomb. (110 km/70 miles).
8. Continue northbound on HWY 99 to Whistler.

How to Get to Whistler From Vancouver Airport (YVR) 

Plan ahead, check the weather then hit the road from YVR to Whistler

The drive from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Whistler takes about two hours. Add in an extra hour + for the number of stops you’ll make along the scenic Sea to Sky highway.

1. Drive east out of the airport on Grant McConachie Way.
   Follow the Hwy 99 North signs over the Arthur Lang Bridge onto Granville Street.
   Follow Granville Street north crossing the Granville Street Bridge.
   Shift to the far right lane of the bridge and take the Seymour Street exit.
2. Follow Seymour Street north until Georgia Street.
3. Turn left onto Georgia Street.
4. Georgia Street takes you through Vancouver’s downtown core heading west, through Stanley
5. Park and over the Lions Gate bridge.
6. Exit the bridge on the Marine Drive West turnoff.
   Take the first right onto Taylor Way.
7. Travel up the hill and turn left onto Highway 1.
   Follow the signs and take Exit 2 (just before the ferry terminal) to Whistler Hwy 99.
   Continue northbound on HWY 99 to Whistler.

Getting a Shuttle to Whistler

There are many different shuttle companies running between Vancouver Airport (YVR), Vancouver and Whistler. Depending on the time of day you arrive in Vancouver, there may be many options for you to choose from.

If you are planning to travel to Whistler after 9:00 PM please note that your options may be limited and it might be worth staying in Vancouver for a night

Whistler Shuttle

From Vancouver Airport (YVR), Whistler Shuttle offers a meet and greet service by tracking your flights and getting you on your way to Whistler within one hour (two hours between April – November and for arrivals between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM in the winter) from checking in with a Whistler Shuttle rep. If you have a delayed flight, no problem – Whistler Shuttle will track it and adjust as needed. If your flight arrives after 11:00 PM they will schedule a departure for you the next morning.

Whistler Shuttle has a fleet of buses and vans to get you to Whistler quickly and comfortably. It is highly recommended that visitors book at least 72 hours in advance of travel to guarantee your booking.

Travelling from Vancouver? Whistler Shuttle also offers to pick up locations at many downtown Vancouver hotels along with the centrally located Burrard Skytrain Station. It has a scheduled service that runs to Whistler several times a day.

Rates:

• YVR to Whistler Adult $69
• YVR to Whistler Child $32
• Vancouver Downtown to Whistler Adult $69
• Vancouver Downtown to Whistler Child $32

Whistler Shuttle also offers convenient ‘Door to Door’ and ‘Key Service’ options in Whistler should your accommodation not be on the list (ie. if you are staying at an Airbnb) or if your accommodation requires for you to pick up a key at a location different from the property. This can be added for $20/seat for the Door to Door fee and $25 for the group for Key Service

How to book: online at https://www.ridebooker.com or phone 1 (866) 943-0516.

YVR Skylynx

YVR Skylynx offers a scheduled shuttle service available between Vancouver International Airport, Downtown Vancouver and Whistler. They offer free wifi, extra legroom and onboard washrooms for your comfort. If your flight from YVR is delayed they will amend your booking free of charge (subject to availability) to get you on your journey to Whistler!

From Vancouver, they offer a convenient pick up on Melville Street outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel next to the Burrard Skytrain Station.

YVR Skylynx pick up and drop off in Whistler at the Whistler Village Gateway Loop (next to the Visitor’s Centre) and in Whistler Creekside (outside Legends hotel). They also offer ‘Door to Door’ drop off options for an additional fee, as well as Key Service.

Rates:

• YVR to Whistler Adult (13+): $65
• YVR to Whistler Child (6-12): $32.50
• YVR to Whistler Adult (13+) Roundtrip: $110
• YVR to Whistler Child (6-12) Roundtrip: $55
• Vancouver Downtown to Whistler Adult (13+): $30
• Vancouver Downtown to Whistler Child (6-12): $15
• Vancouver Downtown to Whistler Adult (13+) Roundtrip: $40
• Vancouver Downtown to Whistler Child (6-12) Roundtrip: $20
• *Infants (0-5) ride free.

How to book: online at https://www.yvrskylynx.com or phone +1 604-326-1616.

Epic Rides 

Pack all your gear, without additional baggage fees!

Epic Rides offers a scheduled service between Vancouver Downtown and Whistler. They pick up in downtown Vancouver on Melville Street next to the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Burrard Skytrain Station and drop off at the Whistler Village Gateway Loop (next to the Visitor’s Centre)

Epic Rides don’t believe in extra fees or luggage allowances even allow you to pack your bike onto their custom-designed bike trailer in the summertime. Minimal stops mean that you’ll arrive in Whistler in record time.

Rates:

1. Vancouver Downtown to Whistler One Way Adult/Child: $24
2. Vancouver Downtown to Whistler Round Trip Adult/Child: $35

How to book: online at https://epicrides.ca or phone 604 349 1234.

SNOWBUS (winter only)

SNOWBUS runs between November and April and offers several different pick up/drop off locations between Vancouver Airport (YVR), Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Whistler

SNOWBUS offers two scheduled services per day heading North to Whistler and South to Vancouver-YVR that center around the opening and closing times of WhistlerBlackcomb. They also include onboard movies, wifi, and even a complimentary Clif bar to keep the munchies at bay

Rates:

• Vancouver to Whistler: One Way $25 / Roundtrip $36
• Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Whistler: One Way $40 / Roundtrip $75
• Richmond to Whistler: One Way $35 / Roundtrip $59

How to book: online at https://snowbus.com or phone +1.778.746.SNOW.

Private Transfer to Whistler

Travel to Whistler stress-free in a private vehicle driven by a professional. Available 24 hours a day, private transfers are a great option if your flight is arriving late in the evening, or if you’re travelling with young children or in a large group. Private transfer companies offer a variety of vehicle types from sedans to 56 passenger buses for your comfort and convenience.

Luxury Transport Inc.

Luxury Transport Inc has proudly been serving Whistler and Vancouver since 1998 and their TripAdvisor badge of excellence for 2015 and 2016 is a testament to our exceptional service level. They offer the very best in modern vehicles and door to door customized private transportation.

• Sedans starting from $340 one way
• SUVs starting from $405 one way
• Vans starting from $450 one way

How to book: online at https://www.luxbus.com/ or phone (604) 522-8484.

VIP Whistler Transportation Ltd.

VIP Whistler specializes in luxury transportation services that incorporates a variety of modern vehicles. With over 18 years of experience in the transportation industry, our service guarantees safety, comfort and complete satisfaction. Choose from one of our vehicles below to suit your needs. The VIP Whistler staff prides itself in its superior level of customer service and ability to meet the needs of the most discerning clientele.

• Sedans starting from $340 one way
• SUVs starting from $405 one way
• Sprinter Vans starting from $550 one way

How to book: online at http://www.vipwhistler.com/ or phone 1-866-335-2299.

How to Get to Whistler by Air

Travelling by air is the fastest, albeit, most expensive option to get to Whistler.

Helicopter Transfer with Blackcomb Helicopters 

There is more than one way to land in Whistler in style.

Arrive in Whistler in style with a helicopter transfer from Blackcomb Helicopters. Flights are available year-round and depart from Vancouver Airport (YVR) or Vancouver Harbour. The time to travel from Vancouver to Whistler by helicopter is 30-40 minutes and you’ll enjoy endless views of the coastline and nearby mountain ranges – a sightseeing tour and transportation in one!

Flights are weather dependant and must arrive/depart within daylight hours. Should a flight be cancelled due to weather, alternative transportation to Whistler will be arranged.

• Directions to the heliport at Vancouver Airport (YVR): a complimentary South Terminal shuttle connects passengers and the public between the South Terminal and the International and Domestic terminals. A current South Terminal schedule can be found on YVR’s website.
• Directions to Vancouver Harbour heliport: from downtown Vancouver, head north on Granville Street until you reach Waterfront Station. The Vancouver Heliport can be reached by walking through waterfront station via a ‘fare paid’ zone (follow signs for Helijet)

Directions to Whistler heliport: from Whistler Village, travel north on highway 99 towards Pemberton for ten kilometers. Turn left on heliport road (there will be a sign off the highway stating ‘Municipal Heliport’. Follow the signs to the Blackcomb Helicopters office at 9960 Heliport Rd.

• Available: Year-Round
• Transfer time: forty minutes
• Price: $3375/helicopter (fits five passengers)
• Luggage Capacity: one medium-sized piece of luggage per passenger

How to book: Visit https://blackcombhelicopters.com/charters or phone 1-800-330-HELI (4354) between 7:30 AM and 5:00 PM PST.

Floatplane Transfer with Whistler Air

From May to September experience the thrill of landing on Whistler’s largest and most beautiful lake, Green Lake, via float plane with Whistler Air. Scheduled flights depart from Vancouver Harbour and Victoria Harbour daily during the season (running May until the end of September) and take one hour from Victoria to Whistler and forty-five minutes from Vancouver to Whistler.

Whistler Air offers complimentary transportation between Whistler Village and the terminal at Green Lake and is conveniently located from the most scenic patio in Whistler – Table Nineteen Lakeside Eatery at Nicklaus North Golf Club (I highly recommend the nachos washed down with a pint of Whistler Brewing’s Grapefruit Ale!).

Flights are weather dependent and must arrive/depart within daylight hours. Should a flight be cancelled due to weather, alternative transportation to Whistler will be arranged.

• Directions to Victoria Harbour terminal: the Victoria Harbour terminal is located in downtown Victoria’s Inner Harbour on Wharf Street. 950 Wharf Street Victoria, BC V8W 1T3.
• Directions to Vancouver Harbour terminal: The Vancouver Harbour terminal is located within the Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre in downtown Vancouver’s Coal Harbour. Unit #1 Burrard Landing – 1055 Canada Place Vancouver, BC V6C 0C3.

Directions to Whistler Green Lake terminal: Travel north past Whistler Village for 3 kms and turn right at the flashing green lights at Nicklaus North Boulevard. Proceed 0.6km’s down the Boulevard and park for free in the golf course parking lot. 8069 Nicklaus North Boulevard Whistler, BC V0N 1B8.

• Available: Year-Round
• Transfer time: forty minutes
• Price: $3375/helicopter (fits five passengers)
• Luggage Capacity: one medium-sized piece of luggage per passenger

How to book: book online at https://www.harbourair.com/ or phone 1.800.665.0212.

How to Get toWhistler by Train

The Rocky Mountaineer unfortunately no longer offers one way or day trip journeys from Vancouver. However, it has been integrated into a three-day rail journey from Vancouver to Jasper, Alberta on the Canadian Rockies and Whistler Journey.

More information regarding the three-day rail journey from Vancouver to Jasper, Alberta on the Canadian Rockies and Whistler Journey can be found at https://www.rockymountaineer.com.