How to plan a trip to Vancouver

How to get to Vancouver from Dublin

Getting from Dublin to Vancouver is easier than many people think:

• Direct flights in summer
  There are usually seasonal direct flights from Dublin to Vancouver in the summer months. These are ideal if you want the quickest and most convenient journey with no connections.
• One‑stop options year‑round
  Outside of summer, there are plenty of one‑stop routes from Dublin to Vancouver with a connection in:
• Another European hub
• A US gateway city
• Or eastern Canada, which typically has year‑round links from Dublin

This means you can comfortably plan a Vancouver holiday from Ireland at any time of year, even when the direct service is not operating.

When is the best time to visit Vancouver from Ireland?

Vancouver is very much a year‑round destination, and the best time to visit depends on what you want to do:

• Spring and summer (roughly April to September) are ideal for outdoor sightseeing and whale watching
• Autumn (September to November) brings beautiful colours, fewer crowds and a more relaxed feel.
• Winter (December to March) is perfect if you want to combine the city with skiing in Whistler or enjoy a quieter city break.

I visited in February and was initially worried it would be too cold to enjoy many activities. In reality, it turned out to be a fantastic time to explore. While you still need a warm, waterproof layer, I found the city pleasantly manageable and many of the main sights were much quieter than in peak season.

Where to stay in Vancouver & how to get from the airport to Downtown

On my own trip, I stayed at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, which worked brilliantly as a central base.

• The location made it very easy to reach Downtown Vancouver and the waterfront on foot.
• It was also close to the train from Vancouver International Airport, which I found to be the simplest and most stress‑free way of getting between the airport and the city.
• Most of the places I wanted to visit in Vancouver were within walking distance, which saved both time and money on local transport.

If you prefer a city break where you can step out of your hotel and be in the middle of the action, this central area of Downtown Vancouver is a great option to consider.

Top things to do in Vancouver on a first visit

There is plenty to fill a few days in the city itself. Some of my personal highlights in Vancouver were:

1. Granville Island Public Market
   Take the little boat across the water for lovely views back towards the Downtown skyline. Once there, you have food stalls, local produce, artisan shops and a great atmosphere.
2. Walk along the waterfront
   Vancouver is made for walking. Strolling along the waterfront gives you a real feel for the city, with mountain views, seaplanes taking off and landing, and plenty of cafés for a coffee stop.
3. Shopping around Robson Street
   Robson Street and the surrounding area are great for shopping and people‑watching. It is an easy place to spend a few relaxed hours.
4. Explore Gastown
   Gastown quickly became one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Vancouver. It is full of character, with cobbled streets, independent boutiques, bars, cafés and restaurants, plus the famous steam clock.
5. Lynn Canyon Park
   A little outside the city, Lynn Canyon Park is ideal if you want a taste of British Columbia’s forests without going too far. The short, easy walks and suspension bridge make it a very rewarding trip.

A must‑do experience in Vancouver: taking a seaplane flight

One experience I always recommend as a must‑do in Vancouver is a seaplane ride.

You have a couple of options:

• Take a scheduled seaplane flight to another destination in the region.
• Book a scenic seaplane tour that departs from and returns to Vancouver Harbour, circling the city and surrounding coastline.

I chose the scenic tour from Vancouver Harbour, and it was honestly unforgettable. Taking off from the water feels surreal at first, and within moments you are looking down over:

• The Vancouver skyline
• The harbour and coastline
• The mountains and bay beyond

The combination of city, sea and mountains from above makes this one of those travel moments that really stays with you long after the trip.

What to do near Vancouver: day trips and the Sea to Sky Highway

If you have a bit more time, it is well worth exploring the area around Vancouver. I travelled along Highway 99, better known as the Sea to Sky Highway, and it was one of the real highlights of my trip.

The drive itself is spectacular, with dramatic views of Howe Sound, snow‑capped peaks and dense forests. Along the way there are several great stops:

• Porteau Cove Provincial Park
  A beautiful viewing spot with sweeping views of the water and mountains.
• Shannon Falls
  British Columbia’s third‑highest waterfall, easily accessible and very impressive, especially after rain.
• Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish
  A scenic gondola ride that lifts you up to incredible viewpoints across the surrounding area, with walking trails and viewing platforms at the top.

This route works perfectly as either a day trip from Vancouver or part of a longer stay if you are continuing on to Whistler.

Whistler: more than just a ski resort

Finally, no trip along the Sea to Sky Highway would be complete without mentioning Whistler.

On this visit I was not skiing, but it is somewhere I would absolutely love to return to for a dedicated ski holiday. Even without skis, I found:

• A fantastic, lively atmosphere in Whistler Village, at the base of the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains
• A great choice of shops, cafés, bars and restaurants
• A beautiful alpine setting that makes it worth visiting for a few hours or a full day, even if you are not planning to ski

For anyone travelling from Ireland, Whistler and Vancouver make an ideal twin‑centre trip: city, coast and mountains in one holiday.

Reach out to me to start planning your trip to Vancouver.