Listing 11 of the best things to do in Vancouver for students as well as some essential tips to make sure you experience the best of this student-friendly city!
Dynamic and varied Vancouver is known for its natural beauty, active cultural scene, and friendly locals. And it’s a well-known fact that Vancouver is an expensive city so living in Vancouver on a student budget can be a challenge, to say the least. But actually, Vancouver is home to many free and cheap attractions that students can enjoy in their downtime. In fact, almost all the activities on this list are free or cost under $50 CAD.
What’s it like being a student in Vancouver?
According to the QS Best Student Cities, Vancouver is the top student city in Canada and the 20th best student city worldwide. So, it’s fair to say being a student in Vancouver is awesome! The University of British Columbia is the biggest university in Vancouver and it’s ranked as one of the top 50 universities in the world. I worked at the UBC campus for a couple of months, and I must say their facilities are awesome!
Other universities in the Vancouver area include Simon Fraser University, Capilano University Emily Carr University of Art and Design, and Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
Apart from the classroom, Vancouver’s academic scene promotes chances for skill-building and networking. Many times, career-oriented seminars, internships, and mentoring programs enable students to interact with experts in their fields of study. Many colleges also work with nearby businesses to give students practical experience and industry knowledge that will be quite beneficial upon graduation.
Top tips for students in Vancouver
- Always ask if an attraction offers student discounts – Many students don’t know this but many Vancouver attractions like Vancouver Art Gallery and Vancouver Aquarium offer discounted student rates.
- Make sure you keep on top of all your assignments – Online assistance can be a lifeline for students juggling a demanding schedule, particularly for big projects or during exam season. If you find yourself struggling with academic papers, you might want to investigate research paper writing services to lighten the task. This kind of assistance not only saves you time but also enhances the standard of your work, therefore helping to raise your GPA.
- Sign up for a student discount program – Student discount programs in Canada include UNiDAYS and StudentBeans. These offer discounts on various different brands, in fashion, eating out, and travel.
- Get a Compass Card – If you’re going to be using public transport a lot, i.e. if you’re not living in downtown Vancouver, we recommend getting a Compass Card – a reloadable fare card that you can use within Metro Vancouver.
Best things to do in Vancouver for students
1. Stanley Park
The stunning outdoor areas of Vancouver are among its main attractions, and visiting them is free! Yep, Vancouver boasts some of the finest parks and natural settings in North America.
One must-see famous park is Stanley Park. Overlooking breathtaking views of the city skyline and the sea, its gorgeous seawall provides a lovely path for walking, running, or biking. For peaceful areas to unwind and study, visit Beaver Lake, Lost Lagoon, and the rose garden.
2. Queen Elizabeth Park
Nestled atop Little Mountain, Queen Elizabeth Park offers expansive views of Vancouver’s skyline and the surrounding mountains. Queen Elizabeth Park is a quiet place to relax, enjoy a picnic, or just meander with its gardens, fountains, and rich vegetation.
3. Lynn Canyon Park
For those yearning for adventure, Lynn Canyon Park boasts free, excellent hiking paths and an amazing suspension bridge! It’s the ideal location for pictures and quiet walks as well as for discovering Vancouver’s natural splendor.
4. Capilano Suspension Bridge
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is home to the famed Capilano Suspension Bridge. This feat of engineering hangs 70 meters over the Capilano River and it’s 137 meters long. And the views are stunning – think lush green forest and a gushing bright blue river!
But, it’s all about the bridge here there are also a few short hikes, a glass-floor viewpoint, and The Birds of Raptor Ridge where you can see birds of prey.
Tickets for the Capilano Suspension Bridge cost from $81 CAD per person.
5. Go skiing
If you enjoy winter sports, Vancouver’s near proximity to Grouse Mountain and Cypress Mountain offers great skiing and snowboarding choices at student-friendly pricing.
6. Take a trip to Whistler
Whistler is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada – with well over 3 million visitors vacationing here annually. Its popularity lies in the fact it is breathtakingly beautiful (think looming mountains and bright blue lakes). I lived in Whistler for a few years so it will always have a special place in my heart.
The drive from Vancouver to Whistler is around 1.5 hours. You can catch a shuttle bus or coach to here if you can’t drive.
Some of the top activities in Whistler include:
- Skiing – Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort is consistently rated as one of the top ski resorts in the world, and in the winter skiing is a must-do here. The ski area at Whistler Blackcomb is massive (it’s 4,757 acres) – that area includes 200n runs and 36 lifts.
- Ziplining – Ziptrek Ecotours offers 4 distinct zipline tours and the TreeTrek canopy walk. It’s also home of the Sasquatch – the longest zipline in Canada and the USA. The Sasquatch is 2km in length!
- Peak 2 Peak Gondola – Connecting both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, the Peak 2 Peak Gondola is arguably the number one thing to do in Whistler in the summer. The gondola ride is 4.4 kilometers long, so the journey will take you around 11 minutes in total. From this prime vantage point – 436 meters above the valley you can take in the lush Whistler landscapes.
Where to stay in Whistler
There are lots of great places to stay in Whistler but for a student budget, I recommend – Pangea Pod Hotel. Located right in the center of the village, just 200 meters from the ski lift up Whistler Mountain. And so as you can imagine, this is a very popular choice. They have an onsite bar and a rooftop patio and your room is essentially a comfy pod complete with bed and storage space.
Related Read: The BEST Whistler Day Trip Itinerary (By Someone Who Lives There)
7. Vancouver Aquarium
The biggest aquarium in Canada is located in Stanley Park and it’s a great place to visit if you’re a fan of marine life. Here, you can see marine creatures like sea otters, sea lions, dolphins, and a beluga whale. In fact, there are over 65,000 animals here.
A student ticket for Vancouver Aquarium costs from $40.95 CAD.
8. Vancouver Art Gallery
On some days, students can get free or discounted passes to Vancouver Art Gallery. Exhibitions on rotation here include Canadian art, Indigenous art, and globally praised works. Visit on a Tuesday night for a lowered admission cost.
9. Museum of Anthropology
Located inside the University of British Columbia, the Museum of Anthropology is one of Vancouver’s most unique attractions. For any student interested in history, culture, or anthropology, the Museum of Anthropology is a must-see with holdings emphasizing Indigenous art and objects. And what’s great is that on many days, UBC students can access it for free!
10. Granville Island
This is one of my favorite spots in Vancouver. It’s a hive of activity with galleries and boutiques lining this artistic area. Granville Island Public Market is a must-visit for foodies as here you’ll find reasonably priced food choices (with a highlight on regional produce and dishes). Look out for any events that may be happening and the street performers while you’re there.
11. Check out an event
Vancouver is an event hub in Canada and is home to many student-friendly venues. Vancouver also hosts many events across the year including Chinese New Year celebrations, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, and the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF). Many of these events are free or offer special prices as a student, so they’re a terrific opportunity to really experience local culture without going broke.
Affordable places to eat in Vancouver
Eating out in Vancouver doesn’t have to drain your student budget. Vancouver offers delicious and reasonably priced restaurants with cuisines from all around the world to be found here.
- Food trucks: From Japanese-style hot dogs at Japadog to fresh Mexican street cuisine at Tacofino, Vancouver’s active food truck culture is a treasure trove for reasonably priced and varied selections. Perfect for a cheap, fast bite between lessons.
- Cheap eats in Kitsilano: Kitsilano boasts several student-friendly venues close to the University of British Columbia. See Nuba, a Lebanese restaurant noted for its cheap, healthy cuisine, or Sophie’s Cosmic Café, a classic diner with reasonably priced comfort food.
- Korean fried chicken in the downtown area: If you love Korean food, restaurants like Zabu Chicken offer fantastic fried chicken and rice dishes. Kintaro Ramen is another great option, with its generous servings and rich broths.
- Cool coffee shops: Vancouver’s coffee scene is world-class like Kafka’s Coffee on Main Street or 49th Parallel, which serves up great coffee alongside mouthwatering donuts. You could also get some study done in many of Vancouver’s Cafes, which I’ve done on occasion for a change of scene.
Vancouver’s nightlife and social scene is so fun for students!
From laid-back bars to vibrant clubs, Vancouver’s nightlife is varied and many establishments offer discounts for students.
Many student groups and societies in Vancouver arrange weekly pub evenings. It’s a great way to meet like-minded students. You could also try out a karaoke evening at venues like Fantacity Karaoke on Robson Street for a fun and cheap night out.
I also loved attending comedy nights in Vancouver. One of the go-to comedy clubs in the city is The Comedy Mix which offers reasonably priced admission rates for students.
Alternatively, if you’re a live music fan – two well-known venues for students are Fortune Sound Club in Chinatown and Biltmore Cabaret.
Getting around Vancouver on a student budget
Learning to use Vancouver’s public transit system will save you money and time as a student. You can use your Compass Card on the city’s buses, SkyTrain, and SeaBus. U-Pass BC offers students attending affiliated universities subsidized transit, therefore helping to make traveling around Vancouver reasonably cheap.
Must-have apps for students in Vancouver
In a busy city like Vancouver, several apps may make student life considerably simpler. These are some fundamentals:
- Transit: This app lets you more effectively plan your travels by offering real-time information on bus and SkyTrain schedules.
- Too Good To Go: This app lets you acquire cheap eats by scoring discounts on leftover food from cafés and restaurants, therefore lowering food waste.
- Eventbrite is useful for finding events in the city, from free seminars to neighborhood get-togethers.
- SpotHero: If you have a car this app will come in handy as it searches the city for reasonably priced parking spots.
Where to stay in Vancouver
If you want to spend a night away from your dorms then a budget-friendly way to do this is by booking a hostel in Vancouver. Hostels are a great way to meet people and all the hostels I’ve listed below are well-rated:
- HI Vancouver Downtown – This hostel on Burnaby Street has a fabulous rating on HostelWorld (8.8/10) and is located on a quiet street in the West End. It’s a short distance to Stanley Park and English Bay, and the dorms here are small (just 4 beds per room), and all have lockers. You can also book a private room here with a shared bathroom. Expect to pay around $44 CAD for a bed in a dorm here.
- HI Vancouver Jericho Beach – Another HI hostel, this one is located in the lovely neighborhood of Kitsilano, just steps away from the famed Jericho Beach. Again, it’s rated excellently (8.6/10), and you can choose from a private room or bed in a mixed dorm. There are mixed, male or female dorms here – each with 18 beds. A bed in a dorm starts from $36 CAD per night.
- Cambie Hostel – Seymour – Located in central downtown, this hostel is clean, safe, and has super-friendly staff. There’s also an on-site restaurant called Malone’s, and when you stay here, you’ll get a discount to eat there. There are lots of room types here, including a 2-bed female or male dorm. You’ll be paying around $26 CAD per night for a dorm bed here.
Thanks for Reading!
Vancouver is the ideal playground for students since it combines natural beauty, rich culture, and plenty of cheap attractions. As a student I’m certain that you’ll enjoy all the city has to offer. There is something for everyone from outdoor experiences and cultural places to dynamic social scenes and professional networking events. Thus, go out, explore, and maximize your stay in Vancouver!
Before you go! You may also enjoy reading some of my other most popular blog posts, including –
Best Things to Do in New York For Students (& Anyone on a Budget)
Luxury Travel Guide for Whistler (By a Local)
Best stops on the Drive from Whistler to Jasper
15 Best Stops on the Drive from Whistler to Banff
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Last Updated on November 14, 2024 by snaphappytravel