Arbutus Ridge connects to downtown Vancouver by bus, bike or car. Two TransLink routes run along the corridor, the 16 Arbutus and the 17 Oak, and the right one depends on which side of the neighbourhood you start from.
The 16 and 17 buses toward downtown
The 16 runs between 29th Avenue Station and Arbutus, and passes through Granville and Vancouver City Centre on its way. The 17 runs from Oak and Marine Drive up to Downtown Robson at Hamilton, calling at Broadway-City Hall and Granville along the way. Both are TransLink routes operated by Coast Mountain Bus Company.
Look up your own address in the TransLink trip planner. It shows the nearest stop, the walking distance and the next departures. That matters more than any rule of thumb about frequency, because the 16 and 17 have different timetables on weekdays, evenings and weekends.
Fares
Fare prices and zones change over time. The TransLink website lists today’s fare, and a tap with a Compass Card or contactless card is the standard way to pay.
Cycling the Arbutus Greenway
The Arbutus Greenway follows a former rail corridor through the area, running between Kitsilano and Marpole. It is a calm car free route for part of the journey. To reach the heart of downtown you will need to join streets or bike lanes at the Kitsilano end, so plan the final stretch on a cycling map.
Driving or taking a taxi into the core
Driving into downtown works at quiet times, but weekday rush hours are slow and parking can be pricey. The City of Vancouver posts parking rules and meter rates, so read the signs before you leave the car.
A taxi saves the hunt for parking and is useful for late evenings or when you carry bags. The Vancouver taxi page has booking details, and the taxi fare estimator helps you plan the cost.
Check road closures and special event notices before big downtown events, since they can change both bus routing and street access.