The easiest way from downtown Vancouver to VanDusen Botanical Garden is the number 17 Oak bus, which runs from downtown along Oak Street. Get off at West 37th Avenue and the garden entrance is across the street. By road the trip is about 7 km and 15 minutes.
The 17 Oak bus to West 37th Avenue
You can board the 17 downtown or along West Broadway between Cambie and Oak. Ride south on Oak Street and watch for West 37th Avenue. The garden’s address is 5251 Oak Street, at the corner of 37th. The City of Vancouver puts the transit trip at about the same length as driving, but buses vary with traffic and the time of day, so run your trip through the TransLink trip planner and read the departure times for your stop.
If you are coming from the Canada Line, a transfer to the 17 is the likely route. Ask the planner which stop and which connection suit your starting station on the day you travel.
Driving and parking at VanDusen
The garden has its own parking lot on West 37th Avenue, just off Oak Street, and the city lists the parking as free. There is also an accessible drop-off loop off Oak Street at the front entrance, plus accessible parking spots.
There is no on-street parking in the surrounding neighbourhood. When the lot is full, the city suggests parking at Nat Bailey Stadium next to Queen Elizabeth Park and taking the shuttle bus to the garden. Check the VanDusen page on the City of Vancouver site for the shuttle arrangements and the opening hours on the day you plan to go.
Taxi or rideshare from downtown
A taxi saves the transfer and drops you at the front entrance, which helps if you are carrying a picnic, travelling with children or visiting during an evening event. Compare costs with the taxi fare estimator or the Uber estimate calculator, and see the Vancouver taxi page for local companies.
For the ride back, check closing time first and book or find a stop with a few minutes to spare. The garden entrance area on Oak Street is the easiest pickup point to describe to a driver.