Burnaby

Burnaby is a suburb of Vancouver. It was incorporated in 1892 and achieved City status in 1992. In the first 30 to 40 years after its incorporation, the growth of Burnaby was influenced by its location between expanding urban centres of Vancouver and New Westminster. It first served as a rural agricultural area supplying nearby markets. Later, it served as an important transportation corridor between Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and the Interior of the Province.

Get in

Burnaby is well integrated with nearby municipalities.

See Vancouver for options to get in the Vancouver area by plane, by bus, and by train, and by boat.

By car

Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) is the main thoroughfare in and out of the city. Kingsway, Hastings St and Broadway provide further access from Vancouver, while the Lougheed Highway is main arterial road from Coquitlam and otherpoints east.

Get around

BC Transit

BC Transit (Central Fraser Valley Transit System) (Stops at Lougheed Town Centre station on SkyTrain's Expo Line and Millennium Line), ☏ +1-604-854-3232. Operates bus route 66 between Burnaby and Chilliwack with stops in Langley and Abbotsford. Operates multiple times daily. (updated Mar 2022)

TransLink, ☏ +1-604-953-3333. The main public transit network in the Vancouver area, including: Bowen Island, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Langley, Lions Bay, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, West Vancouver, and White Rock. Its network includes buses, SkyTrain (rail rapid transit), SeaBus (ferries), West Coast Express (commuter rail), and HandyDART (door-to-door shared-ride service for those who cannot ride public transit without assistance). (updated Mar 2022)

  Passengers can pay for fares using Compass Cards ($6 refundable deposit), Compass Tickets, or tap-to-pay using contactless credit cards (only American Express, Mastercard or Visa) or mobile wallets. Passengers using Compass Cards and Compass Tickets pay discounted fares. Passengers can transfer for up to 90 minutes, except if taking West Coast Express, in which case they can transfer for up to 120 minutes. On bus and HandyDART, passengers can also pay in cash, but in that case will not receive change and are not eligible for transfers.   Zone based fares apply between Monday and Friday for trips starting before 6:30 pm, if travel involves SkyTrain or SeaBus. Outside of those hours or for travel on only bus or HandyDART, a single zone rate applies. If traveling by West Coast Express, a higher cost zone based fare system applies regardless of time of travel.   Children 12 and under can ride for free. People aged 13 to 18, and 65 and older pay discounted concession fares.

  • Bus fare to Burnaby is $3.15 (July 2023). Skytrain fare is $3.15 or $4.55 on weekdays (depending on whether you are travelling one or two zones) and $3.15 on weekends and evenings after 6:30PM.
  • Two SkyTrain rail rapid transit lines operate in Burnaby. The Expo line connects the city to Vancouver's neighbourhoods of downtown, Gastown-Chinatown, Yaletown-False Creek and East Van, and beyond Vancouver to New Westminster and Surrey. The Millennium line connects the northern part of the city with East Van to the west and Coquitlam and Port Moody to the east. The approximate travel time from downtown Vancouver to Metrotown (central Burnaby) on Skytrain is 20 minutes.
    • Those two SkyTrain lines loop around Burnaby with plenty of stops, but unless you're looking to get to a shopping mall, it will not provide direct access to the city's attractions. It can be used with the buses to get where you want to go, although it will rarely be the fastest way.
  • Many buses connect Burnaby with Vancouver and its suburbs. Some useful bus routes for getting into Burnaby from Vancouver are:
    • R5 Hastings St - express bus service connects downtown Vancouver and Simon Fraser University (SFU) via Hastings St (services Burnaby Heights area)
    • 19 - runs between downtown Vancouver and Metrotown station (Expo Line)
    • 25 - runs between Brentwood Town Centre station (Millennium Line) and the University of British Columbia (UBC). Stops along the way at Nanaimo station (Expo Line) and King Edward station (SkyTrain's Canada Line).
    • 130 - runs between Phibbs Exchange in North Vancouver and Metrotown station (Expo Line) with stops at Brentwood Town Centre station (Millennium Line) and at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).
    • 145 - runs between Production Way station (Expo Line and Millennium Line) and Simon Fraser University (SFU)
    • 160 - runs between Kootenay Loop (near the Vancouver and Burnaby border) and Port Coquitlam. Travels through Burnaby along Hastings St. Also travels into Port Moody and Coquitlam.
    • 430 - runs between Metrotown station (Expo Line) and Brighouse station (SkyTrain's Canada Line) in Richmond. Stops along the way at Bridgeport station (Canada Line), which provides direct connections to Delta, Surrey, Tsawwassen ferry terminal (bus route 620), Vancouver International Airport, and White Rock.
    • 555 - runs between Lougheed Town Centre station (Expo Line and Millennium Line) and Langley with a stop in Surrey.

By taxi

By ride hailing
  • Kabu. (updated Jul 2022)
  • Lyft. (updated Jul 2022)
  • Uber. (updated Jul 2022)

See
  • 🌍 Barnet Marine Park, 8181 Barnet Rd. 7AM-Dusk. This a north-facing shoreline linear park that is a very popular beach destination in the summer. The western end of the park is a dog off leash area (do not set up your picnic in this part of the park, you will be invaded by off-leash labradors who will eat your sandwiches). (updated Mar 2022)
  • 🌍 Burnaby Central Railway, 120 Willingdon Ave (in Confederation Park) (from Hastings St, head north on Willingdon to Penzance — access and parking is from Penzance Dr), ☏ +1 604-291-0922. Sa Su 11AM-5PM Easter through 3rd weekend in October. A great activity if you have kids or are into trains. Ride a miniature train on a two mile journey through the forest, over trestles and into tunnels. Total time is 10-15 minutes. There's also an outdoor model railroad that includes replicas of real rolling stock and engines (Canadian Pacific and Burlington Northern), as well as Thomas the Tank Engine. $3.50 (children under 3 are free) per train ride; concession prices are $1 for most drinks, $2 for a hot dog. (updated Aug 2016)
  • 🌍 Burnaby Lake Regional Park, end of Piper Ave, ☏ +1 604-520-6442. Burnaby's largest lake, a great place to see wild birds. The park has several entrances and parking lots and provides a nice loop trail around the park. There is a seasonal nature center at the Piper Ave entrance and you can often see beaver and muskrat from the Piper Spit. There is a dog off leash park at near by Warner Loat park. (updated Apr 2018)
  • 🌍 Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, North of Burnaby (take the Burnaby Mtn Pkw off Hastings, or the 95 B-Line bus to SFU). Enjoy the mountain, water and spectacular views of Greater Vancouver from this green jewel. See the resplendent Rose Gardens, and the collection of Ainu totem pole carvings named the 'Playground of the Gods', representing the goodwill between Burnaby and its sister city Kushiro. It's known as a mountain biking destination, but you can also find many hiking, and walking trails, picnic areas and a children's playground. All trails are labeled with distances, approximate time, and difficulty, so it's easy to follow a hike that suits time available/ability. See this trail map of the area. (updated Mar 2022)
  • 🌍 Capitol Hill Reservoir Park, North Hythe Ave at Dundas St, Capitol Hill. Amazing views of Vancouver, Burrard Inlet, the Lions Gate Bridge and the North Shore Mountains. Best sunset viewing spot in town. (updated Mar 2022)
  • 🌍 Central Park. A 90-hectare urban park oasis that features an award-winning children's playground, pitch and putt golf, and a couple of small ponds shared by ducks and remote-controlled boats. (updated Mar 2022)
  • 🌍 Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel (Heritage Village), 6501 Deer Lake Ave, ☏ +1 604-293-6515. May-early Sep: Tu-Su 11AM-4:30PM, late Nov-Dec: Tu-Su noon-5PM. Discover Burnaby urban heritage at an authentic turn of the century town and rekindle romance on the restored vintage 1912 carousel. It is staffed by people dressed in period clothes. You can visit the common houses or the many shops, including the Blacksmith and the Chinese Herbalist. There is also a preserved interurban streetcar retired in the 1950s. It is best to go on the weekend since many of the staff are volunteers and the "town" is somewhat emptier during the week. Saturdays are best. $6-12 (child/adult), carousel $2 per ride. 
  • 🌍 Deer Lake Park, Deer Lake Ave (parking is available off of Deer Lake Ave and Sperling Ave). Burnaby's hidden gem, an almost circular lake in the middle of the city, offering birdspotting opportunities, great views of Metrotown and miles of shoreline walking. Canoe and kayak rentals are also available (see listing under Do). (updated Mar 2022)
  • 🌍 Burnaby Art Gallery, 6344 Deer Lake Ave (within Deer Lake Park), ☏ +1 604-297-4422. Exhibits contemporary and historical artwork inside a heritage house. (updated Aug 2023)
  • 🌍 Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Ave (within Deer Lake Park), ☏ +1 604-297-4440. Offers various programs, theatre performances and festivals. (updated Aug 2023)
  • Simon Fraser University (SFU). See entry under "Learn" for further details. While there, take a look at the new residential community, UniverCity, just east of the university, that is being modeled as a sustainable community. Also a good spot to start and end hikes around Burnaby mountain. (updated Aug 2023)

Do
  • 🌍 Swangard Stadium, 3883 Imperial St (Boundary Rd & Kingsway), ☏ +1 604-435-7121 (events). Located in picturesque Central Park, Swangard Stadium is home to the BC High School Championships and the former home of the Vancouver Whitecaps. (updated Mar 2022)
  • 🌍 Deer Lake Boat Rentals, 5435 Sperling Ave (east side of Deer Lake Park), ☏ +1 604-521-3183. (updated Aug 2023)
  • Hiking and mountain biking. On the many trails around and on Burnaby Mountain. Also see the bike skills park at the base. (updated Mar 2018)

Learn
  • 🌍 Simon Fraser University (SFU) - Burnaby campus, 8888 University Dr (Take R5 Hastings eastbound. The last two stops are at SFU.), ☏ +1-778-782-3111. On top of Burnaby Mountain, is the Burnaby campus is the main campus of the smaller of the two large universities in the region. This publicly funded university offers a variety of degree programs in the arts, sciences, business and education. SFU was constructed in the 1960s, and while some have compared it to a "concrete jungle," most of the campus buildings were designed by renowned British Columbian architect Arthur Erickson, who also designed the Museum of Anthropology and the Walter Koerner Library at UBC SFU's main campus is notable for being one of the few examples of brutalist architecture that is actually visually appealing. Discover the Simon Fraser Gallery, and view Northwest Coast Indian artifacts at the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. (updated Mar 2022)
  • 🌍 British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) - Burnaby campus, 3700 Willingdon Ave, ☏ +1-604-434-5734, toll-free: +1-866-434-1610. Publicly funded. Considered one of the best technical colleges in Western Canada. It is known for its proactive approach, taking advice from local businesses and industry when designing its programs. The college specializes in technology and trades career preparation (ranging from computer/network administration, project management, marketing, welding, airplane and marine repair, plus others), but also offers a number of evening courses and part-time options. The Burnaby campus is BCIT's main and largest campus. (updated Mar 2022)
  • 🌍 Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) - Vancouver campus, 200-4355 Mathissi Place, toll-free: +1-877-682-3300. British Columbia's indigenous publicly funded post-secondary institute. The Vancouver campus is within a building at BCIT's Burnaby campus. (updated Sep 2023)
  • Brighton College. A private vocational training college with programs in design, construction, engineering, business, accounting, and hospitality. (updated Sep 2023)
    • 🌍 Brighton College - Crystal Mall campus, 305-4538 Kingsway, ☏ +1 604-587-5608. (updated Sep 2023)
    • 🌍 Brighton College - Metropointe Campus, 101-4603 Kingsway, ☏ +1 604-430-5608. (updated Sep 2023)

Buy
  • 🌍 The Amazing Brentwood (Brentwood Town Centre / Brentwood Mall), 4567 Lougheed Hwy (Adjacent to Brentwood station), ☏ +1-604-298-7314, . A large retail mall toward the north-west of the city. (updated Mar 2022)
  • 🌍 Crystal Mall, 4500 Kingsway (Located about 5 minutes walk north-west of Metrotown station), ☏ +1 604-438-6263. 9AM-9PM. An Asian mall with mostly Chinese merchants. Crystal Mall is the largest mixed purpose mall in Canada with stores, public market, professional health and education services, Hilton Hotel and residential apartment suites. (updated Mar 2022)
  • 🌍 Hastings Street. For those who enjoy the traditional street front shopping with some local flavour, includes an enticing mix of fine dining, cafes and specialty shops. Look for delis selling delicious cheeses, meats, and baked goods. (updated Mar 2022)
  • 🌍 The City of Lougheed (Lougheed Mall), 9850 Austin Rd (Adjacent to Lougheed Town Centre station), ☏ +1-604-421-2882, . Located just west of the Burnaby-Coquitlam municipal border, the mall and surrounding buildings are a significant retail area. The mall features over 170 stores including a large drug store (London Drugs), a Bay, Wal-Mart, and Safeway, as well as a large food court. (updated Mar 2022)
  • 🌍 Metropolis at Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway (Adjacent to Metrotown station), ☏ +1-604-438-4715. Metropolis is the second largest Western Canadian mall, behind West Edmonton Mall. Areas to the north and west of the mall are also major retail areas. (updated Mar 2022)

Eat
  • 🌍 Hart House on Deer Lake, 6664 Deer Lake Avenue, ☏ +1 604-298-4278. An idyllic lakefront heritage estate, Hart House invites you to retreat from the city pace and enjoy the best in food and wine. Renowned for its culinary excellence, tranquil setting, and friendly service. 
  • 🌍 Anton's Pasta, 4260 Hastings Street, ☏ +1 604-299-6636. Another crowd favourite. They serve huge dishes of pasta for around $14. (updated Mar 2022)
  • 🌍 Burnaby Heights area (Hastings St, around Willingdon and Gilmore). Delis, bakeries, and cafes are found along the Burnaby Heights area.. There is a deli/bakery/cafe next to Anton's that is a neighbourhood favourite. (updated Mar 2022)
  • 🌍 Cockney Kings Fish & Chips, 6574 E Hastings Street, ☏ +1 604-291-1323. M-Th 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-9PM, Sa 11AM-8PM, Su noon-8PM. A favourite amongst the locals and voted best in town for some 9 years running, Cockney Kings has been recognized in The British Columbian newspaper and The Georgia Straight as one of the best fish & ship shops in the province. Friendly staff and polite service, and they even wrap their take out in newspaper, just like the old days in England! All you can eat fish & chips is available Monday through Wednesday for only $9.50. You might even see singer Michael Bublé or some Vancouver Canucks alumni, who drop in from time to time to get their fix. From $10. (updated Mar 2022)
  • 🌍 Diamond Alumni Centre, ☏ +1 778-782-4794. SFU Burnaby Mtn. Great food served in a room with an amazing view. Only open for lunch and reservations are recommended. Great prices, partly because it's university subsidized. (updated Mar 2022)
  • 🌍 Saffron, 5-4300 Kingsway, ☏ +1 604-436-5559. Suite 5, 4300 Kingsway. An Indian restaurant with a contemporary decor, near Metrotown. Excellent Indian food at about $11–15 a plate. (updated Mar 2022)
  • 🌍 Chad Thai, 4010 East Hastings Street, ☏ +1 604-677-1489. A Thai restaurant serving excellent food at low prices but in an unappealing decor. (updated Mar 2022)
  • 🌍 X-site Bar and Grill, 4625 Hastings St, ☏ +1 604-298-7483. A favourite of SFU students. Known for cheap food and drinks and good specials throughout the week. (updated Mar 2022)

Drink
  • 🌍 Hop and Vine, 1601 Burnwood Drive, ☏ +1 604-421-1092. Serving great pub food, some of the most tasty burgers in pizza in town, while the beer selection could be better, the outdoor patio is perfect for a drink during summer. 
  • 🌍 Keg Steakhouse and Bar, 4510 Still Creek Dr, ☏ +1 604-294-4626. Great place to enjoy quality steaks amongst good company. Decorated in tasteful, darker tones, it's an ideal place to enjoy an intimate dinner. 

Sleep

Cope

Newspaper

Hospital

Go next

Burnaby is well located if you want to move onto to other spots in Greater Vancouver. Nearby destinations include:

  • Hiking, skiing and outdoor opportunities abound in the North Shore, 30 minutes away on Highway 1.
  • Visit a Buddhist temple or see the historic village of Steveston in Richmond.
  • White Rock, with its long stretch of beach, is 45 minutes south near the U.S. border.
Routes through Burnaby
Nanaimo ← Vancouver ←  W  E  → New Westminster → Hope
END ← Vancouver ←  W  E  → Coquitlam → Hope
Vancouver City Centre ← Commercial Dr-Hastings Park ←  W  E  → New Westminster → Surrey
END ← Commercial Dr-Hastings Park, Vancouver ←  W  E  → Port Moody → Coquitlam



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