Pitt Meadows is located about 45 minutes east of downtown Vancouver, just a drive of 45km/28mi along the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) and the Lougheed Highway.
The easiest way to get to and around this scenic rural destination, as well as the neighbouring community of Maple Ridge, is by car. There are also good public transportation options.
Driving around Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge is simple, as the two municipalities are laid out roughly on a grid system, and the Lougheed Highway provides a central route paralleling the Fraser River.
Two bridges that opened in 2009 have facilitated access to nearby communities. The spectacular six-lane Golden Ears Bridge (tolled), which crosses the Fraser River at 200th Street, links Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge with Langley and Surrey to the south. The Pitt River Bridge (untolled) connects Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge with Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam to the west, via the Lougheed Highway.
Car Rentals & Taxis
Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge are home to several major car rental agencies, mostly on or just off the Lougheed Highway. Multiple taxi companies serve the area.
Ferry Travel
Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge can be reached from the BC Ferries terminals at Horseshoe Bay (a 45-minute drive east, mostly on the Trans-Canada Highway and the Lougheed Highway) and Tsawwassen (a drive of 50 minutes via Highway 91, New Westminster, and the Mary Hill Bypass).
Rail Travel
The West Coast Express train offers five daily trips from downtown Vancouver to Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge and vice versa on weekdays. The trip takes between 45 and 55 minutes. There are three West Coast Express stations in Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge: they're named Pitt Meadows, Maple Meadows, and Port Haney. TrainBus service is also available on the weekends.
Public Transportation
Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge are part of Metro Vancouver's TransLink public transportation system. From downtown Vancouver, it takes about an hour and a half to reach Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge. Generally, the simplest route is to take the Millennium Line of the SkyTrain rapid transit link to the Braid SkyTrain station and transfer to the #791 express bus. There is local bus service as well, mostly provided by the 24-passenger Link buses.
Discount fares are available after 6:30pm and on weekends and public holidays.
Bus Travel
For those who'd rather arrive by bus, Greyhound Canada offers regularly scheduled service to Maple Ridge.
Air Travel
For international travellers, Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge are conveniently close to two major international airports: Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in Richmond, and Abbotsford International Airport (YXX). Taxi and shuttle service is available at these airports, plus car rentals.
The Pitt Meadows Regional Airport (YPK) is heavily used by private planes and helicopters, and is one of Canada's busiest airports in terms of take-offs and landings. It offers scheduled service to Nanaimo and Victoria courtesy of Island Express Air. It also features the closest skydiving facility to downtown Vancouver. Flightseeing tours are available.
More Information
Check out the Visitor Centre for general travel tips, driving directions, maps and more.
Read Less