Burnaby
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About Burnaby
Burnaby is a city in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada. Located in the centre of the Burrard Peninsula, it neighbours the City of Vancouver to the west, the District of North Vancouver across the confluence of the Burrard Inlet with its Indian Arm to the north, Port Moody and Coquitlam to the east, New Westminster and Surrey across the Fraser River to the southeast, and Richmond on Lulu Island to the southwest. It has a population of 249,125 as of the 2021 census.
Burnaby was incorporated in 1892 and achieved its city status in 1992. A member municipality of Metro Vancouver, it is British Columbia's third-largest city by population (after Vancouver and Surrey), and is the seat of Metro Vancouver's regional district government. 25% of Burnaby's land is designated as parks and open spaces, one of the highest in North America.
The main campuses of Simon Fraser University and the British Columbia Institute of Technology are located in Burnaby. It is home to high-tech companies such as Ballard Power (fuel cell), Clio (legal software), D-Wave (quantum computing), and EA Vancouver. Burnaby's Metropolis at Metrotown is the largest mall in British Columbia, the third most visited in Canada and the fifth largest in the nation. Canada's largest film and television production studio and more than 60% of BC's sound stages are in Burnaby, contributing to the growth of Hollywood North.
The city is served by SkyTrain's Expo Line and Millennium Line. Metrotown station in Metrotown is the busiest station on weekends and the second-busiest on weekdays in regional Vancouver's urban transit system as of 2021.
Burnaby travel guide
Getting there
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 the main arterial road from Coquitlam and other points east.
Getting around
By public transit
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 daily with numerous trips. (updated Mar 2022)
TransLink 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 $3.35 (July 2025). Skytrain fare is $3.35 or $4.85 on weekdays (depending on whether you are travelling one or two zones) and $3.35 on weekends and evenings after 6:30PM.
By train Two SkyTrain rail rapid transit lines operate in Burnaby. 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.
The Expo line connects the city to Vancouver's neighbourhoods of downtown, Gastown-Chinatown, Yaletown-False Creek, East Van, eastern parts of south Vancouver, and
See
1 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) 2 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) 3 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) 4 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) 5 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) 6 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 s
Do
1 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) 2 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)
Buy
1 The Amazing Brentwood (Brentwood Town Centre / Brentwood Mall), 4567 Lougheed Hwy (Brentwood station (SkyTrain Millennium Line) is located immediately south of the mall), ☏ +1-604-298-7314, [email protected]. A large retail mall toward the north-west of the city. (updated Mar 2022) 2 Crystal Mall, 4500 Kingsway (about 400 m north-west of Metrotown station (SkyTrain Expo Line)), ☏ +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) 3 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) 4 The City of Lougheed (Lougheed Mall), 9850 Austin Rd (Lougheed Town Centre station (SkyTrain Expo Line and SkyTrain Millennium Line), 200 m south of this mall), ☏ +1-604-421-2882, [email protected]. 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) 5 Metropolis at Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway (Metrotown station (SkyTrain Expo Line) is immediately south of the mall), ☏ +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
1 Hart House on Deer Lake, 6664 Deer Lake Avenue, ☏ +1 604-298-4278. 2 Anton's Pasta, 4260 Hastings Street, ☏ +1 604-299-6636. They serve huge dishes of pasta for around $14. (updated Mar 2022) 3 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) 4 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) 5 Diamond Alumni Centre, ☏ +1 778-782-4794. SFU Burnaby Mtn. Only open for lunch and reservations are recommended. Great prices, partly because it's university subsidized. (updated Mar 2022) 6 Saffron, 5-4300 Kingsway, ☏ +1 604-436-5559. An Indian restaurant with a contemporary decor, near Metrotown. Excellent Indian food at about $11–15 a plate. (updated Mar 2022) 7 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) 8 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 & nightlife
1 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. 2 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
1 Accent Inn, 3777 Henning Drive. A 3½-star hotel that features hundreds of hanging flower baskets, a fitness room, as well as a jacuzzi and sauna. All rooms have kitchenettes, private baths, AC and the beds feature the highest standard of mattress available in Canada. Wireless internet also available. (updated Mar 2022) 2 Hilton Vancouver, 6083 McKay Avenue, ☏ +1 604-438-1200. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. Choose from a mountain or a city view. The hotel has a 16,000-sq-ft convention centre; fitness facility, and pool. 3 Executive Hotel Burnaby, 4201 Lougheed Hwy, ☏ +1-604-298-2010, toll-free: +1-800-590-3932, [email protected]. Deluxe suites are extremely comfortable, offering spacious living areas, jacuzzi bathtubs, fridge, coffee maker, and microwave. Service is attentive and friendly. $96-384. (updated Mar 2022) 4 Holiday Inn Express Midtown, 4405 Central Blvd, ☏ +1 604-438-1881, toll-free: +1-877-323-1177, [email protected]. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Children under 12 stay and eat free. 5 Delta Burnaby Hotel and Conference Centre (Grand Villa Casino), 4331 Domimion St (Near Canada Way and Willingdon), ☏ +1 604-453-0750, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. $99-200. 6 Best Western Plus Kings Inn, 5411 Kingsway, ☏ +1 604-438-1383. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Mar 2022)
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.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.