How to travel around Whistler (with no Car!)
Travelling around Whistler with no car. Is it doable? I’m glad to announce that the answer is YES!
Now it does depend where you’re coming from and what you are doing etc. Assuming you will be coming from Vancouver, there is actually a bus available that picks you up from Downtown Vancouver and drops you off in the centre of Whistler. You can book it directly with Epic Rides, and it is only CAD $45 for a return trip! This includes luggage (and snow gear if you have any) on a comfortable coach. The trip is about 1 hour 45 minutes. There are no toilets & no stops, so make sure to do your business prior to boarding. If your pick up location is at the Hyatt, there is a Starbucks inside for your convenience, and very clean toilets in the lobby. Pick up times & locations do vary slightly throughout the year, so make sure to double check this before booking your ticket.
One more thing- the website is a little… old school. When confirming your tickets, it will look a little confusing, so just read everything slowly to make sure all details are correct.
In WHISTLER
Whistler does have their own little public transport system. This was super handy because I was staying at Whistler creekside, a little village 10 minutes away from Whistler. You’ll have to download the UMO app, and from there it is actually pretty simple:
Register/create an account,
Add a payment method,
Scan the QR Code from the app when you hop on the bus.
A single ride will cost you $2.50, or you can purchase a day pass for $7 which grants you unlimited travel within the Whistler Transit System. There are buses all day & night, every 5-15 minutes which is super convenient!
Photo outside our bus stop at Whistler Creekside, 9:30pm.
FYI: As Australian tourists we couldn’t download the app due to our App Store region settings. My friend and I both had iPhones, so unfortunately I can't comment on Android settings. I’m not sure if we are the only Aussies that this happened to, because nowhere were we warned about this! Which is why I wanted to mention this.
You’ll have to change your country settings on the Apple App Store by going - settings - location - and change to Canada.
You will be prompted to add a new payment method but you can cancel out of that, and now go ahead to download the app.
Happy Travels!
Bron x
