Say hello to UBC!
The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top universities in the world. UBC offers affordable shared dorm-style rooms and is easily accessible by public transit to Downtown Vancouver. The picturesque setting, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, is a welcome retreat after a long day of meetings, workshops, dances, and events.
FRONT DESK ADDRESS
Please check in at the Totem Park Front Desk:
Totem Park Residence – 2525 West Mall, Vancouver, BC. 604-822-3304. Click here for a directional map.
Ritsumeikan House– 6460 Agronomy Road, Vancouver, BC.
GETTING TO UBC FROM THE AIRPORT
The accommodations are located at UBC’s Point Grey campus, approximately 30 minutes from the airport. You can get to UBC by taxi, ride-app services (Uber or Lyft), public transport, or car (rental). Taxis and Uber or Lyft are the easiest and quickest ways to get to UBC from the airport.
Taxis – Taxis take approximately 30 minutes from the airport. Taxis are queued outside the domestic and international arrival gates and are available 24 hours a day. More information: Taxi Zone Fares from YVR
Public Transportation / Skytrain – Public transit takes approximately 60-80 minutes. Canada Line Skytrain, Metro Vancouver’s rapid transit, connects YVR to Downtown Vancouver. To get to the UBC campus, you will need to transfer from the train to a bus (there are many bus options). Information on current bus fares, schedules, and transit planning: Translink. To note, it is a 10-20 minute walk from the UBC Bus Loop to the Residences.
For full information on other transportation, including car rentals and limousines, see Transportation information on YVR’s website
GETTING TO DOWNTOWN FROM UBC
The UBC Campus is approximately 12km from downtown, depending on the time of day this can be between a 30 to 40 minute drive. Public Transportation to and from downtown is easily accessible from the campus. Refer to the Translink Trip Planner to plan your route.
While you are staying at UBC, you have access to a wealth of options for cultural enrichment, food, and entertainment. Find more on our food, amenities, and attractions by clicking here. Please take time to enjoy any of these wonderful attractions on our beautiful campus:
Beaty Biodiversity Museum
A museum dedicated to enhancing the public’s understanding and appreciation of biodiversity. It is home to over 20,000 fossils from all over the world, including the largest blue whale exhibit in Canada.
2212 Main Mall
Tel: (604) 827 4955
www.beatymuseum.ubc.ca
Museum of Anthropology
The Museum of Anthropology was established in 1949 as a department within the Faculty of Arts at the University of British Columbia. In 1976, it moved to its current home, an award-winning concrete and glass structure designed by Canadian architect Arthur Erickson with the grounds landscaped by Cornelia Oberlander. MOA is committed to promoting awareness and understanding of culturally diverse ways of knowing the world through challenging and innovative programs and partnerships with Indigenous, local and global communities.
6393 NW Marine Drive
Tel: (604) 827 5932
www.moa.ubc.ca
UBC Aquatic Centre
The UBC Aquatic Centre features a 50-metre indoor pool, whirlpool, fitness/weight room, sauna/steam rooms, seasonal patio area, and diving boards from one to ten meters.
Summer Hours: Please call or check the website for hours, swim times, lessons, etc.
6080 Student Union Boulevard
Tel: (604) 822 4501
www.recreation.ubc.ca/aquatics/
Pacific Spirit Regional Park
The Pacific Spirit Regional Park encompasses 763 hectares of forest and foreshore surrounding UBC, and boasts 73 kilometers of walking trails. Experience a variety of landscapes, from estuary marshes, rock and cobble beaches, wooded ravines, ancient bog, and upland forests. Regional Park Interpreters offer customized group programs on themes ranging between edible plants, birds, and bog ecology.
4915 W 16th Ave
Tel: (604) 224 5739
www.vancouvertrails.com
Nitobe Memorial Garden
Considered to be the best traditional, authentic Japanese Tea and Stroll Garden in North America and among the top five Japanese gardens outside Japan, the Nitobe Garden includes a rare authentic Tea Garden with a ceremonial Tea House. The exquisite work of art was created out of two-and-a-half acres of pristine forest by landscape architects and gardeners recommended by the government of Japan.
1895 Lower Mall
Tel: (604) 822 4208
www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/visit/nitobe-memorial-garden/
UBC Botanical Garden & Greenheart Canopy Walkway
Established in 1916, the UBC Botanical Garden has an outstanding collection of temperate plants displayed according to their geographic areas. Exhibits of regional plants include the Native Garden and Alpine Garden. Located in the garden and open year-round, the Greenheart Canopy Walkway is a 308-metre (1010-foot) aerial trail system that offers a rare perspective of the natural beauty of the West Coast forest canopy ecosystem. It is the only one of its kind in Canada.
Summer Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-4:30pm
6804 SW Marine Drive
Tel: (604) 822 4208
www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca
UBC Recreation Centre
UBC Recreation offers many activities available to guests during the summer months. With two fitness facilities, including the SRC is one of Canada’s premier University fitness facilities. It includes 1,800 square-feet of gym space, a full service fitness and weight room, a 2,300 square-foot dance studio, and a 1,600 square-foot traditional martial arts dojo.
Summer Hours (Bird Coop Gym): Mon-Fri 7am-9pm, Sat-Sun 10am-7pm
6000 Student Union Boulevard
Tel: (604) 822 6000
www.recreation.ubc.ca
