Thinking of visiting Surrey, BC? Great choice! Located on the unceded shared territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), and SEMYOME (Semiahmoo) nations, Surrey is one of the most culturally diverse communities in Metro Vancouver and on its way to becoming the largest city in British Columbia by population.

Surrey is a vibrant city that offers a unique blend of urban and natural experiences, perfect for exploring Greater Vancouver. Located less than an hour from Vancouver, Surrey features over 6,000 acres of green space, beautiful tidal beaches, and diverse cultural experiences.

With six distinct neighbourhoods to explore — North Surrey, Guildford, Fleetwood, Cloverdale, Newton, and South Surrey — every visit tells a story. Visitors can enjoy lively urban areas, scenic nature trails, and a wide variety of global cuisines. Explore the Surrey Spice Trail for multicultural dining, enjoy authentic group experiences, or stroll through towering urban rainforests or seasides

This section will give you all the information you need to plan your trip to Surrey easily. Once you have your travel details sorted, visit our map and neighbourhoods section on the homepage to start discovering more.

Getting To Surrey

Getting to Surrey

Surrey is BC's "gateway hub" which makes it easy to get here and even easier to call Surrey home as you explore BC's south coast and beyond. Here are a few of the easiest ways to get to Surrey:

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Crossing the Border

Crossing the Border

We encourage all travellers to be fully informed of the federal and provincial pre-entry requirements as well as any return travel/re-entry requirements for your country of origin. For the latest information on travel to Canada, including the updated federal requirements and restrictions, please visit the Government of Canada’s website and check out our Crossing the Border page for an overview of current requirements.

Peace Arch Border Crossing in Surrey BC Chris Wheeler

Trip Planning Resources

Explore experiences, find accommodations, and get helpful trip planning tips from our expert team.

Plan Your Trip

Surrey has several transit options that make for an economical and environmentally friendly way to get around the city.  These options include:

Please visit the TransLink website for more information on these options, such as transit fares, maps, and schedules.

Here in Surrey, there are multiple major bus loops (exchanges):

There are a total of four SkyTrain stations in Surrey, that are all part of the Expo line:

Please visit the TransLink website for more information on Skytrain locations and schedules.

Surrey Fast Facts

To make the most of your visit to Surrey, consider these helpful travel tips. From understanding the weather and time zone to getting a sense of what to expect, these facts will help you prepare for a fantastic experience. 

Fast Facts

Indigenous Peoples & Lands

Surrey is home to the largest urban Indigenous population in BC. The City of Surrey sits on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the Semiahmoo, Katzie, Kwikwetlem, Kwantlen, Qayqayt, and Tsawwassen First Nations.

Population

Based on the 2016 Canadian Census, the population of the City of Surrey is estimated to be 517, 887; it is thought that 68% of that population is between the ages of 15 to 64. Surrey makes up about 11% of British Columbia’s population of an estimated 4.6 million. 

Language

The City of Surrey is largely diverse and is home to a variety of multicultural groups. In fact, after English the most common language is Punjabi, which is spoken by around 20.5% of the population. Some other prevalent mother tongue languages spoken in Surrey are Mandarin, Hindustani, Tagalog and Korean. 

Weather & Climate

Surrey is a four-season destination with a mild climate throughout the year. Winters are generally rainy and can stay wet into early spring. Summers are sunny and pleasant, and the weather cools down in autumn.

Time Zone

Surrey is in the Pacific Time Zone, which is eight hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Surrey participates in Daylight Savings Time during the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.

Currency

Use Canadian Dollars (CAD) in Surrey. You can exchange foreign currency at border kiosks, malls, and banks. Canadian coins are in 5, 10, and 25 cents, plus $1 and $2. Bills come in $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.

Taxes

In BC, most purchases have a 7% Provincial Sales Tax (PST) and a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST). Accommodations incur an 8% PST plus up to a 3% hotel tax, while liquor has a 10% PST. Essentials like food are generally exempt.

Gratuities & Tipping

Tips are not included in restaurant bills. It's customary to add 15-20% for good service. For groups of eight or more, a tip of 15-18% is often added automatically. Counter service does not require tipping.

Health & Safety

Emergency Services:
Ambulance: 9-1-1
Fire: 9-1-1
Police: 9-1-1

Non-Emergency Services:
Surrey Memorial Hospital: (604)- 581-2211
Non-Emergency Police: (604)-599-0502
BC Nurse’s Hotline: 811

Articles & Features

Check out some of the latest articles and features on Surrey's Spice Trail.

Surrey Named one of the Next Great Food Cities

Published in: Food & Wine - “In this Vancouver suburb, hyperlocal regional cuisine is a delicious draw for the hungry traveler. The city is home to one of the largest Indian populations in Canada, interwoven with immigrants from Africa, other parts of Asia, and beyond, and

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Surrey’s Culinary Spice Trail Turns up the Heat

Published in: Canadian Geographic - “One of the fastest-growing cities in Canada is on its way to becoming a global foodie destination." ~Robin Esrock

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Where Nature, Culture & International Cuisine Collide

Published in: 1889 Washington's Magazine - “If you find yourself in Vancouver, Surrey is an excellent home base for exploring the city while retreating to a quieter place to stay. The coastal town, about 30 minutes from the city, is a worthy side trip or destination on its own.” ~ Ryn Pfeuffer

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Seeing Canada: Stanley Park and the Surrey Spice Trail in B.C.

Featured On: Seeing Canada - “Canadian journalist Brandy Yanchyk travels to British Columbia where she explores the culinary scene on Surrey’s Spice Trail." ~Brandy Yanchyk

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