About Surrey
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:
- By Air. The city is located just 30 minutes from three international airports (YVR - Vancouver, YXX - Abbotsford, and BLI - Bellingham)
- By Car. Surrey is home to the two busiest US/Canada border crossings in Western Canada on the south, and Canada's Highway #1 runs through Surrey on the North.
- By Train. Prefer to travel by train? The Amtrak Cascades from Oregon and Washington, the cross-Canada VIA Rail line, and the Rocky Mountaineer all end their trips in Vancouver... and it's a quick 22-minute Skytrain (public transit train) to Surrey from the station.
- By Sea. The Skytrain also connects directly to Canada Place, which is the home port for many cruise lines. If you're coming via private boat, there are marinas with transient moorage in South Surrey.
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.
Trip Planning Resources
Explore experiences, find accommodations, and get helpful trip planning tips from our expert team.
Surrey has several transit options that make for an economical and environmentally friendly way to get around the city. These options include:
- Buses
- Skytrains
- Community Shuttles
- HandyDARTs
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:
- Scott Road Station ○ 12501 110th Ave
- Gateway Station ○ 13401 108th Ave
- King George Station ○ 9904 King George Blvd
- Surrey Central Station ○ 10278 135th St
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.
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
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
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
Seeing Canada: Stanley Park & the Spice Trail
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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Land Acknowledgement
We would like to acknowledge that the lands on which we work, play and learn, are on the unceded shared territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), and SEMYOME (Semiahmoo) nations.
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