Alan ‘Bo’ BorensteinWhen it comes to exploring Vancouver, nothing beats the expertise of seasoned tour operators. So, when our family decided to plan our dream vacation, we did what any savvy traveler would do – we reached out to the local experts.
And let us tell you, the travel community grapevine is strong! Once word got out, we were inundated with recommendations from experienced travelers and tour enthusiasts. It was a whirlwind of calls, emails, and personal testimonials.
Instead of getting overwhelmed, we dove in headfirst. After sifting through countless reviews and compiling detailed notes, we created this: the ultimate guide to the top-rated tour operators in Vancouver. Here’s who made the cut and why!
| How Much Do Tour Operators Charge in Vancouver? Tour operators in Vancouver will set you back between $390 and $2,600 per tour, depending on the length of the tour, activities included, and level of luxury accommodations. Additional costs associated with these tours may include meals, transportation, and entrance fees to attractions. |
How we chose the Best Tour Operators in Vancouver
1. Historical Chinatown Tours
Address: 209 E Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2T4, Canada
Phone: +1 604-418-8560
Business hours: Open seven days a week: 9am to 10pm
You can find a Chinatown in nearly every big city, including Vancouver. What better way to experience this unique culture and cuisine than with Chinatowngirl?
Judy Lam Maxwell is the owner and operator of this culinary-heritage business. She specializes in Chinatowns around the world and dumplings. What’s more, she completed an MA in History from the University of British Columbia.
Judy is also a board member of numerous Chinatown organizations: the Vancouver Chinatown Revitalization Committee, the Chinatown Society Heritage Building Associations, and most recently the Chinatown Advisory Committee to the Mayor and City Councillors.
At first, we thought these qualifications were intimidating, but Judy knew everyone and made us feel so welcomed. We took her Chinatown Walk, Historic Talk & Dim Sum.
It was a really enjoyable experience … with our knowledgeable guide. As an activist and leader for this community, Judy has forged relationships that provide her tour with access to important places that most visitors wouldn’t know existed and certainly could not gain access to on their own. We were inspired to also book her dumpling-making class!
With @chinatowngirl as our guide, we also had the privilege of watching elders play mahjong and we learned about the struggles and resilience that have shaped Chinatown’s history. Make sure that you book early as she can be hard to reach during peak hours.
Pros
- Historic Chinatown Tours earned the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award of 2024
- Friendly tour guide
- Dumpling-making session
- Was featured in the New York Times, Vancouver Sun, and PBS
Cons
- It can be hard to book during peak hours
Customer Reviews
Factual, rooted-in-the community, and interactive tour
“This was such a delightful tour! Judy provided us with a quick foundation of history and then gave a thorough tour of Chinatown and its businesses and residents. We especially appreciated her access to the many association buildings that provide the heart of community and connection for long-standing residents of Chinatown. If you want a factual, rooted-in-the community, and interactive tour, book with Judy!”
-Allison H, Google Review
10/10 recommend this fun experience!
“We took the Masterclass Dumplings course with Judy and had a great time. We started out with a brief discussion about the history of Chinatown and then took a walking tour of the main streets. During this, Judy pointed out so many new restaurants for us to try, as well as some hidden gems we never would have known were there (speakeasys!). After this, we had the entire cafe to ourselves and created, and ate, some delicious dumplings. 10/10 recommend this fun experience!”-Hannah, Google Review
2. Discover Canada Tours
Address: 636 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC V6C 2G2, Canada
Phone: +1 604-689-8128
Business hours: Monday to Saturday: 9am to 5:30pm
Discover Canada Tours is a local, family-owned company that has earned the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for several years in a row.
With 27 years of experience, they have consistently provided outstanding service and unforgettable experiences for their customers.
This tour company offers year-round travel experiences throughout Canada and the Pacific Northwest, which is fantastic for exploring a variety of destinations and activities in different seasons.
Their Vancouver tours include day trips to Whistler, Victoria, and the Malahat, with the “Discover Vancouver” tour standing out as particularly comprehensive.
Although it’s only a half-day (3.5 hours) tour, it covers nearly all the famous attractions, including Canada Place, Stanley Park, False Creek, and more.
While their tours are conducted in English, custom or private tours can often accommodate other languages upon request.
Overall, we highly recommend Discover Canada Tours for a well-rounded exploration of Vancouver and its surrounding areas.
Pros
- Consistent recipient of the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award
- Year-round travel experiences throughout Canada and the Pacific Northwest
- Able to accommodate pets on tours
Cons
- Tours only in EnglishChildren under six years old not allowed to join
Customer Reviews
Very professional
“Completely recommend this tour and this tour company. Very professional…”
-Ms. Pickering, Google Review
Very informative and fun
“Fantastic tour! Ian and Natasha are the best! Very informative and fun…”
-Mr. Israel, Google Review
3. ToursByLocals
Address: 1112 W Pender St Suite 500, Vancouver, BC V6E 4E6, Canada
Phone: +1 604-777-4141
Business hours: Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
In operation since November 2008, ToursByLocals connects travelers with knowledgeable local guides, offering a personal touch to your travel experience.
The company impressively has 15 guides that offer a variety of activities in the city. Most of these tours can help you explore the city like a local, whether you prefer half-day or a full-day.
Each guide is carefully selected for their expertise, ensuring you can rely on their deep knowledge and unique insights. They bring their own skills and passions to each tour, making every experience special.
The tours highlight Vancouver’s stunning west coast environment and vibrant culture, with visits to downtown Vancouver, Granville Island, Grouse Mountain, and various neighborhoods.
One great aspect is their transparency with pricing, though we did find the rates a bit steep.
Nevertheless, each tour is private and customizable to your needs, ensuring a tailored and enriching experience. ToursByLocals makes it easy and enjoyable to get the most out of your visit to Vancouver.
Pros
- Tours led by locals
- Transparent pricing
Cons
- Relatively pricey
Customer Reviews
Excellent tour guide
“Tours by Locals makes traveling a breeze! Cory was an excellent tour guide and we had the best day ever!…”
-Ms. Erb, Google Review
Good communication
“Pre tour communication was excellent. The tour itself which was a full day was better than excellent (is that possible)…”
-Ms. Koufax, Google Review
4. West Trek Tours
Address: 636 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC V6C 2G2, Canada
Phone: +1 604-689-8128
Business hours: Monday to Sunday: 9am to 5:30pm
With 25 years of experience, West Trek, a division of Discover Canada Tours acquired in 2018, offers a wide range of tours. Their destinations include Vancouver, Whistler, Tofino, Victoria, Vancouver Island, and the Okanagan Valley.
What sets them apart is their unique integration of activities in their tours, like playing hockey, attending BBQ parties, singing songs around a campfire, visiting local pubs, and more.
We believe this provides an excellent introduction to Canadian history, culture, and nature. While you might not spend a lot of time in each town, you get to visit many diverse locations.
Additionally, they offer a variety of room-sharing options to make their tours more affordable.
Another thing we liked is that they have a “West Trek Social Club,” wherein you can sign up for social activities like club nights in downtown Vancouver, boat parties, tickets to see the Vancouver Canucks, and many more.
Overall, we’re impressed with the range of experiences offered by West Trek Tours and would highly recommend them for anyone looking to explore Canada in a fun and affordable way.
Pros
- All tour prices include taxes
- Integrates local activities in tours
Cons
- Limited time to visit each landmark
Customer Reviews
Great introduction to Canadian history
“A wonderful experience. A great introduction to Canadian history, culture and nature.You don’t get a whole lot of time in the towns, but you get to go to a lot of places…”
-Ms. Tsakonas, Google Review
Humorous guides
“Great experience! I totally recommend this trip!! Natalia was so funny. And she recommended good places for good view and gave us many information about rocky…”
-Ms. Quiet, Google Review
5. Dominion Tours Inc.
Address: 3938 Kitchener St, Burnaby, BC V5C 3M2, Canada
Phone: +1 604-298-5995
Business hours: Monday to Sunday: 8am to 5pm
With over 30 years of experience in leading Spanish-speaking tourism in Western Canada, Dominion Tours organizes excursions throughout Vancouver and Victoria, as well as tours of the Rocky Mountains, Alberta, Yukon, and even Alaskan cruises.
They offer a full range of both half-day and full-day tours for those wishing to explore Vancouver and its surrounding attractions.
We appreciated their fleet of vehicles that provide flexible charter solutions tailored to your needs. Options range from 5-passenger cars and 11-seat vans to spacious buses accommodating 20 or 24 passengers.
However, it’s important to note that all their tours are led by Spanish-speaking guides, so if you prefer tours in English, this might not be the best option for you.
Despite this, they conveniently arrange hotel pick-ups and drop-offs for clients in the Vancouver Downtown area.
In conclusion, we highly recommend Dominion Tours for their diverse fleet options and convenient transportation arrangements, provided you are comfortable with Spanish-speaking guides.
Pros
- Provides hotel pick-ups and drop-offs in downtown Vancouver
- Has own fleet of tour vehicles
Cons
- No English tours available
Customer Reviews
Cordial and attentive guides
“We have done the Vancouver Tour with the guide Lucas and the truth is that he has been very cordial and attentive…”
-Mr. Albalata, Google Review
Punctual and friendly guides
“Excellent service. The guides (Gerardo, Luis, Carlo, Cristina) are super punctual and friendly…”
-Mr. Pap, Google Review
6. Key West Travel & Tours Ltd.
Address: 909 W Cordova St, Vancouver, BC V6C 0A7, Canada
Phone: +1 604-632-3757
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 9;30am to 5pm
Key West Travel & Tours is a Vancouver-based tour operator specializing in the Canadian Rockies and Western Canada. They offer a wide selection of itineraries that highlight the best of Canada’s West.
We were immediately impressed by the flexibility of their itineraries, which allow you to add optional activities if desired. Their hiking and walking components are leisurely, enabling you to explore the Canadian Rockies at your own pace.
Additionally, their tours can be combined with other exciting travel options, including cruises and rail packages!
However, we found it somewhat limiting that their Vancouver tours only include Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge. We would have liked more options to explore the city and its surrounding areas.
Nevertheless, we were excited about the possibility of customizing our itinerary with additional activities and extending your trip to include more sights in Vancouver.
Overall, we found their flexible approach to travel planning to be a major selling point, making Key West Travel & Tours one of the best tour operators in Vancouver.
Pros
- Flexible itineraries
- Relatively affordable tours
Cons
- Limited city sightseeing opportunities
Customer Reviews
Lovely accommodations and well-planned itineraries
“We had a Great Trip!! We used KeyWest to travel the Rocky Mountains in Western Canada. The Accommodations were Lovely the trip itinerary was well planned…”
-Ms. Maxwell, Google Review
Great experience from start to finish
“Great experience from start to finish. All went so smoothly and Brad is so professional, knowledgable and always there for us…”
-Ms. Ngeh, Google Review
