Vancouver public transit: Compass Card, U-Pass BC, and fare zones

Compass Card: the card you pay with TransLink's entire system (SkyTrain, buses, SeaBus) runs on the Compass Card, or you can tap your debit/credit card or phone wallet directly on the validators. Register your card online to protect your balance if you lose it. U-Pass BC: the universal pass for students If you study at one of the 10 participating institutions in Metro Vancouver — UBC, SFU, BCIT, Langara, Capilano University, Emily Carr, Vancouver Community College, Douglas College, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, or Nicola Valley Institute of Technology — U-Pass BC gives you unlimited access to the entire TransLink system. It costs $47.85 a month (about $191.40 a term) and at most of these institutions it's mandatory for all full-time students, with few exceptions (like fully distance-based programs). It loads directly onto your Compass Card each month — request it at upassbc.translink.ca. If your institution doesn't participate, or you'd rather pay by zone Regular monthly passes are priced by zone: 1 zone $117.20, 2 zones $156.70, 3 zones $211.65 a month (rates as of July 2026). Zone 1 covers downtown Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and part of Richmond. Zone 2 includes Delta, North Van, West Van, part of Surrey, and Coquitlam. Zone 3 covers the outermost areas like Langley, Maple Ridge, and Pitt Meadows. Timing tip: after 6:30pm on weekdays, and all day Saturdays, Sundays, and statutory holidays, the entire network charges a 1-zone fare no matter how far you travel — useful if you can shift your travel times.