Airport Transportation to UBC | Automobile approaches to UBC Walter Gage Complex | Banking
Car Rentals | Climate | Conference Attire | Dining | Electricity | E-mail | Entry into Canada | Insurance
Medical Services | Parking | Recreation and Sports Facilities | Student Union Building | Taxis
Tour and Information Desk | University Village

Transportation from Vancouver International Airport

• Taxi: approximately $35.00 - $40.00 Canadian. Most taxis require cash payment, but some will accept credit cards.
  
  
• Limousine (maximum 7 persons): approximately $50.00 Canadian (including tax); cash and major credit cards are accepted.
  
  
• Shuttle bus to downtown: $10.00 Canadian one-way and $17.00 round trip. Departs from the airport every thirty minutes for downtown Vancouver hotels. Alight at either the Chateau Granville or the Best Western Downtown, both on Granville Street. On the west side of Granville Street, board the #10 or the #4 bus, both of which will take you to UBC. The current fare is $2.00 Canadian; exact change is required.
  
  
• Local bus #98 (B-line Express): departs from the airport regularly. Transfer at Broadway and Granville (on the north side of Broadway, just west of Granville Street) to either the #99 (B-line Express) #10, #4, or #9 westbound to UBC. The current fare from the airport to UBC is $3.00 Canadian; exact change is required and a transfer should be requested from the driver.
  
  

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Automobile approaches to UBC Walter Gage Complex, 5961 Student Union Blvd.

From Vancouver International Airport:

Follow Grant McConachie Way over the Arthur Laing Bridge and take the Granville Street exit off ramp. From Granville Street, turn left onto West 70th Avenue; West 70th Avenue becomes Southwest Marine Drive. After approx. 15 km (10 miles), turn right (east) onto 16th Avenue (following the directional sign to Vancouver). At the second traffic light, turn left at Gate 10 onto Wesbrook Mall; after two traffic lights, turn left at Gate 2 onto Student Union Boulevard, and turn right immediately into Walter Gage Residence.

From Washington State:

Take Highway 99 into Vancouver (Hwy 99 becomes Oak Street) and turn left onto 41st Avenue, which merges into Southwest Marine Drive. Approximately 10 km (6 miles) from the merge, turn right (east) onto 16th Avenue (following the directional sign to Vancouver). At the second traffic light, turn left at Gate 10 onto Wesbrook Mall; after two traffic lights, turn left at Gate 2 onto Student Union Boulevard, and turn right immediately into Walter Gage Residence.

From Central British Columbia:

Take the Trans-Canada Highway #1 and exit at Grandview Highway exit (Exit 28B). Grandview Highway becomes 12th Avenue, which becomes West 10th Avenue. West 10th Avenue then becomes University Boulevard, turn right at Gate 1 onto Wesbrook Mall, then turn left at Gate 2 onto Student Union Boulevard and turn right immediately into Walter Gage Residence.

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Banking

The Bank of Montreal (MasterCard), located in the University Village (Gate 2), provides banking and exchange facilities, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday to Thursday, and 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Friday. A branch of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (Visa) is located in the University Village and is open 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday to Thursday, and 10:00 am ­ 5:00pm Friday. Both banks are equipped with 24-hour automated teller machines. Some banks in the city may be open on Saturdays; however, all banks in the city are closed on Sunday.

Automated teller machines (ATMs) are available in the lobby of The Gage Towers, the Student Union Building, and at the two banks and the University Pharmacy in the University Village.

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Car Rentals

All major rental agencies have offices at the Airport and in Vancouver.

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Climate

During June/July, day-time temperatures are usually in the range of 20 to 26 degrees Celsius (about 68 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit). Occasional rain should be expected. For evenings, sweaters or jackets may be needed. For more up-to-date weather information, log on to the Tourism Vancouver website at http://www.tourismvancouver.org/

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Conference Attire

Informal Dress is appropriate for all meetings and social events.

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Dining

Everyone is encouraged to eat together in the Pacific Spirit Place Cafeteria in the Student Union Building. After the course you will find that Vancouver shows its ethnic diversity with a wealth of restaurants for every taste and budget. Dining guides for both on and off campus locations are available in the Gage Towers Lobby.

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Electricity

Throughout Canada, electricity is 120V, 60 Hz.

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E-mail

You may access your e-mail at Internet stations on the main floor of the Student Union Building, opposite Walter Gage Residence.

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Entry into Canada

US citizens or permanent residents of the US can usually cross the border without difficulty. However, visitors should carry identification, such as a passport and/or birth or naturalization certificate, as proof of citizenship may be required (a driver's license is NOT accepted as proof of citizenship). US citizens must bring US passport for US reentry. All other international visitors require a valid passport, and some visitors may need a tourist visa. For up to date information, please see the Government of Canada website. If you are one of the company representatives, please also look at our customs page. Be sure to consult the Canadian Embassy or Consulate in your own country well in advance of travel to ensure that the appropriate documentation is obtained. More information about determining Canada entry and visa requirements can be found at this specific page of the Government of Canada website .

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Insurance

Liability insurance is the responsibility of each individual delegate. The Canadian Medical Health Insurance Plan does not cover visitors to Canada; therefore delegates should have their own medical coverage.

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Medical Services

Emergency treatment is available at the University Hospital located on campus (See also under Insurance).

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Parking

Limited free parking is available for delegates staying in Walter Gage Residence. Ample paid parking is provided in visitor parking lots and parkades on campus for $1.25 (plus taxes) per half hour in the parkades, up to a maximum of $12.50/day (plus taxes). After 5:00 pm there is a flat rate of $3.00 (plus taxes). More economical parking is available in surface parking lots with coin and/or credit card operated entry. Overnight parking of recreational vehicles is not permitted on campus.

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Recreation and Sports Facilities

The campus is home to various attractions, including the world-renowned Museum of Anthropology, Botanical Gardens and sports facilities. Brochures and schedules are available at The Gage Towers Front Desk and at the Conference Registration Desk.

• Golf: The University Golf Course is an 18 hole public course within 15 minutes walking distance of campus; equipment rental is available.
  
  
• Fitness: The Student Recreation Centre has a fully equipped fitness centre that conference delegates may use on a drop in fee basis.
  
  
• Swimming: The Aquatic Centre, with indoor and outdoor pools, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, is located next to the Student Union Building.
  
  
• Walking and Hiking: Pacific Spirit Park is a wilderness area surrounding the campus to the south and east. Many well-marked trails provide hikes throughout the forest area. Some also allow biking. Several beaches are also within easy walking distance of the campus.
  
  

Outdoor recreation equipment, including bicycles, kayaks and camping gear, is available for rent on campus.

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Student Union Building

• Dining: The Pacific Spirit Place Cafeteria, The Pendulum, Blue Chip Cookies, The Pit Pub, Pie R Squared Pizza, Snack Attack, The Delly, The Moon Noodle Bar.
  
  
• Shops and Concessions: Subcetera for newspapers, candy, stamps etc. The Outpost shop for souvenirs, stationary, photo supplies.
  
  
• Services: Ticketmaster ticket centre (theatre and event tickets, bus tickets and passes), CopyRight (full and self-service copy facilities), Travel Cuts travel agency, Canada Post Office and a hair salon.
  
  

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Taxis

Taxis are readily available in front of The Gage Towers. There is also a direct taxi telephone line in The Gage Towers Lobby.

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Tour and Information Desk

Located in the lobby of the Walter Gage Residence, our Tour and Information Desk will have all the information needed to arrange sightseeing tours, restaurant reservations and transportation. No one will be staffing the desk during the time of the 3D Microscopy Course but it will have brochures and a phone available to easily make arrangements directly with the tour company. For advance information on Vancouver and BC Tourism please visit the BC Tourism Web site at http://www.travel.bc.ca, or contact them by phone at (604) 683-2000 or by fax at (604) 682-6839.

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University Village

At the entrance to the UBC campus on University Boulevard (outside Gate 1) is a small shopping centre, within easy (five minutes) walking distance of Walter Gage Residence, which includes two banks, Bank of Montreal and CIBC (the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce), pharmacy, photocopying service, dry cleaner, computer facilities, small grocery stores, and various fast food outlets and restaurants.

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Visas

See under "Entry into Canada".

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