Simon Fraser University is located in the city of Burnaby, a sister city to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Flight destination is Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
US citizens be sure to have a current passport. (If you don't, then apply now, to allow for possible delays.)
The airport is located south of Vancouver.
SFU is located to the east of Vancouver and is about a 50 minute drive from the airport.
Allow an hour -- and significantly more during rush periods.
If not renting a car, you will need to take a taxi or limosine from the airport.
See the Accommodations page for hotel options.
For driving map and directions see mapquest.com.
To get directions from the airport to SFU Guest Accomodations, specify:
Starting location/Place name: YVR
Ending location/Address or Intersection: W Campus Rd, Burnaby BC
or for alternative off-campus hotel
Ending location/Place name: Executive Hotels&Resorts Address: 405 North Rd, Coquitlam, BC V3K 3V9
Compare:
The shortest distance may take you directly through downtown Vancouver or through south Vancouver/Burnaby.
The shortest time may bypass both Vancouver and Burnaby to the south.
Arrving at SFU on Gagliardi Way, directly ahead, you will see the 24-hour Information and Security Office.
You can park temporarily in front. Go in and ask directions to the Guest Accommodations Office.
The Guest Accommodations Office is in Residences Administration Building A, to the south-east of the Residences parking lot. Arrange for a visitor parking permit at the Guest Accomodations check-in desk. The cost of the parking permit is $5.50/day.
This permit would be valid ONLY for the Residences parking lot. If you need to park temporarily in other designated vistor parking areas on campus, please be aware that you will need to purchase a ticket from an automatic dispenser at that site. Do not park anywhere on campus without a valid ticket or permit for the specific location.
See the SFU Maps page.
Note that check-in is from 3:00 PM until midnight. Guests arriving outside that time interval must contact the Guest Accommodations Office in advance to make special arrangements.
A suggestion for a nice easy walk is the trail to Burnaby Mountain Park where there is an unobstructed view toward Vancouver and also vantages facing north towards the mountains, and overlooking Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm. On the north side of University Way at about the point where W Campus Rd intersects, a level foot trail leads off to the west. The round trip between the Simon Hotel and the park is about 2 km. The trail divides a short way along, but both branches end up at the park. Do not leave the trail to the north, as there are hidden precipices.
The following booklet contains a broad collection of visitor information -- on-campus restaurants etc.:
• IRMACS Visitor Information Booklet (pdf)