by Alison Heathcote – Published: May, 2026

Coach from Vancouver to Whistler 

This article is a part of my Writing Retreat suite of posts. There are others from years before and some more to come this year. 

What is a Writing Retreat?

In essence a writing retreat is when you go away and do some writing. 

It can be with a group, with friends or by yourself. 

Last year I went with a friend and this year I’m going alone. 

This was to be our second annual writing retreat and that is what I’m still calling it. 

Spring

We have always planned our writing retreats for in the spring or to be precise in the month of May. 

This proves to be a great time as we are out of the grip of winter and have not yet hit the heat of summer. 

Coach

This year I am going to take the coach from Vancouver to Whistler. 

I booked my seat a month beforehand with Skylynx and you can see it here.

I also printed it out on paper so the bus driver can scan it as I enter the coach. 

Route

The road to Whistler is on the N99 otherwise poetically known as the “Sea to Sky” Highway. 

Luggage

You can out your luggage in the hold of the coach.

Be aware that things in the hold will slide around down there so I would avoid putting your computer or laptop or camera in the hold. 

Use a city bag or a backpack to keep your computer and electronics safe and in the upper cabin with you. 

This time I had my Herschell backpack 

What to have in the Cabin

There are some things that make sense to have on you for the coach journey. 

On the Coach

In the bus carry your:

• Ticket
• Laptop
• Phone
• Camera 
• Make up
• Water
• Snacks
• Wet wipes
• Notebook
• Pencil bag

In the Hold

In the hold put your suitcase containing:

• Clothes
• Shoes
• Toiletries
• Jewelry

Get Your Seat Spot

Location, location, location

I sat in the second row at the front and on the left.

The left side is the side where the ocean is, so the views are slightly better. 

When I entered the bus I though it would be pretty empty but I was wrong.

As more and more people arrived to board eventually the coach was packed to capacity and a woman sat next to me.

The smell of bacon and eggs wafted about, and I noticed that many folks were drinking coffee and munching on sandwiches they had purchased from the Tim Horton’s at the Hyatt hotel foyer. 

Time

We started off bang on 9:20am so there was no messing about there.

The journey is two hours long, but I expect it can be a bit longer when the traffic is heavy.

The coach is air conditioned and has Wi-Fi. 

There are armrests and footrest which spring down.

The bus driver was great and we arrived safely which is always a bonus. 

Stops

YVR to Whistler

The coach begins its journey at the airport in Vancouver and stops at the Hyatt Regency on Burrard Street for the main city boarding.

Go round to the back of the hotel to Melville Street and this is where I got on.

At the Whistler end there are not really any stops just the two drop off points in Whistler, Creekside and Whistler Village Center at the Gateway Loop.

Whistle Village Center

I got off at the second stop at the Whistler Village Center Gateway Loop. 

It is a modest coach terminus and right next to the Information Center. 

I went into the visitor’s center as I was not sure which way it was to my hotel although I could see it was really close by the map on my phone.

The lovely lady, Susan, at the front desk helped me to orientate myself and pointed me in the right direction. 

Walk to Hotel

After a short 5-minute walk I arrived at my hotel, the Pinnacle.

At the reception as I checked in and it was the same guy who had served us last year, the French guy. 

I did checked in but could not access my room until 2pm (which is better than the 4pm I was expecting). 

I stashed my bags with the concierge and went in search of lunch. 

Fernie Brewing Co

After a short walk towards the village, I found a restaurant and grill where I decided to sit at the bar as I was lunching alone.. 

The pleasant server brought me a glass of merlot and I enjoyed the steak burger with yam fries and mayo on the side. 

The place was half full as it was just on noon.

In teh background was loud music, however, I expect it hots up later in the day.

There were lots of families and kids eating and running riot as well. 

I spent three nights in Whistler and you can read more about that soon.

My Return Trip

Wednesday

My return was on the Wednesday.

At 7am I acquired my early morning coffee from the shop.

Around 10:30am I packed up all my belongings and went to the lobby to check out of the hotel.

It was a super sunny day.

Next, I walked the 150m to the bus stop for my return journey back to Vancouver.

Gateway Terminus

Bus Loop

The Gateway Terminus was pretty empty as the morning sun glared down hotly on the concrete.

It has eight bays for other coaches to mine but I knew that my bus would be leaving from the number 8 coach bay.

There was a rustic picnic table in the shade where I plonked myself down to await the arrival of my transport.

We were leaving at 11am.

Queuing

Slowly people began to shuffle in and mill about the bus stop.

One thing to note about bus stops in Canada is that no one lines up or queues.

They just mooch about and board in a random fashion which can be annoying as they step in front of others who have been waiting a while.

Seating

The bus pulled in and I boarded promptly.

I again took the same seat as for the outbound journey which is two rows behind the driver on the left.

This spot is slightly raised so you do get a good view.

Capacity

Everyone piled on the coach and again all the seats were taken.

Our driver, Joe, gave a few announcements and also said there was a toilet in the back of the coach which I did not know about.

That was interesting and somewhat comforting because let’s face it, you never know.

Back in Vancouver

Bridge Crossing

The drive home was eventless and smooth.

We entered the city limits lining up to cross the Lion’s Gate Bridge, which is the main bottleneck into the main urban area, at around noon.

This was where the traffic geared up to be chock-a-block as usual.

Home

Arrival

I got off, slightly creaky to be sure, so I stretched out a bit to release the kinks of the journey.

My daughter met me, lifted my suitcase from the hold.

We strolled home the three blocks to my apartment arriving at my front door at about 4:50 pm.

Bathing

First, I drew a hot bath to wash away all the real, or imagined, “travel dirt” from my body and hair.

I donned my  comfy loungewear and made a nice cup of tea.

Next, feet up watching the TV.

Bliss.

Reflections on My Coach Journeys

Ideas

I’d like to give you some ideas on how I see the good and not so good parts of travelling by coach.

Pros

Coach trips from Vancouver to Whistler can be done.

I did it for the first time not really knowing just how comfortable it was going to be.

The bus was clean and comfy.

I also noted that at the Hyatt bus stop there were other coaches offering day trips to the Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island and other trips to Squamish to the Brittania Mine Museum.

As a solo traveler I do recommend taking a coach trip because you can go to places that you’d never go to if you had to hire a car and navigate the traffic.

As someone who has not driven for 14 years the thought of navigating the fast paced roads gives me the horrors.

Cons

The bus takes about two and a half hours and makes a few stops.

You could end up sitting next to a fidgeter or some kid, but that is true of air flights as well.

If you go in a car, it only takes about one and a half hours to drive to Whistler and you can stop along the way to get coffee or the washroom.

You might think about taking a mask, covid style, as there was someone coughing and hacking in the back of the bus. Yeah.

Overarch

Journey

This journey from Vancouver to Whistler marked the beginning and end of my second annual spring writing retreat.

Travelling solo by coach along the spectacular Sea to Sky Highway, I found the experience comfortable, convenient and surprisingly relaxing.

From choosing the best seat for the coastal views to navigating Whistler Village on arrival, the trip became part of the retreat itself rather than simply a means of getting there.

Appreciation

After three peaceful days away writing, reflecting and enjoying the mountain atmosphere, I returned home with a fresh appreciation for coach travel.

While it takes a little longer than driving, the ease of sitting back and letting someone else do the work makes it an appealing option for single travelers seeking a simple and stress-free escape.

Extend Yourself

Consider

Let me put this over to you and you can ponder the following questions:

• Have you ever taken a coach or train journey just to slow down and notice the experience rather than rush to arrive?

• Do you prefer travelling alone for short creative breaks or do you like sharing the journey with someone?

• What matters more to you when you travel, comfort, speed or the views along the way?

• And if you were planning a writing retreat, where would you go and how would you get there?

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Author Bio

Alison Heathcote writes about living creatively and building a meaningful life on your own terms. Through gentle reflections on solo living, home and everyday creativity, she explores how to shape a life that feels calm, intentional and deeply your own. More