Amelia HallI once took a city tour while traveling abroad that was a total disaster. The guide barely looked up from their phone, rushed us through every stop, and offered little more than bored commentary. By the end, I was cold, grumpy, and done with tours.
Since then, I’ve stuck to self-guided exploring. But when my partner asked me to help look for a tour operator for his visiting relatives next year, I knew I couldn’t leave it to chance. Vancouver deserves better than the kind of experience I had.
Determined to find the best tour operators in Vancouver, I talked to previous tour joiners, reached out to operators, and even joined some tours. The ones below stood out for all the right reasons—engaging guides, thoughtful pacing, and actually good itineraries.
How much does it cost to take a tour with a tour operator in Vancouver?
It costs at least 20 CAD to take a tour with a tour operator in Vancouver.
This price is just an estimate. The actual cost will vary depending on the type of tour, the tour operator’s fees, and more.
1. Historical Chinatown Tours
Address: 209 E Pender St
Contact Details: +1 604-418-8560
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 10 PM
Judy runs Historical Chinatown Tours, and she’s quite the expert—a historian, chef, activist, and big fan of dumplings. Her love for Chinatown and her ties to Vancouver really shine during her tours.
The Historical Chinatown Group Tour is her most popular tour. For more than two hours, Judy takes you through colorful streets, old buildings, family shops and the ins and outs of Chinatown.
I really enjoyed checking out Vancouver’s first authentic Chinese tea shop. The history of the place was interesting, but the friendly personalities and knowledge of the tea staff really made it special.
That aside, my favorite tour here is the Chinatown Walk, Historic Talk & Dim Sum tour. You get the full historical background along with a yummy dim sum lunch.
However, it’s a good idea to make your booking early as she can be hard to contact during peak hours.
She brings the history of Chinatown to life with heart and humour
“Chinatown Girl is a must-do in Vancouver!
Judy is incredibly knowledgeable, warm, and passionate—she brings the history of Chinatown to life with heart and humour. The tour is full of hidden gems and powerful stories that make you see the neighbourhood in a whole new way. Highly recommend!”
–S Bath, Google Reviews
Had a fantastic time at the Historical Chinatown Tours
“Our organization had a fantastic time at the Historical Chinatown Tours. Some of our staff feedback included: I had a wonderful time, and learned a lot about Chinatown and the history and struggles of Chinese immigrants. As an immigrant myself, it felt very meaningful to see just how much people had to struggle for what we now sometimes take for granted. I loved the tea tasting as well, and feel more attached to protecting Chinatown’s history. The connection to local history was significant and inspiring. It also sparked an idea for a possible music collaboration. I’m considering the possibility of rehearsing in the Chang Building or another historic location in Chinatown to enhance the cultural experience. I had such a great time that I’m bringing my family to Chinatown this weekend. All the activities we did were memorable and fun–and just fantastic!”
–Kam Kulewski, Google Reviews
2. Vancouver Foodie Tours
Address: 1494 Old Bridge St
Contact Details: +1 604-295-8844
Operating Hours:
Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 5 PM
Saturday & Sunday – 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Vancouver Foodie Tours, the brainchild of founder Michelle Ng, has earned a spot as one of Forbes’ Top 10 City Tours, and after experiencing it firsthand, I can see why.
The Granville Island Market Tour is their crown jewel—a two-hour journey through one of Canada’s most famous public markets. I was absolutely chuffed with the VIP access to 10+ food destinations.
From the creamy selections at Benton Brothers Cheese to the melt-in-your-mouth BC smoked salmon and that heavenly Lee’s Honey Dip Donut—I was glad I was wearing stretchy pants that day.
I also appreciate that the guides aren’t just knowledgeable—they’re proper foodies themselves, offering insider info about the different dishes you’re trying. And the tours go on rain or shine.
My only beef with them? These tours sell out faster than hotcakes, making spontaneous plans nearly impossible. So, you’ll need to book well in advance, especially during the summer months.
We really enjoyed the variety of tastings
“My husband and I attended the Granville Island Public Market tour. We really enjoyed the variety of tastings from a thoughtfully curated array of vendors. Nolan, our guide, was informative and enthusiastic and I appreciated the insight he was able to provide. I would highly recommend going on this tour (whether you’ve been to the Granville market before or not). We had a really great time! Thank you!”
–Laura E Google Review
The individual tasting portions were just enough to fill us up
“Had a great time during our Granville Island Public Market Food Tour! Great spread of treats to try ranging from charcuterie to handheld desserts. The individual tasting portions were just enough to fill us up by the end of the tour. Our guide, Nolan, was very knowledgeable about every vendor! Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone interested in learning more about Vancouver’s local food scene.“
–Izzy Cheung Google Review
3. Toonie Tours Vancouver
Address: 123 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V6B 4R3, Canada
Contact Details: +1 778-244-8648
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 4:30 PM
Toonie Tours Vancouver tipping model makes their free Vancouver Walking tour affordable for everyone. During this tour, I got to hear the famous Steam Clock’s chimes, but also learn the history behind Vancouver’s original settlement.
My only complaint is that during the busy summer months, the free tours can get pretty crowded, making it tough to hear everything or ask questions.
But even with that little issue, Toonie Tours offers great value and their guides are spot-on every time.
Now, if you’re looking to see more, I’d say their Vancouver City Bike Tour is a great option. I loved that the pace was chill, allowing for plenty of stops, which is perfect for those who love snapping photos or digging into history.
The Stanley Park Bike Tour takes it even further, letting you explore the park’s forest areas—and if you’re into culture and craft beer, the Street Art & Craft Beer tour is the way to go.
From start to finish, the experience was top-notch
“Absolutely Fantastic Tour with Alexis!
We just finished a wonderful three-hour tour in Vancouver with Alexis, a guide originally from Mexico who has been living here for many years. From start to finish, the experience was top-notch. Alexis was full of insights—not just about the history and architecture of Vancouver, but also about local life, where to eat, places to visit (and avoid), and his personal favorite spots around the city. What stood out most was his friendly and approachable manner. He kept a great pace—not too fast, not too slow—and was always attentive to the group, making sure everyone felt included and comfortable. Time flew by, and it never felt like a long tour. If you’re planning to visit Vancouver and are considering a guided tour, I highly recommend booking with this company and requesting Alexis if you can. He truly made our experience memorable. 100% recommended!”
–Eduardo Diaz Google Reviews
Our tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly
“We had a great tour with Samuel walking the streets of Vancouver. Went into a number of buildings that we otherwise would have walked by. Didn’t feel like 3 hours. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly and had plenty of tips on where to eat and other things to do and see. Would highly recommend“
–Kieran Potter Google Reviews
4. Bestcan Tours
Address: 4000 Number 3 Rd #6060, Richmond, BC V6X 0J8, Canada
Contact Details: +1 604-276-0600
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 9 PM
BestCan Tours has quickly become my top pick for group travel in Vancouver, especially if you’re after comfort and flexibility. Specializing in school trips, corporate outings, and community groups, they know how to keep everyone happy and organized.
They offer convenient cruise and airport transfers with an Impressive fleet—modern mini coaches, Mercedes Sprinters, and even a Tesla Model X.
Their tours are just as impressive. I loved how efficient their Private Vancouver Classic Half Day Tour was—Stanley Park, Gastown’s Steam Clock, and Granville Island Market all in a few hours, with plenty of time for photos.
The Signature Day Tour ups the ante with the Capilano Suspension Bridge, while the Vancouver-Victoria Day Tour lets you soak in Butchart Gardens’ blooms and Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
No matter what tour you choose, you’ll find as I did that the guides are friendly, professional, and genuinely passionate.
My only gripe? With so many options and customizations, it can be a bit overwhelming to choose the right tour, especially for indecisive travellers.
All tours were absolutely interesting and got the best of photos
“We absolutely had the best time in Canada, thanks to Bestcan Tours Services, together with the group’s assigned guide, Kamran!! We were greeted by Rose at Vancouver International Airport and had a total of four tours with the said company. The tours were Victoria – British Columbia’s capital city (whole day), Whistler and Squamish (whole day), Grouse Mountain and Capilano (whole day) and half day tour of the city of Vancouver. All tours were absolutely interesting and got the best of photos :-). Bestcan Tours are surely highly recommended!!“
–Christopher Spiteri Google Reviews
Strongly recommended if u are thinking about going on a day trip
“We had a great day trip to salmon watch , Harrison spring and Maan farm. Our tour guild is amazing. We love how he would direct us to the washroom🥰 before we get off the bus and the nearest place to grab a quick bite. Strongly recommended if u are thinking about going on a day trip, it’s children and senior friendly trip. We met at 9am and came back around 6pm. Make sure to dress up warm, the salmon watch is in the mountain. It’s good to find someone to share the ice cream, it’s a BIG portion.”
–Mochaabs Google Reviews
5. Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours
Address: 207 W Hastings St #1412
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 8 PM
Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours’ tour guides are excellent storytellers. They mix theater and history to take you on a trip through Vancouver’s dark past that you won’t soon forget—at least, I didn’t.
I was totally hooked on the Lost Souls of Gastown tour. Hearing about the Great Fire and the smallpox problems that shaped early Vancouver, plus the unsolved murder mysteries, kept me interested the whole time.
Walking with a guide dressed in a period costume down cobblestone streets only added to the cool vibes.
Their Forbidden Vancouver Tour dives into the city’s prohibition era. Many people love how they bring the stories of mobsters, speakeasies and bootleggers to life with their knowledge of the “blind pigs” and rum-running routes—all delivered with theatrical flair.
While they are more expensive than your average Vancouver tour, I thought it was absolutely worth every penny for the theatrical quality and historical depth.
Not only was it informative it was interactive and theatrical
“We enjoyed the Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tour, Lost Souls of Gastown with guide Amy Lee. Not only was it informative it was interactive and theatrical, providing a background, context and history of this complex area of Vancouver. It was great for our 16- and 13-year-olds along with mom and dad. The tour was about 1 ½ hours and we walked over most of Gastown. A great way to spend an evening in Vancouver.”
–Robert Bean, Google Reviews
Highly recommend and would definitely use this tour company again
“Such a fun and interesting tour! Our guide, Glenn, took us through parts of the city that we would never have found on our own. He was an excellent storyteller sharing unique Vancouver history and architecture along the way. Highly recommend and would definitely use this tour company again on a return trip to the city!”
–Karen F, Google Reviews
