Overview
Metrotown is an urban neighbourhood and designated town centre within the City of Burnaby, located in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia. Positioned roughly midway between downtown Vancouver and New Westminster, it has evolved from a suburban commercial strip into one of the densest residential and retail districts in the region.
The area is anchored by Metropolis at Metrotown, one of the largest shopping malls in Canada by retail area. Beyond the mall, Metrotown is characterised by high-rise residential towers, a busy transit hub, and a notably multicultural community with strong East Asian and South Asian populations reflected in local restaurants, grocery stores, and businesses.
While Metrotown is not a heritage-heavy destination in the traditional sense, it functions as a highly practical and well-connected base for travellers exploring Metro Vancouver. Its SkyTrain station places downtown Vancouver, Richmond, and Surrey within easy reach without a car.
Before You Go
Visas and Entry
Metrotown is in Canada, so standard Canadian entry requirements apply. For visa and entry information specific to your nationality, visit TravelerPulse's Visas section and check the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
Weather
Metrotown shares Vancouver's temperate oceanic climate. Summers (June–August) are warm and relatively dry, with temperatures typically in the high teens to mid-twenties Celsius. Winters are mild but rainy and grey, with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing at valley level. Pack a rain layer if visiting between October and April.
What to Bring
- A reusable transit card (Compass Card) saves time and money on TransLink buses and SkyTrain
- Comfortable walking shoes — the area is very walkable once you arrive
- An umbrella or packable rain jacket for shoulder and winter months
Getting There
By Air
The nearest airport is Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in Richmond. The Canada Line SkyTrain connects YVR to downtown Vancouver; from there, transfer to the Expo Line toward New Westminster and alight at Metrotown Station. Verify current journey times and schedules on the TransLink website before travel.
By SkyTrain
Metrotown Station is on TransLink's Expo Line, making it one of the most transit-accessible points in the region. Frequent trains run between Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver and Metrotown throughout the day and into the evening. Check TransLink's trip planner at translink.ca for current schedules.
By Bus
Multiple bus routes serve the Metrotown area, connecting it to surrounding Burnaby neighbourhoods, Coquitlam, and New Westminster. The bus loop adjacent to Metrotown Station is a major regional hub.
By Car
Metrotown is accessible via Kingsway (Highway 1A) and is close to Highway 1 (Trans-Canada). Be aware that parking at and around Metropolis at Metrotown can be congested on weekends. Paid underground parking is available at the mall; verify current rates locally.
Getting Around
Metrotown's core area — the mall, adjacent parks, and commercial streets — is compact and walkable from the SkyTrain station. Kingsway, the main commercial artery, is lined with restaurants, grocery stores, and services within walking distance.
For reaching points beyond the immediate neighbourhood, TransLink's SkyTrain and bus network is the most practical option. A Compass Card (reloadable transit card) can be purchased at SkyTrain stations and used across all TransLink modes. Fares are zone-based; verify current pricing at translink.ca.
Ride-hailing services (Uber and Lyft both operate in Metro Vancouver) and taxis are available. Cycling infrastructure in Burnaby has expanded in recent years; verify current bike route maps through the City of Burnaby's website.
Things to See & Do
Metropolis at Metrotown
The mall is the neighbourhood's defining feature — one of Canada's largest by gross leasable area. It contains hundreds of stores, a multi-screen cinema, food court, and numerous sit-down dining options. For many visitors, particularly those who enjoy retail therapy or are travelling with families, it is reason enough to visit.
Central Park (Burnaby)
Immediately north of Metrotown Station lies Central Park, Burnaby's largest municipal park. It features forested walking and jogging trails, a pitch-and-putt golf course, lawn bowling, tennis courts, a fitness trail, and an outdoor pool (open seasonally — verify hours with the City of Burnaby). The park offers a genuine green escape a short walk from the urban density of the mall district.
Bonsor Recreation Complex
Located near the Metrotown area, Bonsor Recreation Complex offers a swimming pool, fitness facilities, and programming run by the City of Burnaby. It is a useful amenity for travellers on longer stays who want to maintain fitness routines. Verify current hours and access fees directly with the facility.
Kingsway Exploration
Kingsway running through Metrotown is a good stretch for independent restaurant browsing, Asian grocery shopping, and observing everyday Burnaby life. It lacks landmark sights but rewards curious, slow-paced walkers.
Food & Drink
Metrotown has a strong and genuine food scene driven largely by its multicultural residential base rather than tourism. The concentration of East Asian cuisine — Cantonese, Szechuan, Shanghainese, Korean, and Japanese — is a real highlight, with numerous independent restaurants along Kingsway and inside the mall.
The food court inside Metropolis at Metrotown is notably more diverse than typical North American mall food courts and is a practical, affordable option. Surrounding streets have additional standalone restaurants ranging from Vietnamese pho shops and Korean barbecue to bubble tea cafés and dim sum houses.
For groceries and specialty ingredients, several large Asian supermarkets operate in or near Metrotown — including T&T Supermarket inside Metropolis — making self-catering easy for visitors staying in suites with kitchen access.
- Budget: Food court stalls, pho and noodle shops, Korean fast-casual
- Mid-range: Independent Chinese, Japanese, and Korean sit-down restaurants on Kingsway
- Coffee and cafés: Multiple bubble tea chains and independent cafés throughout the area
Alcohol is sold in government liquor stores (BC Liquor Stores) and licensed grocery stores. Bars and licensed restaurants are present but this is not a nightlife-focused district.
Shopping
Shopping is the primary draw for many visitors to Metrotown. Metropolis at Metrotown anchors the district and includes a wide range of Canadian and international retailers, from fast fashion chains and mid-range department stores to electronics, cosmetics, and specialty goods.
Beyond the mall, Kingsway and adjacent streets host independent retailers, Asian grocery stores, beauty supply shops, and home goods stores that reflect the neighbourhood's demographic character. These independent businesses are where the more distinctive local shopping happens.
Note: British Columbia charges Provincial Sales Tax (PST) and the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) on most retail purchases. Canada does not currently operate a general tourist tax-refund program for retail goods, so taxes paid are generally not recoverable on departure. Verify the current tax situation before making large purchases.
Practical Information
Money
ATMs are plentiful in and around Metropolis at Metrotown. Major credit cards are widely accepted. Inform your bank of travel plans to avoid card blocks.
Connectivity
Free Wi-Fi is available inside Metropolis at Metrotown. Canadian SIM cards can be purchased at mobile carrier outlets in the mall. Major Canadian carriers (Rogers, Telus, Bell, and their flanker brands) have retail presence here.
Health and Pharmacies
Pharmacies (Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs) are located within or adjacent to the mall. For medical care, verify the location of the nearest walk-in clinic or refer to HealthLinkBC (8-1-1 in BC) for health advice by phone.
Emergency Services
In any emergency in Canada, dial 911 for police, fire, or ambulance.
Accessibility
Metrotown SkyTrain Station and Metropolis at Metrotown are both generally accessible for mobility device users, with elevators and step-free pathways. Verify current elevator status with TransLink before travel, as maintenance outages occur.
Safety
Metrotown is generally considered safe by urban Canadian standards. The mall and SkyTrain station areas are busy and well-monitored throughout operating hours. Standard urban precautions apply: be aware of your surroundings, keep valuables secure, and avoid displaying expensive items openly in crowded areas.
As with many Metro Vancouver transit hubs, the SkyTrain station area and surrounding streets can see some street-level social disorder, particularly in the evenings. This is not unusual for dense urban transit nodes in the region and is worth noting but not overstating — the vast majority of visitors experience no issues.
For non-emergency police matters in Burnaby, contact the RCMP Burnaby detachment. Dial 911 in any genuine emergency.
