//
City in Canada
Photo: Nic Lehoux, Attribution via Wikimedia Commons
Surrey is a suburb of Vancouver. It is the largest city in land area in the Lower Mainland region and the second largest city in population (518,000 in 2016) after Vancouver. Surrey is very culturally diverse. Surrey is mostly a working-class suburb, but it also has a sizeable industrial area -- mostly factories and warehouses.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
This horticultural paradise is without equal in the region for its variety of rare and native plants, shrubs and trees. Gifted to the City of Surrey by Francisca Darts upon the death of her husband, Edwin, the city maintains the garden with the help of the Darts Hill Garden Conservancy Trust.
Located on a car dealership, this landmark is hard not to notice. The 86 metres high flagpole has one of the largest Canadian flags in Canada. The flagpole was on site at Expo 86 in Vancouver and has been at its present location since 1987.
Local history museum and gallery.
On-site facilities include Surrey Art Gallery (free) and live performances in the Surrey Civic Theatres.
Barnston is a small island, only about 2-3 square miles. You get to it by taking a 5-minute ferry ride across Parson's Channel to the island (See the "By boat" section above under "Get around"). The ferry is a barge operated by a small tug which serves Barnston Island and the ride is free. The trip is a very unique and a fun experience. Barnston Island is flat, with not much on there but farms. The island is under the landing circuit for Pitt Meadows airport just to the north, so you can frequently see small planes 1000 ft overhead It takes about an hour to bike around the whole island.
The park consists of the eastern and western tips of the Barnston Island, offering views of the river.
Features Hollywood movies, though more notable for its extensive Bollywood movie options (likely the most Bollywood movie options and screens showing Bollywood movies in Western Canada). Reserving tickets is strongly recommended.
A heritage railway operating a BCER interurban car, speeders and velocipedes.
Go whale watching.
This is the largest Vasaiki parade outside of India with crowds in the hundreds of thousands of people, where free food is handed out throughout the route during the whole the event. The parade takes hours and moves so slowly that you will easily be able to walk faster than the parade floats can travel. Typically this annual parade occurs either a week before or a week after Easter (March or April) on a Saturday. Although this event is in celebration for the Sikh religion, all are welcome.
A popular four-day event that ends on Victoria Day (third Monday in May). This venue also holds the Cloverdale Market, a popular flea market, almost every Sunday, except during winter months.
Canada Day (July 1) celebration held within Cloverdale Rodeo Fairgrounds.
Two-day festival celebrating various cultures around the world, including food, music performances, and cultural performances. Held in Holland Park in late July during a weekend.
This city park offers the Bear Creek Gardens, a miniature railway, a running track, and several trails. Surrey Arts Centre (see listing under See) is located within the park.
Watch birds at the Pacific Ocean coastline.
Enjoy beach time at Crescent Beach located in the neighbourhood of Crescent Beach. The beach extends along the western edge of Surrey from Blackie Spit Park at the north end to almost 24 Ave at the south end. The northern end of the beach is sandy including around and north of Beecher St.
One of Surrey's largest parks is about a kilometre from Surrey's city centre. Features numerous forest walking trails and a lake stocked with fish for fishing. Note that fishing requires a provincial fishing licence.
Next to the border with the United States. Have a picnic or meet the American neighbours without having to go through border control. This park connects with Peace Arch Historical State Park on the United States side. Visitors from both sides of the border are allowed to access both parks including crossing the border without going through border control, but it is illegal to go beyond the park boundaries into the other country.
Contains a grove of redwood trees. There is also a fairy forest with hundreds of fairy houses.
This forested park features over 14 km of trails including along a stream. Also has a popular designated off leash dog area and a group camping area.
Park with trails for walking and biking next to the Fraser River.
The two golf courses were designed by professional golfer Arnold Palmer. The PGA had tournaments at this course for 7 years, ending in 2002.
Sushi restaurant the Central City area.
Offering traditional Teppanyaki grill. Choose from chicken, beef or seafood and fresh vegetables served over steaming hot rice or Yakisoba noodles topped with Teriyaki Sauce. Offers dine in or take out with a kids menu as well.
Earls
The Guildford location of this higher end chain of restaurants with dishes inspired by trips around the world.
Restaurant offering Indian sweets, Punjabi menu items, and some south Indian menu items. Located in Payal Centre.
Offers a chaat and a variety of other Indian street foods. The restaurant has two locations in the same strip mall. The original location, located further east, has a limited menu and no seating. The new location, is located in the only second floor part of the strip mall and has the full menu with tables and seating.
Offering Szechuan-style Chinese food.
A great place for authentic Punjabi cuisine. Punjabis don't go out for Indian food often, but when they do, they go to Mahek.
This tiny Indian sweets shop is well known and well-visited South Asian community in Surrey. It also has some non-sweets such as dosas. There is no seating.
A trendy restaurant offering traditional Indian fare from various regions of India. There are several areas where guests can enjoy themselves - the lounge, the private dining room, the bar, or the patio.
Offers authentic Thai food.
Steak. Steak and potatoes. Steak and crab. Steak and beer. But mostly steak. A chain restaurant.
This restaurant began as an old train station, but has been the Old Surrey Restaurant for as long as anyone can remember. Providing a five-star experience, the establishment specializes in French cuisine with the Chateaubriand Bouquetiere being a perennial favorite special. Reservations recommended
Home of fabulous food, wicked wines and mouth watering martinis.
Offers of a variety of Afghani dishes,
A local high end restaurant chain that offers global cuisine using local, fresh ingredients served in a vibrant, contemporary setting.
Pasta, burgers, steak. Highly rated.
The wrap-around deck makes the most of the beachfront location. In the spring you can watch migrating birds play as you dine. If you prefer, order to take out, and eat while strolling the beach. Much of the menu is ocean-inspired: fish and chips, chowder.
One of celebrity chef Vikram Vij's Indian restaurants.
Seafood, steaks, pasta, beer, and wine with "upscale casual" vibe.
茗宴会
Authentic Chinese food with a focus on seafood.
Brewery and distillery with store and tasting room.
Fairly upscale with cheap drinks (by Vancouver standards) and a young crowd.
The only winery in Surrey, and thus the best.
Boutique hotel with 144 rooms adjacent to city hall in Surrey City Centre. One block from King George Station and Simon Fraser University's Surrey campus. Hotel is owned by Marriott. Parking is extra.
In Surrey City Centre near the northern end.
Has on-site bar and grill. Also has outdoor pool and fitness centre.
Includes breakfast and wifi.
Free wi-fi and pet friendly chain of hotels. Bar and grill on site.
279 guestrooms and suites available with city or mountain views. Some rooms have fridge, microwave or jacuzzi. Internet is available in all rooms for a fee. A block away from Guildford Town Centre mall. For decades, has been a conference venue for groups of several hundred people. Parking is extra.
Part of a chain of hotels price at the mid-upper price range. Has a pool and fitness facilities. Located on a major bus route between two major retail areas on King George Blvd, but has limited amenities within walking distance.
Includes wifi and bathrooms with jetted bathtubs.
Free WiFi, and parking. Indoor hot tub and sauna. Fitness centre. All guest rooms are furnished with coffee makers, desks, hair dryers, irons and ironing boards. Rooms with kitchenettes can be requested. Pet-friendly hotel.
A mix of queen- and king-size rooms. Kitchenettes and jacuzzi rooms are also available. Amenities include a shuttle service, indoor pool with slide and fitness classes. All rooms come with TVs, pillow-top beds and free Wi-Fi.
Within walking distance of the Cloverdale Rodeo Fairgrounds.
Includes wifi, continental breakfast, a pool, and fitness centre.
All rooms include wifi, fridge, and microwave.
Mall that features 140 stores and Simon Fraser University's Surrey campus.
Has a high concentration of antiques shops.
The largest mall in Surrey. Includes over 200 stores. To south-east of the mall around 152 St and 101 Ave are Asian stores and restaurants.
A major shopping area including Surrey's only Costco.
Features 200 business including banquet halls, South Asian restaurants, South Asian clothing stores, and other stores. One of the largest and most popular retail areas frequented by South Asians in British Columbia. Note that there are a number of other South Asian smaller business centres focused toward the South Asian market within a few blocks north and south on 128 St.
Much of this section of Scott Road lined with South Asian stores and restaurants, especially the northern half.
Shopping area with 60 shops and restaurants.
Mall with over 75 shops and restaurants in South Surrey.
By plane
The nearest airport to Surrey is Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in nearby Richmond. Surrey is a 30-minute drive from the airport via Highway 91 or Highway 99.
By bus
Most long distance bus or train services reaching the Lower Mainland area terminate at Vancouver's Pacific Central Station.
By car
By public transit
Passengers can pay for fares using Compass Cards ($6 refundable deposit), Compass Tickets, or tap-to-pay using contactless credit cards (only American Express, Mastercard or Visa) or mobile wallets.
By taxi
By ride hailing
By boat
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Vancouver · International · YVR
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Surrey (British Columbia) and Canada.
Travel tipsDiscover how to use AI to find cheap flights. Learn prompt strategies, smart fare engines, open-jaw routings, and error-fare booking techniques.
6 min read
Culture & historyAs the birthplace of several world religions, South Asia, also known as the Indian Subcontinent, is home to countless sacred and holy sites.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureThe National Parks of Canada, and some of the National Historic Sites of Canada, are managed by Parks Canada, an agency of the Government of Canada.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsAlthough trains are not nearly as ubiquitous and convenient a mode of travel in Canada as in Europe or East Asia, they remain popular with some travelers because of the spacious design of the cars, the scenic routes,…
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.