Choosing a coworking space is only half the decision. The other half is whether you’ll actually enjoy the trip there five days a week. This guide covers every practical way to get to CoFunction Workspaces in Vancouver’s Port Town district, by transit, by bike, and by car, so you know exactly what your commute looks like before you book a tour.
Where CoFunction Actually Is
CoFunction sits at 1937 Triumph Street, in the heart of Port Town, East Vancouver’s revitalized industrial pocket near Commercial Drive. We’ve written more about why this neighborhood has become a hub for design & build businesses if you want the full story. This guide focuses purely on the practical question: how do you actually get here.
Getting to CoFunction by Transit
Bus Routes That Serve the Area
Several bus routes run through the Triumph Street area, including the 4, 7, 14, 20, and R5. The closest stop, Hastings Street at Commercial Drive, is roughly an 8-minute walk from the building. As with any transit route, double-check current schedules on TransLink’s trip planner before your first visit, since routes and stop locations shift periodically.
SkyTrain: Commercial-Broadway Station
Commercial-Broadway Station, served by both the Expo Line and Millennium Line, is about a 14-minute walk from CoFunction. For anyone commuting from Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey, or the Broadway corridor, this makes CoFunction realistically SkyTrain-accessible without needing a bus transfer, especially if you don’t mind a short walk to stretch your legs.
Combining SkyTrain and Bus
If the 14-minute walk from Commercial-Broadway isn’t appealing on a rainy Vancouver morning, transferring to one of the bus routes above at the station cuts that down considerably. It’s a reasonable option for anyone who wants the speed of the SkyTrain for the bulk of the trip without the full walk at the end.
Getting to CoFunction by Bike
East Vancouver has a solid cycling network running through this part of the city, including the Wall Street bikeway and connections to the Central Valley Greenway and BC Parkway, both well-used routes for anyone commuting from further east or south. For the exact turn-by-turn route from your starting point, the City of Vancouver’s official cycling map and trip planner is the most reliable source, and CoFunction offers on-site bike storage so you’re not left figuring out where to lock up.
For anyone without their own bike, Vancouver’s Mobi bike share network has stations throughout the city, which can work well for a one-way trip if you’re coming from a SkyTrain station or a part of town without a direct route. It’s worth checking the Mobi app for the station nearest Commercial Drive before relying on it as your regular commute option.
Beyond that, the flat, low-traffic character of the Port Town side streets makes the last few blocks of the ride considerably calmer than navigating a Downtown bike route during rush hour, one more small reason the neighborhood has become popular with the creative and design professionals who work there.
Getting to CoFunction by Car: Parking & Driving
Driving Times From Downtown, Burnaby & the North Shore
- Downtown Vancouver: approximately 10 minutes
- Burnaby: approximately 15 minutes
- North Shore: approximately 10 minutes
- Trans-Canada Highway access: approximately 5 minutes
Parking Near CoFunction
East Vancouver’s street parking is generally far more available and cheaper than Downtown, where meters near high-demand areas like the Convention Centre can run several dollars an hour. Rates closer to Commercial and Powell tend to run a fraction of that. Exact metered rates change, so it’s worth checking current City of Vancouver parking rates before you go, but the general rule holds: parking in Port Town is a lot less of a headache than parking Downtown.
This matters more than it sounds for anyone weighing a coworking membership against a Downtown office lease. A team driving in a few days a week saves real time and money simply by not circling a block looking for a spot, and that adds up over a year the same way a shorter commute does. It’s a small factor on its own, but it’s one more reason Port Town has become an easier place to base a growing design or construction business than the city core.
First Time Visiting? A Few Tips
- Check TransLink’s trip planner the night before, since bus schedules and routes shift periodically and a quick check saves a wrong turn
- Build in a buffer for street parking during peak hours, since even cheaper East Van parking can take an extra few minutes to find on a busy morning
- If you’re biking for the first time, do a dry run on the City’s cycling map before your visit rather than improvising the route in the moment
- Coming for a tour rather than a full workday? Any of the three options above works fine for a one-off visit, so pick whichever is most convenient from where you’re starting
Quick Reference: Which Way Should You Come?
- Coming from Downtown or the West End: SkyTrain to Commercial-Broadway, or a quick 10-minute drive
- Coming from Burnaby or New Westminster: SkyTrain to Commercial-Broadway is often faster than driving at peak times
- Coming from the North Shore: driving is usually most practical at around 10 minutes
- Coming from elsewhere in East Vancouver: biking via the Wall Street bikeway or a short bus ride are both solid options
FAQ
What’s the closest SkyTrain station to CoFunction?
Commercial-Broadway Station, served by both the Expo Line and Millennium Line, is about a 14-minute walk from CoFunction’s Triumph Street location.
Is there parking near CoFunction Workspaces?
Yes, street parking is available in the surrounding Port Town area, and it’s generally cheaper and easier to find than Downtown Vancouver parking. Rates vary, so check current City of Vancouver parking signage or rates before you visit.
Can I bike to CoFunction from Downtown Vancouver?
Yes. East Vancouver’s cycling network, including connections via the Wall Street bikeway, Central Valley Greenway, and BC Parkway, makes it a realistic bike commute for many Downtown-based professionals. CoFunction also offers on-site bike storage.
How far is CoFunction from the airport?
CoFunction doesn’t have a direct transit line to YVR, but it’s a reasonably short drive, comparable to most East Vancouver locations, typically 25 to 35 minutes depending on traffic and route.
Is CoFunction easy to reach for a client visiting from out of town?
Yes. Most visitors coming from a Downtown hotel can reach CoFunction in a 10-minute drive or a single SkyTrain ride to Commercial-Broadway followed by a short walk, which makes it a straightforward stop to add to a client’s itinerary without requiring detailed directions.
Conclusion & Next Step
Whether you’re coming by SkyTrain, bike, or car, CoFunction’s Port Town location is more accessible than its industrial-district reputation might suggest, and considerably easier to park near than a Downtown office. The best way to know for sure is to make the trip once.
Book a tour of CoFunction Workspaces and try the commute for yourself.
