Surrey Transit Today

But wait, before we get into the best places to rent in Surrey for transit access, let’s do a quick overview of Surrey’s transit system. Although bus routes began in the 1940-50s as Surrey began developing, it really took off in 1994. This is when the Expo Line SkyTrain extended to King George and Surrey Central Stations. For the first time, Surrey residents could reach downtown Vancouver in under an hour without a car. 

The Surrey SkyTrain stations sparked development around Whalley’s Surrey Central, creating a denser urban core with more rental apartments in Whalley.

Here’s a rundown of Surrey’s transit network today:

• Four SkyTrain stations: Scott Road, Surrey Central, King George, Gateway
  
• Nine bus exchanges, including: Guildford, Newton, Surrey Central, White Rock Centre
  
• RapidBus: R1 King George Blvd., and R6 Scott Rd
  
• Extensive local bus routes connecting neighbourhoods from Fraser Heights to South Surrey

The Future: Surrey–Langley SkyTrain Extension

The Surrey–Langley SkyTrain extension will be a 16-kilometre Expo Line expansion that will run along Fraser Highway, adding eight new stations connecting Surrey and Langley. The stations proposed are:

• Green Timbers
• 152 St 
• Fleetwood
• Bakerview-166 St
• Hillcrest-184 St
• Clayton
• Willowbrook
• Langley City Centre

If you’re renting in Surrey, this new stretch of SkyTrain stations means benefits like:

• More transit-oriented communities to choose from beyond what’s current. Think new townhomes for rent in areas like Fleetwood, detached rental homes in Cloverdale, and condo rentals close to Surrey Memorial Hospital in Green Timbers
  
• Faster east–west connections through Surrey
  
• Easy SkyTrain service between Surrey and Langley
  
• Less reliance on car travel for work, school, and everyday errands
  
• Greater accessibility for people who need better SkyTrain connectivity for work commutes to Vancouver
  
• Simplified travel for special events like Canucks Games, concerts in Downtown Vancouver
  

If you’re thinking long-term or planning for future value, living in an unfurnished or furnished rental near a future SkyTrain station can be a smart move. Consider transit access, even in neighbourhoods not directly serviced by a current or upcoming SkyTrain station, like Strawberry Hill and Grandview Heights.

Top 6 Surrey Neighbourhoods for Transit Access

Surrey is the second-largest city in Metro Vancouver in both population and land size after Vancouver. So like Vancouver, it is divided into numerous neighbourhoods, some quieter and residential, some vibrant with a mix of residential and commercial amenities, and some primarily commercial. 

Below, we talk about six areas that centre around urban transit, making them attractive places to consider on your list of potential rental homes in Surrey.

1. Surrey Central in Whalley

You could safely say that the Surrey Central, or Surrey City Centre, neighbourhood is now the beating heart of Whalley. With Surrey Central Station SkyTrain and bus connections, commuters who live here can access nearly every route in Metro Vancouver.

This area is ideal if you're interested in Surrey rentals that are steps from a SkyTrain. The Surrey Central neighbourhood is also home to SFU and KPU’s Surrey campuses, the Surrey City Centre library, Central City Mall, and Surrey City Hall. Holland Park is the area’s vibrant public gathering place. It’s a walkable modern hub, which means you don’t have to go far for your daily amenities.

2. Gateway in Whalley

In addition to the development of Surrey Central, Whalley as a whole has transformed into an urban living destination. Gateway Station at 108 Avenue & University Drive is one station closer to Vancouver than Surrey Central. It has modern residential buildings if you’re looking for newer, affordable rental apartments in Surrey.

Renting in the Gateway area of Whalley, you can expect:

• High-rise and mid-rise apartments walkable to the SkyTrain station
  
• Walkable streets with plentiful bus routes and stops for routes such as the #335 & #373
  
• Affordable 1- or 2-bedroom rentals close to amenities
  

3. Guildford

Guildford doesn’t have a SkyTrain station but is served by Guildford Exchange at Guildford Town Centre. The R1 RapidBus route has a stop here, which connects to King George and Surrey Central SkyTrain stations, and the Newton Exchange bus station. You’ll find mostly 1- or 2-bedroom apartment rentals and 3-bedroom rental townhouses closer to Guildford Exchange, with full homes and basement suite rentals as you move into the quieter neighbourhoods away from the mall.

4. Newton

Newton is home to Newton Exchange, one of Surrey’s largest bus hubs. This bus station has buses connecting to Scott Road, Surrey Central, and Brighouse Stations. As a destination, it’s in the same area as the Newton Wave Pool, Newton Recreation Centre, and Newton Library.

If you’re looking for affordable homes for rent in Surrey close to transit and amenities, Newton is an option. It has a variety of home rentals, including condo apartments for rent, townhouse rentals, full homes, and basement suites.

5. Fleetwood (Future Home of Two SkyTrain Stations)

Fleetwood is one of the most promising neighbourhoods for future transit-oriented development thanks to the Surrey–Langley SkyTrain extension. It will have 152 St. Station, which is part of a master-planned community, and Bakerview-166 St Station, which has several new developments rising nearby.

Renters today can find a variety of homes for rent in Fleetwood and enjoy nearby SkyTrain service when it arrives. Rental homes in Fleetwood include entire homes, basement suites, townhouses, and condo apartments.

6. Cloverdale (Future Home of Two SkyTrain Stations)

Cloverdale is the easternmost community in Surrey and borders Langley. With the new Hillcrest and Clayton SkyTrain stations coming, it will have more convenient transit connectivity to both Langley and Vancouver. Quiet streets and family-sized rentals make it popular for those who want more square footage and larger homes for rent in Surrey. 

The City of Surrey has plans to grow the areas around the SkyTrain stations. So if you’re thinking ahead to convenient rentals in Surrey, Cloverdale could be for you. You might find new options for Surrey house rentals here, including apartment rentals close to Clayton Station and more townhouses for rent in Cloverdale. 

Ready to Find Your Surrey Rental?

Surrey already has a great transit network, and it will continue to grow as a transit-oriented, renter-friendly city with the new SkyTrain extension. Busier areas like Surrey City Centre in Whalley and the Newton neighbourhood will become even more connected for commuters, while neighbourhoods like Green Timbers, Fleetwood, and Cloverdale will see growth and new, long-term rental home listings.

Find A Rental With Professional Property Management

Whether your home search includes apartment rentals, townhouse rentals, or detached house rentals in Surrey, what’s one thing that can make the journey smoother? Prioritizing rentals with professional property management oversight. With a professional property manager, you can have day-to-day peace of mind knowing that if anything breaks or if you have unexpected issues with the rental, you have 24/7, responsive support. It’s not always the case when you only have a landlord to rely on. 

And with VADA as your property manager, you can expect exceptional support backed by nearly 20 years in the industry. Although we recently rebranded from ADVENT to VADA, you can trust that the same licensed, experienced team we’ve always been is here to support your rental experience. 

For other benefits, check out this list of tenant perks when you have a professional property manager. 

Start with VADA When Looking for Rental Homes in Surrey 

Browse VADA’s rental listings if you’re exploring transit-friendly neighbourhoods or planning a move to Surrey. You can look at our past Surrey rentals to get an idea of your options, or see our 1-year lease homes currently for rent in Surrey for what’s available.

If you don’t see what you want now, be sure to check back often for new listings. Our easy-to-use platform lets you narrow down your search: you can filter for the city, number of bedrooms, and even rentals that are pet-friendly. You’ll also find handy information like the walk and transit score, and see what amenities are nearby with the interactive neighbourhood maps.

We hope we’ve answered “why rent in Surrey” if transit commuting is your priority. Happy house hunting!

Author: Neil McGuinness
Date Published: 02/15/2026 - 18:25
Date Modified: 02/24/2026 - 11:15