Burnaby - SFU Burnaby Vancouver Budget Guide
Emergency Numbers: Police:
911| Medical / Fire:911| Local Currency:CAD(1 USD ≈1.36CAD)
Map of Budget Spots
Section titled “Map of Budget Spots”Cheap Beds & Emergency Accommodation
Section titled “Cheap Beds & Emergency Accommodation”No budget hostels or emergency shelters found inside this district.
Cheap Groceries & Free Meals
Section titled “Cheap Groceries & Free Meals”- Supermarket Discount Hours: Nesters Market applies discount tags to bakery and hot deli items in the late afternoon/evening around 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
- Best Cheap Eats: Uncle Fatih’s Pizza in UniverCity for budget pizza slices, or Donair Town and SUB food court budget combos.
Discount Supermarkets
Section titled “Discount Supermarkets”| Supermarket | Best Budget Buys | Address (Google Maps) |
|---|---|---|
| Nesters Market - SFU UniverCity | Western Family store-brand canned goods, bread, pasta, and deli discounted items | 9000 University High St, Burnaby, BC V5A 4X6 |
Free Meals & Food Banks
Section titled “Free Meals & Food Banks”No free meal centers or food pantries located directly in this district.
Free Water & Public Restrooms
Section titled “Free Water & Public Restrooms”Free Drinking Water Points
Section titled “Free Drinking Water Points”| Location | Address (Google Maps) | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| W.A.C. Bennett Library Water Refill Station | 8888 University Dr, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6 | Bottle refill fountains available on all major floors near the washrooms during opening hours |
| Maggie Benston Centre Water Fountain | 8888 University Dr, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6 | Located on the main level near the food court washrooms |
Free Public Toilets
Section titled “Free Public Toilets”| Location | Address (Google Maps) | Hours & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| W.A.C. Bennett Library Public Washrooms | 8888 University Dr, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6 | Clean, multi-stall and gender-neutral washrooms available during library opening hours |
| SFU Student Union Building (SUB) Washrooms | 8888 University Dr, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6 | Accessible and modern restrooms open during SUB building operating hours |
Free Wi-Fi, Workspaces & Showers
Section titled “Free Wi-Fi, Workspaces & Showers”Places with Free Wi-Fi & Power Outlets
Section titled “Places with Free Wi-Fi & Power Outlets”| Place | Address (Google Maps) | Wi-Fi & Desk Details |
|---|---|---|
| W.A.C. Bennett Library | 8888 University Dr, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6 | Free SFU-Guest Wi-Fi network with no password required; abundant wall outlets and desk power strips |
| SFU Student Union Building (SUB) | 8888 University Dr, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6 | SFU-Guest Wi-Fi available throughout the building; lounge seating with power sockets on levels 2000-4000 |
Note: Public Wi-Fi here is unencrypted. If accessing bank or work portals, keep NordVPN on. Grab the student rate (via Student Beans verification), or lock in the 2-year plan to save the most.
Cheap Showers & Public Baths
Section titled “Cheap Showers & Public Baths”| Location | Cost | Address (Google Maps) | How to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| SFU Lorne Davies Complex (Fitness Centre) | 10 CAD | 8888 University Dr, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6 | Day-pass or single drop-in entry allows access to locker rooms and shower facilities |
Getting Around Cheaply
Section titled “Getting Around Cheaply”- Best Way to Move Around: TransLink public bus service (Routes 143, 144, 145, R4 connecting to SkyTrain stations)
- Standard Fare:
3.15CAD - Transit Scams to Avoid: None
SIM Cards & Internet
Section titled “SIM Cards & Internet”- Best Budget Carrier: Public Mobile / Freedom Mobile / Chatr
- How to Keep Data Costs Low: Freedom Mobile $99/year prepaid plan or Public Mobile points-discounted monthly plans.
Safety, Scams & Areas to Avoid
Section titled “Safety, Scams & Areas to Avoid”Common Local Scams
Section titled “Common Local Scams”| Scam | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|
| Off-Campus Rental Scams | Never wire money or pay deposit upfront via e-transfer without viewing the apartment in person and signing a formal BC Tenancy Agreement. |
Areas to Avoid at Night:
Section titled “Areas to Avoid at Night:”None. The SFU Burnaby Mountain campus and adjacent UniverCity residential area are extremely safe. Exercise basic caution on isolated forest trails after dark.