Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is a Canadian airport serving Vancouver and the Lower Mainland region.
The airport is located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, approximately 12 km (≈7.5 miles) southwest of downtown Vancouver.
In 2024, the airport handled over 26 million passengers, marking the second-highest annual traffic in its history.
YVR is Canada’s second-busiest airport, and functions as a major trans-Pacific gateway thanks to its geography and runways designed for large aircraft.
Major Airlines - Air Canada, WestJet
YVR is a key hub for Air Canada and WestJet - the two largest airlines in Canada.
The flag carrier has a commanding presence at Vancouver Airport with nearly 4000 monthly flights and over 70 destinations. Some of its regional flights are operated by Air Canada Express instead.
WestJet, on the other hand, has a strong focus on North America, offering more than 40 destinations within Canada, the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Similarly, it delegates some of its regional flights to a subsidiary, WestJet Encore.
Pacific Coastal Airlines, a regional British Columbia airline, operates scheduled, charter, and cargo services to 14 destinations in the province. It also uses YVR as a hub.
YVR is also a focus city for Air North, which links several cities in Canada to Vancouver. Flair Airlines serves the bulk of the Canadian low-cost sector from YVR.
All major American airlines fly to Vancouver Airport: American Airlines flies to Dallas/Fort Worth (and others, seasonally), Delta Air Lines flies to Minneapolis/St. Paul and United Airlines fly to Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
International airlines that fly to and from Vancouver include Air France, Air New Zealand, British Airways, Qantas, Korean Air, and Turkish Airlines.
Vancouver Airport is served by over 40 airlines offering flights to about 120 destinations worldwide. Notably, YVR has extensive trans-Pacific service - more direct flights to China than any North American or European airport.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Vancouver Airport has 2 terminals:
The Main Terminal complex for the majority of airlines and flights.
South Terminal, which houses Pacific Coastal Airlines and Harbour Air.
The Main Terminal is divided into a Domestic, Transborder (USA), and International concourses, each with several piers:
Domestic Concourse: Has Pier A (6 gates), Pier B (15 gates), and Pier C (24 gates).
- International and Transborder Concourse:
Pier D is for all international flights (except the USA) and has 31 gates.
Pier E is for all flights to the USA and has 25 gates. The pier is located after a U.S. pre-clearance check, so they arrive in the US as if they were domestic flights.
Note that international flights with a layover in Vancouver, proceeding to the US, do not use the pre-clearance facility and must use D gates. They will complete US border protection procedures upon landing in the USA.
Connecting Flights and Transit at YVR
Because YVR integrates domestic, U.S., and international operations in one terminal with efficient signage and a U.S. pre-clearance zone, transferring between flights is relatively smooth.
The South Terminal only handles regional flights and does not accommodate transfers. If you land at the South Terminal and have an onward flight elsewhere, you can use the Courtesy Shuttle bus to go to the Main Terminal. It stops at the International Concourse, the Domestic Concourse, and the Floatplane Dock.
Border control in Vancouver is mandatory for all passengers, and some nationalities need a transit visa, even if not leaving the airport. You may need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if you’re visa-exempt (unless you are a U.S. citizen). The application is completed online and costs $7.
A notable exception is if you arrive in Vancouver on an international flight and proceed on a transborder flight to the US. Then, you will be guided directly towards the US pre-clearance facility, thus bypassing Canadian Immigration.
Normally, during transit, your luggage will be checked through to your final destination and automatically transferred if travelling with two flights under the same reservation, and as long as your second flight is on the same day as your first.
A longer layover can be the perfect opportunity to check out the best things to do in Vancouver.
WiFi and other services
Free WiFi is available throughout the terminals. The network’s name is “@yvrairport” or “YVR Free WiFi,” and it doesn’t require signing up.
YVR also offers plentiful amenities usually present at major airports, such as:
Children’s play areas in several locations.
Nursing rooms and pods in several locations.
Currency-exchange services in several locations.
A clinic and a Dental Center in the Domestic Concourse.
Banking in both the Domestic and International concourses.
Pharmacy in the Domestic Concourse.
Luggage storage in the International Concourse (Level 3, before Security).
Spa in the Domestic and US concourses.
Fairly many shopping outlets in all areas.
Dining Options at Vancouver Airport
YVR offers a wide variety of food and drink outlets, including local British Columbia-themed dining, Asian cuisine, fast casual food, and sit-down restaurants.
The restaurants and bars are pretty equally split between the landside and airside (before and after Security). Even if you arrive early, you’ll still find cafés that are open to serve you.
For Grab and Go options, check out these:
Banh Shop in the US Concourse, Gate E84.
Bubble Waffle Cafe in the International Concourse, before Security.
Dirty Apron: Vegan and vegetarian meals in 2 locations (Gates C46 and B14) within the Domestic Concourse.
Japadog in the Domestic Concourse, landside.
Salmon n' Bannock On The Fly: International Terminal, near Gate D71.
The best dine-in places are:
Icons Sports Bar & Grill: in the US Concourse, near Gate E81.
Lift Bar and Grill: in the International Concourse, near Gate D71.
Sal Y Limon: Mexican food in the US Concourse, near Gate E88.
Urban Crave: before Security in the International Concourse.
Whistler Taphouse & Grill: in the Domestic Concourse, near Gate C47.
If you just need a quick cup of coffee or another refreshing drink, choose from:
Pacific Coast News Café: in the Domestic Concourse, near Gate B20.
Paragon Tea Room: landside in the Domestic Concourse.
Starbucks: multiple locations in each Concourse.
Sweet Maple Lounge: in the International Terminal, near Gate CD51.
Tim Hortons: A stereotypically Canadian cafe and dessert shop. Has multiple locations with at least 1 outlet in each concourse.
Lastly, if you’re flying out from the South Terminal, you don’t have much choice - it’s either the Galiano Cafe (before Security), a cup of coffee from the Illy vending machine, or nothing.
Lounges at YVR
There are several premium lounges at Vancouver Airport, some operated by airlines and some independent.
The Airlines that have lounges at YVR are Air Canada and Cathay Pacific. The former British Airways lounge has been closed permanently.
- Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge: Located in each concourse:
Domestic Concourse, near Gates C29
International Concourse, near Gate D52
US Concourse, near Gate E85.
These lounges offer free wifi, comfortable seating and quiet zones, snacks, and beverages. Access is available to all Business Class customers, Star Alliance Gold members, Altitude Super Elite 35K, 50K, 75K, and 100K members.
Cathay Pacific Lounge: Located in the International Concourse, near Gate D70. Hours of operation may vary depending on flight schedules (opens 4 hours before a flight). In addition to Cathay Pacific passengers, this lounge is also open to other Oneworld alliance airline passengers. Notable are the dim sum selections and the noodle soup. Also offers showers.
The independent lounges present at the airport are:
- Plaza Premium Lounge: has four locations:
Near Gate C29 in the Domestic Concourse.
Near Gate B17 in the Domestic Concourse.
Near Gate D67 in the International Concourse.
Near Gate E88 in the US Concourse.
Everybody, regardless of airline or status, is welcome in these lounges. Priority Pass is accepted. Paid lounge access from $50. Offers free Wi-Fi, hot and cold food, and refreshments, including alcoholic drinks, and computer workstations.
Plaza Premium First Lounge: Located near Gate D67 in the International Concourse. It’s a brand new lounge offering a truly elegant experience, including a gourmet à la carte menu and a full-service bar.
Skyteam Lounge: Located near Gate D53 in the International Concourse. It’s open to premium passengers of the Skyteam airlines that serve YVR. The lounge features an impressive glass elevator, two separate wings, floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the tarmac, a made-to-order hot food station, and a self-serve wine bar.
Transport to and from the airport
Road access to Vancouver Airport is via Grant McConachie Way - driving time from the city center to the airport is around 25 minutes.
The airport is served by the Canada Line SkyTrain, which is part of Vancouver’s rapid transit system. The station is directly at the terminal, centrally located between the International and Domestic Concourses. It offers direct access to downtown Vancouver in about 30 minutes (downtown Richmond in 15 minutes).
The airport is in Zone 2 for fare purposes. Rides to Vancouver cost $4.25 and to Richmond - $3 in cash ($3.45 and $2.40, respectively, using a Compass Card). Add to these fares a $5 surcharge for all rides to and from the airport.
More than 20 taxi operators offer rides to/from the airport with pick-up locations on Level 2 of International Arrivals and Domestic Arrivals. Fares are fixed by zones; for example, a trip to downtown Vancouver costs $46. Trips to further places are metered, as are trips to the airport.
Lyft and Uber are authorized providers of ridesharing app-based services at YVR. Their pick-up areas are the same as for taxis, with prices varying by time of day, location, and demand.
Two long-distance buses are provided by YVR Skylynx:
Whistler Express to Squamish and Creekside Village.
Victoria to Tsawwassen Bay and Swartz Bay.
Tickets can be bought online or at the YVR Skylynx kiosk located in Domestic Arrivals.
For private shuttles, find more information and pre-book here.
Car rentals are located on the ground floor of the parkade, within walking distance of the terminal. You can pick between Avis, Alamo, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, or Thrifty.
Parking at Vancouver Airport
YVR provides multiple parking options, including short-term, long-term, valet and drop-off/pick-up zones:
Gateway Valet: The most premium option for a curbside drop-off. Costs $67.75 daily + $20.00 Valet Fee (applied once per visit).
jetSet YVR: A reservation-only, self-parking facility. It’s a 5-7 minute ride away from the terminal using the free shuttle. Parking costs $30.75 daily or $146.75 weekly.
Terminal Parkade: The only short-term parking option available. It’s right beside the terminal, no more than a 5-minute walk away. The first 30 minutes of parking are free. The hourly rate thereafter is $14.75, capped at $67.75 per day.
Value Long-term Lot: The cheapest option if parking for at least a day. The daily rate is $29.50, maxed at $159.75 per week for drive-ups. You can use the Canada Line for free to reach the Terminal.
If you’re picking someone up or dropping off, aim for the free Cell Phone Waiting Lot on Aviation Avenue, across from jetSet Parking.
There are electric vehicle charging stations in the jetSet YVR parking lot.
If using the South Terminal, you can park in the Main Lot right in front of it or in one of the overflow lots, if the former is full. Parking costs $4.50 per hour ($4 in the overflow lots) or $13 per day ($10.75 in the overflow lots).
Hotels near Vancouver Airport
The Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel is located within the airport complex, offering extremely convenient access for early flights or late arrivals. It offers large, soundproof rooms, an on-site restaurant with afternoon tea, a spa, and a swimming pool. Day use is also possible.
There are plenty of other hotels in nearby Richmond, like the Hampton Inn by Hilton and Holiday Inn Express Vancouver Airport. Most hotels in the vicinity offer complimentary shuttle service.
If you prefer more nightlife or city atmosphere, head to downtown Vancouver (~25 minutes away) for many other hotel options.
Vancouver, BC, Canada
