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YVR · Vancouver, BC, Canada · International Hub

Vancouver International Airport Guide

Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Vancouver International Airport (YVR), sourced from the airport or the operator that runs each service, with minimums from OAG data.

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On this page
  1. Map
  2. Terminals & connections
  3. Layover helper
  4. Security & TSA
  5. Lounges
  6. Amenities
  7. Ground transport
  8. Parking
  9. Can I leave?
  10. FAQ

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 3 terminals
  • Minimum connection time: 40 min domestic, 1 hr 50 min international to domestic
  • Arrive: 2 hr before domestic, 3 hr before international (airport's advice)
  • To Vancouver: about 30 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes

Map

Open in OpenStreetMap

Terminals & connections

Vancouver International Airport has 3 terminals. Transfer system: Walking through central hub; US Preclearance separate. US Transborder goes through US Preclearance.

International Terminal

11 airlines: Air Canada, British Airways, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, and more

International departures.

Domestic Terminal

3 airlines: Air Canada, WestJet, Porter Airlines

Canadian domestic.

US Transborder (E Gates)

6 airlines: Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines

US-preclearance; clear US customs at YVR before boarding.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
40 min
Domestic to international
1 hr
International to domestic
1 hr 50 min
International to international
1 hr
Transfer system
Walking through central hub; US Preclearance separate
Airside connected
Not published
Check your connection time at YVR

Layover helper

Find how long to plan for a connection at YVR: the official minimum connection time, plus a comfortable time of 30 minutes more, or 60 more when you clear customs or go through security again after a terminal change. Adjust trip type, terminal change, and checked-bag assumptions to match your itinerary.

Minimum connection at YVR

40min

Comfortable

70+ min

The shortest connection airlines usually sell here. Includes the walk between gates. Source: OAG

Comfortable is our guidance, not a rule.

Based on:
Connection times are estimates. Verify with your airline.Powered by Travel VientTerms

Writing about YVR? Embed this connection time calculator on your site

Security & TSA

Security waits at YVR vary by time of day and checkpoint. Vancouver International Airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight.

TSA PreCheck
Not available
CLEAR
Not available
Global Entry
Available

US Preclearance at YVR means arrival in US as domestic. NEXUS for eligible.

Lounges

1 notable lounge at YVR, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge

International Terminal

Air Canada / Star Alliance

Access: Business, Aeroplan Super Elite, Star Gold

Amenities: Showers, Buffet

Amenities

6 of 7 core amenities available at YVR: showers, free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pharmacy, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 1 terminal.

Showers

Available

Premium lounges

Sleep pods

Not available

WiFi

Free (good)

Nursing rooms

Available

All terminals

Chapel

Available

Multi-faith prayer rooms

Pet relief areas

Available

Pet relief areas

Dining highlights

International: Green Leaf Brewing, Earls Kitchen

Ground transport to Vancouver

YVR is about 30 min from downtown Vancouver by the fastest transit option.

OptionCostTime
SkyTrain Canada Line
Train
Direct SkyTrain to Waterfront Station downtown in about 25 minutes. Fares are in CAD (shown with an approximate USD conversion): a TransLink zone fare of CAD 2.85 to 6.70 plus a CAD 6.50 YVR AddFare on trips leaving the airport, so CAD 9.35 to 13.20 one-way.
$7-$1025-30 min
Uber / Lyft
Rideshare
VariesVaries
Yellow Cab
Taxi
VariesVaries

Parking

YVR parking ranges from C$31 (~$22)/day economy to C$67.75 (~$49)/day short-term. Vancouver prices in CAD (shown in CAD with an approximate USD conversion). Official daily rates from yvr.ca parking: Terminal Parkade CAD 67.75 (short-term, covered), jetSet CAD 36 (long-term), Value Long Term CAD 31 (economy), Gateway Valet CAD 87.75 (Parkade daily plus a CAD 20 valet fee).

Short-term
C$67.75 (~$49)/day
Long-term
C$36 (~$26)/day
Economy
C$31 (~$22)/day
Valet
C$87.75 (~$63)/day

Can I leave YVR during a layover?

Yes, YVR is close enough to Vancouver that a 3-hour layover is workable. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of Vancouver. Round-trip to the city center is about 1 hr plus re-screening on return.

Downtown Vancouver is 25-30 min on the Canada Line SkyTrain. 3+ hour layovers can reach Stanley Park. US visa-free.

Overnight layover hotels

  • Fairmont Vancouver Airport
    On-airport
    $$$$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at YVR?

Vancouver International Airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint, so add buffer at busy times.

What is the minimum connection time at YVR?

YVR requires at least 40 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 110 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. Transfer system: Walking through central hub; US Preclearance separate.

How long does it take to get between terminals at YVR?

We have no officially published terminal-to-terminal transfer time for YVR, so plan around the minimum connection time and add time for the terminal change.

Can I leave YVR during a 3-hour layover?

Yes, YVR is close enough to Vancouver that 3-hour layovers are workable. Round-trip to the city center is about 60 minutes plus re-screening. Downtown Vancouver is 25-30 min on the Canada Line SkyTrain. 3+ hour layovers can reach Stanley Park. US visa-free.

Does YVR have showers?

Yes, YVR has showers at Premium lounges.

Does YVR have sleep pods?

YVR does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.

Is WiFi free at YVR?

Yes. YVR offers free WiFi throughout the airport.

What is the cheapest way to get from YVR to Vancouver?

The cheapest option is typically SkyTrain Canada Line at $7-$10, taking 25-30 minutes. Direct SkyTrain to Waterfront Station downtown in about 25 minutes. Fares are in CAD (shown with an approximate USD conversion): a TransLink zone fare of CAD 2.85 to 6.70 plus a CAD 6.50 YVR AddFare on trips leaving the airport, so CAD 9.35 to 13.20 one-way.

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at YVR?

YVR does not support TSA PreCheck and does not have CLEAR. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint. US Preclearance at YVR means arrival in US as domestic. NEXUS for eligible.

Where should I eat at YVR during a layover?

Notable dining at YVR includes Green Leaf Brewing (International), Earls Kitchen (International).

How much does parking cost at YVR?

YVR parking rates: C$67.75 (~$49)/day short-term, C$36 (~$26)/day long-term, C$31 (~$22)/day economy, C$87.75 (~$63)/day valet. Vancouver prices in CAD (shown in CAD with an approximate USD conversion). Official daily rates from yvr.ca parking: Terminal Parkade CAD 67.75 (short-term, covered), jetSet CAD 36 (long-term), Value Long Term CAD 31 (economy), Gateway Valet CAD 87.75 (Parkade daily plus a CAD 20 valet fee).

Is there a hotel at YVR for overnight layovers?

Yes. Fairmont Vancouver Airport is on-airport (On-airport) in the $$$$ price band. This is the easiest option for overnight layovers or early-morning departures since you can reach the terminal on foot without a shuttle or rideshare.

Which terminal does my airline use at YVR?

YVR has 3 terminals. Major airline assignments: International Terminal: Air Canada, British Airways, Lufthansa; Domestic Terminal: Air Canada, WestJet, Porter Airlines; US Transborder (E Gates): Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines. Confirm with your boarding pass before arrival since a few airlines operate from multiple terminals depending on route.

Are there pet relief areas at YVR?

Yes. Pet relief areas.

Can I cruise from Vancouver?

Yes. Cruise ports within 100 miles of YVR: Canada Place Cruise Terminal (7 mi). See our cruise port guides for sailing lines, parking, and embarkation details.

Is there a chapel or prayer room at YVR?

Yes. Multi-faith prayer rooms.

Compare YVR to other airports

See how YVR ranks against the other 111 airports in our dataset.

Best for layoversYVR ranks well for quick layoversWith sleep podsSee which airports offer capsule hotels and nap roomsShortest MCTYVR dom-to-dom: 40 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 50 min

More on Vancouver and YVR

Go deeper on connecting through YVR and on visiting Vancouver.

Airlines operating at YVR

Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of YVR.

Cruise ports near YVR

Cruise terminals within 100 miles of Vancouver International Airport.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Connection times, security, ground transport and parking verified Oct 2026 against the sources above. Amenities, lounges and nearby hotels without a listed source are not yet verified. Always confirm with Vancouver International Airport before flying.

If a figure looks wrong, email hello@vient.org, see how we handle corrections, or browse past fixes in our public changelog.