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), every figure cited to the airport's own data.

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 3 terminals, airside-connected
  • Minimum connection time: 45 min domestic, 1 hr 30 min international to domestic
  • Arrive: 1 hr 30 min before domestic, 3 hr before international
  • To Vancouver: about 25 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes

Terminals & connections

Vancouver International Airport has 3 terminals. All are airside-connected; you can transfer between them without re-clearing security. Domestic and Intl airside-connected. 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 (Concourse E/F)

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
45 min
Domestic to international
1 hr
International to domestic
1 hr 30 min
International to international
1 hr
Transfer system
Walking airside through central hub; US Preclearance separate
Airside connected
Yes

Layover helper

Interactive tool

Enter your layover details and we will tell you whether you have a tight connection, a comfortable connection, or enough time to leave YVR.

Security & TSA

Typical TSA wait at YVR is 30 minutes at peak and 10 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 1 hr 30 min before a domestic flight and 3 hr before international.

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 25 min from downtown Vancouver by the fastest transit option.

Option Cost Time
SkyTrain Canada Line
Train
Direct SkyTrain to downtown Vancouver.
 $7-$9 25-30 min
Uber / Lyft
Rideshare
 $30-$50 20-40 min
Yellow Cab
Taxi
 $35-$55 20-40 min

Parking

YVR parking ranges from $15/day economy to $35/day short-term.

Short-term
$35/day
Long-term
$22/day
Economy
$15/day
Valet
Not available

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 50 min plus re-screening on return.

Downtown Vancouver 25 min on 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?

Arrive at least 90 minutes before a domestic flight from YVR, and 180 minutes before an international flight. Peak-time TSA waits at YVR can hit 30+ minutes, so add buffer.

What is the minimum connection time at YVR?

YVR requires at least 45 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 90 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. All terminals are airside-connected, so you do not need to re-clear security when changing terminals.

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

Budget 10 min for same-terminal transfers and 15 min for different-terminal transfers at YVR via Walking airside through central hub; US Preclearance separate. Domestic and Intl airside-connected. US Transborder goes through US Preclearance.

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 50 minutes plus re-screening. Downtown Vancouver 25 min on 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-$9, taking 25-30 minutes. Direct SkyTrain to downtown Vancouver.

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. Typical peak-hour wait is 30 minutes. 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: $35/day short-term, $22/day long-term, $15/day economy. Book online in advance for significant discounts vs. drive-up rates.

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 (Concourse E/F): 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.

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 69 airports in our dataset.

Best for layovers YVR ranks well for quick layovers With sleep pods See which airports offer capsule hotels and nap rooms Shortest MCT YVR dom-to-dom: 45 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 30 min

Airlines operating at YVR

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

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Verified 2026-04-14. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with Vancouver International Airport before flying.