Vancouver International Airport
Vancouver International Airport sits on Sea Island in the city of Richmond, approximately 12 kilometres south of downtown Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. It serves as the primary international gateway for western Canada and the second-busiest airport in the country. The airport opened in 1931, replacing the earlier Minoru Park airfield on Lulu Island, and has since grown into a major Pacific Rim hub.
Overview
Vancouver International Airport sits on Sea Island in the city of Richmond, approximately 12 kilometres south of downtown Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. It serves as the primary international gateway for western Canada and the second-busiest airport in the country. The airport opened in 1931, replacing the earlier Minoru Park airfield on Lulu Island, and has since grown into a major Pacific Rim hub.
Vancouver International Airport is most useful when its route network, ground transport and terminal setup match the trip you are taking. Before booking, compare the scheduled departure time with the airport location, connection window and any baggage or check-in requirements attached to your airline.
Airlines
Vancouver functions as a major hub for Air Canada and a focus city for WestJet, with both carriers operating extensive domestic, transborder, and long-haul networks. Air Transat and Flair Airlines also maintain a notable presence. Numerous international carriers serve the airport, including those linking Vancouver with key cities across Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the United States.
For any airport, the operating airline matters as much as the marketing airline shown in a search result. Codeshares, partner flights and regional affiliates can affect check-in desks, terminal use, baggage handling and support if a flight is delayed or changed.
Terminals and Transfers
The airport operates a Main Terminal handling domestic and international flights, alongside a separate South Terminal serving regional, charter, and floatplane operations. Three runways are in use: two parallel east–west runways and a shorter crosswind runway. The facility runs 24 hours a day, with ongoing expansion projects continuing to enlarge the international pier and modernise gate areas.
Connections through YVR need more planning when flights are on separate tickets, when checked baggage is involved, or when the itinerary changes between domestic and international processing. Build a wider buffer if you need to collect bags, move between terminals or pass through security again.
Ground Transport and Trip Planning
Vancouver International Airport ground transport should be planned around your arrival time, luggage and final destination. Public transport can be efficient where available, while taxis, rideshare and private transfers may be easier for late arrivals, families or travellers with multiple bags.
If you are choosing between airports or routes, compare YVR against the destinations currently tracked from this airport, including Los Angeles, London. The best itinerary is not always the cheapest one if it creates a difficult transfer, a tight connection or a long onward journey.
Practical guide
Using Vancouver International Airport without guesswork
Plan YVR around the terminal you use, the type of connection you are making and how predictable you need the trip into Vancouver to be.
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at YVR. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
The airport operates a Main Terminal handling domestic and international flights, alongside a separate South Terminal serving regional, charter, and floatplane operations. Three runways are in use: two parallel east–west
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
Before you leave for YVR
- 1Confirm the terminal and operating airline before leaving for YVR.
- 2Check baggage cut-off times if you are travelling with checked luggage.
- 3Leave extra time for international processing or terminal changes.
- 4Compare ground transport options against traffic and arrival time.
- 5Recheck the flight status before travelling to the airport.
Start here
Terminal and transfer notes
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at YVR. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
The airport operates a Main Terminal handling domestic and international flights, alongside a separate South Terminal serving regional, charter, and floatplane operations. Three runways are in use: two parallel east–west
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
For Vancouver International Airport, the safest connection plan is based on the operating airline, the terminal shown on your booking and whether your baggage is checked through. If the itinerary uses separate tickets, choose a larger buffer.
Airlines
Airlines flying from YVR
Compare the carriers connected with YVR, including airline codes, operating brands and routes currently tracked from this airport.
Routes
Top routes from YVR
Use these route cards to scan popular destinations, estimated distance and flight time before checking live schedules and fares.
Official planning details
Transfers, fares, parking and passenger services at YVR
A source-linked planning layer for details that can change: terminal transfers, transport costs, parking, lounges and accessibility.
Terminal transfer links
TransfersVancouver International Airport transfer details can depend on airline, terminal, baggage handling and whether flights are booked on one ticket. Check the operating airline and airport website before relying on a tight connection at YVR.
Check airport transfer informationTransport fares and local access
FaresTransport costs to and from Vancouver can vary by public transport, taxi, rideshare, private transfer, tolls and time of day. Confirm current fares before travelling, especially for late arrivals or peak periods.
Review transport informationParking and pre-booking
ParkingParking at Vancouver International Airport may vary by terminal, short-stay area, long-stay area and online booking rules. Compare official parking options with drop-off, pick-up and ground transport before choosing how to reach the airport.
Review airport parking optionsLounges and eligibility
LoungesLounge availability at YVR depends on airline, cabin, alliance status, membership or paid-entry rules. Check the operating airline before travel because access rules and opening hours can change.
Check lounge informationAccessibility and assistance
AccessPassengers needing mobility, sensory, medical or other assistance should confirm airport facilities and arrange airline assistance before travel. Airline-provided help is usually requested through the airline or booking channel.
Review accessibility informationTerminal and parking maps
MapsMaps are useful for finding check-in areas, arrivals paths, parking locations and ground transport pick-up points at Vancouver International Airport. Confirm the terminal before leaving for the airport.
Open airport mapBudget check
Useful cost notes
Prices can change, so use these notes to spot likely cost items before checking the official source.
Public transport, taxi, rideshare and private-transfer prices around YVR can change by time, distance, demand and local fees.
Parking prices often vary by car park, stay length and whether online pre-booking is available.
Seat selection, baggage, lounge access, tolls and late-night transport can change the real cost of a trip.
Nearby airports
Other airports in Canada
Nearby airport options can help when comparing fares, connection times, ground transport and alternate arrival points in Canada.
FAQ
Vancouver International Airport — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
9 common questions
- Vancouver International Airport is located in Vancouver, Canada (North America), at coordinates 49.190°, -123.180°.
- Its IATA code is YVR and its ICAO code is CYVR.
- Vancouver International Airport serves Vancouver, Canada. When comparing fares, check whether other airports also serve the same area — prices and transfer times can differ between them.
- Vancouver International Airport operates on America/Vancouver local time. Departure and arrival times on tickets are always shown in each airport's local time, so double-check the offset when planning connections or pick-ups.
- Vancouver International Airport sits at latitude 49.190° and longitude -123.180°. The map link in the details panel on this page opens the exact location for driving directions.
- Carriers tracked on routes from YVR include American Airlines, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, WestJet and 3 more.
- Tracked destinations from YVR include Los Angeles and London, spread across 2 countries.
- Its address is 3211 Grant McConachie Way, Richmond, British Columbia, V7B 0A4, Canada, the phone number is +1 604-207-7077, the official website is http://www.yvr.ca/. For flight-specific questions (delays, baggage, rebooking), contact the operating airline directly rather than the airport.
- Yes — Originfacts lists 9 other airports in Canada. The nearby-airports section on this page links to each of them, which is useful when comparing fares or finding an alternative departure point.