Vancouver International Airport
Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver International Airport
Canada's Pacific gateway connecting global routes on the west coast.
- ›YVR is the second-busiest airport in Canada after Toronto Pearson International Airport.
- ›The airport is located on Sea Island in the city of Richmond, not within the City of Vancouver proper.
- ›YVR features significant Pacific Northwest Indigenous art installations throughout its terminals.
- ›The Canada Line SkyTrain station is integrated directly into the terminal building.
- ›YVR has won the Skytrax award for Best Airport in North America multiple times.
Vancouver International Airport, located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, has served as Canada's second-busiest airport since opening its first facilities in 1931. Known for its striking Indigenous art installations and panoramic views of the Coast Mountains, YVR blends natural beauty with world-class infrastructure. It functions as a major transpacific hub connecting North America to Asia and beyond.
- Domestic Terminal — Handles all flights within Canada, featuring streamlined check-in and boarding facilities for Air Canada, WestJet, and regional carriers.
- International Terminal (Main Terminal) — Processes all transborder and international arrivals and departures, showcasing an extensive collection of First Nations artwork throughout its concourses.
- South Terminal — Serves floatplane operators, charter flights, and small regional aircraft including Harbour Air and Pacific Coastal Airlines.
- Canada Line SkyTrain — direct 25-minute service to downtown Vancouver
- TransLink public buses serving Richmond and surrounding municipalities
- Metered taxis and rideshares (Uber, Lyft) available at designated curbs
- Car rental agencies located in the parkade connected to the terminal
- YVR Airport shuttle services to select hotels in Vancouver and Whistler
- Limousine and private car hire bookable through the airport ground transport desk
- Fairmont Vancouver Airport (on-site, connected to International Terminal)
- Hilton Vancouver Airport
- Marriott Vancouver Airport Marriott
- Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Vancouver Airport
- Coast Coal Harbour Hotel (downtown, accessible via Canada Line)
Inside YVR, travellers find a solid mix of local British Columbia brands alongside national chains, including White Spot, Pajo's Fish & Chips, and various sushi counters reflecting the city's Pacific Rim influence. The international terminal post-security offers sit-down restaurants, grab-and-go options, and coffee bars across multiple concourses. In nearby Richmond, one of North America's finest Asian food scenes awaits, with authentic dim sum and Hong Kong-style cuisine just a short SkyTrain ride away.
- Take the Canada Line SkyTrain rather than a taxi — it is faster, cheaper, and runs frequently from early morning to past midnight.
- Allow extra time at U.S. pre-clearance if flying to American destinations, as queues can be lengthy during peak morning hours.
- Spend a few minutes exploring the airport's Indigenous art collection — the jade canoe sculpture near the domestic-international connector is a landmark worth seeing.
- YVR charges a passenger improvement fee embedded in your ticket, so confirm your departure tax obligations if arriving on an international itinerary.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
Route map (75 destinations)
Airlines serving this airport
Routes
Stay, Eat & Explore: Vancouver
Mountains meet the sea
- •Stanley Park & Seawall — A 9-km waterfront loop past totem poles and beaches.
- •Granville Island — Public market, artisans and False Creek ferries.
- •Capilano Suspension Bridge — Treetop walkways over a rainforest canyon.
- •Grouse Mountain — Skyride views, hikes and winter skiing 15 minutes from town.
- •Gastown — Steam clock, brick lanes and cocktail bars.
Getting around: SkyTrain's Canada Line runs airport to downtown in 25 minutes; SeaBus crosses to the North Shore; tap any bank card.
Pick what matters for your layover or early flight, then compare on your favorite booking site.
IndianAirports may receive compensation when you book or purchase through some of the links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider and may change. We never share your private trip details with partners — only the destination, dates and party size you searched.
City & Place Guide
No guide exists for this place yet — Click to generate a Traveler Pulse guide.
Passport, Visa & Immigration
Flying internationally via YVR? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Canada from official government sources.
Vancouver International Airport is an international airport located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, serving the city of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland region. It is located 12 km (7.5 mi) from Downtown Vancouver. The airport is managed by Vancouver Airport Authority, a nonprofit organization, and covers a total expanse of about 1,340 hectares of airport property.
Read full article on Wikipedia