Vancouver Airport (YVR)

Premier Listings for Vancouver Airport (YVR)

Vancouver International Airport is the Gateway to the Americas. For most cities in North America, the shortest and fastest routing to the major cities of Asia is via Vancouver. Vancouver is 1,250 kilometres (roughly 750 miles) closer to Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore, than is Los Angeles.

Our air carriers provide scheduled nonstop service to 31 communities in British Columbia, another 33 destinations in North America, and nonstop or direct service to 12 cities in Asia/Pacific and 3 cities in Europe. The Vancouver International Airport is served by more than 40-air carriers, operating 17 International and 22 US scheduled cities, and a broad array of Canadian destinations.

In 2000, Vancouver International Airport handled 16.01 million passengers and 252 thousand metric tonnes of cargo. Since 1992, when the Airport Authority assumed responsibility for the airport, passenger traffic has increased 61% from 9.94 million passengers. Air cargo increased 74% from 144,000 tonnes of air cargo.

Vancouver International Airport provides travellers with a wide range of facilities and services. The airport boasts children’s’ play areas and a quiet nursery equipped with cribs. Frequent travellers will be pleased with the full service Business Centre. A full set of banking services are available, with currency exchange available for roughly 90 currencies. Here you can open bank accounts, apply for loans, save for retirement, or purchase Canada’s popular gold coins.

Vancouver International Airport offers a wide range of Shopping and Food Services. No other airport in North America offers a choice of six Asian food outlets, ranging from fast service sushi to full service Chinese dim sum, in addition to traditional North American menus. Specialty Canadian products such as smoked salmon and maple syrup are available, as well as a great selection of apparel, gifts, leather good, travel accessories and books. Duty-free stores offer a wide range of perfume, cosmetics, liquor, tobacco and designer accessories.

The Vancouver airport is world renowned for its distinctive Pacific Northwest art, including Bill Reid’s massive Jade Canoe sculpture.

Vancouver is home to the world’s third most popular cruise vacation. From May to September each year, the world’s leading cruise ship operators sail from Vancouver, through the beautiful inside passage of British Columbia, to the glaciers of Alaska. Cruises include visits to historical sights of Alaska, and often witness orcas and other whales in their natural habitat. The new International Terminal at Vancouver International Airport is the first in the world to be specially designed and operated to let cruise ship passengers sail through the airport terminal with the greatest of ease. Cruise Ship passengers arriving on the day of their intended cruise will find Cruise Ship Representatives available in the arrivals area to assist you in finding appropriate transportation to the cruise ship piers.

A variety of parking facilities are available at the airport, including a covered parkade for safe and convenient parking close to the terminal; an Economy Parking lot for extra value when staying 1 or more days; and the most cost effective parking facility on Sea Island, the long Term parking lot. Or if you prefer, there is Valet parking available right on the departures curb.

There are many ground transportation services such as buses, shuttles, taxis and limousines, all available curbside in front of both Terminals. Vancouver Airport has many options for getting to and from the airport. Public Transportation from TransLink will take you right to the Ground Level of the Domestic Terminal. Scheduled bus services are available to the major hotels and destinations downtown, South Surrey, Langley, Aldergrove, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Whistler, Vancouver Island and Seattle. Courtesy shuttles provide service to the Long-Term Parking Lot, local hotels and other locations around the airport.

Location: Vancouver International Airport is located on Seal Island in Richmond, 9 miles (15 km) southwest of downtown Vancouver. Driving time is about 30 minutes on Highway 99.

Free Baggage carts are available or porters are on hand to assist you.

Car Rental facilities are conveniently located just steps from the terminal on the ground floor of the Parkade. All major car rental companies operate their vehicle pickup and return services directly from these facilities.

Meeting Places: Vancouver International Airport has several meeting points which are easy to find. If you have guests arriving at the airport and will be meeting them, you might suggest one of the following meeting points:

• Haida Gwaii – The Spirit of Haida Gwaii is Bill Reid’s magnificent bronze sculpture. It is the centerpiece of the new International Terminal and is easy to locate. The sculpture is located on the Departures Level.
• Arrivals Level of the International Terminal – The Arrivals Level of the International Terminal has a large reception lobby where passengers arriving from the USA or other international flights can be met. The arrivals lobby offers several food services, including the Elephant & Castle pub and Starbucks coffee.
• Arrivals Level of the Domestic Terminal – The Arrivals Level of the Domestic Terminal contains the baggage carousels for “domestic” passengers arriving from flights from other cities in Canada. This is a convenient spot for meeting an arriving domestic passenger. Adjacent to the arrivals lobby in the Domestic Terminal is a food court and a full service bar.
• Link Meeting Point – The link is the glass corridor which connects the Domestic Terminal with the new International Terminal. This area offers quiet and comfortable seating, a children’ play area and nursery, and is a favourite meeting spot. A large chrome sign designates the meeting area.

Limousine Service is available from the airport 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Limousines are conveniently located immediately outside the Domestic and International arrivals areas, comfortably accommodate between six and eight passengers, and charge flat rates to all destinations. The rate to downtown, including Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal, is $34.24 (inclusive of all taxes).

Taxi fare to Downtown Vancouver is about $25 Canadian (US$17.00), and the trip takes about 30 minutes.

Airport Improvement Fee (AIF): Passengers departing Vancouver International Airport are required to purchase an Airport Improvement Fee ticket. Children under two and passengers connecting through Vancouver Airport on the same day are exempt. AIF tickets must be presented (along with airline tickets and boarding passes) as you pass through the airport security checkpoint on your way to the flight gate area. AIF tickets can be purchased in the airport from automatic ticket sales machines, or AIF Passenger Service Booths located throughout the terminals. Payment can be made in cash (Canadian or American), or by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club/En Route or by Canadian bank debit cards. Many travel agents and tour operators sell AIF tickets, so you may wish to ask them to include the AIF ticket at the same time that you make your airline ticket purchase.

Fee schedule:

• $ 5 for passengers travelling to a destination within British Columbia or the Yukon.
• $10 for passengers travelling to North American destinations, Hawaii and Mexico.
• $15 for passengers travelling to destinations outside North America.

Cruise Ship Passengers arriving in Vancouver from USA or International Locations: Follow the Canada Arrivals signs to the Arrivals Hall. If you are arriving on the day of your intended cruise, Cruise Ship Representatives will be available in the Domestic arrivals area to assist you finding appropriate transportation to the cruise ship piers. Proceed through Canada Customs and Immigration Preliminary Inspection Line. Make sure you have appropriate documentation available for inspection (such as passport and visa), and well as a completed Canada Customs Declaration Form. If you are arriving the day before or several days before you board your cruise ship, you will have to retrieve your baggage from the appropriate carousel. Proceed to the Secondary Inspection Line where you will hand in your Canada Customs Declaration Form. In the Canada Customs Hall as well as the International Reception Lobby you will be met by a cruise line representative and escorted or directed to appropriate ground transportation services to the cruise ship piers. You can also access the following services in the International Reception Lobby:

• Cruise Ship Information Counters
• Foreign Exchange and Banking Services
• Visitor Centre
• Ground Transportation Services

If your baggage is appropriately tagged for Holland America, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruises, World Explorer Cruise Lines, or Celebrity Cruises, and you are sailing the same day, you do not have to pick up your baggage from the carousel. Your cruise ship line will transfer your baggage to the cruise ship where it will be waiting for you in your cabin.

Cruise Ship Passengers Departing from Vancouver: USA departures are from Gates E in the International Terminal. If you already have your baggage, check in at your respective airline counter. If the cruise ship line is transferring your baggage, collect your baggage at the cruise ship passenger waiting area, at the east end of the USA departure check-in counters. Proceed to the U.S. Customs and Immigration Preliminary Inspection Line. Make sure that your boarding pass, passport and completed USA Customs form are readily available for inspection. Once through U.S. Customs, drop off your baggage and enter the USA Security Checkpoint to your appropriate USA departures gate.

Arriving from Canadian Destinations: All domestic arrivals are into Gates A, B or C of the Domestic Terminal.

Arriving from USA Destinations: All USA arrivals are into the International Terminal. In the Arrivals Hall, passengers must proceed through the Canada Customs and Immigration Preliminary Inspection Line. Make sure you have appropriate documentation readily available for inspection (such as passport), as well as a completed Canada Customs Declaration Form (given to you when you check in for your flight). Collect your baggage and proceed to the secondary inspection line where you will hand in your Canada Customs Declaration Form. Beyond Canada Customs is the International Reception Lobby where you can access the following services and the public meeting area:

• Cruise Ship Information Counters
• Foreign Exchange and Banking Services
• Domestic flight check-in counters
• Ground Transportation Services
• Visitor Centre

Arriving from International Destinations: All international arrivals are into the International Terminal. In the Arrivals Hall, passengers must proceed through the Canada Customs and Immigration Preliminary Inspection Line. Make sure you have appropriate documentation readily available for inspection (such as passport), as well as a completed Canada Customs Declaration Form (given to you when you check in for your flight). Collect your baggage and proceed to the secondary inspection line where you will hand in your Canada Customs Declaration Form. Beyond Canada Customs is the International Reception Lobby where you can access the following services and the public meeting area:

• Cruise Ship Information Counters
• Foreign Exchange and Banking Services
• Domestic flight check-in counters
• Ground Transportation Services
• Visitor Centre

Departing to Canadian Destinations: Canada departures are from Gates A, B, or C in the Domestic Terminal. Check in at your respective airline counter.

Departing to USA Destinations: USA departures are from Gates E in the International Terminal. Check in at your respective airline counter.

Departing to International Destinations (excluding USA): International departures are made from Gates D in the International Terminal. Check in at your respective airline counter. If you are travelling with Japan Airlines or Korean Air, your baggage will be pre-screened before proceeding to the airline check-in counters.

Canada Arrivals connecting to Canada Departures: Connections can be made to/from Gates A, B and C without going through security. Follow the A, B, or C Gate signs to your appropriate gate departures area through the connecting corridor. If you leave the secure area into the main terminal area, you will be required to re-enter through one of the Domestic Security Checkpoints. You will not be required to pay the Airport Improvement Fee if you are a same-day connecting passenger.

Canada Arrivals to USA Departures:
If you are in possession of a boarding pass, follow the USA Departures signs to the USA Baggage Claim Area in the International Terminal to retrieve your baggage. Do not go the Canada Domestic baggage claim. Be aware that once you have picked up your baggage, you will not be able to return to the public areas of the International Terminal. You must proceed directly through to the USA Departures Gate Area with your baggage. Proceed through the bypass line, to the U.S. Customs and Immigration Preliminary Inspection Line. Ensure that you have your boarding pass, passport and completed USA Customs form available for inspection. Once through U.S. Customs, drop off your baggage and enter the USA Security Checkpoint to your appropriate USA departures gate. Proceed through security to your appropriate USA departure gate.

If you do not possess a boarding pass, you must pick up your baggage at the Canada Arrivals Baggage Claim Area before proceeding to the USA Departure Gates. After retrieving your baggage, follow the USA Departures sign up to the Departures Level, then proceed to the USA Check-in Area in the International Terminal. Check-in at your respective airline counter. Be aware that once you have checked in, you will not be able to return to the public areas of the International Terminal. You must proceed directly through to your gate with your baggage, to the U.S. Customs & Immigration Preliminary Inspection Line. Ensure that you have your boarding pass, passport and completed USA Customs form available for inspection. Once through U.S. Customs, drop off your baggage and enter the USA Security checkpoint. Proceed through security to your appropriate USA departure gate.

Canada Arrivals to International Departures (excluding USA):
If you are in possession of a boarding pass and do not have baggage to claim, follow the signs to your International Departures Gate area through the connecting corridor. Be aware that once you are in the International Departures Gate area, you cannot return to the public areas of either the domestic terminal or the international terminal. Proceed to the International Gate Security Checkpoint.

If you do not possess a boarding pass and have baggage to claim, follow the Canada Arrivals sign to the Arrivals Level of the Domestic Terminal to retrieve your baggage. Follow the International Departures sign up to the Departures Level to the International Check-in Area in the International Terminal. Go to International Departures.

International Arrivals to Canada Departures: All International arrivals are into the International Terminal. Follow the Canada Arrivals sign to the Arrivals Hall. Proceed through the Canada Customs and Immigration Preliminary Inspection Line. Be sure to have appropriate documentation available for inspection (such as passport or visa), and a completed Canada Customs Declaration Form. Proceed to the secondary inspection line where you will hand in your Canada Customs Declaration Form. Once you have reached the International Reception Lobby, you have two options of connecting to Canadian departures.

For connections to an Air Canada or Canadian Airlines flight, your baggage can be dropped off at the respective airline counters in the International Reception Lobby. You may either take the elevator to the Departures Level or proceed through the automatic opening doors to the Public Meet and Greet area and up the staircase or escalators. Follow the Canada Departures signs to the Domestic Terminal and go to Canada Departures. Proceed to your gate.

For connections to another airline, proceed to the Canada Check-in Area of the Domestic Terminal. You may either take the elevator to the Departures Level or proceed through the automatic opening doors to the Public Meet and Greet area. Follow the Canada Departures signs to the airline Check-in Area in the Domestic Terminal. Go to Canada Departures. Proceed to your gate.

International Arrivals to USA Departures: All international arrivals are into the International Terminal. Follow Canada Arrivals sign to the Canada Arrivals Hall. Proceed through Canada Customs and Immigration Preliminary Inspection Line. Be sure to have appropriate documentation available for inspection (such as passport or visa), and a completed Canada Customs Declaration Form. Proceed to the Secondary Inspection Line where you will hand in your Canada Customs Declaration Form. Beyond Canada Customs is the International Reception Lobby where you can access the following services:

• Cruise Ship Information Counters
• Foreign Exchange and Banking Services
• Air Canada and Canadian Airlines domestic check-in counters
• Visitor Centre

You may either proceed through the automatic opening glass doors to the Public Meet and Greet area and follow the USA Departures sign to the Departures Level of the International Terminal, or take an elevator to the USA Departures Check-in Area on the Departures Level of the International Terminal. Follow the USA departures sign to the USA Departures Check-in Area. Go to USA Departures.

USA Arrivals to International Departures: There are two options for connections from USA to International Departures.

If you are in possession of a boarding pass and your baggage is checked through to your International destination, follow the International Connections sign to the Departures Level of the International Terminal. Proceed to the appropriate departure gate.

If you do not possess a boarding pass and your baggage is not checked through to your International destination, Follow the Canada Arrivals sign to the Arrivals Hall. Proceed through the Canada Customs and Immigration Preliminary Inspection Line. Have appropriate documentation available for inspection (such as passport or visa), and a completed Canada Customs Declaration Form. Proceed to the secondary inspection line where you will hand in your Canada Customs Declaration Form. Proceed through the International Reception Lobby through the automatic opening glass doors to the Public Meet and Greet area. Follow the Departures sign up the stairs or escalator to the International Check-in area on the Departures Level of the International Terminal. Check in with your airline. If you are travelling with Japan Airlines or Korean Air, your baggage must be pre-screened before the airline check-in counters. Proceed to the International Departures Security Checkpoint. Proceed through security to your international departure gate.

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