Vancouver is a large but compact and uncluttered airport.

It is divided into three areas.

• Main Terminal - International, Domestic and US terminals
• South Terminal - south terminal for some regional airlines
• Seaplane terminal - pier with a small building near the south terminal

The main terminal is a large complex combined into one large building and all parts (international, domestic, US) are connected by a public and transit area.

The south terminal is just a small building that you can walk through in 2 minutes, and the seaplane terminal is an even smaller building with several piers.

A free shuttle bus connects all terminals through the public area from 5:25 to 9:45 pm with a frequency of 40 minutes and a travel time of 20 minutes,

Airport map

For clear maps of the terminals and connecting corridors, visit the airport's official website at yvr.ca/terminal-maps.

Which terminal?

Which Vancouver Airport terminal will you be departing from?

• International (D-gates) - all international departures except for the U.S.
• US (E-gates) - all departures to the US
• Domestic (A, B, C-gates) - all departures to Canadian destinations except airlines flying from the South Terminal
• South Terminal - Air North, Central Mountain Air, Iskwew Air, North Cariboo Air, Pacific Coastal Airlines, Summit Air

Transfer between flights

For transfers, Vancouver is a very friendly and straightforward airport. You never have to change buildings because the domestic, international and US terminals are all connected into one campus.

Do I have to go through immigration and pick up my luggage?

Canadian airports, unlike those in the US, have a separate transit area. However, you will still go through Canadian immigration.

If you are connecting in Vancouver in a single booking, your airline will likely check your luggage through to your final destination.

Book a hotel when you transfer

International <-> International

Watch for the "Connecting Flights" and "D-gates" signs when you exit the plane.

Although you won't be leaving the transit zone completely, you will have to go through Canadian immigration. These are counters specifically set aside for transiting passengers and the wait time is usually 5-15 minutes.

After that, you will go through security to the departure gates.

• Average transfer time - 45 minutes
• Baggage - will be transferred automatically, you do not need to collect your checked baggage *

International -> Canada

After exiting the aircraft, follow the "Arrivals" signs which will take you to Canadian Immigration.

Usually expect lines between 10 and 30 minutes.

Continue through the transit corridor to the security checkpoint, after which you will take the escalator up to the departure gate.

• Average transfer time - 75 minutes
• Baggage - will be transferred automatically, you do not need to collect your checked baggage *

International -> US

After exiting the aircraft, watch for the "Connecting Flights" and "E-gates" signs.

There is a US immigration checkpoint at Vancouver Airport, so if you are connecting to a flight to the US in Vancouver, you will not need to go through immigration once you arrive in the US.

When you change planes in Vancouver, you only go through US immigration and not Canadian immigration.

Immigration is followed by a traditional security check.

• Average transfer time - 75 minutes
• Baggage - will be transferred automatically, you do not need to collect your checked bag*

US -> International

When you exit the aircraft, watch for the "Connecting Flights" and "D-gates" signs.

You will go through Canadian immigration and then through security.

• Average transfer time - 55 minutes
• Baggage - will be transferred automatically, you do not need to collect your checked baggage *

Canada -> International

Follow the "D-gates" signs when you exit the aircraft.

You will only go through security when you transfer.

• Average transfer time - 30 minutes
• Baggage - will be transferred automatically, you do not need to collect your checked baggage *

Canada -> US

Follow the "E-gates" signs when you exit the aircraft.

When you transfer, you will first go through security and then US immigration.

• Average transfer time - 55 minutes
• Baggage - will be transferred automatically, you do not need to collect your checked baggage *

US -> Canada

After exiting the aircraft, follow the "Arrivals" signs which will take you to Canadian immigration.

Usually expect lines between 10 and 30 minutes.

Continue through the transit corridor to the security checkpoint, after which you will take the escalator up to the departure gate.

• Average transfer time - 75 minutes
• Baggage - must be collected

Canada <-> Canada

Once off the plane, you will find yourself directly in the departure gate area. Simply search for your connecting flight by departure gate number.

You do not go through any checkpoint.

• Average transfer time - 10-20 minutes
• Baggage - will be transferred automatically, you do not need to collect your checked baggage *

* This is only valid if you have a guaranteed transfer on one booking that does not exceed 12 hours. Always make sure at your point of departure that your baggage is actually sent to your final destination.

Do I need an eTA permit?

Even if you are only connecting from an international to an international flight, you must obtain an eTA to enter Canada. It can be conveniently processed online for a fee at 7 cad.

Transfer between the main and south terminals

You can only transfer between these terminals via the public landside.

A free shuttle bus runs between the terminals.

• Frequency - 40 minutes
• Travel time - 15 to 20 minutes
• Operating hours - 5:25 to 21:45

The bus also continues on to the seaplane terminal.