Vancouver International Airport

Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

The airport is 13 kilometers south of Vancouver. There are three terminals. The International and Domestic Terminals are connected with each other by a covered corridor. Furthermore, there is a separate ‘South Terminal’ that is only used by smaller regional airlines with flights to destinations within British Columbia.

There are a lot of construction activities in the coming years in order to prepare for the Winter Olympic Games in 2010.

Prices are given here in Canadian dollars (€ 1.00 = CAN$ 1.46, November 2006).

Local transport

Train

There is work being done at this moment on the high speed connection between the centre of Vancouver and the airport. This so-called ‘Canada Line’ will be ready at the end of 2009 and will connect with the Skytrain-system in Vancouver.

Car and bus

From Vancouver the airport is accessible via the Arthur Laing Bridge and then Highway 99 South. The exit to the airport is clearly indicated. The airport is on 3211 Grant McConachie Way.

The Airporter bus (tel: +1(0)604 946 8866) maintains a shuttle connection with Vancouver. This bus stops by several hotels, by the terminal for cruise ships and by the large bus and train stations.

Bus line 424 leaves from the Domestic Terminal to the Airport Station Bus Terminal. Busses go from this station to Vancouver and other places in British Columbia.

Car rental Vancouver International Airport

The car rental companies Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National and Thrifty have counters in the Arrivals Hall. You can also reserve a rental car in advance using the service EasyTerra provides. They compare the rates of several providers in a single quote.

Taxi

Taxis are outside the Arrivals Hall of the International and Domestic Terminal. All taxis have a meter; a ride to the centre of Vancouver costs about CAN$ 25. Limousines can be reserved through Limojet Gold Express (tel: +1(0)604 273 1331).

Airport Parking

Right in front of the terminal is a parking garage ‘Parkade’. Level P1 is only for picking up and dropping off passengers, and levels P2 and P3 are for short term parking. Next to this garage is an area for longer parking (‘economy car park’). For cheaper parking you can park at an area further from the terminal. There is a free shuttle bus. More information about parking through tel: +1(0)604 207 7077.

Services

Hotels

There is one hotel at the airport: the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel (tel: +1(0)604 207 5200). Other hotels in the area of the airport are Vancouver Airport Marriott (tel: +1(0)604 276 2112) and Radisson President Hotel & Suites (tel: +1(0)604 276 8181). For more hotels and reserving online you can go to Booking.com. They have a large offering of hotels with great internet rates.

Shops and restaurants

Vancouver Airport has an extensive offering of shops and places for eating and drinking. You can find these in the whole terminal, both before and after customs.

Baggage

You can store baggage with Baggage Storage (tel: +1(0)604 303 4519) in the Arrivals Halls of both terminals.

You can find lost and found items on level 3 of the International Terminal (tel: +1(0)866 817 5243, gratis). You can also inquire online about lost items.

Information

There are information counters in the Departures Halls of the terminals. In the Arrivals Halls you can find the Tourism British Columbia Visitor Information Center (tel: +1(0)604 207 0953). You can also reserve accommodation, get information about tourist sights and purchase tickets for public transportation there.

Business

There is a modest center for business services: the CDS Business Center (tel: +1(0)604 303 4500) in the International Terminal. You can send and receive faxes, make copies and use a computer with internet connection. The Fairmont Hotel (see Hotels) offers business support. There are also meeting and conference rooms ro rent.

Handicapped persons

The airport is excellently accessible for handicapped persons. There are wheelchair ramps and adapted elevators, restrooms and telephones. In the elevators and restrooms there are instructions in Braille. There is a special telephone line for the hearing impaired: +1(0)604 207 7070.

Other services

You can find banks, money exchange offices and cash machines in the whole terminal. In the Domestic Arrivals Hall there is a fully equipped post office, and there are mobile telephones to rent. Wireless internet is available in the whole building.

The First Aid (tel: +1(0)604 207 6900) and a pharmacy can be found in the Domestic Terminal. There is also a dental clinic. Between the Domestic and International Terminal you can find a toddler playroom. Interesting are the many wooden sculptures – including totem poles – of the original Native American population of British Columbia.

Contact

Address

Vancouver International Airport Authority
PO Box 23750
Airport Postal Outlet
Richmond
British Columbia V7B 1Y7
Canada

Telephone, fax, email

Telephone: +1(0)604 207 7077
Fax: +1(0)604 276 6099
Email: through the contact form

Airport codes

IATA airport code: YVR
ICAO airport code: CYVR