Travellers flying to or from Vancouver's largest airport might feel stressed before a flight.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is expecting to serve 6.7 million travellers between June 15 and Sept. 2, making 2025 its busiest summer on record.
While YVR is consistently ranked North America's best airport (it has received the honour for 14 out of the past 16 years), flight delays and cancellations are increasingly frequent amid ongoing air traffic controller shortages. The issue has plagued the airport so often that WestJet has an advisory on its page warning customers of issues specifically at YVR until at least Sept. 15 (it is the only airport listed).
However, there are several things travellers can do to enjoy a smoother experience at the airport.
Here are some tips to have a stress-free flight on your next visit to YVR.
Be baggage smart
Check your airline's specific baggage rules to avoid paying an unexpected fee at the airport or not being permitted to bring your bag on board.
Air Canada, WestJet, and Flair Airlines all now charge for carry-on bags in their lowest fare classes.
Follow the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) baggage requirements. Remember: liquids, gels and aerosols still need to be in containers that are less than 100 millilitres, and be packaged into one transparent, closed, and resealable plastic bag under one litre. Avoid wrapping holiday gifts since contents may need to be inspected during the screening process for carry-on and checked baggage.
Don't forget to empty your water bottle before going through security.
Not sure what else you can pack into your carry-on bags? Check CATSA's "What can I bring?" list for more information.
Before visiting the airport
Travellers headed to YVR should check online for possible delays, including on their commute to the airport or while on their flight, if possible. YVR frequently updates its X/Twitter, channel with information related to weather, staff shortages, protests, and more. You may also want to check Nav Canada's page for updates on possible delays caused by air traffic controller shortages (the agency may post an update before YVR).
FlightAware's online flight tracker also shows recent delays and cancellations at YVR.
You should also monitor the weather in the days leading up to your flight. Major storms often cause delays and cancellations, even if they aren't in your departure or arrival airports; issues across the continent or in other worldwide airports may impact flight schedules.
Travellers visiting areas affected by hurricanes can observe tropical storms developing well in advance with NOAA's National Hurricane Tracker (think hotspots in the southern U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America).
How to use YVR's "Journeys" tool for Vancouver flights
Passengers can visit YVR's flight information page and then choose whether they are "arriving" or "departing" from the airport. After they are directed to the next page, they can put their flight number in the search bar to get their specific trip information.
The flight information appears on the right-hand side in the column called “Journeys." Select “View your Journey" to get your step-by-step guide through the airport based on your specific flight information.
Depending on when you check, this area will display your flight number, terminal, gate, and estimated departure time (which may have changed from your original boarding time). It will also note where your airline check-in counter is located (example: between 792 and 800).
This section also has a "notify me" button that prompts you to add an email or phone number to receive updates on your flight.
When to arrive at the airport
YVR strongly encourages travellers to provide at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours for U.S. and international flights.
Travelling to and from YVR
You can travel from the heart of downtown Vancouver to YVR on the Canada Line in under half an hour. There are 16 stops along the way, and the train takes passengers directly to the airport.
The elevator from the station brings travellers right between the International and Domestic Terminals. From there, you can turn left for flights within Canada and right for everything else.
All transit users travelling on the Canada Line leaving YVR are subject to a $5 Canada Line YVR AddFare, in addition to the regular zone fare. AddFare is automatically added when a user purchases a fare ticket.
Travellers may also wish to rent a car upon arrival in Vancouver.
Flat rate taxi fares from the airport to various areas across Vancouver and Richmond increased in late 2024. The taxi stands are located on Level 2 of the Domestic and International Arrivals Area at YVR. Taxis can also take you to addresses in other Metro Vancouver areas, like Surrey, Delta, North Vancouver, or Burnaby.
Lyft, Uber, and KABU are authorized providers of Ride App services at YVR. You must download the app of any of the providers to request a ride. You can get picked up at one of the following designated pickup spots:
- International Arrivals, Level 2
- Domestic Arrivals, Level 2
- South Terminal
Unlike taxis, ride app services do not use a flat rate or even a metered rate. They are based on the availability of drivers in the area and may vary dramatically as a result.
Before leaving for YVR, check DriveBC for road conditions if you're driving to the airport. Public transit users can check TransLink's Transit Alerts or call Customer Information at 604-953-3333. The TransLink X/Twitter account will also provide updates on public transportation delays.
Parking options at the airport
Travellers who prefer to park their cars at the airport have a handful of options.
People picking up or dropping off travellers at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) now have complimentary parkade access for 30 minutes. Each additional 30 minutes of parkade use is $14, with a daily maximum of $65. The terminal parkade is the most expensive but most convenient option since it is attached to the airport (a one- to five-minute walk).
Travellers using the Gateway Valet parking can enjoy reduced prices. The new price is $28 hourly with a one-time $20 valet fee.
The JetSet YVR Parking is the next most convenient option with a free valet service, but you will have to take a free shuttle from the car drop-off to the airport. The price is $29.50 daily or $141 weekly.
The best-priced parking option is the Value Long Term, which is located by the Templeton Canada Line Station. Travellers will only have to take the train for one stop, and then it goes right to the airport. A shuttle is provided outside of TransLink hours. The price works out to $27.50 per day or $153.50 a week.
How to avoid missing a connection on a flight to Vancouver that visits another Canadian city
If YVR is the point of entry into Canada from abroad, travellers can save precious time at the airport during tight connections by filling out their CBSA customs declaration in advance.
Do you remember the ArriveCan App? The pandemic-created tool was designed to collect passenger health data to keep travellers safe during the global health emergency. However, it still provides a way for the Canadian government to collect information ahead of travel, which saves time for travellers.
There are separate lines and kiosks for passengers who have filled out their CBSA advanced declaration via ArriveCan. According to YVR, using ArriveCAN speeds up the customs and border process up to 50 per cent faster per traveller.
For travellers with a connection in their itinerary, having an alternative express line to move through might mean the difference between making their flight or not.
You can submit the information within 72 hours of arrival in Canada.
In addition to YVR, you can use the app at other Canadian airports, including Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL), and Calgary (YYC) among others.
How to create an ArriveCAN account for YVR arrivals
Travellers can use the ArriveCAN app in airplane mode, but require an internet connection to submit their declaration. They must also have either an Apple device running iOS 13 or above, or an Android device running OS 6 or above.
Alternatively, a web version of ArriveCAN is available on tablets, laptops, smartphones, and desktop computers.
- Follow the prompts to create the account
- Create a secure password
- Complete your traveller profile with a travel document (passport or Canadian permanent resident card), which you can scan or enter manually. When you travel you must use the same document that you entered into the app.
- If you plan to submit a declaration for a group, you will need to enter information for all travellers.
- By using the "saved traveller profile" feature on the app, your travel document information is kept on a secure server linked to your sign-in account. Using this feature is voluntary.
You will receive confirmation of your Advance CBSA Declaration, including your reference number, by email.
When your flight lands, you must:
- Scan your travel document(s) at the airport kiosk or eGate where available (a maximum of five travellers can use one kiosk at a time, and one traveller can use one eGate at a time – travellers using eGates must be 16 years of age or more)
- The kiosk/eGate will retrieve your declaration information
- Review and edit your declaration (if required) then submit your final declaration to the CBSA
- Take the kiosk or eGate receipt to a border services officer for further processing
A tool for speeding up U.S. travel
The Mobile Passport Control app allows travellers flying to the U.S. to submit their passport and customs declaration information through a free, secure app on their smartphone before they leave for a trip.
You may receive a card in your luggage from a border inspection officer
If you notice that an item is missing from your luggage, a CATSA screening officer may have removed it during an inspection. However, they will leave a “Notification of Checked Baggage Inspection” card in your bag if they remove something.
If you discover that an item is missing but there is no notification card, then an officer did not remove it. In this case, you should contact the airline you travelled with directly for more information.
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