Ultimate Guide to YVR Vancouver International Airport

Updated May 8, 2026
Fact checked by
Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève Leclerc Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève, Web Director at Milesopedia, is an expert in budget travel and a slow travel enthusiast. Specializing in Aeroplan, Scene+, and Marriott Bonvoy programs, she spends nearly six months a year abroad, making travel her way of life. Constantly seeking the best waves to surf, excellent coffee, and strategies to extend her travels, she is often found in coworking spaces with fellow digital nomads or by the sea, watching the sunset.
All posts by Marie-Ève Leclerc
Ultimate Guide to YVR Vancouver International Airport - YVR Guide Feature Image
To the point Enjoy our complete guide to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), and get to know Canada's second largest airport.

Explore our complete guide to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and learn everything you need to know about Canada’s second busiest airport.

Ultimate Guide to YVR Vancouver International Airport - YVR Guide airport logo

Important information about YVR Vancouver International Airport

Getting to/from YVR Vancouver International Airport

Ultimate Guide to YVR Vancouver International Airport - YVR Guide airport location
Ultimate Guide to YVR Vancouver International Airport - YVR Guide public transit Canada Line train
Ultimate Guide to YVR Vancouver International Airport - YVR Guide Vancouver from above

Inside the airport

Ultimate Guide to YVR Vancouver International Airport - YVR Guide Terminal map
Ultimate Guide to YVR Vancouver International Airport - YVR Guide airport runway with mountain

Hotels in Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

For travellers in need of a comfortable place to spend the night near the airport, you can’t get much closer than the Fairmont Vancouver Airport, which is located directly inside the Vancouver International Airport.

This hotel participates in the Accor Live Limitless loyalty program, giving you the opportunity to earn and/or redeem points while enjoying its incredibly convenient location.

Hotels near Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

If you’re looking for a hotel near the Vancouver International Airport, you’ll be spoiled for choice, with properties available from all the major hotel brands.

For example, the following popular properties are very near the airport:

Additionally, downtown Vancouver is only a 30-minute drive away, so you can always choose to stay a little further from the airport and closer to activities like harbour cruises, walking in Stanley Park, and exploring Gastown.

For travellers looking to earn or redeem their hotel loyalty points during their stay in Vancouver, there are lots of choices for fans of the Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, or Accor Live Limitless programs.

Check out our reviews of some hotels near the airport and in downtown Vancouver to find the best option for your next trip:

Car rentals near Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

Renting a car at Vancouver International Airport is easy thanks to rental facilities located on the ground floor of the parkade, moments from the Main Terminal.

On-site car rental companies include:

  • Avis
  • Alamo
  • Budget
  • Dollar
  • Enterprise
  • Hertz
  • National
  • Thrifty

There are also additional rental options available via shuttle service that can accessed from the curbside Courtesy Shuttle Zones. These companies include:

  • Europcar
  • Routes Car Rental
  • SIXT Rent a Car
  • West Coast Car Rental

If you’re interested in learning how to save on your next car rental, check out guides to using the right credit cards and loyalty points and programs to keep your car rental budget under control:

Lounges at Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

After you’ve made your way through the check-in, security, and customs processes at Vancouver International Airport, we highly recommend treating yourself to one of the available airport lounges.

An airport lounge is a great place to relax before your flight since they’re typically quieter than a departure gate and they tend to offer more comfortable seating and some complimentary food and drinks.

Lounges can be accessed by business class and first class passengers, and by travellers who have a credit card that gives them complimentary membership and passes through programs like DragonPass/Visa Airport Companion and Priority Pass.

We’ve got a handful of helpful guides to help improve your airport experience, so consider exploring these and our Vancouver Airport lounge reviews before you head out:

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Erin Partridge
Erin Partridge
Erin Partridge enjoys travelling slowly and taking her time to get to know each new place. 
She’s had the opportunity to live in Canada and South Korea, with shorter stints in Vietnam, Malaysia, Mexico, Spain, and more.
All posts by Erin Partridge

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