Connecting at Vancouver airport

Connection time calculator, immigration and security, and how to move between terminals at YVR.

How connections work at YVR

At Vancouver airport, passengers connecting between two international flights can usually stay in the transit area without going through immigration.

The airport has 3 terminals or concourses (Domestic gates (A, B, C), International gates (D), U.S. gates (E)).

Connecting passengers go through a transfer security screening.

Connection time calculator

Is your layover at YVR long enough? Pick your connection and get an estimate with the times of this airport.

Terminals / concourses: Domestic gates (A, B, C), International gates (D), U.S. gates (E)

Getting between them: Walking along signposted connection paths; free courtesy shuttle to the South Terminal

Connection paths are signposted by type on Level 4: International Connections (D gates), Canada Connections (A, B, C gates) and USA Connections (E gates, with U.S. CBP preclearance). The South Terminal is separate: changing to it means claiming checked bags and taking the free courtesy shuttle.

International-to-Canada connections include a customs declaration at a kiosk; connections to the United States clear U.S. CBP preclearance at YVR before the E gates.

  • With through-checked bags on a participating airline you usually do not reclaim them; with separate tickets you go through arrivals, reclaim bags and check in again on Level 3.
  • Connections to the U.S. include security screening and U.S. preclearance before the E gates: allow extra time.
  • U.S. to U.S. connections go through Canada Customs and baggage reclaim before the E gates.

Estimate based on typical times at this airport, not your airline's official minimum connection time. Immigration and security lines change with the time of day and season. On a single ticket, the airline must rebook you if you miss the connection; on separate tickets, it does not.

Sources: yvr.ca.

Times are estimates: always check with your airline.

More about YVR

Airport guide Departures Arrivals