Vancouver Airport (YVR)

International connections

For international or U.S. arrivals, YVR's Level 4 connections flow is for travelers with through-checked bags who are eligible for the Connections Program. If your bags are not through-checked or you are otherwise ineligible, follow International Arrivals to Level 2 for customs, baggage reclaim and onward security/check-in.

On the Level 4 path, international-to-Canada passengers clear Canada Customs and may face security depending on origin; international-to-international passengers may face additional security; international-to-U.S. passengers go through pre-board security and U.S. Preclearance.

Source: YVR - Connecting Through YVR

U.S. Preclearance

YVR is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance location. If your next flight goes to the U.S., you go through security screening and then U.S. customs and immigration at YVR, before reaching the E gates.

Because you've already been cleared, you bypass CBP and TSA inspections when you land in the U.S. and can go straight to your connecting flight or destination.

Source: CBP — Preclearance

Domestic connections

Arriving from elsewhere in Canada with through-checked bags, you do not collect your luggage. Continue to your Canada gate, follow International Connections for the D gates, or USA Connections for security and U.S. Preclearance. If bags are not through-checked, reclaim them before check-in and security.

Arriving from outside Canada with through-checked bags and eligible for the Connections Program, follow Level 4 connection signage. International-to-Canada passengers clear Canada Customs there; travelers needing a new Canadian study or work permit must use International Arrivals Level 2 instead.

Source: YVR - Connecting Through YVR

Baggage

Connection procedures depend on whether your bags are checked through to your final destination. Through-checked bags are automatically transferred when you can use the connection flow. Bags that are not through-checked must be claimed and checked in again. YVR tells travelers to confirm baggage status and connection requirements with their airline.

Source: YVR - Connecting Through YVR

Terminal transfers

The A-E gate areas are in the Main Terminal. If you connect between the Main Terminal and South Terminal, YVR requires you to claim all checked bags and use the free Courtesy Shuttle. The exception is a Canada-to-Canada connection entirely within the South Terminal with through-checked luggage, where you do not collect your bags.

Source: YVR - Connecting Through YVR

Departing from YVR

Check in at your airline's counter on Departures Level 3 (or online), drop your bags, then go through CATSA security screening: ABC North or South for Canada flights, D for international, E for the U.S.

Flying to the U.S.? Security comes first, then U.S. Preclearance — you clear U.S. customs and immigration at YVR, and your checked bags stay with the airline. YVR recommends arriving 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before U.S. or international flights.

Source: YVR — Security information

Getting around YVR

Where you can walk, and where you'll need a train or bus. Walking times are shown only where the airport publishes them.

Sources: YVR terminal map (Jan 2025) · YVR Canada arrivals connections map (2022) · YVR - Connecting Through YVR

Official resources

• YVR — Check-in (opens in a new tab)
• YVR connections map — arriving from international/U.S. (opens in a new tab)
• YVR connections map — arriving from Canada (opens in a new tab)
• YVR security information (opens in a new tab)
• CBP — U.S. Preclearance (opens in a new tab)
• Official airport website (opens in a new tab)
• YVR — Transportation (opens in a new tab)

Plan your trip through YVR