During your time at Vancouver International Airport, whether you are waiting for departure or arriving, a significant portion of your experience will be within the terminals. Understanding the details of the Vancouver Airport terminal is essential for seamless navigation and utilization.
For comprehensive explanations of all the terminals at YVR Airport, along with their facilities and lounges, refer to the article below.
Vancouver Airport Terminals
In terms of physical buildings, Vancouver Airport boasts two main terminals: the Main Terminal (Terminal M) and the South Terminal. However, these cater to three distinct flight categories: international, domestic, and regional.
Within the Vancouver Airport Terminal M area, two key terminals—the Domestic and International Terminals—are situated on the third level of the building.
Due to its substantial size and the capacity to manage dual flights, it’s often referred to as the Vancouver Airport Main Terminal. Meanwhile, the South Terminal is exclusively dedicated to regional flights.
Terminal M encompasses four levels, as follows:
- Level 1: Reserved for the special service plaza area.
- Level 2: Serves as both a baggage claim area and arrivals section.
- Level 3: Houses the Domestic Terminal, International Terminal, and departures area.
- Level 4: Designated for security checks, check-in, and arrivals.
Vancouver Airport Domestic Terminal
The YVR Domestic Terminal is situated on the third level of the Terminal M building and is organized into three concourses: A, B, and C:
- A Gates: 1-12
- B Gates: 11-28
- C Gates: 29-52
Operating hours at the Domestic Terminal are segmented into three sessions:
- Weekdays: 06.50 AM to 08.10 PM
- Saturday: 07.10 AM to 07.10 PM
- Sunday: 07.40 AM to 07.50 PM
Facilities and Services
While utilizing the Domestic Terminal, you can take advantage of these facilities and services:
- Medical Clinic: Offering services like physiotherapy, travel medicine, and podiatry.
- Restaurants and Food: Enhance your waiting time with a variety of food and beverage options. Available eateries include Starbucks, A&W Canada, True Burger Co., Euro Café, Rice Tales, Monk’s Grill, and Wendy’s.
- Other facilities: Duty-Free shops, Free Wi-Fi, luggage storage, dental care, ATMs, currency exchange, porter services, and more.
Lounges
For a comfortable rest, consider these lounges:
- Plaza Premium Lounges (Gate C29 and Gate B15)
- Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge.
Vancouver Airport International Terminal
Much like the Domestic Terminal, the International Terminal occupies level 3 of Terminal M and is split into two concourses, D and E:
- D Gates: D50-D59 and D68-D78
- E Gates: E76-E88 and E90-E96
Service hours at the International Terminal are as follows:
- Weekdays: 06:45 AM to 08:05 PM
- Saturday: 07:05 AM to 07:05 PM
- Sunday: 07:35 AM to 07:45 PM
Facilities and Services
When utilizing the International Terminal, you can avail yourself of these facilities and services:
- Restaurants and Food: For satisfying your hunger or unwinding, notable options await, including Subway, Starbucks, Hanami Express, Banh Shop, A&W Canada, Tim Hortons, Freshii, Vino Volo, Euro Café, Afternoon Tea, Japadog, and more.
- Medical Clinic: Offering services such as physiotherapy, travel medicine, and podiatry.
- Lost and Found: Situated in the departure area at the Customer Service counter, operational daily from 09.30 AM to 05.30 PM. You can contact Customer Service at +1 604 276 6104.
- Other facilities: Duty-Free shops, Free Wi-Fi, luggage storage, dental care, ATMs, currency exchange, porter services, and more.
Lounges
The International Terminal presents five lounges:
- SkyTeam Lounge
- Plaza Premium Lounge
- Air Canada Signature Suite
- Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge
- Cathay Pacific First and Business Class Lounge
Vancouver Airport South Terminal
Given its exclusive handling of regional flights, the South Terminal is notably smaller compared to Terminal M or other airports in Canada. Its primary focus lies in managing flights for British Columbia and charter services.
The South Terminal structure comprises two levels: Level 1 (Arrivals and Departures) and Level 2 (Mezzanine Level).
Facilities and Services at Vancouver Airport Terminal
Due to its regional-exclusive and limited flight operations, the South Terminal offers a more concise range of services. Consequently, passenger dwell time within the terminal is relatively brief.
You can access at least four services in Vancouver Airport Terminal:
- Cafes
- ATMs
- Shops
- Transportation options: Complimentary shuttle service
In contrast to the Domestic and International sections, the South Terminal lacks a lounge.
Inter-terminal Transport
Moving from the Domestic Terminal to the International Terminal is a breeze by foot. Given that both are positioned on the 3rd floor of the Terminal M building, their proximity in Vancouver Airport Terminal is indeed advantageous.
However, if you require transportation between the South Terminal and the others, the Courtesy Shuttle is at your service in Vancouver Airport Terminal.
The pickup and drop-off points for the Courtesy Shuttle are as follows:
- Domestic Terminal: Located in the outdoor vicinity of Domestic Arrivals.
- International Terminal: Situated outside the International Arrivals area.
- South Terminal: Positioned at the southernmost terminus, adjacent to the Arrivals entrance.
As a tourist, you are unlikely to require the service for accessing the Vancouver Airport Terminal, as it is not relevant to your flight.
By utilizing this guide to the Vancouver Airport terminal, your time spent at the airport will be markedly smoother and more convenient. And remember, to further streamline your experience, do not forget to secure your flight ticket through Airpaz. Download the app now for added ease!
