Getting To and From the Vancouver Airport (YVR)

You have several options to get to Downtown Vancouver from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and the nearby Abbotsford Airport (YXX), which acts as a secondary terminal. Shuttle service runs between both airports, so you needn't worry if you must make your way from one airport to another. For more information on booking a shuttle between airports, visit here.

Some hotels in Richmond and Vancouver offer free shuttle service to and from the hotel. Check with your hotel before booking.

There are many other ways to get Downtown from the airport. The YVR Airporter picks up at YVR's Domestic and International terminals. For $13 (one way, see website for roundtrips and available discounts), the Airporter can you take you down Granville Street to Downtown, with many stops at hotels and popular intersections along the way. It also picks up from most hotels in the city. Tickets can be purchased at the airport or from your hotel's concierge service.

If you're willing to spend a little more, there are always plenty of cabs and limos outside the terminals at YVR. There are four cab companies which run from the Vancouver Airport, all of which will change you about $27dollars, not including tip, to get Downtown. If you're feeling slightly more indulgent, a limousine to Downtown will coast around $45 dollars plus tip.

All of the above options should take you less than an hour. If you have less money to spend, and a little more time, there are public buses from the airport to the city.

Public bus service to Vancouver, Richmond and beyond originates at the Airport Station Bus Terminal, located near the Delta Hotel. Airport Station Bus Terminal and the airport are connected by Bus Route #424, which picks up and drops off passengers at the Ground Level of the Domestic terminal.

Several public transportation bus routes service the Airport Station Bus Terminal: The 98 B Line and Route #496 connect to downtown Vancouver, Route #620 connects to the BC Ferries in Tsawwassen, Route #100 connects to Vancouver and points east, Route #491 travels to Richmond and Steveston, Route #301 connects to Surrey/Newton, Route #C 92 connects to the Airport South Terminal while Route #C90 connects to the northern portion of Sea Island.

The #424 bus stop is located on Level 1 of the Domestic Terminal. Bus schedules are available at the Customer Service Counters and at the Visitor Information Centres on the Arrivals Level of both terminals.

Fares vary depending on the destination and time of day. When boarding the bus cash fares must be paid in exact change. A change machine is available in the Domestic Terminal located near the exit doors closest to the transit area. Bus tickets may also be purchased at the 7-eleven convenience store and the Pharmasave pharmacy, both located in the Domestic Terminal. Bus service frequency and times vary depending on time of day, day of week or season. For information more information on bus fares, schedules, trip times and routes visit Translink, Southern BC's Transit Authority.

If all of the above sounds confusing, just use Translink's Trip Planner, which will map out your route according to time, date, and fare cost.

Please note that The Canada Line, a light rail service from the Airport to Richmond To Vancouver, is expected to be completed for by 2009.

To find information on buses to other destinations, such as Whistler, Vancouver Island(Victoria) and Washington State (USA), check YVR's site here.