Departing From YVR
Welcome to YVR! To ensure your journey starts off smoothly and stress-free, we recommend giving yourself plenty of time before your flight. As a general guide, please plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours ahead of domestic flights, and three hours for U.S. and International flights. This gives you ample time to check in, clear security, and enjoy our terminal before you board.
Departing from Airport South, including the South Terminal? Please visit our South Terminal page for more information.
Preparing for Your Flight
Getting to YVR is easy with a variety of convenient Transportation Options. Travellers can choose from public transportation, ride hailing, as well as flexible term parking solutions.
Confirm your reservations and baggage rules with your airline a few days before your trip. Save time by checking in online, an option available for most airlines 24 hours prior to departure.
Ensure your passport is valid and you have the correct travel visas or documentation required for your destination, as well as what you will need upon your return.
Follow all Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) guidelines. Remember: Liquids, gels, and aerosols in your carry-on must be in containers of 100ml or less and fit into one transparent, resealable one-litre plastic bag. Additionally, you must ensure your electronic devices are charged and can power up when requested during security checks.
YVR is committed to ensuring an accessible, inclusive, and efficient experience for all passengers. For comprehensive details on screening processes, and priority programs, please visit our Security Information page
Navigating the Terminal
Whether you are travelling within Canada, to an international destination, or to the United States, your departure follows a dedicated path designed for your specific route.
Step 1: Check-In & Bag Drop
Upon arrival, locate your airline’s check-in counters. Print your boarding passes and baggage tags at a kiosk, drop off your standard and oversized checked bags, and head toward your designated departure zone. Please visit our fully interactive MAP for more information on where your airline’s counters are located.
Step 2: Find Your Departure Path
All passengers must clear pre-board security screening prior to their departure. Please check the flight information screens to find your gate (A, B, C, D, or E) and proceed to the corresponding security checkpoint for your destination.
- International Security Screening (Checkpoint D) → Duty-Free → Proceed to Gate
- Follow the overhead signs to D Gates.
- After clearing security, you will walk directly through our expansive Duty-Free shopping area. From there, you can Dine, Shop, and Relax before proceeding to the D Gates to await your international departure.
- Transborder Security Screening (E Gates) → U.S. Customs Preclearance → Proceed to Gate
- Follow the overhead signs to “E Gates”.
- Because YVR is a U.S. Preclearance location, you will clear U.S. customs right here in Vancouver. Immediately after security, you will be directed into the U.S. Customs and Border Protection hall.
- Once you clear customs, you can proceed directly into the transborder terminal to Dine, Shop, and Relax. From there, you can proceed to the E Gates to await your departure flight.
Security Information Section Additions
YVR and CATSA are committed to ensuring an inclusive, barrier-free, and supportive screening experience. Dedicated Family and Special Needs lanes are available at all pre-board screening checkpoints to allow for extra time and assistance.
Travelling with Families & Children
- Strollers & Car Seats: Strollers and car seats are permitted through security, and children may remain in them during screening. Just be sure to check with your airline guidelines beforehand.
- Baby Food & Formula: Baby food, breast milk, formula, juice, and gel cooling packs required for your child's journey are exempt from the standard 100ml liquid restrictions. Please pack these items so they can easily be removed from your carry-on and declare them to the screening officer upon arrival.
- Keep Together: Families will be screened together. Children who can walk independently should walk through the metal detector on their own, while infants can be carried by a parent.
- Mobility Aids: If you use a wheelchair, scooter, or other mobility aid and cannot walk through the metal detector, you will bypass the walk-through machine. A screening officer will perform a manual inspection of you and your mobility device.
- Medical Implants & Devices: If you have a pacemaker, insulin pump, continuous glucose monitor, or other medical implant, please inform the screening officer before the process begins. You can request a physical search in place of the metal detector or body scanner.
- Medications: Prescription and essential medications are exempt from the 100ml liquid rule. Please declare them to the screening officer.
- Hidden Disabilities: YVR proudly supports the Sunflower Lanyard program for invisible disabilities which can be obtained from our Customer Care and Information counters. If you are wearing a lanyard, our staff and CATSA officers are trained to recognize that you may require extra time, patience, or assistance during the screening process. Please do not hesitate to tell an officer what accommodations you need.