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Arriving in Vancouver

Arriving at Vancouver International Airport

When you arrive on your international flight, follow the “Canada Arrivals” signs to Canada Customs and Immigration, located in the Arrivals Hall. This is where you will show your passport and speak to Immigration Agents about the purpose and duration of your stay. You will need your travel visa documents here, and you will need to show that you have filled out the Customs Declaration Card that you receive on the airplane (regarding any gifts or goods you are bringing to Canada). Learn more here. You can preview the card, which is available in French and English on the plane.

After you go through Canada Customs and Immigration, you can claim your luggage. The hall is large, so please look for your Flight # on the display screens on each carousel. Sometimes the flight attendants know in advance what carousel your luggage will be at and they will announce it onboard the aircraft as you taxi in.

Free luggage carts are located near each carousel.

After claiming your luggage, you will exit the Customs Hall and give your Customs Declaration Card to the agent.

Then, you will next enter an area known as the International Reception Lobby. This area has:

  •  Banking and foreign exchange
  • Ground transportation services – taxis, buses, etc.
  • Tourism Information

Proceed through the automatic opening doors to the public meet and greet area. If you have made a reservation at a nearby hotel, there will probably be a free shuttle to it. You should ask specifically for the details when you book your room, but as long as you know the name of the hotel, any Help Desk in the airport, or Volunteers (wearing green vests) should be able to direct you to where the shuttles depart. 

VISIT the information about arrivals on the YVR (Vancouver International Airport) website here.

Recommended Accommodation in Vancouver

An excellent booking service is www.expedia.ca, if you are able to pay ahead of time and have a credit card. Prices are quoted in Canadian dollars. Prices are usually much cheaper if booked through Expedia than if you contact the hotel directly. 

These hotels are on the cheaper side ($100-120/night), near the airport, and all have free shuttle service (links coming soon).

  • Days Inn Vancouver Airport
  • Executive Inn Express Airport
  • Sandman Vancouver Airport
  • Accent Inns Vancouver Airport
  • Travelodge Vancouver Airport

Alternatively, you can take the Canada Line (Skytrain) into downtown Vancouver for less than $5 and stay at:

  • YWCA Hotel (our top recommendation for affordability, has a range of dorm-style and private rooms with or without bathrooms and is open to all ages). You cannot book the YWCA through Expedia.
  • Light Heart Inn B&B (although not quite in downtown Vancouver, you will not find a more helpful person in Vancouver than Greg, the owner of this place)
  • HI Vancouver Downtown (hostel)
  • Best Western Downtown Hotel
  • Best Western Chateau Granville
  • Howard Johnson Downtown Hotel Vancouver
  • Sandman Hotel Vancouver City Centre