Is a 1 hour layover enough time in Vancouver? Probably. Here’s why…

Is a 1 hour layover enough time in Vancouver? Probably. Here’s why…

This one hits close to home. It was just two weeks ago that, when faced with an unfortunate delay of my inbound flight, I was wondering to myself if a one hour layover would be enough time in Vancouver.

Long story short (despite feeling massively stressed), 1 hour ended up being plenty of time to go from a domestic flight to a US bound flight at YVR. It was tight, but it was fine.

  • Basically, 1 hour layovers at YVR are perfectly fine if you’re going from one domestic flight to another.
  • Doing what I did (coming from a domestic flight going to a flight bound for the United States), you would probably want at least an hour and a half.
  • The same goes for making international connections (to destinations other than the US). Plan for an hour and a half, and you should be OK.

The reason why a 1 hour layover is enough time in Vancouver (most of the time)

The vast majority of passengers traveling through the Vancouver Airport are connecting from one domestic flight to another. For those people, one hour is plenty of time.

All domestic flights in Vancouver arrive and depart from the Domestic Terminal (concourses A, B, and C). All of the gates in the three concourses inside the Domestic Terminal are connected airside, meaning that you will not have to pass through an additional checkpoint to move between them.

Even if you’re arriving flight docks at the far end of Concourse A, and your departing flight is leaving from the far end of Concourse C, 1 hour is still plenty of time. You’ll make it.

Vancouver Airport terminal
If by chance you do end up missing your flight, the Vancouver Airport is not a bad place to be temporarily stranded. Wipe away the tears, stop cussing, and be thankful you have the opportunity to explore this beautiful airport!

Reasons why a 1 hour layover might not be enough time

Even though I started this guide by bragging about how I successfully achieved a 1 hour layover between a domestic flight and one bound for the US (which you can read more about in my Air Canada Express CRJ-900 business class review), I will fully admit that it was a very stressful experience.

Basically, I got lucky since there were no lines to wait in to go through US Preclearance. I moved through the entire process in five minutes, and I was on my way. However, it won’t always be that easy. If there’s a long line, you could be waiting a while.

Also, the Domestic and International terminals at YVR are not connected airside. This means that you will have to pass through additional security checkpoints to move from one to the other. This could add time to your layover.

SANspotter selfie Vancouver Airport
One nice thing about wearing masks in airports is that it’ll help you look like you’ve got everything under control when you actually don’t. Here I am teetering on the edge of a panic attack while attempting to make a short 1 hour domestic to US connection at YVR recently.

What is the minimum layover for domestic flights in Vancouver?

Based on my experience traveling through the Vancouver Airport over the years, I would say that 45 minutes is about the minimum amount of time that you would want for a domestic layover. YVR is a large airport, so there’s always a chance that you’ll have to walk a bit to reach your next gate.

What is the minimum layover for international flights in Vancouver?

As I’ve already proven, 1 hour is enough time to make domestic to US connections in Vancouver. However, there are several different types of international connections at YVR, so let’s break them down individually:

1. Connecting to a flight headed to the United States

Personally, I would want an hour and a half layover (minimum) for flights headed to the United States from YVR.

All passengers on flights headed to the United States from the Vancouver Airport are required to pass through US Pre-clearance. You will be legally entering the United States before you leave Canada (so that you don’t have to go though passport control and customs upon arriving in the US). Depending on how long the lines are, this could take some time.

YVR airport US flight signs
Connecting to a US flight? Just follow the signs, stay positive, and remember what your boy SANspotter said about how easy connections are here at YVR.

2. Connecting to an international flight (to anywhere in the world other than the United States)

A layover of an hour and 25 minutes would be my minimum for connecting from a domestic flight to an international flight (to destinations other than the US) at YVR.

You won’t have to go through passport control and customs like you would for a US bound flight, but you will have to go through an additional security checkpoint to move between the domestic and international terminals.

3. Connecting FROM an international flight

Just as how there are several ways to connect to an international flight in Vancouver, there are also a handful of ways to connect from an international flight. Here are my recommendations for the length of the layover you’ll need for each scenario:

A. Connecting from an international flight to a domestic flight

Although you could probably do it in less time, my recommendation is for a 2 hour layover minimum when you’re arriving on an international flight and departing a domestic flight.

You’re going to have to go through passport control and customs, which takes time. Especially considering how many international flights pass through YVR on any given day.

B. Connecting from an international flight to a US bound flight

Connecting from an international flight to a US flight isn’t as common, but try to plan for a 2 1/2 hour layover if possible. This is because you will not only need to pass through passport control and customs to enter Canada, but then you’ll also have to pass through passport control and customs to enter the United States. It’s a pain, and that’s why it’s not so common.

C. Connecting from one international flight to another (to a destination other than the US)

Connecting from one international flight to another at YVR is relatively easy if you’re flying Air Canada. Upon arrival, simply proceed to your connecting gate. You’ll only need about an hour layover for this.

If you’re flying any other airline, it could be more complicated. You might have to go through Canadian passport control and customs before reaching your connection gate. If that’s the case, a 2 1/2 hour layover is ideal.

YVR passport control and customs area
If it’ll help you worry less about having a short layover between international flights at YVR, just know that the passport control and customs area is probably one of the nicest looking immigration facilities that I’ve ever been through. 

A brief overview of the terminal layout at YVR

There are three terminals at the Vancouver international airport: the Domestic Terminal, the International Terminal, and the South Terminal.

YVR terminal map
Once you see that the YVR terminal map looks like a reindeer kicking a ball, you’ll never unsee it. I’m sorry.
  • The Domestic Terminal and the International Terminal are connected. However you will have to go through a security checkpoint to move between them.
  • The Domestic Terminal is broken up into three individual concourses (A, B, and C ).
  • The International Terminal is broken up into two separate concourses (D and E). Concourse D is for international arrivals and departures, and Concourse E is for United States arrivals and departures.
  • The South Terminal is its own separate building, and is used for regional flights.

Walking time between all terminals at YVR

I’ve spent a lot of time walking the concourses of the Vancouver International Airport over the years, and I have to say that it’s a very passenger-friendly airport. Walking from end to the other is not only easy, but very pleasant. Here’s how long it will typically take:

Domestic Terminal A gates to:

  • Domestic Terminal B gates: 5 minutes
  • Domestic Terminal C gates: 10 minutes
  • International Terminal D gates: 16 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
  • International Terminal E gates: 15 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
  • South Terminal: 15 minutes via the complimentary shuttle (+ the time it takes to go through security)

Domestic Terminal B gates to:

  • Domestic Terminal A gates: 5 minutes
  • Domestic Terminal C gates: 5 minutes
  • International Terminal D gates: 11 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
  • International Terminal E gates: 10 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
  • South Terminal: 15 minutes via the complimentary shuttle (+ the time it takes to go through security)

Domestic Terminal C gates to:

  • Domestic Terminal A gates: 10 minutes
  • Domestic Terminal B gates: 5 minutes
  • International Terminal D gates: 6 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
  • International Terminal E gates: 5 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
  • South Terminal: 15 minutes via the complimentary shuttle (+ the time it takes to go through security)

International Terminal D gates to:

  • Domestic Terminal A gates: 16 minutes
  • Domestic Terminal B gates: 11 minutes
  • Domestic Terminal C gates: 6 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
  • International Terminal E gates: 5 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
  • South Terminal: 15 minutes via the complimentary shuttle (+ the time it takes to go through security)

International Terminal E gates to:

  • Domestic Terminal A gates: 15 minutes
  • Domestic Terminal B gates: 10 minutes
  • Domestic Terminal C gates: 5 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
  • International Terminal D gates: 5 minutes (+ the time it takes to go through security)
  • South Terminal: 15 minutes via the complimentary shuttle (+ the time it takes to go through security)

South Terminal to:

  • Domestic Terminal A gates: 15 minutes via the complimentary shuttle (+ the time it takes to go through security)
  • Domestic Terminal B gates: 15 minutes via the complimentary shuttle (+ the time it takes to go through security)
  • Domestic Terminal C gates: 15 minutes via the complimentary shuttle (+ the time it takes to go through security)
  • International Terminal D gates: 15 minutes via the complimentary shuttle (+ the time it takes to go through security)
  • International Terminal E gates: 15 minutes via the complimentary shuttle (+ the time it takes to go through security)
YVR airport check in hall
As always, be sure to add a few extra minutes to the above time estimates if you tend to move at a more leisurely pace. YVR is a big airport, and you’ll need to walk like you mean it in order to survive a short layover. No Tim Hortons until you reach your gate!

How long of a layover do you need in Vancouver for a no-stress connection?

The Vancouver International Airport is beautiful. It’s a great place to hang out, that’s why I’m always bummed whenever I have a short layover there. If you want to be sure to have the most pleasant experience possible, here are my estimated layover times for a no-stress connection:

Domestic to domestic connections

Do yourself a favor and give yourself 2 hours for making a domestic to domestic connection at YVR. There’s no need to rush, and hey – travel is a lot more pleasant when you’re not running around with your hair on fire, right?

Domestic to United States connections

Only because you never know how long US Preclearance is going to take, I would want a minimum of 2 1/2 hours to go from a domestic flight to a US bound flight at YVR.

Domestic to international connections (to anywhere other than the US)

2 1/2 hours would also be a good amount of time for a no-stress layover when connecting from a domestic flight to an international flight (to destinations other than the US) at YVR.

This will give you plenty of time to get something to eat or do some duty-free shopping.

International to domestic connections

If you don’t want to worry about making your domestic connection at YVR after arriving on an international flight, give yourself 3 hours. This will help to absorb any possible delays going through passport control and customs.

International to international connections

2 1/2 hours is a comfortable amount of time when going from one international flight to another in Vancouver. Maybe a little less if you’re flying Air Canada (or any other Star Alliance airline), and possibly a little more if you’re flying any other airline.

Vancouver Airport terminal design
Picture proof that the Vancouver Airport is best enjoyed when you’re not in meltdown mode. It’s a beautiful airport to hang out in, so give yourself extra time if possible to soak it all in (with Tim Horton’s finest, of course).

Useful tips for making a 1 hour layover at YVR

Just as I learned from my most recent experience transiting through the Vancouver Airport, you won’t have much to worry about with a 1 hour layover (most of the time). If you’re still feeling stressed, here are some tips and advice that will help get you through it:

  • As I mentioned in my guide to 1 hour layovers in Toronto, being enrolled in Global Entry (and TSA PreCheck) will move you through US Preclearance very quickly. I highly recommend signing up for both if you’re a US resident who travels to and from Canada frequently.
  • You might also consider enrolling in NEXUS if you’re a frequent traveler between Canada and the United States. Basically, NEXUS is a pre-clearance program that’ll allow you to cross the border quickly and easily.
  • Keep moving, and don’t give up! In all honesty, I thought for sure that I was going to miss my connection on that 1 hour layover at YVR two weeks ago. However, despite my doubts, I kept moving and not worrying about the time. The Vancouver Airport is highly efficient and smartly designed, and you will be able to move through it more quickly than you might expect.

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