How to get from Vancouver airport to the cruise ship dock

Planning a cruise that starts or ends in Vancouver, Canada? Here’s how to get from YVR airport to the cruise ship terminal.

There are several transportation choices for getting to the Vancouver cruise ship dock from YVR airport (or the other way around), depending on your budget and preferences. Here are a few options:

SKYTRAIN

This is my favourite mode of transport. I've been to a lot of cities and I don't know if I've seen one with better or more efficient and straightforward transportation from the airport to the city core than this one. (I'm not just exhibiting home-town pride here, either!) From YVR airport, just take the Canada Line SkyTrain to Waterfront Station, which is a short walk from the Canada Place cruise terminal.

Here's how:

• Canada Line’s YVR Airport Station is located between the international and domestic terminals. The train ride to Waterfront Station is 26 minutes long.

• The Canada Line was built with airport travellers in mind and the cars are roomy, with seats built to accommodate luggage. It still does get crowded with local commuters in rush-hour periods but there's usually plenty of room outside of those times. 

• There are several types of fares but here are two examples that most visitors will use: 

  Adult fare: If you're an adult travelling in peak times (before 6:30 p.m. weekdays), the cost to travel from YVR Airport to Waterfront is CAD $9.45. 

  Concession fare: If you qualify for a concession ticket (ages 13-18 or 65+), the cost is $8.05. 

  Travellers 12 and under ride for free with a fare-paying customer.

Find more fare types here.

• Payment pro tip: You don't need to line up at the ticket vending machines to buy a ticket to ride the SkyTrain. All SkyTrain stations are equipped with credit card tap payment at the turnstiles. So breeze on by those sometimes horrendous lineups and just tap your Visa or Mastercard to access the station. **The only very important thing to remember is that you'll need to tap out on the other end and YOU'LL NEED TO TAP OUT USING THE SAME CREDIT CARD. Otherwise the system will think you've taken two separate trips and charge you for two trips. 

CAR RENTALS

If you're going right to your ship or to a hotel near the cruise terminal, you won't need a car. But if you need or want one, car rental agencies and their car lots are on-site at the airport and easy to access, with no shuttle to the cars required like in some cities. If you can, prebook and sign up for that company's loyalty program which can often allow travellers to bypass the lines and go straight to pick up their car. 

These car rental companies have vehicles at YVR airport: Avis, Alamo, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National, Thrifty and Enterprise. See the full list of car rental agencies, including off-airport options, here. 

Here's the view of the Lions Gate Bridge, with Stanley Park to the left,
that you'll enjoy as your cruise ship departs Vancouver. Your cruise has finally begun!

RIDE SHARE

Providers: Lyft, Uber and KABU are authorized providers of ride app services at YVR Vancouver.

Pick-up: There are three pick-up areas: International Arrivals Level 2, Domestic Arrivals Level 2, and South Terminal, which is for regional airlines. 

Drop-off: There is no designated area for people who are getting dropped off at YVR via ride share, same as with public and taxi drop-offs. Drivers can simply unload at permitted areas at the curb on Level 3.

TAXIS

YVR airport to Canada Place cruise terminal: The YVR site says that effective April 2022, a taxi ride from YVR to Waterfront Station will cost a flat rate of $38. See the full price/zone map here. Taxis are available at taxi stands located on Level 2 of the domestic and international arrivals area at YVR. Zone fares apply from YVR to specified zones. 

Canada Place cruise terminal to YVR airport: Remember that it is NOT a flat rate for taxis travelling from the cruise terminal to YVR airport; metered rates are in effect for trips TO the airport.

It's a good idea to double-check all fares with the taxi driver before your ride begins. That way, there will be no surprises.

SHUTTLE SERVICE

Courtesy shuttle pick-up and drop-off areas are located outside of Departures Level 3 international terminal near the transborder check-in area, as well as outside the Departures Level 3 domestic terminal. Request a hotel shuttle bus with the direct dial phones located on Departures Level 3 of both the international and domestic terminals.

According to the YVR website, the hotels listed below offer a shuttle service; however it's important to note these hotels are all in Richmond, where the airport is located. They are NOT in Vancouver. If you're planning to stay at one of these hotels, call first to confirm shuttle times as Covid may have affected availability.

Coast Vancouver Airport Hotel (604-263-1555)

Days Inn by Wyndham Vancouver Airport (604-207-8000)

Hilton Vancouver Airport (604-273-6336)

Pacific Gateway Hotel Vancouver Airport (866-382-3474)

Quality Hotel Vancouver Airport South (604-244-3051)

Radisson Hotel Vancouver Airport (604-276-8181)

Sandman Hotel Vancouver Airport (604-303-8888)

Sheraton Vancouver Airport (604-273-7878)

Travelodge Hotel by Wyndham Vancouver Airport (604-332-8945)

Vancouver Airport Marriott (604-276-2112)

Westin Wall Centre Vancouver Airport  (604-303-6565)

To see a list of all the modes of transport from YVR airport to downtown Vancouver including bus transit and private car rental, click here. 

>> Have a question? Post it in the comments and I'll do my best to find the answer.

MORE: Best things to do in Vancouver before or after your cruise
MORE: Best hotels in downtown Vancouver near the cruise ship dock
MORE: 10 things to know if you're a new cruiser
MORE: See a list of hotels in Richmond near the airport

Find more travel inspiration on my Instagram, @JuanitaNg.

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