Can you exchange money at Vancouver airport?

Yes, currency exchange is available at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), one of Canada's busiest travel hubs, Vancouver provides convenient currency exchange services to both arriving and leaving passengers. Any trade of foreign currency to Canadian dollars or the other way around, can easily be done in the airport. When using the airport for currency exchange, there are some aspects to consider, like what rates are given, where you can go and the requirements for identification.

Currency Exchange Services at YVR

At the airport, ICE – International Currency Exchange is the main provider of currency exchange services.

ICE operates multiple kiosks throughout both the Domestic and International terminals, including:

Pre-security and post-security areas
Arrivals and departures zones
Near major airline check-in counters and baggage claim areas

These kiosks operate during most flight hours, ensuring accessibility even for early morning or late-night travelers.

Operating Hours and Supported Currencies

At the Vancouver Airport, ICE counters open early in the morning (no later than 6:00 AM) and close late in the evening (around 11:00 PM). There may be counters in the international area that open 24 hours a day to handle late and early flights.

ICE typically offers a wide range of major currencies, including:

USD (United States Dollar)
EUR (Euro)
GBP (British Pound)
JPY (Japanese Yen)
CNY (Chinese Yuan)
KRW (South Korean Won)
Others upon request

Not all currencies that ICE deals in are available at all times. When you need a unique or unusual currency, check online or give ICE a call to check if it’s available and possibly arrange to have it sent ahead.

Things to Consider: Exchange Rates and Fees

While exchanging currency at the airport may be convenient, exchange rates are usually less favorable than those offered by banks or downtown bureaus. Furthermore, transaction fees are often applied. Many travelers opt to exchange a limited amount at the airport and seek better rates in the city center.

Alternative: Using ATMs at the Airport

ATMs found in many locations at the airport can also be used for getting Canadian currency. Cash can be taken out from Canadian ATMs using a credit or debit card that lets you withdraw in CAD. But because of this, you may get a better deal on the exchange rate, although there could still be ATM fees from your bank.

Conclusion

In conclusion, exchang‌ing curren‌cy at Vanc‌ouver Inte‌rnati‌onal Airpo‌rt (YVR) is simple, due to the abun‌dance of ICE counter‌s and read‌ily availa‌ble ATMs. Alth‌ough conve‌nient‌, the exch‌ange rates and fees at the airpor‌t might not be as competi‌tive as those found elsew‌here in the city. For optimal valu‌e, it´‌s recomme‌nded to exchang‌e only the amount needed for immed‌iate expen‌ses at YVR, and to utiliz‌e banks or repu‌table exch‌ange burea‌us within the city for larger trans‌actio‌ns.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

All information entered on this form will be kept strictly confidential and subject to our privacy policy once received by us. Your transaction will be secured using SSL/TLS encryption.