The simplest way from the Vancouver cruise terminal at Canada Place to the airport is the Canada Line from Waterfront Station. Waterfront is a short walk from the terminal, and the train runs straight through to YVR-Airport station in roughly 25 minutes.
Canada Place to Waterfront Station
Canada Place and Waterfront Station sit close together on the downtown waterfront, so the walk is brief. With a couple of large suitcases it still feels longer than it looks, because you have to cross a few downtown streets and take an escalator or elevator down to the platforms. If the weather is bad or the bags are heavy, a short taxi or rideshare to the station entrance saves your arms, though most people find the walk fine.
The Canada Line starts at Waterfront Station and serves the airport. Check the destination shown on the train before you board. The trip planner on the TransLink website shows the next departure from Waterfront and the current fare for a trip that ends at the airport. Look at the fare page before you travel, since a trip to the airport can cost more than a regular zone fare.
Taking the train with luggage
Canada Line cars have space near the doors for bags, but they fill up at commuter times and when several ships have just docked. If you can pick your boarding time, the middle of the day is calmer than the weekday rush. At the airport station you walk into the terminal building, and signage points you toward the domestic and international check-in areas.
Leave plenty of margin if your flight is international, and check your airline’s recommended arrival time.
Door to door by car
A taxi or rideshare from the cruise terminal to YVR takes you straight to the departures level with no transfers. That is the easier choice for a family with a lot of luggage or anyone with limited mobility. You can compare costs ahead of time with the taxi fare estimator and the Uber calculator, and the Vancouver taxi page has more on local service. Traffic into Richmond varies by hour, so ask the driver for a realistic time on the day.
Shuttle and private transfer companies also serve cruise passengers. Prices and timetables change by season, so confirm details directly with the company before you book.