You know that feeling when you land at YVR after an eight-hour flight and all you want is a shower that doesn’t feel like a plastic tube? Most people treat airport hotels like a necessary evil. They’re usually bland, overpriced, and smell faintly of industrial carpet cleaner. But the Holiday Inn Express Vancouver Airport—technically the "Richmond-Airport" location on Bridgeport Road—is a bit of a weird outlier in the best way possible.
It’s not luxury. Don't go in expecting a Fairmont-style lobby with soaring ceilings and a pianist. It’s a workhorse. But it’s a workhorse that actually understands what a traveler needs at 11:00 PM on a Tuesday.
Honestly, the biggest mistake people make is thinking all airport hotels in Richmond are the same. They aren't. Some are tucked away in industrial parks where you can't even find a bag of chips without calling an Uber. This one? It sits in a pocket of Richmond that is surprisingly walkable, which is a rarity for the Vancouver suburbs.
Why Location Actually Matters at the Holiday Inn Express Vancouver Airport
Let’s talk logistics. The hotel is located at 9351 Bridgeport Road. If you look at a map, it seems like it's "close enough" to the runway, but the real secret is the proximity to the Canada Line.
Bridgeport Station is about a ten-minute walk. Maybe twelve if you're dragging a suitcase with a broken wheel. From there, you're two stops from the terminal. This is crucial because, while the hotel offers a shuttle, YVR traffic in 2026 can be an absolute nightmare. Sometimes the train is just faster.
I’ve seen people wait thirty minutes for a shuttle when they could have been at the check-in counter via the SkyTrain in fifteen.
But here’s the kicker: the food nearby. Usually, airport hotels trap you into eating a $28 club sandwich in their lobby. Since this Holiday Inn Express is in Richmond, you are basically in the North American capital of dim sum. You can walk out the front door and find authentic Sichuan or Cantonese food within three blocks. Places like The Dolar Shop or various spots in the nearby Aberdeen Centre area blow any "hotel breakfast" out of the water.
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The Shuttle Situation (Real Talk)
The "Free Airport Shuttle" is the most searched thing about the Holiday Inn Express Vancouver Airport, and for good reason. Taxis from YVR have a zone-based fare system, but why pay $20 for a four-minute drive?
The shuttle usually runs on a schedule, typically every 30 minutes, but you have to be smart about it. When you land, don't just stand at the curb. Use the courtesy phones or give them a quick call. In the mornings, the shuttle can fill up fast. If you have a 6:00 AM flight, book your shuttle spot the night before at the front desk. Don't wing it.
The Room Experience: Is It Actually Quiet?
This is where the hotel surprises people.
You’re right under the flight path. You’d expect the roar of a Boeing 777 to shake your teeth every twenty minutes. Surprisingly, the soundproofing at this property is solid. They use thick, double-paned glass that cuts out about 90% of the ambient engine whine.
The rooms themselves?
They’re standard IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) fare. Blue accents, white linens, and those "Firm" or "Soft" labeled pillows. It’s predictable. And in the world of travel, predictable is a compliment. You know the bed won't have a dip in the middle. You know the Wi-Fi will actually connect without a three-page login process.
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Those Little Frustrations
It’s not all perfect. The elevators can be slow. If a tour bus drops off forty people at once, you’re going to be waiting. Also, the parking lot is a bit tight. If you’re driving a massive truck, good luck maneuvering into those stalls.
Also, the "Express Start" breakfast. Look, it’s free. It’s got the cinnamon rolls that everyone raves about and the pancake machine that looks like a printer. It’s fine. But if you're a coffee snob, the stuff in the urns is... well, it's brown water. There is a Starbucks nearby for a reason.
Business Travelers and the "Work-From-Hotel" Vibe
If you're here for business, the desks are actually usable.
A lot of modern hotels are moving toward these tiny, circular "laptop tables" that are useless. The Holiday Inn Express Vancouver Airport still sticks to the traditional long desk. There are plenty of outlets, including USB ports, though in 2026 we’re starting to see more USB-C integration in newer renovations.
The fitness center is small. It’s basically a treadmill, an elliptical, and some free weights. It’s fine for a quick "I feel gross after flying" sweat, but it's not a Gold's Gym. If you really need a workout, you’re better off going for a run along the Fraser River paths, which are closer than you think.
Comparing Costs
Why stay here instead of the Fairmont YVR?
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Price. Obviously.
You can often find rooms here for $180 to $250 CAD, depending on the season. The Fairmont will easily double that. If you are literally just sleeping for seven hours before a connection, the Fairmont is a waste of money. The Holiday Inn Express Vancouver Airport gives you the same quality of sleep for half the price.
The Richmond Night Market Factor
If you happen to be visiting between May and October, you’re in luck. The hotel is incredibly close to the Richmond Night Market.
This is a massive deal. The Night Market is one of the biggest tourist draws in BC, and parking there is a disaster. If you stay at the Holiday Inn Express, you can basically walk there or take a one-minute SkyTrain ride. It’s the easiest way to experience the grilled squid and "rotato" chips without the stress of a forty-minute line to get into a parking lot.
Actionable Insights for Your Stay
To get the most out of your stay at the Holiday Inn Express Vancouver Airport, you need to play the system a little bit.
- Request a high-floor room facing away from Bridgeport Road if you’re a light sleeper. The street noise is actually louder than the planes.
- Join IHG One Rewards before you book. Even the base tier gets you late checkout (subject to availability), which is a lifesaver if your flight isn't until 3:00 PM.
- Skip the hotel breakfast if the line is long. Walk five minutes to any of the local bakeries or the nearby Tim Hortons if you're in a rush.
- Check the shuttle schedule the moment you check in. Don't assume it runs 24/7 or exactly when you need it; sometimes they have maintenance breaks or reduced hours in the very early morning.
- Use the Canada Line for exploring. Don't bother with an Uber to downtown Vancouver. It'll cost you $50 and take an hour in traffic. The train is $5 and takes 25 minutes.
Ultimately, this hotel is for the pragmatic traveler. It’s for the person who wants a clean bed, a hot shower, and a way to get to the airport without a panic attack. It’s not a destination in itself, but as a gateway to the Pacific Northwest, it’s one of the most reliable spots on the map.
Ensure you have your passport and boarding pass ready before you hop on that final shuttle. The lobby has a printing station if you need a physical copy of your documents—a small but vital feature that many people forget exists until they actually need it.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify your terminal: YVR has two main terminals (Main and South). The shuttle primarily serves the Main terminal; if you are flying a regional airline out of the South Terminal, you may need to take a separate shuttle or a taxi.
- Download the IHG App: This allows for digital check-in and sometimes a digital key, letting you bypass the front desk if there’s a long queue from a landed flight.
- Check the "Park, Stay, and Go" packages: If you are a local resident driving in, these packages often allow you to leave your car at the hotel for up to 8 or 15 days for a price that is significantly cheaper than the YVR long-term parking lot.
- Confirm the shuttle pickup point: At YVR, the pickup locations are specifically marked at the arrivals level. Look for the "Hotel Shuttles" signage to ensure you aren't waiting in the wrong zone.