Compare Vancouver flights

Known for its cosmopolitan culture, vibrant arts scene and beautiful Pacific coast scenery, Vancouver is a great city destination in its own right, and acts as a gateway to the soaring mountains and world-class ski resorts of British Columbia.

It’s also relatively well served from the UK, so while flying there isn't cheap, there is scope to shop around and find some good flight deals. As well as direct flights from London Heathrow all year round, there are seasonal direct routes from London Gatwick, Glasgow and Manchester. And of course, other UK airports offer routes with a stopover.

May and June are the sweet spots for cheap Vancouver flights. The weather is beginning to warm up, and prices are low; summer brings the inevitable school holiday increase, and the winter months (particularly December and January) are affected by festive and ski season travel. It you do want to come for ski season, you'll find better prices in November and from late January to April. A small number of ski resorts still operate into May, so they're worth looking at if you want to keep those flight prices as low as possible.

Indirect flights are not necessarily cheaper, particularly on London-Vancouver routes, but can be worth a look – and keep your eyes out for WestJet and Air Transat's direct summer flights from Gatwick, which can be very competitive.

Flight times to Vancouver vary depending on which airport you’re departing from, which airline you’re travelling with and the route taken. However, as a guideline, the average journey to Vancouver from the UK takes 9 hours 40 minutes. Journeys with a stopover will, of course, be longer. There are many destinations you might end up stopping in, including Amsterdam and San Francisco, so think about whether your stopover could be extended into a mini-holiday.

Yes and no. If you’re flying from London between May and October, when London Gatwick has good value direct flights to Vancouver, then it will almost always be cheaper to get one of these than to opt for a stopover. At other times of year, a stopover can help bring costs down – and of course a stopover is essential if you are flying out of some regional airports.

Popular stopover locations for Vancouver include:

• Calgary: If you stop in Calgary, you’ll have the longest leg of your journey first – a flight of 9 hours 15 minutes. Then you’ll have a flight of 1 hour 30 minutes to Vancouver. Calgary is a good place to stay in for a bit longer, if you have the opportunity. Like Vancouver, it’s surrounded by wonderful natural attractions, such as Banff National Park.
• Amsterdam: Your flight to Amsterdam will be around 1 hour 35 minutes, and your connecting flight will be 9 hours 30 minutes. It's worth taking some extra time to explore the Dutch capital's impressive museums, pretty canals and cool bars.

It can be hard to decide where to stay in Vancouver. For some, the city’s energetic nightlife and highly regarded restaurants will be priority; for others, the goal will be getting out and exploring Grouse Mountain or Vancouver Island as soon as possible. Pay a visit to our Vancouver holidays page to get a sense of what’s out there and to search for money-saving flight and hotel packages.

Within Vancouver’s limits, there is a wealth of wonderful things to do. Lose yourself in the galleries of the Museum of Vancouver, go on a craft beer tour in Brewery Creek, or catch some live music at one of city's many venues, such as the Commodore Ballroom. There are some good beauty spots in the city too, including the garden island of Stanley Park and the city beaches around West Point Grey and Kitsilano. They're nothing compared to the natural beauty out there in British Columbia, however – if you're wondering whether it is worth hiring a car here, the answer is a resounding yes.