Flying from San Diego to Vancouver: what you need to know
Planning your trip begins with figuring out where you'll fly out of in San Diego. San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the city's main base, so check out your options for reserving a flight from San Diego to Vancouver departing from here.
When arriving in Vancouver, hop off the plane at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base (CXH). Abbotsford Airport (YXX) is another major hub in this city.
On average, direct flights from San Diego to Vancouver take 3 hours 9 minutes. Vancouver and San Diego share the same timezone (UTC-7), which means you won't need to adjust your watch once you arrive.
The busiest route for flights from San Diego to Vancouver is from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Vancouver International Airport (YVR). You can select from 31 weekly services between these two airports. If you want to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from SAN to YVR is the 07:00 Air Canada option. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the last departure is at 17:10 with Air Canada.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to board your flight from San Diego to Vancouver.
You can expect bigger queues during popular months like July and other peak seasons. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
You can enter Canada for tourism purposes without a visa if you hold a passport from United States. But before booking your cheap flight from San Diego to Vancouver, make sure you have the most up-to-date information. Visa rules are subject to change, and you may need some documentation if your trip is for work or another reason.
Flying from San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
If you're after a direct flight from San Diego to Vancouver, you can board one at San Diego International Airport (SAN). Travel from SAN to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in one continuous trip.
You can get away on a direct flight from San Diego to Vancouver with Air Canada. This popular carrier operates departures from SAN.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save on your flight from San Diego to Vancouver. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from San Diego International Airport. Take a pause at one of these popular airports:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Portland International Airport (PDX)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
SAN is about 5 kilometres from central San Diego. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 9 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're taking public transport, expect the travel time to be approximately 20 minutes.
Looking for a handy hotel close to San Diego International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from San Diego to Vancouver, these stays will put you moments from check-in:
Arriving in Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is around 14 kilometres from the centre of Vancouver. With your own car rental or if you're catching a cab, the drive is around 26 minutes.
Getting to the centre on public transport will take you around 33 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel near YVR if you're taking a late flight from San Diego to Vancouver. Settle into one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport (CXH)
As soon as your flight from San Diego to Vancouver has arrived, you can make your way to the city centre in around 5 minutes by car. Central Vancouver is approximately 2 kilometres from Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport (CXH).
The journey will take roughly 16 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from San Diego to Vancouver, tuck yourself in at a hotel close to CXH. These are some great options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego to Vancouver
51 € is currently the lowest price for a one-way ticket from San Diego to Vancouver. A return flight starts at 127 €. These prices may change based on demand and availability.
Book 9 months before you want to fly. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to secure cheap tickets from San Diego to Vancouver.
Organise your trip for May. That's the cheapest month for tickets from San Diego to Vancouver. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across every month.
Sign into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. You'll be notified straight away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It's easy to do, and it'll save you the hassle of searching for cheap tickets from San Diego to Vancouver every day.
Use filters to tailor your flights from San Diego to Vancouver. Select your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to find the best deals.
Best time to go to Vancouver
It's time to plan your travel dates for your flight from San Diego to Vancouver. August is the most popular month to visit Vancouver. If you like a more relaxed atmosphere, go in May.
Before you book a flight from San Diego to Vancouver, consider the type of weather you like. August is the warmest month in Vancouver, with the temperature ranging from 13ºC to 24ºC.
December has average temperatures of between -1ºC and 7ºC. Search for cheap tickets from San Diego to Vancouver sometime around then if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Vancouver
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Vancouver right here. Check out these hotels after locking in your flight from San Diego to Vancouver:
Every great holiday has to include some sightseeing. Stanley Park, Granville Island and Science World are attractions you won't want to skip in Vancouver.
Complete your Vancouver trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from San Diego to Vancouver isn't our only party trick. Check out our car rentals in Vancouver and see the sights your way. We search for deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. Instantly compare rates and then book with no fees.