Travelling from Seattle to Vancouver: what you need to know
Seattle has two main airports where you can set off on your adventure. Check out your options for booking a flight from Seattle to Vancouver flying out of Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA) or Seattle Lake Union SPB Airport (LKE).
When jetting into Vancouver, get off the plane at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or Vancouver Coal Harbour Airport (CXH). Abbotsford Airport (YXX) is another gateway to this city.
The average duration of a direct Seattle to Vancouver flight is 1 hour 5 minutes.
Seattle and Vancouver are both in the UTC-8 timezone. That means you won't have to change your watch on arrival.
The busiest route for flights from Seattle to Vancouver is from Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Choose from 102 services every week between these two airports. If you'd like to be on your way as soon as possible, the earliest flight from SEA to YVR is the 05:40 Air Canada option. If you prefer to travel later, the final scheduled service is at 23:02 with Alaska Airlines.
Leave plenty of time to make your Seattle to Vancouver flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months like July, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of international flights when you travel during peak periods in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seattle to Vancouver
Booking early is often the key to securing a cheap Seattle to Vancouver flight. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer you get to departure, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.
If you can be flexible with your trip dates, use the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the lowest price across every month when looking for your plane ticket from Seattle to Vancouver.
There's no need to check every day to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as there's a better deal on cheap flights from Seattle to Vancouver.
Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your Seattle to Vancouver flight results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Seattle
Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Set off from Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA) on a nonstop flight from Seattle to Vancouver. From SEA, you can fly directly into Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Well-known airlines that offer direct Seattle to Vancouver plane tickets from SEA include:
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to take a travel break — and possibly even tour another city. When browsing Seattle to Vancouver flights leaving from Seattle / Tacoma International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Calgary Airport (YYC)
Portland Airport (PDX)
Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
SEA is around 19 kilometres from central Seattle. If you're catching a taxi, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 35 minutes.
Looking for a handy hotel close to Seattle / Tacoma International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Seattle to Vancouver, these stays will have you moments from your departure lounge:
Seattle / Tacoma International Airport maintains a strong on-time record, reducing the likelihood of delays. Departures from SEA touch down on schedule 80% of the time.
Seattle Lake Union SPB Airport (LKE)
You can catch a nonstop flight from Seattle to Vancouver leaving from Seattle Lake Union SPB Airport (LKE). Start your trip at LKE and step off the plane at Vancouver Coal Harbour Airport (CXH).
Book a direct Seattle to Vancouver plane ticket with Harbour Air. This is one of the top carriers that operates this route out of LKE.
From the centre of Seattle, LKE is roughly 2 kilometres away. When planning your route, check whether public transport is an option or if it's easier to drive.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before boarding your flight from Seattle to Vancouver? Kick back in a hotel near Seattle Lake Union SPB Airport before your break officially begins. Here's where you can stay:
Arriving in Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
The distance from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to central Vancouver is approximately 10 kilometres. It'll take you about 25 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It typically takes 25 minutes to get there on public transport.
Book a hotel near YVR if you have a late flight from Seattle to Vancouver. Choose one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Pick up a Vancouver International Airport rental car and discover Vancouver and beyond with your own set of wheels. Routes Car Rentals, Thrifty and Avis are top outlets to choose from here.
For the best deal, reserve your vehicle from Vancouver International Airport about one week ahead of your Seattle to Vancouver flight.
Vancouver Coal Harbour Airport (CXH)
After your flight from Seattle to Vancouver has hit the runway, you can make your way to the city centre in around 5 minutes by car. Central Vancouver is roughly 3 kilometres from Vancouver Coal Harbour Airport (CXH).
The journey will take approximately 10 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Seattle to Vancouver, settle in at a hotel near CXH. These are some comfortable options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Save time at the rental desk by having everything prearranged. Secure your ride from CXH ahead of time so you can just grab the keys and get going.
Abbotsford Airport (YXX)
Head to the city centre after your flight from Seattle to Vancouver has landed. Central Vancouver is about 64 kilometres from Abbotsford Airport (YXX) and takes roughly 1 hour 20 minutes to reach by taxi or ride-share.
The journey will take about 2 hours 30 minutes using public transport.
Check in to a hotel near YXX and go from landing to lounging in your room in a flash. Whether you're arriving on a late Seattle to Vancouver flight or just want to simplify your travel plans, these stays offer convenience when you need it most:
Begin your journey without worrying about how to reach your destination with a Abbotsford Airport rental car. Book your ideal wheels with reliable names here like Hertz, Thrifty and Enterprise.
If you're looking for a specific model or make, lock in your ride from YXX about one week before your flight from Seattle to Vancouver. This improves your chances of getting the car you want, along with a better price.
Best time to go to Vancouver
It's time to choose your trip dates for your flight from Seattle to Vancouver. August is the busiest month for a trip to Vancouver. If you like a quieter vibe, go in March.
When booking your Seattle to Vancouver tickets, think about what kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Vancouver, with temperatures ranging from 13ºC to 24ºC.
Look for cheap flights from Seattle to Vancouver in February if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -2ºC and 10ºC on average.
More about Vancouver
After booking your flight from Seattle to Vancouver, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Vancouver:
Stanley Park Seawall and Stanley Park are just the start of the big attractions to add to your Vancouver must-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at Downtown Vancouver.
Explore more of Canada
Surrey is just one of the many places in Canada waiting to be discovered once you've seen the sights of Vancouver. Around 27 kilometres to the southeast, top sights here include Green Timbers Urban Forest Park, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and Surrey Art Gallery & Surrey Civic Theatres at Surrey Arts Centre.
If you're ready to explore another great destination in Canada, consider Victoria, about 97 kilometres south of Vancouver. Empress Hotel National Historic Site of Canada, St. Andrew's Cathedral and Craigdarroch Castle are key reasons to visit.
