Tickets for flights from Vancouver to any Asian destination often come with a hefty price tag, particularly during peak travel seasons. However, you can visit two top countries for the price of one.
Japan is known as The Land of the Rising Sun and home to numerous exciting attractions, dining experiences, shopping, and much more. Some popular places to visit include Mount Fuji, the Ghibli Museum, the Zao Fox Village, Tokyo’s Robot Restaurant, and Tokyo Disneyland.
The Philippines offers over 7,000 breathtaking islands featuring powdery white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, extensive rainforests, and countless historical sites and cultural experiences.
Trips from Vancouver to Japan or the Philippines typically start around $1,000 but can cost upwards of $1,500 during peak season for round-trip tickets. Luckily, a carefully planned itinerary can include both stops for the price of one (provided you are flexible with your travel dates).
How to score cheap flights to Tokyo from Vancouver with a Philippine stopover
Direct flights to Tokyo from Vancouver have dropped in price over the past year thanks to the arrival of Japan Airlines' self-described "basic" carrier, Zipair Tokyo. The alternative to the country's flag carrier offers substantially cheaper tickets on the popular route. Before its arrival in March 2024, direct flights cost over $1,100. Zipair's inaugural tickets cost under $700 on select dates.
Unfortunately, the carrier's economical option isn't exactly a secret. Most cheap tickets have sold out through the spring and summer, as travellers snatch up low fares for the busy travel period. However, you can still snag tickets that shave hundreds off what you'll pay the rest of the year in September.
A flight that departs Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on Monday, Sept. 8 and returns from Narita International Airport (NRT) on Tuesday, Sept. 23 costs $826 directly with Zipair. However, you must book two tickets separately to secure this price (one ticket for the outbound journey and one for the return). Otherwise, the round-trip ticket costs $845 (see slides two and three)
This price is considered "low" for economy and about $704 cheaper than usual, according to Google Flights.
Adding a stop in Manila to a bucket-list trip to Asia
To visit the Philippine capital without breaking the bank book separate tickets with Jetstar from Tokyo to Manila.
After spending about a week soaking in Tokyo's neon lights and exquisite temples, catch a flight on Monday, Sept. 15 to Manila and return on Sunday, Sept. 21. Both flights are direct and the total trip costs $255 with JetStar. Similar to the Zipair deal, you need to book them separately to secure the lowest price (otherwise you pay slightly more at $279) (see slides four and five).
This price is considered "low" for economy and about $123 cheaper than usual, according to Google Flights.
Since you depart Manila in the wee hours of Sunday morning, you'll enjoy a couple of full nights in the vibrant Japanese capital before returning to Vancouver.
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