Metro Vancouverites can find more affordable flights and hotels by following a few travel tips.
Travellers can find cheaper flights on routes departing from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) throughout the year, regardless of route, by implementing some handy tools, staying flexible, booking in advance, and bundling flights with other services, according to an expert.
FlightHub CEO Henri Chelhot shares his top tips for booking affordable flights and hotels from Vancouver in 2025.
Book in advance but stay flexible
Chelhot says travellers should start by booking their trips well in advance. It also helps to be flexible with their travel dates.
"The sweet spot for booking affordable flights is typically two to three months in advance for domestic travel and three to six months for international trips," he tells V.I.A.
"That said, flexibility is key - if you can adjust your travel dates by even a day or two, you can often find significantly lower fares.
Choosing an early morning or midweek flight can also make a big difference in fare.
Travellers should also implement fare alerts and price drop tools to get notified when prices on flights to their destinations decrease.
"At FlightHub, we always recommend setting up fare alerts. Our platform notifies travellers when prices drop on routes they’re interested in, ensuring they get the best possible deal," he says.
While travellers who book early tend to get the best deals, "there are always last-minute fares when airlines need to fill seats," Chelhot notes.
"The key is to stay on top of prices—set fare alerts, check regularly, and be ready to book when you find a good rate."
Consider alternative airports and other routes
Travellers may save a significant amount flying from or to a nearby airport. For example, they could fly from Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) instead of Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Similarly, folks travelling to New York may want to consider flying into nearby Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), located in New Jersey.
“Flying out of a nearby airport or choosing a slightly longer layover can lead to big savings. For Vancouver travellers, looking at flights from Victoria or Kelowna can sometimes unlock cheaper fares," he notes.
Travel during off-peak seasons and days
Chelhot says travellers should avoid travelling over major holidays, summer break, and weekends to keep costs low.
"Midweek flights, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays, tend to be the most affordable," he notes.
Certain countries may have festivals and big events that may drive up costs, so they should check to see what's happening locally during their travel dates before booking tickets.
Bundle flights and additional services for maximum savings
Travellers who bundle their flights with other add-on services available at the time of booking, such as car rentals, eSIMs, currency exchanges and more "can often unlock exclusive discounts that aren’t available when booking separately," Chelhot notes.
"It’s an easy way to save without compromising on quality.”
Find more information about exciting destinations in B.C. and across the globe, as well as travel deals and tips, by signing up for V.I.A.'s weekly travel newsletter The Wanderer. Since travel deals can sell out, find out the day they are posted by signing up for our daily Travel Deals newsletter.
Want to learn more about a specific destination or simply have a travel concern or idea that you would like V.I.A. to write about? Email us at elana@vancouverisawesome. Send us stories about recent holidays that you've been on, or if you have any tips you think our readers should know about.
