Looking for a last-minute Labour Day travel deal? Here are 7 steals from Vancouver

Labour Day long weekend is only a couple of weeks away but travellers still have several last-minute vacations to choose from if they're looking to leave Metro Vancouver.

While they won't be able to snag the jaw-dropping deals that are available from the Lower Mainland during less popular travel times, travellers will find that some destinations offer a better value than others. In some cases, routes or vacation packages that typically offer the best bang for your buck may actually be priced drastically higher than other options. 

Have a look at some of the best Labour Day 2023 travel options for last-minute vacations from Vancouver. 

Last minute flights: L.A., New York, Las Vegas and several Canadian cities

Vancouver flights to Los Angeles cost much more than they typically would (round-trip airfare may cost as little as $200 on a regular weekend), but they are still priced lower than most options for travel outside of the country on the popular weekend. 

A trip that departs Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on Friday, Sept. 1 at 9:15 p.m. and gets into L.A. just after midnight Saturday and then returns late on Monday, Sept. 4 at 7:34 p.m. costs $588 including all taxes and fees when booked on separate Air Canada tickets.

While this price is obviously quite higher than what you would pay if you booked the tickets in advance, both flights are direct with Air Canada and the return ticket costs less than what you would pay to many destinations over the holiday. Also, if you are able to leave earlier on Friday, there are some options available for under $500, but some of them include a stopover. 

Use the Google Flights price calendar to find the lowest prices for the times that work for your travel availability. 

Travellers can typically enjoy round-trip flights between YVR and New York for prices starting at under $500.

Over the big weekend, these prices jump up a couple of hundred dollars, but they are nonstop with JetBlue, which offers the only direct service with John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

One option for about $800 is through JetBlue with a stop in Boston and service to La Guardia (LGA) in New York.

The "City of Sin" is one of the easiest places on planet Earth to lose your hard-earned dinero, but package vacations to Las Vegas typically offer the best deal out of the Lower Mainland. Unfortunately, Sunwing's ultra-low-cost offers need to be booked about a month in advance to garner prices starting around the $300 mark. One of those jaw-dropping deals is available later in September, however.

To avoid the sky-high Vegas package prices -- they are climbing over $1,000 now --- book your flight and hotel separately. If possible, a flight out of Seattle International Airport (SEA) or Bellingham International Airport (BLI) costs just over $300 for a return trip without any stopovers. In contrast, flights from Vancouver start over $500 and include a stopover in L.A.

Vancouver travellers can visit Montreal or Toronto for under $500 return with direct flights, while a trip to neighbouring Edmonton costs under $200. 

Last-minute cruise deals 

A last-minute Alaska cruise to Vancouver offers the best value for a vacation over the holiday weekend.

The seven-day "Voyage of the Glaciers with Glacier Bay (Southbound)" takes passengers on an epic journey down the rugged coastline, starting with a cruise past the impressive, bright-blue and white Hubbard Glacier. After that, they'll spend a day cruising through Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, teeming with a range of wildlife and breathtaking glacial formations. 

Travellers will need to take a few extra days off to enjoy the full experience, but the package includes transportation on a beautiful five-star vessel, meals, entertainment, snacks, and lodging. 

The total cost for an interior stateroom for two people is $1,617.34 including all taxes and fees or $808.67 per person. The per-person cost breaks down to $115.52 per diem, which is less than you would pay for a night at a decent hotel in most cities across North America. 

While Princess Cruises has some of the cheapest deals available to Alaska, travellers regularly praise the company for its vibrant entertainment, upscale dining options, attentive service, and traditional cruising style. There are chances to dress up for formal nights on a few nights out of a seven-night sailing. 

Prices for one-way airline tickets from Vancouver to Anchorage start at around $290 and you can use the Google Flights price calendar to find a time that works for your schedule.