Flights from Vancouver to Europe can cost a pretty penny during peak travel season -- but there are some jaw-dropping deals available right now.
Whether you're aching for an Emily in Paris moment by the Eiffel Tower or you want to check out Park Güell in Barcelona, there are some deals available that can make your travel dreams a reality without breaking the bank.
Here are some of the best flight deals available right now from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Paris, Amsterdam, and Barcelona for travel in January and February 2024.
Paris
It isn't uncommon for trips between YVR and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to start at upwards of $1,000 for a return ticket, even if the flights aren't direct, particularly for travel during peak travel times, such as over the summer and winter holidays.
But flights between the French capital and Vancouver have reached their lowest point in several years.
Return trips from YVR to CDG start for as little as $546 on several dates in January and February 2024. If you want to fly into Paris and then travel around Europe via train or a European ultra-low-cost airline, such as Ryanair, you can buy a one-way ticket from YVR to CDG for as little as $250.
Use the Google Flights price calendar to browse cheap options during your travel window but keep in mind that prices start climbing back up in the last week of March.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is coveted for many things, including its romantic canals and bridges, its open-minded culture, breathtaking tulip gardens, and rich history. But flights from Vancouver to the European city cost a great deal during the summer months.
Prices for flights from YVR to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) begin to climb around April, coinciding with Tulip season in the Netherlands. By the end of March, the best deals sit just under $1,000 for a return trip. By June, the cheapest tickets average between $1,300 and $1,400.
Thinking of opting for two one-way tickets (one from YVR to AMS and the other from AMS to YVR) to keep costs down?
You will end up paying significantly more -- in some cases nearly double -- if you buy two one-way flights travelling between Vancouver and Amsterdam.
Thankfully, return trips between YVR and AMS are a steal in the "off-season," with prices starting at $623 on a variety of dates through January and February 2024.
While there won't be any tulips in bloom during January, the city has a collection of some of the world's best museums and you won't be fighting crowds.
Barcelona
Flights from YVR to Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) cost a great deal during the peak of summer but the city offers a sunny escape practically year-round. You may need to wear a light jacket a night in in February or March but it will feel nothing like cold Raincouver.
And the price is right for travel in late winter: a return trip from YVR to BCN may cost as little as $775 or less than half the price of a peak travel ticket.
Ticket prices for flights from YVR to BCN start to climb as early as the second week of March, with prices rising a couple of hundred dollars. By July, tickets range upwards of $1,300 to $1,400 for the same trips.
Not only are the prices better for travel to Spain between January and March, but travellers face fewer crowds, shorter waits, and cheaper accommodations.
Don't want to miss out on Spanish heat?
Take the train down from Barcelona to Malaga, which is the birthplace of painter Pablo Picasso. Toward the end of February, the port city sees warm temperatures that will allow you to get a suntan without suffering oppressive summertime heat. The train takes under six hours between the two cities.
