Travellers looking to fly from Vancouver for a hot holiday don't need to go far — or spend much money.
Temperatures have started to thaw across the Lower Mainland but late-season snowfall is still possible in April. And even if it doesn't snow, spring typically sees several bouts of wet weather.
Several cities south of the border offer the ideal conditions for a beach or poolside vacation year-round, affording a close escape for locals needing a respite from Raincouver.
Here are some of the cheapest deals to popular U.S. cities from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) this spring.
Los Angeles
The City of Angels offers some of the most affordable flights from Vancouver virtually any time of the year.
Not only is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) a short distance from YVR (try roughly a three-hour flight), but return tickets start for as little as $163 with ultra-low-cost carrier Flair Airlines.
If you are planning on taking a train or bus down the coast or flying into San Diego, San Francisco or another California city, flights back from LAX start at a jaw-dropping $59.
For example, a one-way ticket departing on Wednesday, April 24 from Los Angeles International Airport to Vancouver International Airport is $59 with Flair Airlines (see slide two).
One-way flights down to LAX from YVR cost under $100. One that departs on Wednesday, April 24 costs $94 with Flair (see slide three).
The Google Flights price calendar shows multiple dates with these low-cost price options.
Las Vegas
Sin City offers multiple low-cost options from Vancouver, including flights and packages with flights and hotels. Tourists can also score deals on concerts, parties, shopping experiences, and much more in the entertainment mecca.
Travellers can fly from Vancouver to Las Vegas and back at prices starting under $200. However, tickets may have to be booked separately to keep costs below the $200.
For example, a flight that departs YVR on Thursday, April 11 and returns on Friday, April 19 costs $183 with Flair but each flight must be booked separately. Otherwise, the round-trip ticket costs $203 (see slide four).
Travellers looking for a cheap hotel and flight package will find the best deal in the City of Sin, too. Sunwing Packages that include direct, return flights and four-star accommodation for three nights start at just over $300, including all taxes and fees per person based on a double occupancy.
Maui
Hawaii is among one of the cheapest destinations for Metro Vancouverites. That means that tickets can be booked for a reasonable price nearly the whole year round.
The Aloha state enjoys warm weather all year round, making it an ideal destination to visit in terms of temperature. That said, it experiences hotter temperatures and less rain between March and September.
Flights from Vancouver to the Kahului Airport (OGG) can cost anywhere from as little as $300 to $400 on select dates.
For example, a trip from YVR to OGG that departs on Saturday, April 13 and returns on Tuesday, April 23 costs $369 with WestJet when booked with third-party supplier Kiwi.com (see slide five).
Hawaii has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, which are ideal places to kick back and get a sun tan. They also offer the ideal conditions for a wide variety of water sports, including surfing, snorkelling, boating, scuba diving, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming, and more.
Atlanta
Georgia may be famous for its peaches but there are numerous reasons to visit the balmy U.S. state.
Atlanta has a popular zoo with over 200 species of animals, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, several music and food festivals, street art with over 1,000 murals, a rich history steeped in the civil rights movement, and much more.
Round-trip flights from YVR to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) start at under $350 but tickets may need to be booked separately to nab the deal. For example, a flight that departs on Wednesday, April 17 and returns on Saturday, April 20 costs $334. The first trip involves one stop and the second is nonstop (see slide six).
Phoenix
Arizona offers one of the cheapest deals for locals looking for sunshine who want to try something outside of LA and Las Vegas. It is also the fifth-largest city in the United States, offering sublime desert views and a coveted bucket list attraction: the Grand Canyon.
A flight that departs from YVR on Friday, April 19 and returns from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) on Wednesday, April 24 costs $187 (see slide seven); both flights are direct.
Scottsdale, Arizona, is considered one of the spa capitals of the country, located a short, 25-minute drive from Phoenix.
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 have a travel concern or idea 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.
