Flights from Vancouver to Toronto can cost a pretty penny over the spring and summer months - but there are some ways to keep costs low.
Travellers from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) can fly to Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport (YZZ) via several carriers, including WestJet, Air Canada, Flair Airlines, and Porter.
Find out when you can get the cheapest options and how to book them.
Flair Airlines
Canada's ultra-low-cost carrier will generally offer the best bang for your buck on the popular route, with prices on direct, round-trip flights starting at around $230. These deals are even sweeter if the carrier offers a sale; you might be able to shave another $20 bucks off that price, depending on what percentage the base fare makes of the overall cost.
A few flights departing in April cost around $250 but prices climb substantially over the summer. Take advantage of prices under $250 in October, such as one that departs on Oct. 29 and returns on Nov. 7 for $232 booked directly through Flair (see slide two).
Porter
Porter Airlines, the airline with a raccoon for a mascot, offers the second-best deal for travellers on a budget.
Travellers who fly with Porter in April will enjoy the lowest prices on the route, with round-trip, direct tickets starting at $248 (less than Flair's $250). This deal departing YVR on April 10 and returns on April 16 (see slide four).
However, prices for flights outside of spring cost significantly more. Tickets align with WestJet over the summer, starting as high as $550 to $750 during the peak travel period. While they drop a bit in the fall, they cost several hundred more than Flair's options.
WestJet
WestJet gives Flair and Porter a run for their money, offering low-cost flights this spring. However, the carrier's prices don't start as low as the smaller airlines, with round-trip, direct options priced at just over $250 on select dates (see slide three).
After April, WestJet tickets climb over $350 in May and June, and then into the $500 to $700 range over the summer.
Air Canada
Canada's largest airline might not offer the lowest price from YVR from YYZ but its tickets don't cost significantly more.
Several round-trip, direct flights start at just over $300 this spring. For example, a flight that departs on April 23 and returns on April 30 costs $318, which is around $70 more than you'd pay with the other carriers.
Air Canada may have cheaper options during the summer than other airlines on select dates and depending on availability.
Google Flights price calendar
Use the Google Flights price calendar to find dates cheap dates throughout the fall. You can also use the Google Flights "search anywhere" tool to help you find the cheapest option to YYZ or even one to a nearby city that will cut down on your costs from YVR.
