Traveling from Vancouver to Nanaimo: what you need to know
Start planning your vacation by checking out the departure points for your flight from Vancouver to Nanaimo. Explore your options for setting off from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport (CXH), two of the city's main airports.
When it comes to landing in Nanaimo, Nanaimo Harbor Seaplane Base Airport (ZNA) is a major gateway. Another is Nanaimo Airport (YCD).
Book a direct Vancouver to Nanaimo flight and you'll be traveling for an average of 25 minutes.
You can choose from 29 services a week between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and {"defaultCase":"Nanaimo Airport","accusativeCase":"Nanaimo Airport","nominativeCase":"Nanaimo Airport","dativeCase":"Nanaimo Airport"} (YCD). This is the most popular route when booking flights from Vancouver to Nanaimo.
To ensure you board your Vancouver to Nanaimo flight, allow plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.
Flying during a peak month like August? Public holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer lines and delays at security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Vancouver to Nanaimo
To score cheap Vancouver to Nanaimo flights, reserve your journey one month before your planned departure.
The best month for picking up cheap plane tickets from Vancouver to Nanaimo is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then select the dates that offer the biggest savings.
Snapping up a cheap flight from Vancouver to Nanaimo is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as there's a better deal.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' Vancouver to Nanaimo flights.
Flying from Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
You can book a direct flight from Vancouver to Nanaimo departing from Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Start your trip at YVR and then hit the runway at Nanaimo Harbor Seaplane Base Airport (ZNA) or Nanaimo Airport (YCD).
Popular airlines that offer direct Vancouver to Nanaimo plane tickets departing from YVR include:
The journey from central Vancouver to YVR takes about 35 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 11 kilometers in 25 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Want a hassle-free start to your travels? Stay near Vancouver International Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Vancouver to Nanaimo or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are perfect:
Of all flights leaving Vancouver International Airport, 71.77% arrive on time at their destination.
Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport (CXH)
You can take a direct flight from Vancouver to Nanaimo leaving from Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport (CXH). Begin your travels at CXH and hop off the plane at Nanaimo Harbor Seaplane Base Airport (ZNA).
From CXH, you can book a direct Vancouver to Nanaimo plane ticket with Helijet Airways.
CXH is about 0.80 kilometers from central Vancouver. It takes 5 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city center. Public transport takes roughly 15 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before boarding your flight from Vancouver to Nanaimo? Relax in a hotel near Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport before your vacation officially starts. These stays are calling your name:
Abbotsford Airport (YXX)
From central Vancouver, YXX is around 64 kilometers away. It takes roughly 1 hour to reach the airport by car and 1 hour 30 minutes or so if you take public transport.
Make catching an early Vancouver to Nanaimo flight one of the easiest parts of your trip. Stay at one of these hotels close to Abbotsford Airport and get to your boarding gate with time to spare:
Airports have an on-time performance rating that monitors how often flights reach their destinations without delays. At YXX, that figure is 67.97%.
Arriving in Nanaimo
Nanaimo Harbor Seaplane Base Airport (ZNA) is approximately 0.48 kilometers from the center of Nanaimo. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes around 0 hours.
If you're traveling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 10 minutes.
Grab a Nanaimo Harbor Seaplane Base Airport rental car and explore parts of Nanaimo that aren't on every traveler's list. Book your wheels with Budget.
Book your ride from Nanaimo Harbor Seaplane Base Airport a few weeks in advance to get the lowest price possible. If you're going away during a busy period, it's wise to book your Vancouver to Nanaimo flight even earlier.
Nanaimo Airport (YCD)
After your flight from Vancouver to Nanaimo has landed, you can make your way to the city center in about 20 minutes by car. Central Nanaimo is approximately 13 kilometers from Nanaimo Airport (YCD).
The trip will take approximately 1 hour 20 minutes on public transport.
Why waste time waiting for a cab? A Nanaimo Airport rental car lets you get moving right away. Put on your favorite playlist and hit the road with a set of wheels from National or Budget.
Get exactly what you want. Booking your ride from YCD three weeks ahead of time often means more savings and a wider range of vehicles.
More about Nanaimo
After booking your flight from Vancouver to Nanaimo, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these options your base for exploring Nanaimo:
All great journeys should include a little sightseeing. Newcastle Island Park, The Bastion and Harbourfront Walkway are attractions you won't want to skip in Nanaimo.
Explore more of Canada
Nanaimo has its own special appeal, but there are so many other parts of Canada just waiting to be discovered. Around 64 kilometers east of Nanaimo, a visit to Vancouver will fill your itinerary to the brim. Check out popular attractions like Stanley Park, Granville Island and Science World.
If you want to check out another side of Canada, consider Surrey, roughly 88 kilometers east of Nanaimo. Senator Reid Park, Port Mann Park and Morgan Creek Park are among the biggest draws.