OT: Flying from Ontario to Vancouver?

[CJ]

Although we are Canadian we live near the Buffalo airport and always fly south from there, but this summer I need to arrange flights for DH & I to Vancouver.
The prices are awful! I've tried looking at going from Buffalo to Vancouver but that's not any better ...... Does anyone have any tips for me? We'd prefer to go from Hamilton-Vancouver return, but I'd settle for Toronto or Buffalo as well!

 

[Valjean13]

I grew up in BC, my family lives there, but I live in Ontario now. It's been 9 years now that I've lived here, and I can tell you that summer fares are always expensive. If you can go in June, you should be able to find round-trip for just under $500pp (Toronto to Vancouver). But July and August, they jack the rates up. I've never found flying from Buffalo to Seattle worth it for me, because we'd have to rent a car and drive to BC. However, if you were renting anyway, it might be ok. I've seen $99-139 one way on Southwest, but you have to connect somewhere, and it makes for a long travel day.

My mom wants to come visit in the summer, and she's hoping there will be a summer seat sale. They just finished one for the spring/fall, so you never know. Also, I've always found West Jet and Air Canada to have almost exactly the same prices. They do sales at the same time too. Sometimes there are deals on Sunwing, but their flight schedule is very limited. I think they only fly the YYZ-YVR route once or twice a week.

Good luck!

 

[mkmommy]

Air Canada and West Jet have had some great seat sales for the summer, so keep and eye out for them. I was able to get Toronto to Kelowna direct flights departing Saturday returning a Sunday in August for $440 each including seat and bags on Air Canada. I think the regular price was over $800 each so it was close to 50% off.




Also the last 2 years my sister was able to get flights on Westjet in July for midweek flights for about $400 and those she booked in June.

Also if you fly into Seattle and rent a car make sure the rental company allows the car to cross the boarder, not all car rentals allow this.

 

[chasbos]

We flew Detroit to Seattle when we went to Vancouver and then took the Amtrak train into Vancouver.

The train was only $126 for 6 of us (look into the kids deals that they have) and when we got to Vancouver the Hertz rental was waiting for us at the train station.

We flew for $900 US - one way for all 6 of us the time we went. Then we drove to Calgary and flew home from there and it was $3000 for the 6 of us!

So huge savings at the time, but keep looking WJ or AC just might come up with a good deal.