When to buy airfare to Vancouver?

[Geomom]

We're doing the Alaskan cruise next August. We'll likely be flying from Boston to Vancouver. This is totally new to us...we've only flown Southwest for the past 18 years (usually from NH to Orlando), so I'm an expert on that one airline...which unfortunately won't get me to Vancouver. With the distance we will be flying, I would prefer to fly directly to Vancouver vs. into Seattle and then taking a train/bus for 4 hrs.

• How many months in advance should I buy airfare to Vancouver? August just started to show up for Air Canada, United, etc.
• When will I get the cheapest tix?
• How much time do I need to change planes when I first land in Canada (most plane changes are in either Toronto or Montreal.)?

Thanks!

 

[anricat]

We're buying air ASAP. I was just googling this yesterday and it looks like for the popular times in Canada (read: summer) the prices are just going to go up.

 

[AcuraTL]

One option to think about is fly into Seattle and then rent a car to drive to Vancouver. With the 4 of us, we save over $1,000 by doing this and the drive to and from was very easy.

 

[Rambler5678]

Is early or mid - June cheaper than July?

 

[MUN]

One option to think about is fly into Seattle and then rent a car to drive to Vancouver. With the 4 of us, we save over $1,000 by doing this and the drive to and from was very easy.

Excellent advice! We did this and we flew SW into Seattle.

MUN

 

[AAAG]

We are also doing the Alaskan cruise in August 2016. This past year, I "stalked" prices for Aug 2015, to see what they did.
I would say either book now, or wait until about mid June when they may have a seat sale. The highest prices I ever saw (Toronto-Vancouver in August) were the prices in the spring - April-May. i suspect that's when many people book their summer vacations. In mid June, there was a significant drop in price - presumably to sell the seats.

 

[AAAG]

Is early or mid - June cheaper than July?

It probably depends on where you are flying from. if you are flying via Toronto, then June will be cheaper, because the last day of school in Ontario is June 29.

 

[ambert82]

We are also cruising August 2016. I would think flying to Seattle and then taking Amtrak or Bolt Bus would be cheapest. I live in Seattle so we are driving.

 

[Disney_Alli]

Be sure to check both Canadian airlines as well Air Canada and WestJet. Depending on how many people are flying it might be a lot cheaper to fly in to Seatle. Canadian fees and taxes are a killer.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I can relate to everything you've said since we fly SWA 90% of the time. We are on the 8/8/16 sailing and I actually bought our tickets for Vancouver this past Saturday, as soon as 8/15 opened up for American. Like others I was watching this year, then started checking as the dates got closer. From the east coast, SWA is around $450 minimum so by adding in hotel and then transportation to Vancouver for us it didn't make sense.

I booked at $608 total per person, round trip connecting through DFW. The times were also what we wanted so that's something else to take into consideration. In 2013 I booked two one ways (so consider that too) on United/American and it was $680 so I was pleased to find something cheaper this year.

I tend to book when I see prices I'm good with as well as times and connections.

Heather

 

[Geomom]

Thanks everyone!
I just bought tix from Air Canada. $595 each roundtrip (including paying for seat selections). Boston to Vancouver with a Toronto connection. I gave us around 3 hrs for the connection time. Coming in Friday night was cheaper than Saturday by $320 for the 4 of us and a better flight time. Now we'll have 2 full days before the cruise and a half day after to explore the Vancouver area. Lovely red eye flight ending up at home on Tuesday morning. Luckily the kids will have 2 weeks to recover/adjust back to East Coast time before school starts.

 

[anricat]

We booked today! I was able to get some incredible fares on WestJet. I was open to toggling our dates a few days before and after. We're flying in on the Saturday before, we'll have all day Sunday in Vancouver, then we're flying home on Tuesday so we'll have all day Monday on the other side of the trip after we disembark. We were able to get $330 per person round trip on WestJet out of Austin (well, it's Delta to LAX and then WestJet from there). So excited!

 

[xlxo]

We're doing the Alaskan cruise next August.

Some thoughts?

• Which August sailing? Time to start thinking about hotel rooms!
  • early August is the annual Fireworks competition and Pride celebrations
  • late August in 2016 is the Americas Masters Games.... some say to expect Olympic sized demands for hotel rooms and congestion
    http://www.americasmastersgames2016.com/
• 54 day is the magic time to look at flights, however it may be earlier for high season?
• check out flights on different days... is weekend or mid-week cheaper?
• think about extra days pre and post cruise at your bonus port. Often they say you want extra days in Vancouver as it's bigger than all the Alaskan ports combined.
• bus is $50 for shuttle from Seatac to Vancouver hotels or cruise terminals
• if money is a concern.... look to hotels a few blocks away from the cruise terminal for significant savings.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Some thoughts?

• Which August sailing? Time to start thinking about hotel rooms!
  • early August is the annual Fireworks competition and Pride celebrations
  • late August in 2016 is the Americas Masters Games.... some say to expect Olympic sized demands for hotel rooms and congestion
    http://www.americasmastersgames2016.com/
• 54 day is the magic time to look at flights, however it may be earlier for high season?
• check out flights on different days... is weekend or mid-week cheaper?
• think about extra days pre and post cruise at your bonus port. Often they say you want extra days in Vancouver as it's bigger than all the Alaskan ports combined.
• bus is $50 for shuttle from Seatac to Vancouver hotels or cruise terminals
• if money is a concern.... look to hotels a few blocks away from the cruise terminal for significant savings.

Several of us (including us) are on the 8/8 sailing and from what I've read it appears we sail the weekend after the big festival. Vancouver is awesome so we can't wait to return

Heather

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

I'm sure it's been asked on another thread but what is the earliest flight we can/should book for disembark day for international travelers? (Back home to US from Vancouver)

 

[Geomom]

Several of us (including us) are on the 8/8 sailing and from what I've read it appears we sail the weekend after the big festival. Vancouver is awesome so we can't wait to return

Heather

We're also on the 8/8 sailing!

Some thoughts?

• Which August sailing? Time to start thinking about hotel rooms!
  • early August is the annual Fireworks competition and Pride celebrations
  • late August in 2016 is the Americas Masters Games.... some say to expect Olympic sized demands for hotel rooms and congestion
    http://www.americasmastersgames2016.com/
• 54 day is the magic time to look at flights, however it may be earlier for high season?
• check out flights on different days... is weekend or mid-week cheaper?
• think about extra days pre and post cruise at your bonus port. Often they say you want extra days in Vancouver as it's bigger than all the Alaskan ports combined.
• bus is $50 for shuttle from Seatac to Vancouver hotels or cruise terminals
• if money is a concern.... look to hotels a few blocks away from the cruise terminal for significant savings.

8/8/16 sailing. We bought airfare yesterday--we're arriving late on 8/5, so 3 nights in Vancouver. We're trying to look at lower cost motels (under $200/nt) near public transportation as we won't have a car. I was originally looking at the Radisson Vancouver Airport due to nearness of Aberdeen station and cost, but now that we'll have 2 full days in Vancouver, trying to figure out if there is a motel closer to everything. Any reviews on that Radisson or any suggestions for other motels near public transit?

Thanks!

 

[xlxo]

I'm sure it's been asked on another thread but what is the earliest flight we can/should book for disembark day for international travelers? (Back home to US from Vancouver)

Look for flights 12pm or later...

• possible timeline
  • 8am walk off
  • 8:30am retrieve luggage and clear customs for cab.... ride to airport is about 30 minutes
  • 9am arrival at airport.... they want to there 3 hours in advance for check-in and US security clearance
  • noon wheels up
• later flights means more time to enjoy that breakfast you paid for. If the latest you are off the boat is 10am.... flights after 2pm mean you can enjoy the breakfast and not be so rushed.
• Vancouver has lots to offer if you want to stay longer.

 

[xlxo]

8/8/16 sailing. We bought airfare yesterday--we're arriving late on 8/5, so 3 nights in Vancouver. We're trying to look at lower cost motels (under $200/nt) near public transportation as we won't have a car. I was originally looking at the Radisson Vancouver Airport due to nearness of Aberdeen station and cost, but now that we'll have 2 full days in Vancouver, trying to figure out if there is a motel closer to everything. Any reviews on that Radisson or any suggestions for other motels near public transit?

• I love the Raddison with the subway across the street. My friends stay there, especially if you have a car rental and looking for free parking!
• popular budget hotels to consider downtown...
  • Blue Horizon, Empire Landmark are adjacent to Robson restaurants and shops
  • Delta Suites and Marriots are a few blocks away from cruise terminal
  • Hampton Inn Vancouver downtown for sports enthuisasts

 

[anricat]

Also on the 8/8 sailing. Our flights are 8/6-8/16. We're staying at the Blue Horizon.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

We're also on the 8/8 sailing!

8/8/16 sailing. We bought airfare yesterday--we're arriving late on 8/5, so 3 nights in Vancouver. We're trying to look at lower cost motels (under $200/nt) near public transportation as we won't have a car. I was originally looking at the Radisson Vancouver Airport due to nearness of Aberdeen station and cost, but now that we'll have 2 full days in Vancouver, trying to figure out if there is a motel closer to everything. Any reviews on that Radisson or any suggestions for other motels near public transit?

Thanks!

Also on the 8/8 sailing. Our flights are 8/6-8/16. We're staying at the Blue Horizon.

at fellow 8/8 cruisers

Heather