Flying from Seattle to Vancouver: what you need to know
Seattle is home to two main airports where you can set off on your adventure. Explore your options for booking a flight from Seattle to Vancouver flying out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) or Lake Union Sea Plane Base Airport (LKE).
Vancouver has a good selection of airports you can fly into. Touch down at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport (CXH) or Abbotsford Airport (YXX).
Around 1 hour is how long you'll be travelling on a direct Seattle to Vancouver flight.
Vancouver's timezone is UTC-7, which is the same as Seattle.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is the most popular route between these two cities. There are 102 departures a week to choose from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from Seattle to Vancouver is with Alaska Airlines at 23:04. Go for the first SEA to YVR departure with Air Canada at 05:50 to fit in more activities on your first day in Vancouver.
To ensure you catch your Seattle to Vancouver flight, leave plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Peak months like July or holiday periods such as Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year will mean bigger lines at security and check-in. Be on the safe side and head to the airport even earlier. Arriving two hours before domestic flights and four hours ahead of international departures is wise.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seattle to Vancouver
To snag cheap Seattle to Vancouver flights, book your trip two months before your departure.
Schedule your trip for May. That's the best month for scoring an incredible deal on plane tickets from Seattle to Vancouver. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across each month.
You don't need to search every day to see if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll tell you when a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Seattle to Vancouver.
Tailor your flights using filters. Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' Seattle to Vancouver flights.
Flying from Seattle
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Set out from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) on a nonstop flight from Seattle to Vancouver. From SEA, you can fly directly into Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
You'll find a variety of carriers offering direct Seattle to Vancouver plane tickets with departures from SEA, including:
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to take a travel break — and maybe even visit a new city. When searching for Seattle to Vancouver flights departing from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
Portland International Airport (PDX)
Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
SEA is around 18 kilometres from central Seattle. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the journey time to be around 55 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Seattle to Vancouver? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these stays near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has a strong on-time performance, reducing the likelihood of delays. Departures from SEA land on schedule 81.27% of the time.
Lake Union Sea Plane Base Airport (LKE)
Consider booking your direct flight from Seattle to Vancouver out of Lake Union Sea Plane Base Airport (LKE). Nonstop services from LKE will get you to Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport (CXH).
Harbour Air offers direct Seattle to Vancouver plane tickets from LKE. Book your preferred aisle (or window) seat and reach your destination without any detours.
LKE is around 3 kilometres from central Seattle. It takes 10 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 25 minutes.
Start your holiday sooner with an additional night away from home. Before catching your flight from Seattle to Vancouver, unwind in one of these hotels close to Lake Union Sea Plane Base Airport:
Arriving in Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to central Vancouver takes about 25 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 11 kilometres away.
It usually takes 35 minutes to get there on public transport.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Seattle to Vancouver, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting soon after at one of these hotels near YVR:
Pick up a Vancouver International Airport rental car and explore Vancouver and beyond with your own set of wheels. Routes Car Rentals, Thrifty and Avis are top outlets you can book with here.
To lock in the lowest price, reserve your ride from Vancouver International Airport around one week ahead of your Seattle to Vancouver flight.
Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport (CXH)
After your flight from Seattle to Vancouver has landed, you can get to the city centre in around 5 minutes by car. Central Vancouver is approximately 0.80 kilometres from Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport (CXH).
The journey will take roughly 15 minutes on public transport.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and unwind at a hotel close to CXH. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your flight from Seattle to Vancouver:
Avoid filling out forms at the rental desk by having everything prearranged. Secure your ride from CXH ahead of time so you can just grab the keys and be on your way.
Abbotsford Airport (YXX)
Abbotsford Airport (YXX) is roughly 64 kilometres from central Vancouver. It'll take you about 1 hour to reach the city centre in a cab or ride-share once you've stepped off your flight from Seattle to Vancouver.
The journey will take around 1 hour 30 minutes when travelling on public transport.
Check in to a hotel close to YXX and get from baggage claim to your bed in a snap. Whether you're catching a late Seattle to Vancouver flight or just want to simplify your travel plans, these accommodation options will have you settling in quickly:
Whether you'd like an economy for a solo adventure or a spacious SUV to fit a group of friends, you'll find the ideal Abbotsford Airport rental car for you. Check out wheels available from names such as Hertz, Thrifty and Enterprise.
Get a payoff by planning ahead. Book your ride from YXX one week before your flight from Seattle to Vancouver to access the best rates.
Best time to go to Vancouver
It's time to plan your trip dates for your flight from Seattle to Vancouver. August is the busiest month to visit Vancouver. If you prefer a more low-key vibe, go in May.
The warmest month in Vancouver is August, with temperatures ranging between 13ºC (55ºF) and 24ºC (75ºF). Lock in your Seattle to Vancouver ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Seattle to Vancouver in December when temperatures average between -1ºC (30ºF) and 7ºC (45ºF).
More about Vancouver
Start your Vancouver trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Seattle to Vancouver, browse our range of hotels including:
Every great adventure has to include some sightseeing. Stanley Park, Granville Island and Science World are essential stops on your Vancouver itinerary.
Explore more of Canada
Vancouver will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other parts of Canada just waiting to be explored. About 32 kilometres south-east of Vancouver, a visit to Surrey will keep you busy. Start with popular sights like Senator Reid Park, Port Mann Park and Morgan Creek Park.
Around 97 kilometres south of Vancouver, Victoria is another favourite stop in Canada. Start your sightseeing at Royal BC Museum, Craigdarroch Castle and Inner Harbour.
