Flying from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) to Vancouver: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 4 hours 40 minutes. That's the average journey time for a direct flight from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Vancouver.
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is located in Ottawa. Following the UTC-7 timezone, Vancouver is three hours behind Ottawa.
The most popular route is from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) to Vancouver International Airport (YVR). You can choose from 28 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to get on your way as soon as you can, the earliest flight from YOW to YVR is the 05:40 Air Canada option. If you prefer travelling later, the last departure is at 21:55 with Air Canada.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to board your YOW to Vancouver flight.
If you're heading away during a bank holiday or another peak period, give yourself extra time. A good rule is two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Queues at check-in and security will be longer.
You can book a direct Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Vancouver ticket. Start your trip at YOW and arrive at Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Choose from a variety of carriers offering direct flights from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Vancouver. Book your seat with one of these:
The journey from central Ottawa to YOW takes around 45 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 11 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Want a relaxed start to your holiday? Stay near YOW. Whether you're taking an early flight from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Vancouver or don't want departure day to feel hectic, these hotels are a convenient choice:
58.21% of flights leaving from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport arrive at their destination on time.
The address for YOW is 50 Airport Road.
How to find the cheapest flights from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) to Vancouver
78 € is currently the lowest price for a one-way Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Vancouver flight. Return plane tickets start from 144 €. These fares may change depending on availability and demand.
To score cheap flights from YOW to Vancouver, reserve your journey one month before your planned departure.
May is the best month for nabbing an amazing deal on Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Vancouver tickets. If you want to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for every month.
Never miss a deal on cheap flights from YOW to Vancouver by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Find an affordable flight from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Vancouver with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
The distance from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to central Vancouver is roughly 14 kilometres. It takes around 25 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It typically takes 35 minutes to get there using public transport.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Vancouver, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these hotels near YVR:
Go wherever you want, whenever you want with a Vancouver International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Routes Car Rentals, Thrifty or Avis and chase adventure across Vancouver and beyond.
To get the best deal, book your vehicle from Vancouver International Airport about one week ahead of your flight from YOW to Vancouver.
Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport (CXH)
After your flight from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Vancouver has touched down, you can reach the city centre in around 5 minutes by car. Central Vancouver is roughly 2 kilometres from Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport (CXH).
If you choose to travel on public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 15 minutes or so.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and unwind at a hotel near CXH. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your YOW to Vancouver flight:
In general, the earlier you book, the better the prices and vehicle selection. Secure your ride from CXH as soon as your plans are confirmed.
Abbotsford Airport (YXX)
Abbotsford Airport (YXX) is about 64 kilometres from central Vancouver. It takes about 1 hour to get to the city centre by ride-share or cab once you've stepped off your flight from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Vancouver.
If you travel by public transport, the journey time is around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Enjoy a more relaxed start to your trip by choosing a hotel near YXX after your YOW to Vancouver flight. Recharge after a day of travel or just take a moment to get your bearings in a new city at:
Put yourself in the driver's seat of the next part of your journey by picking up an Abbotsford Airport rental car. Hertz, Thrifty and Enterprise are dependable companies for booking.
Plan ahead and get the perks. Book your ride from YXX one week before your flight from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Vancouver for the best rates.
Best time to go to Vancouver
Before scheduling your flights from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Vancouver, consider which time of year is best for you. High season in Vancouver offers a lively atmosphere and plenty of things to do, while low season brings cheaper hotel rates and fewer crowds.
Before locking in your Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Vancouver plane ticket, think about what kind of weather works for you. August is the warmest month in Vancouver, with temperatures ranging from 13ºC (55ºF) to 24ºC (75ºF).
December sees average temperatures of between -1ºC (30ºF) and 7ºC (45ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from YOW to Vancouver around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Vancouver
Once you've booked your flight from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Vancouver, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Vancouver:
Granville Island and Stanley Park are a couple of big attractions to add to your Vancouver to-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Science World.
Explore more of Canada
You've visited Vancouver, now it's time to explore more of Canada. Journey about 274 kilometres east to Kelowna to check off its leading attractions. From Kasugai Japanese Garden to Waterfront Park and Mary Ann Collinson Memorial Park, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
Kamloops is another well-known destination in Canada and is around 257 kilometres north-east of Vancouver. No trip is complete without visiting Riverside Park, Kamloops Art Gallery and BIG Little Science Centre.