Travelling from Vancouver to Toronto: what you need to know
Begin your trip planning by checking out the most convenient departure point for your flight from Vancouver to Toronto. Explore the 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 touching down in Toronto, Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is a major hub. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) is another.
The average time for a direct Vancouver to Toronto flight is 4 hours 30 minutes.
Toronto's timezone is UTC-4, making Toronto three hours ahead of Vancouver.
With 187 weekly flights between the two airports, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is the busiest route. Hop on the first flight from Vancouver to Toronto with Flair Airlines at 00:10. If you'd like to make the most of your day before taking off, the latest flight from YVR to YYZ is with Air Canada at 23:55.
To ensure you catch your Vancouver to Toronto flight, leave plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
During popular months such as August, you'll want to get to the airport earlier than normal. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for an international flight when you fly during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Vancouver to Toronto
To snag cheap Vancouver to Toronto flights, reserve your trip eight months ahead of your planned departure.
The best month for scoring cheap plane tickets from Vancouver to Toronto is November. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates with the lowest fares.
There's no need to check every day to see if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know when a better deal is available on cheap flights from Vancouver to Toronto.
Save on your Vancouver to Toronto flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
You can book a direct flight from Vancouver to Toronto leaving from Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Head out from YVR and then touch down at any of these Toronto airports:
Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF)
John C. Munro Hamilton Airport (YHM)
Choose from a variety of carriers offering direct Vancouver to Toronto plane tickets with departures from YVR, including:
Located around 11 kilometres from the centre of Vancouver, YVR can be reached in about 25 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 35 minutes.
After a leisurely start to your break? Stay near Vancouver International Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Vancouver to Toronto or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Of the departures from Vancouver International Airport, 71.77% arrive on time at their destination.
Abbotsford Airport (YXX)
Speed up your journey with a direct flight from Vancouver to Toronto. From Abbotsford Airport (YXX), you can make your way straight to Pearson International Airport (YYZ) or Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF).
Flair Airlines is one trusted airline that offers direct Vancouver to Toronto plane tickets from YXX.
YXX is around 64 kilometres from central Vancouver. The drive from the city centre to the airport takes about 1 hour. If you're planning to use public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Skip the morning rush on departure day — stay near Abbotsford Airport and know you'll get to the terminal with time to spare. Get settled at one of these hotels the day before if you're catching an early Vancouver to Toronto flight:
Airports have an on-time performance rating that tracks how often flights land without delays. At YXX, that figure is 67.97%.
Arriving in Toronto
Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is approximately 19 kilometres from the centre of Toronto. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 25 minutes.
It usually takes 50 minutes to get there on public transport.
Reserve a hotel near YYZ if you have a late flight from Vancouver to Toronto. Pick one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Go where the road takes you with a Pearson International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Routes Car Rentals, Green Motion or Thrifty and venture far and wide through Toronto and beyond.
Booking your vehicle from Pearson International Airport about three weeks ahead boosts your odds of scoring a great price.
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)
After your flight from Vancouver to Toronto has hit the tarmac, you can reach the city centre in about 35 minutes by car. Central Toronto is approximately 3 kilometres from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ).
If you choose to travel on public transport, you'll reach the centre in 40 minutes or so.
There are some great places ready to welcome you near YTZ. Kick back after your Vancouver to Toronto flight at any of these well-located options:
The quickest way to reach your destination is with a Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hertz, National or Avis and hit the road in a heartbeat.
Avoid paying extra. Securing your ride one week before your arrival at YTZ will help you stay within budget.
Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF)
Head to the city centre after your flight from Vancouver to Toronto has landed. Central Toronto is about 80 kilometres from Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) and takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to get to by car.
The journey will take you roughly 4 hours 5 minutes using public transport.
If you don't want to travel into the centre, choose a hotel close to YKF. Settle in at one of these options after your Vancouver to Toronto flight:
Start your travels without stressing about how to get to your next stop with a Region of Waterloo International Airport rental car. You can book with reliable companies here like Avis, Enterprise and Budget.
Rental companies sometimes offer deals on early bookings, so secure your ride from YKF a few weeks ahead of your flight from Vancouver to Toronto. A bit of planning goes a long way in savings.
Best time to go to Toronto
August is the busiest month for flights from Vancouver to Toronto. To steer clear of the crowds, head to Toronto in February.
Before locking in your Vancouver to Toronto tickets, think about what kind of weather works for you. July is the warmest month in Toronto, with temperatures ranging from 14ºC (57ºF) to 28ºC (82ºF).
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Vancouver to Toronto in January when temperatures average between -12ºC (10ºF) and 1ºC (34ºF).
More about Toronto
Start your Toronto trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Vancouver to Toronto, check out our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be hard to know where to begin. CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum and Go Tours Canada - Distillery District are top sights which should feature on any good Toronto itinerary.
Explore more of Canada
Toronto is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other corners of Canada just waiting to be explored. Around 499 kilometres north-east of Toronto, a trip to Montreal will keep you busy. Don't miss top attractions like Mount Royal Park, Montreal Botanical Garden and Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal.
If you're interested in discovering another great destination in Canada, consider Ottawa, roughly 354 kilometres north-east of Toronto. Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal and National Gallery of Canada are among the biggest draws.
