Traveling from Vancouver to Seattle: what you need to know
When looking for a flight from Vancouver to Seattle, there's a nice range of airports you can start your trip from. Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Vancouver Coal Harbour Airport (CXH) and Abbotsford Airport (YXX) are some of Vancouver's main options.
When it comes to working out where to land in Seattle, Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Seattle Lake Union SPB Airport (LKE) are the major entry points.
Around 1 hour 10 minutes is how long you can expect to be traveling on a direct Vancouver to Seattle flight.
Vancouver and Seattle are in the same timezone, UTC-8.
With 102 weekly flights between the two airports, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the busiest route. Board the earliest flight from Vancouver to Seattle with Alaska Airlines at 06:00. If you'd like to get more out of your day before flying, the last flight from YVR to SEA is with Air Canada at 21:10.
Leave plenty of time to get on your Vancouver to Seattle flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months such as August, it's best to get to the airport well in advance. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of international flights when you travel during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Vancouver to Seattle
To find cheap Vancouver to Seattle flights, book in advance. Airlines generally offer their most competitively priced fares when tickets first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest plane tickets from Vancouver to Seattle across every month. It's a great way to snap up a bargain if your travel dates aren't set in stone.
Locking in a cheap flight from Vancouver to Seattle couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when the price has dropped.
Lock in a cheap Vancouver to Seattle flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
You can get a direct flight from Vancouver to Seattle jetting off from Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Begin your journey at YVR and arrive at Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
Well-known carriers that offer direct Vancouver to Seattle plane tickets from YVR include:
Traveling from central Vancouver to YVR takes about 25 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a cab, you'll cover the 10 kilometers in 25 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
In search of a handy hotel close to Vancouver International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Vancouver to Seattle, these accommodation options will have you nice and close to your departure gate:
Of all flights departing from Vancouver International Airport, 77% land on schedule at their destination.
Abbotsford Airport (YXX)
YXX is roughly 64 kilometers from central Vancouver. The drive from the city center to the airport takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. If you're considering public transport, expect a journey time of around 2 hours 30 minutes.
Sleep a little longer and still make your Vancouver to Seattle flight without having to rush. These hotels near Abbotsford Airport make departure day a breeze if you're setting off early:
Airports have an on-time performance rating that tracks how often flights reach their destinations within the expected time frame. At YXX, that rate is 75%.
Arriving in Seattle
Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
The distance from Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to central Seattle is roughly 19 kilometers. It takes around 25 minutes to get to the center driving.
Getting there by public transport takes about 35 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel close to SEA if you're coming in on a late flight from Vancouver to Seattle. Settle into one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Travel at your own speed with a Seattle / Tacoma International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Thrifty, Europcar or Budget and chase adventure across Seattle and beyond.
For the best deal, reserve your vehicle from Seattle / Tacoma International Airport around one week in advance of your Vancouver to Seattle flight.
Paine Field Airport (PAE)
Once your flight from Vancouver to Seattle has hit the runway, you can get to the city center in about 20 minutes by car. Central Seattle is approximately 32 kilometers from Paine Field Airport (PAE).
You can expect the trip to take roughly 40 minutes on public transport.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and relax at a hotel close to PAE. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your flight from Vancouver to Seattle:
Touch down, grab your Paine Field Airport rental car, and hit the road without skipping a beat. Budget and Enterprise are leading outlets to select from here.
Get your ideal vehicle, not just what's available, by securing your ride from PAE in advance. You can also avoid last-minute price surges, especially when demand is high.
Seattle Boeing Fld Airport (BFI)
Seattle Boeing Fld Airport (BFI) is around 11 kilometers from the center of Seattle. It'll take you about 20 minutes to reach the city center in a cab or ride-share once you've stepped off your flight from Vancouver to Seattle.
If you go by public transport, expect a journey of around 35 minutes.
Begin your trip without worrying about how to get to where you're going with a Seattle Boeing Fld Airport rental car. Find your perfect set of wheels with trusted companies here like Alamo, Budget and Avis.
Booking a couple of weeks in advance of your flight from Vancouver to Seattle is a good move. Along with more affordable prices, you'll likely have a better variety of makes and models to choose from at BFI.
Best time to go to Seattle
March is the quietest month for flights from Vancouver to Seattle, while July is the most popular. Choose the ideal time to go to Seattle based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
When booking your Vancouver to Seattle tickets, consider the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Seattle, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC (54ºF) to 28ºC (82ºF).
Look for cheap flights from Vancouver to Seattle in February if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -1ºC (30ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) on average.
More about Seattle
Once you've booked your flight from Vancouver to Seattle, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Seattle:
Every great adventure has to include some sightseeing. Space Needle, Pike Place Fish Market and The Museum of Flight are must-visits when exploring Seattle.
Explore more of the United States
Portland is just one of the many cities in the United States waiting to be discovered after you've seen Seattle. Around 241 kilometers to the south, popular attractions include Portland Japanese Garden, Peninsula Park Rose Garden and International Rose Test Garden.
Around 370 kilometers east of Seattle, Spokane is another favorite stop in the United States. Start your sightseeing at Riverside State Park, Spokane Falls (Upper Falls) and Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes.
