Cheap flights from Vancouver to Nanaimo

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Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Nanaimo

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Flight deals from Vancouver to Nanaimo

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best round-trip flight from Vancouver to Nanaimo? If you want to travel next month, round-trip fares start from $115. Find the lowest prices on one-way and round-trip tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Vancouver to Nanaimo

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Vancouver to Nanaimo flights are currently cheapest in September.

Direct flights from Vancouver to Nanaimo

Vancouver to Nanaimo: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight found$101
Cheapest month to flySeptember
Average flight time23 mins
Most popular airlineHarbour Air
Average flights per week221

Finding cheap flights from Vancouver to Nanaimo: Frequently asked questions

There are 6 airports in Nanaimo: Nanaimo Harbour, Nanaimo, Qualicum, Ganges Harbor, Vancouver International, and Vancouver Coal Harbour.
The best price we found for a round-trip flight from Vancouver to Nanaimo is $101. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
22 minutes is the average flight time from Vancouver to Nanaimo.
Harbour Air, Helijet Airways and Lufthansa fly direct from Vancouver to Nanaimo.
There are 221 flights per week flying from Vancouver to Nanaimo, as of July 2026.
The cheapest month to fly from Vancouver to Nanaimo is usually September.
If you're flying from Vancouver, the cheapest airport near Nanaimo is Nanaimo – which is 14.0 km away from the center of Nanaimo. We've found flights to this airport from $101.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Vancouver to Nanaimo on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
Yes – the average flight time is 22 minutes.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Nanaimo but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.

We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar, and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Nanaimo is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

In July, the average temperature is usually around 17°C. August is typically the warmest month in Nanaimo, when it usually averages around 21°C. You can expect the least rain in July. The coldest month is December, with temperatures averaging 1°C. The rainiest month is November.
The cheapest airline that flies to Nanaimo is WestJet.

Flying from Vancouver to Nanaimo: what you need to know

  • Begin your trip planning by checking out the most convenient departure point for your flight from Vancouver to Nanaimo. Explore the options for leaving from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or Vancouver Coal Harbour Airport (CXH), two of the city's main airports.

  • When it comes to arriving in Nanaimo, Nanaimo Harbour Airport (ZNA) is a key hub. Another is Nanaimo Airport (YCD).

  • The average time for a direct Vancouver to Nanaimo flight is 30 minutes.

  • With 31 flights a week between the two airports, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Nanaimo Airport (YCD) is the most popular route. Hop on the earliest flight from Vancouver to Nanaimo with Air Canada at 07:55. If you prefer to make the most of your day before leaving, the last departure from YVR to YCD is with Air Canada at 21:35.

  • For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your Vancouver to Nanaimo flight.

  • During popular months such as August, you'll want to get to the airport even earlier. 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 Nanaimo

  • To score cheap Vancouver to Nanaimo flights, book your trip 11 months before your departure.

  • The best month for finding cheap plane tickets from Vancouver to Nanaimo is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates with the lowest fares.

  • Stay on top of deals for cheap flights from Vancouver to Nanaimo by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.

  • Find an affordable Vancouver to Nanaimo flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.

Flying from Vancouver

Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

  • Set out from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on a nonstop flight from Vancouver to Nanaimo. From YVR, you can travel directly to Nanaimo Airport (YCD).

  • Air Canada is a well-known airline that offers direct Vancouver to Nanaimo plane tickets from YVR.

  • YVR is about 10 kilometers from central Vancouver. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the center, it'll take you 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 25 minutes.

  • Need a handy hotel near Vancouver International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Vancouver to Nanaimo, these accommodation options will have you moments from check-in:

  • Of the flights that depart from Vancouver International Airport, 77% arrive as scheduled at their destination.

Abbotsford Airport (YXX)

  • The journey to YXX from the center of Vancouver is around 2 hours 30 minutes on public transport. If you prefer to travel by car, it'll take you about 1 hour 20 minutes to cover the 64 kilometers or so.

  • Skip the morning rush on departure day — stay close to Abbotsford Airport and know you'll make it to the terminal with time to spare. Check in to one of these hotels the day before if you're catching an early Vancouver to Nanaimo flight:

  • The on-time performance rating of YXX is 75%. To put it simply, that's how frequently flights from this airport arrive within the expected time frame.

Arriving in Nanaimo

Nanaimo Harbour Airport (ZNA)

  • From Nanaimo Harbour Airport (ZNA), central Nanaimo is approximately 0.48 kilometers away.

  • If you're arriving on a late flight from Vancouver to Nanaimo, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these accommodation options near ZNA:

  • Venture beyond Nanaimo and explore places that aren't on most itineraries with your own wheels. You can grab a Nanaimo Harbour Airport rental car from Budget.

  • Book your vehicle from Nanaimo Harbour Airport several weeks before your departure date to get the best deal. If you're going away during a peak period, it's a good idea to book your Vancouver to Nanaimo flight even earlier.

Nanaimo Airport (YCD)

  • Nanaimo Airport (YCD) is around 14 kilometers from the center of Nanaimo. Once you've disembarked your flight from Vancouver to Nanaimo, it'll take you approximately 20 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.

  • The trip will take about 35 minutes on public transport.

  • Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel near YCD. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your flight from Vancouver to Nanaimo:

  • Land, collect your Nanaimo Airport rental car, and drive away without skipping a beat. National and Budget are trusted companies to pick from here.

  • Get what you want, not just what's left over. Securing your ride from YCD three weeks in advance often means better deals and a wider choice of vehicles.

More about Nanaimo

  • Start your Nanaimo trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Vancouver to Nanaimo, 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. Newcastle Island Marine Park, provincial park, Mt. Benson Regional Park and Arboretum are top attractions which should be on every Nanaimo itinerary.

Explore more of Canada

  • Nanaimo has its own special appeal, but there are so many other parts of Canada waiting to be discovered. About 64 kilometers east of Nanaimo, a visit to Vancouver will keep your itinerary packed. Check out popular attractions like Stanley Park Seawall, Stanley Park and Downtown Vancouver.

  • Surrey is another essential stop in Canada and is around 80 kilometers east of Nanaimo. No trip is complete without dropping by Green Timbers Urban Forest Park, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and Surrey Art Gallery & Surrey Civic Theatres at Surrey Arts Centre.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 12 days.