Compare Vancouver flights

Flight times to Vancouver vary depending on which airport you’re departing from, which airline you’re travelling with and the route taken. However, as a guideline, the average journey to Vancouver from the UK takes 9 hours 40 minutes. Journeys with a stopover will, of course, be longer. There are many destinations you might end up stopping in, including Amsterdam and San Francisco, so think about whether your stopover could be extended into a mini-holiday.

Yes and no. If you’re flying from London between May and October, when London Gatwick has good value direct flights to Vancouver, then it will almost always be cheaper to get one of these than to opt for a stopover. At other times of year, a stopover can help bring costs down – and of course a stopover is essential if you are flying out of some regional airports.

Popular stopover locations for Vancouver include:

• Calgary: If you stop in Calgary, you’ll have the longest leg of your journey first – a flight of 9 hours 15 minutes. Then you’ll have a flight of 1 hour 30 minutes to Vancouver. Calgary is a good place to stay in for a bit longer, if you have the opportunity. Like Vancouver, it’s surrounded by wonderful natural attractions, such as Banff National Park.

• Amsterdam: Your flight to Amsterdam will be around 1 hour 35 minutes, and your connecting flight will be 9 hours 30 minutes. It's worth taking some extra time to explore the Dutch capital's impressive museums, pretty canals and cool bars.

It can be hard to decide where to stay in Vancouver. For some, the city’s energetic nightlife and highly regarded restaurants will be priority; for others, the goal will be getting out and exploring Grouse Mountain or Vancouver Island as soon as possible. Pay a visit to our Vancouver holidays page to get a sense of what’s out there and to search for money-saving flight and hotel packages.

Within Vancouver’s limits, there is a wealth of wonderful things to do. Lose yourself in the galleries of the Museum of Vancouver, go on a craft beer tour in Brewery Creek, or catch some live music at one of city's many venues, such as the Commodore Ballroom. There are some good beauty spots in the city too, including the garden island of Stanley Park and the city beaches around West Point Grey and Kitsilano. They're nothing compared to the natural beauty out there in British Columbia, however – if you're wondering whether it is worth hiring a car here, the answer is a resounding yes.