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C$ 48 Find Cheap Flights to Nanaimo – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
C$ 107
Typical prices: C$ 311-C$ 740
WestJet
Mon 22/10Thu 25/10
YVR - YCD • Direct
Cheapest one-way flights
C$ 48
Typical prices: C$ 204-C$ 489
WestJet
Wed 24/10
YVR - YCD • Direct
Direct flights
You can fly direct with WestJet, Air Canada, and Pacific Coastal. Average duration is 1h 07m
FAQs
FAQs
Top airlines
Most flights • 25 per week
Best reviews • 8.5 score
Airline reviews
+1
Airline reviews
+1
Top routes
Cheapest • 75% average savings
Most popular
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 20 weeks in advance save around 56% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 29% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Nanaimo!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights to Nanaimo

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals to Nanaimo

Thu, 22 Oct - Sun, 25 Oct
WestJet Logo
2:35 p.m. - 3:10 p.m.YVR  Vancouver Intl-YCD Nanaimo Arpt
0h 35mdirect
WestJet Logo
3:50 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.YCD  Nanaimo Arpt-YVR Vancouver Intl
0h 40mdirect
C$ 107WestJet
Thu, 22 Oct - Sun, 25 Oct
WestJet Logo
2:35 p.m. - 3:10 p.m.YVR  Vancouver Intl-YCD Nanaimo Arpt
0h 35mdirect
WestJet Logo
3:50 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.YCD  Nanaimo Arpt-YVR Vancouver Intl
0h 40mdirect
C$ 111WestJet
Thu, 22 Oct - Sun, 25 Oct
Air Canada Logo
10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.YVR  Vancouver Intl-YCD Nanaimo Arpt
0h 30mdirect
Air Canada Logo
6:25 a.m. - 7:00 a.m.YCD  Nanaimo Arpt-YVR Vancouver Intl
0h 35mdirect
C$ 112Air Canada
Thu, 22 Oct - Sun, 25 Oct
WestJet Logo
2:35 p.m. - 3:10 p.m.YVR  Vancouver Intl-YCD Nanaimo Arpt
0h 35mdirect
WestJet Logo
3:50 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.YCD  Nanaimo Arpt-YVR Vancouver Intl
0h 40mdirect
C$ 112WestJet
Wed, 28 Oct - Wed, 4 Nov
Air Canada Logo
8:05 a.m. - 8:36 a.m.YVR  Vancouver Intl-YCD Nanaimo Arpt
0h 31mdirect
Air Canada Logo
3:30 p.m. - 4:05 p.m.YCD  Nanaimo Arpt-YVR Vancouver Intl
0h 35mdirect
C$ 136Air Canada
Thu, 29 Oct - Sun, 1 Nov
Air Canada Logo
8:05 a.m. - 8:36 a.m.YVR  Vancouver Intl-YCD Nanaimo Arpt
0h 31mdirect
Air Canada Logo
3:30 p.m. - 4:05 p.m.YCD  Nanaimo Arpt-YVR Vancouver Intl
0h 35mdirect
C$ 136Air Canada
Thu, 22 Oct - Thu, 29 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
12:50 p.m. - 3:10 p.m.YEG  Edmonton-YCD Nanaimo Arpt
3h 20m1 stop Vancouver Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
5:45 a.m. - 11:40 a.m.YCD  Nanaimo Arpt-YEG Edmonton
4h 55m1 stop Calgary
C$ 148Multiple Airlines
Sun, 11 Oct - Wed, 14 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
5:05 a.m. - 10:05 a.m.YLW  Kelowna-YCD Nanaimo Arpt
5h 00m1 stop Calgary
Multiple Airlines Logo
3:45 p.m. - 4:49 p.m.YCD  Nanaimo Arpt-YLW Kelowna
1h 04mdirect
C$ 227Multiple Airlines
Thu, 12 Nov - Thu, 19 Nov
Pacific Coastal Logo
2:15 p.m. - 3:26 p.m.YLW  Kelowna-YCD Nanaimo Arpt
1h 11mdirect
Pacific Coastal Logo
3:50 p.m. - 4:56 p.m.YCD  Nanaimo Arpt-YLW Kelowna
1h 06mdirect
C$ 315Pacific Coastal
Wed, 28 Oct - Wed, 4 Nov
Pacific Coastal Logo
2:10 p.m. - 3:19 p.m.YLW  Kelowna-YCD Nanaimo Arpt
1h 09mdirect
Pacific Coastal Logo
10:55 a.m. - 12:01 p.m.YCD  Nanaimo Arpt-YLW Kelowna
1h 06mdirect
C$ 318Pacific Coastal
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for flights to Nanaimo

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

What is the cheapest flight to Nanaimo?

Vancouver Intl Airport to Nanaimo is the cheapest route at C$ 107 round-trip, found in the past 5 days on KAYAK. Edmonton to Nanaimo is the most popular connection with round-trip deals from C$ 148.

How much is a flight to Nanaimo?

On average, a round-trip flight from Canada to Nanaimo costs C$ 487, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months. Round-trip fares from Vancouver Intl Airport average C$ 142, while Edmonton runs a bit higher at C$ 332.

What is the cheapest day to fly to Nanaimo?

Friday is the cheapest day to fly to Nanaimo at C$ 477 round-trip on average over the past 12 months on KAYAK. Tuesday is the most expensive at C$ 557.

What is the cheapest month to fly to Nanaimo?

•January is the cheapest month to fly to Nanaimo with an average price of C$ 344 round-trip.
•July (C$ 679) and August (C$ 631) are the most expensive.

Based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly to Nanaimo?

Afternoon flights to Nanaimo are the cheapest at C$ 430 round-trip on average. Evening flights are the most expensive at C$ 584.

What is a good deal for flights to Nanaimo?

Flights under C$ 311 are considered a good deal. 25% of KAYAK users found round-trip flights to Nanaimo at or below these prices, with the lowest fares from:
•Vancouver Intl Airport C$ 113
•Calgary C$ 237
•Edmonton C$ 246.

When are flights to Nanaimo the cheapest?

Flights to Nanaimo are cheapest 20 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 56% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight to Nanaimo

 
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Expert on WestJet and Air Canada

Stefanie Waldek is a freelance space, travel, and design writer based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her words have appeared in Space.com, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, and House Beautiful, among other publications. An expert in aviation and expedition cruising, Stefanie is frequently up in the air or on the sea, likely en route to Antarctica or the Arctic.

Lucas Aykroyd

Lucas Aykroyd

Expert on Pacific Coastal

Lucas Aykroyd is an award-winning travel writer based in Vancouver (YVR). His favorite adventures include tracking polar bears in Nunavut and rafting over a waterfall in New Zealand. Lucas has written for the in-flight magazines of Delta, SAS, and Porter Airlines. He is also a National Geographic and Toronto Star contributor.

Key details for flights to Nanaimo

Low season

December

Cheapest flight

C$ 48
Beat the crowds with an average 29% drop in traveller numbers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 32% increase in traveller numbers.
One-way flight from Vancouver Intl Airport to Nanaimo

When to book flights to Nanaimo

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel to Nanaimo based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your questions about flights to Nanaimo, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking questions.

  • How do I know if a flight to Nanaimo is a good deal?

    A good deal on a flight to Nanaimo is around C$ 311 round-trip. This fare is in the lowest 25% of round-trip prices searched on KAYAK, averaged across the cities most often searched as origins by KAYAK users.

  • How long are direct flights to Nanaimo from different departure cities?

    Direct flight time to Nanaimo varies depending on your departure city:

    • From Vancouver Intl Airport: 30m
    • From Kelowna: 1h 09m
    • From Calgary: 1h 55m

  • Which city has the cheapest flights to Nanaimo?

    Based on fares booked in the past 5 days, the cheapest flights to Nanaimo are from Vancouver, starting at C$ 107 round-trip.

  • How expensive are last-minute flights to Nanaimo?

    Last-minute fares to Nanaimo (booked within two weeks of departure) are typically 47% higher than the average round-trip fare of C$ 487.

  • What is the difference between the most popular and the most frequent airline at Nanaimo?

    WestJet operates the most flights from Canada to Nanaimo at 25 per week, and for this route WestJet is also the airline most often selected by KAYAK users searching for flights from Canada to Nanaimo. The two are sometimes different because flight volume reflects an airline's schedule, while popularity reflects traveller choice.

  • How many flights serve Nanaimo?

    Nanaimo receives 9 flights per day and 62 per week from across the world. Vancouver Intl Airport has the most flights to Nanaimo, with 28 weekly flights.

  • Is there an on-site hotel at Nanaimo Airport?

    Nanaimo Airport does not have its own on-site hotel, but you will find that there are several lodging options just a short distance away. For example, the Kiwi Cove Lodge is less than a 7-minute drive from the airport and does not have its own shuttle service. There is also the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Oyster Bay, which is around a 10-minute drive away from the main terminal and has a free round-trip shuttle service for guests.

  • What options do I have for travelling from Nanaimo Airport to the city center?

    There are a few different transportation options for travelling from Nanaimo Airport to the city center. One of the quickest ways to reach your destination is to drive, which will typically take you between 15 and 20min depending on factors such as weather and traffic. You can also use public transportation, like local bus line 78, which will take you around 35min. A single bus ticket costs approximately C$ 2.50.

  • Can I rent a car directly from Nanaimo Airport?

    If you would like to have your own vehicle during your trip, you can rent one directly from Nanaimo Airport. There are several on-site rental companies, including Budget, Hertz, and National.

  • Does Nanaimo Airport have any amenities or facilities for travellers with limited mobility?

    Nanaimo Airport has wheelchairs that are available for travellers with limited mobility for free. The airport’s terminals are also accessible and include both elevators and ramps. Airport employees are always there to help travellers with anything they may need, including moving throughout their terminal, exiting their plane, and grabbing their luggage.

  • How convenient are late-night flights to Nanaimo?

    If your flight to Nanaimo is set to arrive at Nanaimo Airport (YCD) late at night, you don’t have to panic. The airport has a number of hotels located less than a 10-minute walk away. You can conveniently connect from the airport to these hotels, where you can spend the remaining part of the night. These hotels also avail free shuttles upon request to make the visitors’ movement from the airport more convenient.

  • What special services are available on flights from Nanaimo?

    Persons with reduced mobility can access wheelchair services at no cost from their airline’s staff upon landing at YCD. Similarly, those with vision impairment can get assisted movement from the aircraft all the way to the cab. To ensure seamless access to these services when your flight lands at YCD, you need to request them well in advance.

Your guide to booking Nanaimo flights

From booking to airport arrival, find tips to help you plan your flight with more confidence.
  • For the best chance at a low fare to Nanaimo, book around 20 weeks before departure. Based on KAYAK data from the last 12 months, fares are historically about 56% lower during this window than last-minute fares.
  • For flights to Nanaimo, a good round-trip fare is around C$ 311. If you find a fare below that, you're getting a strong deal.
  • If your travel dates are flexible, consider flying to Nanaimo in January. Round-trip fares historically average C$ 344, making January the cheapest month to travel based on KAYAK data from the last 12 months.
  • Before you book:

    • Check the route's typical price range so you can spot a deal.
    • Confirm baggage fees and seat selection costs on budget carriers.
    • Verify whether you need any travel documents beyond an ID.
    • Pick a departure airport, since your nearest may not be the cheapest origin.
  • Shift your departure to noon to save up to C$ 153 per round-trip. Noon flights to Nanaimo average C$ 430 compared to C$ 584 for afternoon flights.
  • Bag allowances vary by airline, fare type, cabin class, and route. On flights to Nanaimo, some airlines may include bags at no extra cost. For example, WestJet includes a carry-on bag and a checked bag in Economy Class, Pacific Coastal includes a carry-on bag and a checked bag in Economy Class, and Air Canada includes a carry-on bag and a checked bag in Economy Class. Always check the fare details before booking, since bag policies can change by ticket type.
  • Considered to be the gateway to Vancouver, Nanaimo Airport (YCD) is a major regional airport in British Columbia that services thousands of domestic and direct flights throughout Canada annually. This transport hub can be conveniently found just 11 km southeast of the city center.
  • If you’re interested in direct flights to Nanaimo Airport, there are a few different airlines that you can travel with, including WestJet. Some airlines are more likely to require layovers when arriving at this airport, with Air Canada being one example.
  • Travellers who find themselves stressed after a long day of travelling can look for the massage chairs that are in the main terminal of Nanaimo Airport. These chairs are coin-operated and a great way to unwind after being cooped up in a plane for several hours.
  • There are a few different places where you can grab a bite to eat if you find that you are hungry once your flight has landed at Nanaimo Airport. The Connections Cafe is usually open from 6 am to 7 pm, and there are vending machines that sell pastries and beverages.
  • When travelling with children, keep in mind that Nanaimo Airport has a few amenities geared towards families, such as changing stations in each restroom. There is also a children’s play area that has a selection of games and play equipment, making it a great area for the little ones to burn off some steam.
  • When booking flights to Nanaimo, you have the option of choosing those that make one stop or those that are nonstop. Air Canada offers the highest number of direct flights to Nanaimo, with their arrival airport being Nanaimo Airport (YCD). You will get flights that make one stop if you book WestJet or Air Canada.
  • Flights to Nanaimo offer an opportunity to visit other nearby cities served by YCD. Apart from being the gateway to Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Parksville, and Chemainus are some of the other nearby cities served by YCD. Car rentals provide the most convenient means of transport from the airport to these cities.
  • Travelling with your kids to Nanaimo is quite convenient, especially if you book WestJet. The airline offers a number of benefits to those travelling with kids below 14 years old. For instance, parents enjoy priority boarding, which allows them to get onto the plane before other travellers. Additionally, the airline also allows for the storage of strollers and car seats at no cost.

Reviews of the top 3 airlines flying to Nanaimo

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with to Nanaimo? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8.5
Pacific CoastalOverall score based on 23 reviews
8.6Crew
6.7Food
8.4Boarding
7.1Entertainment
7.9Comfort
Airline reviews

More people for check in and boarding. I almost missed my flight because I showed up 50 mins before boarding not 60 mins. Pretty stressful.

8.0 ExcellentAnonymous, Nov 2025
Read more Pacific Coastal reviews

More people for check in and boarding. I almost missed my flight because I showed up 50 mins before boarding not 60 mins. Pretty stressful.

It was really good. Excellent communication and care. I will definitely be flying Pacific Coastal again!

Service was superb, great gang Ya's have out of Prince George, BC.

Everything went well, smooth flight, arrived on time, no lost luggage!

Flight didn’t happen because both my connections were lost and Toronto wouldn’t let me board. I was checked in to all 3 flights at the check-in fest in Dublin.

The delays were never ending and we were never properly informed as to why. 1st and 2nd delay were handled well, but by the time we received our 7th delay, and then subsequently asked to willingly get bumped, it turned into one of the worst flying situations of my life. I didn’t get home until 2am which is roughly 5 hours later than originally planned.

Very short flight. No food or entertainment required. Nice crew. Flight left late.

Took 3 hours to check in and drop off our suitcases. Half of the passengers were still in line by boarding time. The computer systems and staff were very slow. Staff were also disorganized and kept allowing later flights to skip lines. Suitcases were piling on that several other passengers didn't get their suitcases. Then, we were sitting in the plane for 2 hours and were told that the flight was overbooked. We missed our connecting flight and had to fly the following day but with a stop over. Good thing ONE WestJet customer rep was pleasant and actually knew how to do her job when we wanted to rebook to a direct flight. Thank you to Kim at Toronto airport. Terrible experience at PUJ. Won't go back to Dominican Republic.

Not sure what happened, but for some reason we had to sit on the plane for an extra 10 minutes once we arrived in Abbotsford. Obviously, it was an engine issue.

8 hrs. Of waiting instead of couple of hours..the only good thing I'm still able to go to my destination...

Our biggest complaint was a major schedule change that was not communicated to us in any way. Luckily the time change went later not earlier so we did not miss the flight. Our email addresses and phone numbers were on file but we received no email no text message no nothing. Short flight so not much to say.

Over an hour late. Lousy flight attendant who was just going through the motions in every aspect of her job. The Dash 8 aircraft is super basic (no entertainment system, small seats, limited storage). Carry on luggage doesn’t fit in overhead bins.

I found the seating much more comfortable than in the larger plane.

French speaker should have an intelligible accent 4.5 hour flights with 2 hour delays should have more than a granola bar included

Flight was "over subscribed" which is Air Canada speak for "we cancelled the earlier yyc-yvr flight so we now have more bums than seats".

Liked that it wasnt a full flight but we were asked to check carry on luggage as we were told the flight was full so i did, and that was not true. There was tons of empty overhead bins. No entertainment, and only one drinks and snack service when my ladt flight on aircanada in February, Montréal to Victoria had 2 drink service offers in the 5 and a half hour flight. Why only one this time? It felt very "budget" and cheap

We were delayed from 8am until 5pm. Was not given food vouchers,just left sitting in waiting area.

First time flier on Air Canada and absolutely loved it. Everything was so clean. Friendly staff. Easy boarding.

Planes arriving on time would be better. Apparently flights are delayed almost all the time, making your connection impossible then having to rebook on another flight at another time. There is no regard for customers who need to travel somewhere at a certain time. Connection flights are not held by the same airline, even though they know the plane can get there within 30 minutes or less. Airline staff is amazing, but the excuses Air Canada gives for delays is not truthful. Some messages will say mechanical problems and the next message for the same plane will say air traffic control issues. So what is true? They don't need to refund anyone if they use these two excuses. So if travel from B.C. to Montreal with delays like this is common, I will consider not flying there anymore. When we missed our connecting flight, the next flight had one seat (4.5 hours later) and the next flight was a red eye at 10:45. Big difference from our 12:15 initial flight.

The flight from Vancouver to Victoria is a fun little hop. The crew are friendly and helpful.

The food was awful. It had more than 2 hours delay. It was too expensive

The floor plan on the website indicated I was selecting a seat at the front of the cabin with ample leg room. In fact, I was in the row behind it. I should have wondered when the seat was free to upgrade, but it meant I traded an aisle seat three rows back for a middle seat, which was quite cramped. The Internet didn't work and the live TV didn't work until the last half hour of the trip. On a night of World Cup soccer games, not good.

Flight was delayed over an hour. Most likely not the airline’s fault. But it made catching the next flight rushed.

More options for your flight to Nanaimo