Travelling from Vancouver to Los Angeles: what you need to know
Organising your flight from Vancouver to Los Angeles begins with finding the most convenient airport to start your holiday. Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base (CXH) and Abbotsford Airport (YXX) are the main terminals in Vancouver.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY) are Los Angeles's primary gateways.
A direct flight from Vancouver to Los Angeles takes an average of 3 hours 1 minute. Los Angeles's timezone is UTC-7 — the same as Vancouver.
The most popular route for flights from Vancouver to Los Angeles is from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). You can choose from 82 services every week between these two airports. If you want to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from YVR to LAX is the 06:15 United Airlines option. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the last departure is at 21:15 with Air Canada.
Leave enough time to make your flight from Vancouver to Los Angeles. As a general rule, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Delays at check-in and security are likely if you're flying during high season, so allow some extra breathing room. A good rule for peak times? Arrive up to four hours ahead for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
You won't need a visa for United States if you have a passport from Canada and are visiting for tourism purposes. Travel documentation and visa requirements can change. So before locking in your cheap flights from Vancouver to Los Angeles, check with your airline and your destination country's local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information.
Flying from Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
If you're after a direct flight from Vancouver to Los Angeles, you can board one at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Travel from YVR to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) without any stops.
At YVR, there's a variety of airlines that operate direct flights from Vancouver to Los Angeles, including:
YVR is around 14 kilometres from central Vancouver. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take 26 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the journey time to be approximately 33 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Vancouver to Los Angeles? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels near Vancouver International Airport:
Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport (CXH)
You can get to CXH from central Vancouver in approximately 5 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The ride by public transport takes roughly 16 minutes to travel the 2 kilometres or so.
You're going on holiday, so why not extend it with an extra night away? Think about checking in to one of these accommodation options near Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport the day before your flight from Vancouver to Los Angeles:
Arriving in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is around 32 kilometres from central Los Angeles. With a cab or in your own car rental, the drive is about 32 minutes.
Travelling to the centre on public transport will take you roughly 54 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Vancouver to Los Angeles. Stay at one of these accommodation options near LAX instead:
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
The centre of Los Angeles is around 32 kilometres from Van Nuys Airport (VNY). After your flight from Vancouver to Los Angeles has hit the runway and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of about 34 minutes.
You can also travel using public transport, which will take about 1 hour and 41 minutes.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel close to VNY. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your flight from Vancouver to Los Angeles:
How to find the cheapest flights from Vancouver to Los Angeles
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Vancouver to Los Angeles is ر.ق. 284. For a return flight on this route, the best price is ر.ق. 466. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares may change.
Score cheap tickets from Vancouver to Los Angeles by booking at least 9 months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for bagging a bargain.
The cheapest month for flight tickets from Vancouver to Los Angeles is May. Compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool and choose the date that offers the best deal.
Log into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. You'll get notified straight away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you time looking for cheap tickets from Vancouver to Los Angeles every day.
Use filters to tailor your flights from Vancouver to Los Angeles. Enter your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals.
Best time to go to Los Angeles
It's time to plan your dates for your flight from Vancouver to Los Angeles. July is the most popular month to visit Los Angeles. If you want a more relaxed atmosphere, go in May.
Book your flight from Vancouver to Los Angeles for August if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Los Angeles to range from 16ºC to 32ºC.
If you want cooler conditions, lock in a cheap ticket from Vancouver to Los Angeles in February when temperatures average between 6ºC and 26ºC.
More about Los Angeles
Start your Los Angeles trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Vancouver to Los Angeles, explore our selection of hotels including:
Every great adventure has to include some sightseeing. Griffith Observatory, The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum are must-do's during your Los Angeles adventure.
Complete your Los Angeles trip with a car rental
Browse our range of car rentals once you've locked in your hotel and cheap flight from Vancouver to Los Angeles. Whether you're searching for a compact ride, family sedan or something with all the extras, you can compare companies in one go to get the best deal.
