International travel doesn't necessarily mean long, expensive flights, foreign languages and days of jetlag — Canada is so close. If you're looking to explore America's northern neighbor, consider Vancouver. The bustling west coast seaport, located in British Columbia, is one of Canada’s densest, most ethnically diverse cities. The city is surrounded by mountains and boasts thriving art, theatre and music scenes, not to mention a delicious food scene closely tied to the region's bountiful seafood offerings.
Thankfully, there are plenty of regular, relatively-inexpensive flights between Austin and Vancouver. We pulled from travel site Skyscanner to provide you with a short list of flights and hotels handpicked with the trendy adventurer in mind.
(Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in the articles may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Prices and availability are subject to change.)
Flights
Currently, the cheapest flights between Austin and Vancouver are if you leave on January 23 and return from Canada on January 27. Alaska Airlines currently has roundtrip, nonstop tickets for $272.
There are also deals to be had in December. If you fly out of Austin on December 7 and return from Vancouver on December 11, Alaska Airlines can get you there and back for $273 roundtrip.
Hotels
Regarding where to stay, here are some of Vancouver’s top-rated hotels, that we selected from Skyscanner's listings based on price and customer satisfaction.
The Rosewood Hotel Georgia (801 W. Georgia St.)
If you're looking to splurge on top quality, consider The Rosewood Hotel Georgia. The hotel has a five-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $292.
The Westin Bayshore (1601 Bayshore Drive)
A second option is The Westin Bayshore. The 4.6-star hotel has rooms for $129/night.
The Westin Bayshore is a luxury hotel on Vancouvers seawall located next to Stanley Park. Amenities include the Currents restaurant (which serves a breakfast buffet), the Seawall Bar & Grill, Starbucks, the Prince of Wales tours, Vida Spa, a gym and swimming pools.
Restaurants
Don't miss Vancouver's food scene, with plenty of popular spots to get your fill of local cuisine. Here are a few of the top-rated eateries from Skyscanner's listings.
Cafe Medina (780 Richards St.)
If you're looking for a local favorite, head to Cafe Medina, which has an average of five stars out of 16 reviews on Skyscanner.
"The mood and setting of Medina is casual with a slight French touch." visitor Julian wrote.
The Sandbar Seafood Restaurant (1535 Johnston St.)
Another popular dining destination is The Sandbar Seafood Restaurant, with 4.8 stars from 21 reviews.
"If you are looking for fresh seafood, this place is a must," reviewer Carlo wrote. "Granville Island is a treat to enjoy the most magnificent views as well as great food."
Cactus Club Cafe (1790 Beach Ave.)
If you're looking for a solid place to grab a drink, plan to visit Cactus Club Cafe.
"This hip and trendy bar sits right on the beach at English Bay," Travis wrote. "They have a big outdoor patio that is very popular, especially on a sunny day."
Attractions
Vancouver is also full of sites to visit and explore. Here are some popular attractions to round out your trip, again from Skyscanner's listings.
Stanley Park
First up is Stanley Park.
With more than eight million visitors each year, Stanley Park is one of Vancouver's top destinations for locals and tourists alike. The beautiful park is home to art events, acclaimed restaurants and world famous landmarks, like the Prospect Point and the Nine O'Clock Gun.
"You can bike, swim or just walk around and explore the bounties that nature has to offer," wrote visitor Stephen.
Granville Island Public Market (1689 Johnston St.)
Then, there's Granville Island Public Market.
If Granville Island is the king of Vancouver destinations, then the Public Market is the jewel in the island’s crown. You'll see an assortment of colorful stalls, showcasing unique homemade products and gastronomic delights.
"The Granville Public Market is a massive place, and you can find everything, from a bar to slip into and fresh seafood to a butcher shop and old albums," wrote visitor Stephen.
