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, theater and music scenes, not to mention a delicious food scene closely tied to the regions bountiful seafood offerings.
Using travel site Skyscanner, we’ve sifted through the cheapest flights between San Antonio and Vancouver in the next few months, including some top-rated hotel options and beloved local attractions.
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Cheapest Vancouver flights
The cheapest flights between San Antonio and Vancouver are if you leave on January 20 and return from Canada on January 22. United currently has tickets for $303, roundtrip.
There are also deals to be had in April. If you fly out of San Antonio on April 20 and return from Vancouver on April 23, WestJet can get you there and back for $332 roundtrip.
Top Vancouver hotels
To plan your accommodations, here are some of Vancouver’s top-rated hotels, that we selected from Skyscanner's listings based on price and customer satisfaction.
The La Grande Residence (845 Burrard St.)
First up is The La Grande Residence. The 4.7-star hotel has rooms for $140/night. The Sutton Place is a luxury hotel located in the center of Vancouver's shopping district and few blocks away from the business district and the Vancouver Art Gallery.
The St. Regis Hotel (602 Dunsmuir St.)
Another 4.7-star option is The St. Regis Hotel, which has rooms for $156/night.
The St. Regis is a 65-room boutique hotel located across the street from the Skytrain, one block away from the Pacific Centre Mall and a short walk from Robson Street, the Vancouver Art Gallery and Gastown.
The Westin Bayshore (1601 Bayshore Drive)
A third option is The Westin Bayshore. The 4.6-star hotel has rooms for $129/night.
The Westin Bayshore is a luxury hotel on Vancouver's seawall, next to Stanley Park and a five-minute drive or 20-minute walk to the downtown core. The Vancouver Convention Centre and Canada Place are a 10-15 minute walk away along the seawall.
Featured Vancouver food and drink
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.
Vij's Restaurant (3106 Cambie St.)
Another popular dining destination is Vij's Restaurant, with 4.7 stars from 32 reviews.
"Some of the best Indian food I've ever had," wrote reviewer Travis. "This is not your traditional Indian restaurant: It's modern and stylish with dim lighting and cool music."
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," wrote Travis. "The staff are all young, beautiful and friendly. They have a big outdoor patio that is very popular, especially on a sunny day."
Top Vancouver attractions
To round out your trip, Vancouver offers plenty of popular attractions worth visiting. Here are a couple of top recommendations, based on Skyscanner's descriptions and reviews.
Stanley Park
First up is Stanley Park.
With over 8 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 Prospect Point and the Nine O'Clock Gun.
Granville Island
Then, spend some time at Granville Island.
Granville Island is a shopping district located across downtown Vancouver's peninsula. Its main attraction is the Public Market, featuring vendors and a farmer's market selling unique crafts and gourmet foods. The island is also famous for its street performers: jugglers, musicians, magicians and more practice their skills along the bustling streets to entertain visitors.
"We love going to Granville Island whether to shop for fresh food in the marketplace, find interesting gifts in the various crafts and other shops, or simply to walk about and enjoy the unique setting," wrote visitor Toni.
