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 Saint Paul and Vancouver in the next few months, including some standout hotel options and highly reviewed local attractions.
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Flight deals to Vancouver
Currently, the cheapest flights between Saint Paul and Vancouver are if you leave on April 6 and return from Canada on April 10. SAS currently has tickets for $273, roundtrip.
There are also deals to be had in February. If you fly out of Saint Paul on Feb. 5 and return from Vancouver on Feb. 8, Alaska Airlines can get you there and back for $284 roundtrip.
Top Vancouver hotels
To plan your accommodations, here are some of Vancouver’s top-rated hotels, according to Skyscanner, that we selected based on price, proximity to things to do 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 Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver (791 W. Georgia St.)
There's also the 4.8-star rated The Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver. Rooms are currently set at $247/night.
The Four Seasons is a luxury hotel in the center of downtown Vancouver, bordering the business district and is just a short walk from the Vancouver Art Gallery, Pacific Centre Mall, the Vancouver Convention Centre and the Canada Line and Skytrain.
The Westin Bayshore (1601 Bayshore Drive)
A third option is The Westin Bayshore. The 4.6-star hotel has rooms for $129/night.
Located on Vancouver's seawall, it sits next to Stanley Park and is 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.
Local restaurant picks
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. But the food is out of this world."
Cactus Club Cafe (1790 Beach Ave.)
If you're looking for a solid place to grab a drink and a quick bite, 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."
What to see and do in Vancouver
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 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 Prospect Point and the Nine O'Clock Gun.
"Just a lovely and massive park," wrote visitor Stephen. "You can bike, swim or just walk around and explore the bounties that nature has to offer, all under a backdrop of the city."
Granville Island
Finally, consider checking out 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 farmers 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.
