Cheap Flights from Chicago (CHI) to Vancouver (YVR)

Chicago and Vancouver are both world-class cities served by multiple regional airports, giving you a lot of different flight options. At the Chicago end, you can depart from O'Hare, Midway or Gary / Chicago International. Vancouver's central airport is Vancouver International, but some opt to fly into Victoria International Airport or even Bellingham International Airport in Washington when pricing is favorable. If you want the most direct possible flight option between the two cities, there are non-stop flights with United and Air Canada departing from O'Hare International every day. There are also many options with the other carriers that have only one stop, though the majority of these depart only from O'Hare. Flights departing from Midway on this route tend to have two stops, take much longer and are not competitively priced.

Facilities at Vancouver International Airport

Vancouver International Airport is on a small island just south of Vancouver. A rapid transit rail line (the Canada Line) connects the airport to downtown, usually taking under half an hour to get there. If you are headed on to Squamish or Whistler, look for the SkyLynx bus ticket counter in the International Terminal. Of course, car rental is also an option. Chains such as Thrifty, Hertz and Alamo have locations directly at the airport.

Vancouver International regularly welcomes arrivals from all over the world and has an impressive range of services. There are a few different Absolute Spa location on site, a dry cleaner, a luggage and shoe repair shop, Canada Post mail services, long- and short-term baggage storage, a medical and dental clinic, a pharmacy and a Royal Bank office. There are also multiple lounges, some of which make day passes available to the general public.

There's an equally impressive range of dining options. Fast food, smoothies, bakery items, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, fish and chips, burgers and sandwiches are all on the menu. Coffee is available from Tim Hortons, Starbucks, Java U and Burger King.

Things to Do Near Vancouver International

As mentioned, the airport is on an island, so you'll want to make the trip into Vancouver for entertainment. There are many great places to take a scenic stroll such as Stanley Park, the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Queen Elizabeth Park, VanDusen Botanical Garden and Lynn Canyon Park. For family entertainment try the Vancouver Aquarium, Science World or Playland. Nautical enthusiasts will definitely want to see the Vancouver Maritime Museum, and those looking for unique shopping opportunities should make a beeline for the Metropolis at Metrotown and the South Granville district.

Hints and Tips for Vancouver International Airport

Working out and cleaning up can be an issue when traveling. The Fairmont Vancouver Airport hotel offers day passes to their fitness center to the general public for $15, which allows you to not just get a workout but a shower with towel service as well.

If you're pondering the prospect of flying into Bellingham then traveling into Vancouver, you can sometimes get a better price this way but the logistics should be carefully considered. If you're not renting a car, you'll be relying on the Amtrak Cascades train, which is affordable but has only two daily runs to Vancouver. A bus or shuttle ticket added to your total costs may end up being less economical than simply flying into Vancouver International.