Starting your trip at YCD can save money, time

1 September 2026

Starting your trip at YCD can save money, time

When you’re comparing airfares for your next trip, the lowest ticket price isn’t always the lowest-cost option.

If you’re considering a flight from Vancouver International Airport (YVR), it’s worth doing the full travel math. Getting to your departure airport can add costs before your vacation or business trip even begins.

The additional expenses can easily exceed the difference in airfare. And you could lose a full day of your vacation just getting to and from your flight.

A round trip from Vancouver for two people can easily add $300 to $500 to the bill when you factor in other costs such as:

  • Gas or other transportation to the ferry
  • Ferry fares and reservation fees
  • Transportation from the ferry terminal to YVR
  • Parking
  • A hotel if your flight schedule requires an overnight stay
  • Meals along the way

And don’t forget the value of your time. Travelling to the Lower Mainland can add several hours in each direction. Ferry schedules, or the lack of space on a sailing you want, may require you to leave home the day before your flight.

Compare that total with the cost of starting at Nanaimo Airport (YCD) and connecting through a larger airport. The difference in airfare may be smaller than you think. And the total cost of starting at YCD may be lower once all the costs are compared.

YCD is also easy to reach from communities across Central Vancouver Island, with inexpensive parking close to the terminal. If you don’t want to drive, explore YCD’s transportation options, including public transit, shuttle, taxi and rideshare services.

Reliability matters, especially in winter

Low cloud and fog can disrupt travel plans, particularly if you’re trying to make a connection. In January 2026, YCD introduced changes that significantly improved reliability in poor weather.

On January 22, the minimum descent altitude for equipped aircraft was reduced to 250 feet from 443 feet. In the three weeks before the change, 13 flights were cancelled due to fog or low cloud. Since then, none have been cancelled for those reasons.

This means fewer missed connections, fewer rebookings, and a smoother start to your trip.