Looking for the best flight deals to Canada? It can feel like a challenge, but with the right tips and tools, you’ll be flying for less in no time.
1. Know when to book
The timing of when you book your flight can have a huge impact on the cost. Generally, booking tickets 2-3 months before your trip is when you’ll find the best deals. This is especially true if you’re planning to visit Canada during peak seasons, like summer (June to August) or winter (December to February).
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If you’re looking for the absolute cheapest time to fly, consider traveling during Canada’s shoulder seasons: May or September and October. Fares tend to be lower, and tourist crowds are smaller but the weather is still decent in most parts of the country.
For even better deals, keep your eyes on flash sales, which airlines sometimes announce unexpectedly. Sites like Airfarewatchdog or Secret Flying can be good tools to help you find these.
2. Use flight comparison tools
Flight comparison websites are your best friends when looking for cheap fares. They let you compare prices across different airlines, saving you tons of time. Some of the best tools to use include:
Google Flights
Google Flights has an easy-to-use interface and powerful filters to help you find flights that fit your budget and timing. You can also track price fluctuations and set alerts for specific routes.
Skyscanner
Skyscanner is another popular tool. It searches multiple airlines and travel agencies, often showing you alternative airports or flexible dates to save money.
Kayak
Kayak has a strong “flex search” feature, letting you search for dates within a range of days. It’s perfect if you have flexible travel dates.
Momondo
Momondo often finds flights missed by other search engines, especially when combining legs from budget and full-service airlines.
When browsing through these tools, make sure you’re clearing browser cookies or using incognito mode to avoid price hikes. Some websites bump prices if they see you repeatedly searching the same flight.
3. Be flexible with dates and airports
You can save a lot of cash by being flexible with your travel dates. Flying mid-week (especially Tuesday and Wednesday) is usually cheaper than flying on weekends. Similarly, early morning or late-night flights often come at a reduced price.
If you’re flying into a major Canadian city like Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal, look into alternative airports. For example, instead of Toronto Pearson (YYZ), check flights into Billy Bishop (YTZ), which serves downtown Toronto. Budget airlines might fly to smaller or regional airports nearby, saving you money. Just make sure you’re okay with fewer amenities.
4. Sign up for airline newsletters and fare alerts
Airlines sometimes offer exclusive discounts to their email subscribers or app users. Signing up for a few airline newsletters, especially those flying to Canada, could mean getting a heads-up on sales before others.
Additionally, price alert tools like those on Skyscanner, Kayak, and Google Flights will notify you whenever prices drop within your selected dates or price ranges.
5. Consider budget airlines
The rise of budget airlines has made flying easier and cheaper. Within Canada and from nearby US destinations, airlines like Flair Air, Swoop, and WestJet can offer great prices. However, be prepared: these low-cost airlines will nickel-and-dime you on extras like seat selection, baggage, and food onboard.
Always check what’s included when booking with budget carriers: sometimes the savings on airfare can disappear once you start paying for checked baggage or seat selection.
6. Regional airlines can offer savings
Some smaller, regional airlines based in Canada, like Porter Airlines or Air North, may offer better deals than the big players like Air Canada. If you’re planning to explore more remote parts of the country (like northern Canada), these airlines can sometimes offer better fares compared to mainstream carriers.
7. Use points and miles
If you’re a frequent flyer or use a rewards credit card, you may earn enough points to pay for (or reduce the cost of) your flight to Canada. The best frequent flyer programs for Canada-bound flights are from Star Alliance (Air Canada) and OneWorld (American Airlines).
If you’re short on points, some credit cards offer sign-up bonuses that can cover part of your flight with just one application.
8. Don’t ignore stopovers or layovers
Non-stop flights are great, but adding a layover (especially in a major hub like New York, Chicago, or Vancouver) can drop your fare by hundreds of dollars. If the savings are significant, spending a few more hours in transit might feel worth it, especially if free stopover packages are offered.
Airlines like Icelandair and TAP Portugal regularly offer free stopovers for a few days in cities like Reykjavik or Lisbon when connecting flights through those cities. Sometimes, these can be great ways to squeeze in an extra destination on your trip to Canada.
9. Book round trips instead of one-ways
Booking round-trip flights instead of two one-way tickets is generally much cheaper. Airlines often penalize one-way bookings with higher fares, so even if you aren’t sure of your return date, booking a flexible round trip can save you significant cash.
Also consider multi-city or open-jaw bookings (flying into one Canadian city and flying out from another). This option might be cheaper than buying two one-way flights, and you’ll get to cover more ground.
10. Watch for last-minute deals
Although last-minute flights can sometimes be more expensive, there are occasional situations where airlines drop prices to fill empty seats. If you’re flexible and ready to book quickly, you could find a bargain.
Airlines like Air Canada and WestJet occasionally offer these last-minute deals. Travel apps like Hopper can also give insights into the likelihood of fares dropping closer to departure.
11. Avoid peak travel times
Canada is a popular destination during its two main peak seasons: summer and winter holidays. Traveling to Canada during peak times means higher prices and crowds. If possible, avoid mid-December to early January and the months of June through August.
Flying in the middle of the week and during off-peak hours can save you a lot of money. If you’re set on a summer visit, try flying in the beginning or end of summer to dodge peak pricing.
12. Book directly with the airline (sometimes)
While booking through third-party sites can help you find deals, it’s always a good idea to check the airline’s website before booking. Sometimes airlines offer exclusive fares or show cheaper options not listed by third-party search engines.
Also, in case of flight cancellations, delays, or changes, working with the airline directly often gives you more leverage to rebook your ticket. Flights booked through third-party sites can sometimes make this process harder.
Conclusion
Finding the best deals to Canada doesn’t have to be hard. By using flight comparison tools, being flexible, and timing your booking just right, you can save big on your trip.
Happy travels, and enjoy your time in Canada!
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