Flying from Montreal to Nanaimo: what you need to know
Kick off your journey at one of Montreal's main airports, Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) or St. Hubert Airport (YHU). Check out your options for booking a flight from Montreal to Nanaimo departing from either of these.
The major entry paths to Nanaimo are Nanaimo Harbour Seaplane Base (ZNA) and Nanaimo Airport (YCD).
For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to catch your flight from Montreal to Nanaimo.
Be prepared for longer lines in popular months such as August and other peak seasons. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a smart move.
For a domestic flight within Canada, you don't need a visa or passport. However, you'll have to bring another form of identification, like an ID card or driver's licence. Once you've found cheap flights from Montreal to Nanaimo, make sure your ID is up to date.
Flying from Montreal
Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
Travelling from central Montreal to YUL takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a cab, you'll cover the 26 kilometres in 25 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
After an easy start to your journey? Stay near Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Montreal to Nanaimo or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are perfect:
Arriving in Nanaimo
Nanaimo Harbour Seaplane Base Airport (ZNA)
Nanaimo Harbour Seaplane Base Airport (ZNA) to the centre of Nanaimo takes about 2 minutes by car. It's approximately 0.48 kilometres away.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 12 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Montreal to Nanaimo, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these hotels near ZNA:
Nanaimo Airport (YCD)
The centre of Nanaimo is approximately 18 kilometres from Nanaimo Airport (YCD). As soon as your flight from Montreal to Nanaimo has hit the runway and you've navigated your way to arrivals, expect a drive of around 21 minutes.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take around 1 hour and 19 minutes.
Pass through arrivals and head to a hotel near YCD. Relax soon after your flight from Montreal to Nanaimo at Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Oyster Bay Ladysmith. Or put up the 'Do not disturb' sign and catch up on rest at Kiwi Cove Lodge.
How to find the cheapest flights from Montreal to Nanaimo
C$281 is currently the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Montreal to Nanaimo. A return flight starts at C$555. These fares may change depending on availability.
To get your hands on cheap flights from Montreal to Nanaimo, book as early as you can. Airlines tend to offer their most competitively priced fares when flights are first made available.
If you can be flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the lowest price across every month when looking for a ticket from Montreal to Nanaimo.
Create a Price Alert for cheap flights from Montreal to Nanaimo. You don't need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped. We'll let you know the moment there's a change in price.
Play around with filters to find your ideal trip. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Montreal to Nanaimo, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by airline, arrival and departure times, and journey duration.
Best time to go to Nanaimo
It's time to figure out your trip dates for your flight from Montreal to Nanaimo. July is the most popular month for a trip to Nanaimo. If you want a more relaxed vibe, go in April.
Before booking a flight from Montreal to Nanaimo, think about the type of weather you like best. August is the warmest month in Nanaimo, with temperatures ranging from 13ºC to 24ºC.
December has average temperatures of between -1ºC and 7ºC. Search for cheap flights from Montreal to Nanaimo sometime around then if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Nanaimo
Start your Nanaimo trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Montreal to Nanaimo, explore our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be tricky to know where to start. Newcastle Island Park, The Bastion and Harbourfront Walkway are highlights which should feature on any good Nanaimo itinerary.
Complete your Nanaimo trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Montreal to Nanaimo to track down awesome deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and easily compare your options. Plus we give you all the info you need to drive in Nanaimo, from the most popular car rental to the average daily price.