Cheap flights from Ottawa to Nanaimo

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Flight deals from Ottawa to Nanaimo

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best round-trip flight from Ottawa to Nanaimo? Find the lowest prices on one-way and round-trip tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Ottawa to Nanaimo

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Ottawa to Nanaimo flights are currently cheapest in September.

Alternative Ottawa to Nanaimo routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Ottawa to Nanaimo? You could fly into the following airports instead.

Ottawa to Nanaimo: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight foundC$349
Cheapest month to flySeptember

Finding cheap flights from Ottawa to Nanaimo: Frequently asked questions

There are 7 airports in Nanaimo: Nanaimo Harbour, Nanaimo, Qualicum, Maple Bay, Ganges Harbor, Vancouver International, and Vancouver Coal Harbour.
The best price we found for a round-trip flight from Ottawa to Nanaimo is C$349. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
Currently, there are no airlines that fly direct from Ottawa to Nanaimo. But we found flights with one or more stops from C$349.
There are no flights flying from Ottawa to Nanaimo, as of May 2025.
The cheapest month to fly from Ottawa to Nanaimo is usually May 2025.
If you're flying from Ottawa, the cheapest airport near Nanaimo is Nanaimo – which is 13.9 km away from the center of Nanaimo. We've found flights to this airport from C$349.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Ottawa to Nanaimo on Friday, September 12, 2025.
No airlines currently offer direct flights between Ottawa and Nanaimo. Most routes have one or more stops.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Nanaimo but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar, and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Nanaimo is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
In May, the average temperature is usually around 11°C. August is typically the warmest month in Nanaimo, when it usually averages around 21°C. You can expect the least rain in July. The coldest month is December, with temperatures averaging 1°C. The rainiest month is November.
The cheapest airline that flies to Nanaimo is WestJet.

Flying from Ottawa to Nanaimo: what you need to know

  • Get your trip started at Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW), the main airport in Ottawa. Explore flights from Ottawa to Nanaimo that depart from this base.

  • The chief entry points to Nanaimo are Nanaimo Harbour Seaplane Base Airport (ZNA) and Nanaimo Airport (YCD).

  • Leave enough time to get on your Ottawa to Nanaimo flight. It's generally best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.

  • Heading away during a peak period like a public holiday? Expect longer lines at check-in and security. To give yourself peace of mind, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.

How to find the cheapest flights from Ottawa to Nanaimo

  • Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to get cheap Ottawa to Nanaimo flights if you book in advance. Airlines often have some fantastic early bird deals.

  • The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Ottawa to Nanaimo across the entire month. It's a good way to find a bargain if your travel dates are flexible.

  • There's no need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you when a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Ottawa to Nanaimo.

  • Save money on your Ottawa to Nanaimo flight with the help of our filters. Select your ideal departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.

Flying from Ottawa

Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)

  • YOW is about 11 kilometres from central Ottawa. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the trip time to be around 45 minutes.

  • Want a stress-free start to your vacation? Stay near Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Ottawa to Nanaimo or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels have you covered:

  • 58.21% of flights taking off from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport make it to their destination on time.

  • You'll find YOW at 50 Airport Road.

Arriving in Nanaimo

  • Nanaimo Harbour Seaplane Base Airport (ZNA) is approximately 0.48 kilometres from the centre of Nanaimo. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 0 hours.

  • It typically takes 10 minutes to get there on public transport.

  • Set your own pace with a Nanaimo Harbour Seaplane Base Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Budget to explore beyond Nanaimo's usual tourist stops.

  • Boost your chances of snagging the best rate by booking as soon as possible. Reserving your ride from Nanaimo Harbour Seaplane Base Airport several weeks in advance is a wise move.

Nanaimo Airport (YCD)

  • Central Nanaimo is approximately 13 kilometres from Nanaimo Airport (YCD). As soon as your flight from Ottawa to Nanaimo has touched down and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of around 20 minutes.

  • You can expect the journey to take about 1 hour 20 minutes on public transport.

  • Why waste time waiting for a cab? A Nanaimo Airport rental car lets you get going right away. Crank up the music and hit the highway with a set of wheels from National or Budget.

  • Don't pay more than you need to. Booking your ride three weeks ahead of your arrival at YCD can land you a better rate.

More about Nanaimo

  • When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Nanaimo right here. Browse these options as soon as you've booked your flight from Ottawa to Nanaimo:

  • There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to know where to begin. Newcastle Island Park, The Bastion and Harbourfront Walkway are top attractions which should be on any well-planned Nanaimo itinerary.

Explore more of Canada

  • Nanaimo has loads to offer, but there are so many other corners of Canada just waiting to be explored. About 64 kilometres east of Nanaimo, a visit to Vancouver will keep you busy. Don't miss top attractions like Stanley Park, Granville Island and Science World.

  • Surrey is another standout destination in Canada and is around 88 kilometres east of Nanaimo. No trip is complete without a visit to Senator Reid Park, Port Mann Park and Morgan Creek Park.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.