From March 13, 2024, LCC・ZIPAIR will commence the Tokyo/Narita – Vancouver route! In this article, we introduce “Recommended Tourist Spots Based in Vancouver” that you can visit using LCC・ZIPAIR.
With the advent of LCC services, it has become an era where you can enjoy Canada at an affordable price. The cabin of ZIPAIR, which is different from conventional LCCs, is truly comfortable.
In this article, we provide detailed information on Vancouver, the destination of ZIPAIR, as well as other cities recommended for sightseeing.
*The information on timetables, schedules, fares, etc. is as of January 2024. Calculations are based on 1 Canadian Dollar being approximately 110 yen.
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【Go with LCC・ZIPAIR!】4 recommended tourist spots based in Vancouver♪
ZIPAIR's Narita–Vancouver route will commence on March 13, 2024, with three weekly flights departing on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Due to the International Date Line along the way, the Narita departure leaves at 15:40 and arrives at 8:25 in the morning on the same day.
Meanwhile, the Vancouver departure leaves at 10:25 and arrives at Narita Airport at 12:25 the following day. It is not a schedule with extremely early or late departure times like some LCCs.
If you reside in the Tokyo metropolitan area, the Kansai region, or similar areas, there is basically no need for an overnight stay before or after. You can plan a schedule with plenty of time.
◆【Note!】An eTA is required for entry into Canada!
An eTA, or "electronic travel authorization", is a document that must be filled out and applied for online in advance of entering Canada.
Fill in the required information on this (external site) and pay the fee (7 Canadian dollars, approximately 770 yen) with a credit card, and you're all set! If you print out the eTA entry permit received by email in advance, the process at the airport will go smoothly.
Please note that unless you have a valid visa for Canada, you will not even be allowed to board the plane to Canada (including connecting flights in Canada) without completing this procedure.
Furthermore, the eTA is valid for 5 years or until the expiration date of your passport, so for subsequent entries within that period, this procedure is not necessary.
◆ Reasons to recommend ZIPAIR for your trip to Canada!
ZIPAIR's highlights are its low price, spacious seat pitch, and a comfortable cabin featuring Wi-Fi and more.
It is perfect for those who do not need the excessive hospitality of traditional airlines but also dislike sitting for long hours in cramped seats typical of conventional LCCs.
On board, in addition to standard seats, there are 18 full-flat seats that can recline horizontally (180 degrees)! With a comfort level that defies expectations for an LCC, the number of fans is rapidly increasing.
For those who wish to have an in-flight meal, you can pre-order items such as the much-admired "Butter Chicken Curry" popular among ZIPAIR enthusiasts, an "Eel Bowl" made with plump domestic eel, hot coffee, iced tea, and drinks like Coca-Cola.
What is Vancouver, the destination city for ZIPAIR?
Vancouver, which has been selected as "the world's most livable city," is home to approximately 2.46 million people.
As one of North America's major cities, Vancouver offers not only cultural landscapes represented by "Gastown" but also natural tourist spots such as Capilano Canyon—with its northern "Capilano Suspension Bridge"—and Grouse Mountain, providing a wide array of activities across various genres! It is a city you definitely want to visit on your first trip to Canada.
For more detailed information on Vancouver sightseeing, please refer to the skyticket Travel Guide below. From here on, we will introduce destinations that are ideal for tours based out of Vancouver!
ZIPAIR Recommended Tourist Spot① Banff, Jasper & the Canadian Rockies
First, let us introduce the must-see scenic spots! If you are visiting Canada's west coast for the first time, you surely must imprint the breathtaking views of the Canadian Rockies in your memory.
The gateway to the Canadian Rockies is Calgary, a town reached in about an hour and a half by direct flights on WestJet or Air Canada from Vancouver International Airport.
Then, the main cities that serve as bases for these tours are Banff in the south and Jasper in the north, but please note that the distance between the two is approximately 300 km.
◆ Transportation to Banff
From Calgary International Airport to Banff, it takes about 2 hours by bus (fare 72 Canadian dollars). There is one bus every 1–2 hours, so it is convenient. Although there is only one bus per day to Banff, there is also a bus by Riders Express.
However, this bus departs at 8:15 in the morning and arrives at 21:30. Since it is an all-day journey, a flight is recommended.
◆ Transportation to Jasper
To reach Jasper, the northern base of the Canadian Rockies, travel from Vancouver to Edmonton International Airport, and then it takes about 4 hours and 45 minutes. Note that the bus for the Sled Dog Tour from Edmonton to Jasper departs at 15:15 one way per day (in the opposite direction, it departs at 7:00 in the morning), so caution is needed.
In addition, from Calgary or Banff, buses such as the Brewster Express (May–October) and the Sled Dog Tour (November–April) operate one round-trip per day.
【Departing from Calgary】 11:00 → Banff 14:30 → Jasper 18:45
【Departing from Jasper】 8:30 in the morning → Banff, arrival at 12:45, departs at 14:00 → arrives in Calgary at 16:00
※ Calgary Downtown Bus Terminal arrival is at 17:00
◆ The overnight train from Vancouver to Jasper is recommended
The VIA-operated transcontinental sleeper express "The Canadian," departing from Vancouver (North Vancouver Station) via Jasper to Toronto, operates at 15:00 on Mondays and Fridays (Vancouver time) (in addition, extra trains with an Edmonton turnaround operate on Wednesdays from late April to mid-October).
Additionally, from Jasper Station in the direction of Vancouver, the train departs at 9:30 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays (Edmonton time).
The Canadian, which also offers private sleeper compartments, is fully equipped with a buffet and a dining car.
Furthermore, during the summer season, the highly touristic Rocky Mountaineer also operates! This is also popular.
ZIPAIR Recommended Tourist Spot② Toronto & Niagara Falls
It takes about 4 and a half hours by plane from Vancouver to Toronto, Canada's largest city!
Canada's largest city, Toronto, is home to landmarks such as the iconic CN Tower and the home stadium of the country's only Major League team, the "Toronto Blue Jays," at Rogers Centre.
Although the Toronto Blue Jays belong to Major League Baseball's American League, if you watch a game, you will notice that before the game the Canadian national anthem (O Canada) is performed and the Canadian flag is raised, indicating that they are distinct from other teams.
While the capital and the center of politics and administration is Ottawa, Toronto is the economic center of Canada, and people of various backgrounds from all races move through the city.
◆ Toronto's symbol "CN Tower"
Toronto's representative building, the CN Tower, stands at 533m tall, and until it was surpassed by Dubai’s Burj Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates, it was the world's tallest freestanding structure.
The view of Toronto’s cityscape from the "SkyPod" located at 447m high is nothing short of breathtaking.
◆ One of the world's three great waterfalls! Experience the awe-inspiring baptism of Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is one of the "world's three great waterfalls" that straddles Canada and the United States. There are boat tours that take you right up close to Niagara Falls, so you can fully immerse yourself in the spectacular power of the falls.
However, if you join this tour, even though a raincoat is provided, be prepared for your clothes to get wet.
Access from Toronto is available via the "Maple Leaf" train and the "Go Train" (direct trains available on weekends and holidays, with transfers to buses on weekdays), among others.
If you plan to enjoy a tour of Canada’s east coast via Vancouver, starting from Toronto would be ideal.
ZIPAIR Recommended Tourist Spot③ Quebec: Where French Culture Remains
Quebec is the Canadian province where you can catch a glimpse of Canada’s charming old-world culture while also experiencing its unique local traditions.
The beauty of a tour is exploring different regions within the same country that offer distinct cultures and landscapes, and if you want to experience cultural differences, Quebec is perfect! It is indispensable for a comprehensive tour of Canada.
In Montreal, the capital of Quebec, greetings are typically not in English with a “Hello!” but in French with a “Bonjour!”
Since Canada has both English and French as official languages, the Canadian national anthem ("O Canada") features lyrics in three languages (official: English and French, unofficial: Inuktitut).
◆ Are road signs written in French?
Because Quebec has only French as its official language, road signs and billboards are often written solely in French, which may be confusing at first.
While Montreal, the central city of Quebec, still has many people who speak English, in many of Quebec’s regional cities even basic English may not be understood.
It takes about 5 hours by plane from Vancouver, where ZIPAIR operates, to Montreal, about 1 hour and 15 minutes by plane from Toronto to Montreal, and about 5–6 hours by train from Toronto Union Station.
◆ Montreal’s "Notre-Dame Basilica"
The "Montreal Notre-Dame Basilica" is the largest Catholic church in North America. Its magnificent, world-class pipe organ and wall paintings are an absolute must-see! It is also highly recommended as one of the most photogenic spots.
ZIPAIR Recommended Tourist Spot④ Aurora Spot
Since Canada is a northern country, many people are eager to see the aurora! In particular, Yellowknife and Whitehorse are famous for their stunning auroras.
Numerous direct flights operate from Vancouver, where ZIPAIR serves, to and from Yellowknife and Whitehorse. Additionally, direct flights to Yellowknife are available from Edmonton and Toronto.
There are many skyticket-selected recommended hotels in places like Yellowknife and Whitehorse. With the savings from using ZIPAIR for your journey from Tokyo to Vancouver, you can extend your stay in luxurious hotels and be sure to enjoy the aurora!
◎ Bringing the world closer with LCCs♪ Enjoy your journey to Canada with “ZIPAIR”!
The new LCC "ZIPAIR", which has successfully combined affordability and comfort, also operates within the United States, serving cities such as Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, and Honolulu.
By leveraging ZIPAIR's network, you can, for example, enter Canada via Vancouver, enjoy a comprehensive tour, and then return from cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Honolulu! However, when traveling to the United States, don’t forget your ESTA.
As the only Japanese LCC crossing the Pacific, "ZIPAIR" also serves Asian cities such as Seoul and Bangkok. It might be a good idea to plan your trip using the skyticket Travel Guide below as a reference.
ZIPAIR's network is continuously expanding, so it will be exciting to see which destinations they will serve next.
