These are the best weekend getaways from Vancouver, all within a few hours by car or train. Mountains, islands and hot springs are all within a few hours of Vancouver.
Quick comparison
| Destination | Drive time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Whistler | 2 hours | skiers and bikers |
| Victoria | 3–4 hours including ferry | couples |
| Squamish | 1 hour | adventurers |
| Salt Spring Island | ferry from Tsawwassen | foodies |
| Harrison Hot Springs | 1.5 hours | relaxation |
| Sunshine Coast | ferry from Horseshoe Bay | slow travellers |
| Okanagan Valley | 4 hours | wine lovers |
The getaways
Whistler
North America’s largest ski resort. See our Whistler guide.
Victoria
Gardens and afternoon tea.
Squamish
The Sea to Sky Gondola and climbing.
Salt Spring Island
Saturday Market and artisan cheese.
Harrison Hot Springs
Hot-spring pools by a lake.
Sunshine Coast
Beaches and Gibsons.
Okanagan Valley
Lakes and wineries.
Hit the road prepared
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Record scenic drives and protect yourself if something happens on the highway. - Best budget 12V portable fridges VerdictFox
Keep drinks and picnic food cold on long road trips without buying ice every day. - Best portable power stations VerdictFox
Run a cooler, charge cameras and power a CPAP at campsites without hookups.
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Tips for weekend trips
- Leave Friday afternoon or early Saturday to beat traffic.
- Book Saturday nights early, especially in summer and fall.
- Pack light: a weekender or small backpack is enough.
A sample weekend
- Friday evening: leave after work, check in and have a relaxed dinner close to your hotel.
- Saturday morning: tackle the headline sight or hike early, before day-trippers arrive.
- Saturday afternoon: slow down with a long lunch, a winery or brewery visit, a spa or a beach.
- Saturday evening: book one special dinner in advance.
- Sunday: a short walk, market or scenic drive, and head home early afternoon to beat the return traffic.
What to pack
- Layers and a light rain jacket
- Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- A reusable water bottle and snacks for the drive
- Chargers and a power bank
- Swimsuit for pools, lakes or hot springs
Keep it to one bag; a good weekender makes two-night trips effortless.
Weekend budget
For two people, a mid-range weekend typically costs C$360–C$700 for two nights of accommodation, C$250–C$450 for food and drink, plus fuel, parking and any entry fees. Travel outside peak summer and holiday weekends, and you can often save a third on rooms.
Weekend favourites in detail
Whistler
Whistler is North America’s largest ski resort and a summer playground for mountain biking, hiking and lakes, about two hours from Vancouver on the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Read our Whistler travel guide.
- Best time: December to April for skiing; July to September for summer
- Getting there: About 2 hours from Vancouver
- Don’t miss: Whistler Blackcomb, PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola and Whistler Village
- Mid-range hotels: C$320–550 a night
Victoria
Victoria, BC’s capital on Vancouver Island, has a mild climate, a historic Inner Harbour, gardens and whale watching. Read our Victoria travel guide.
- Best time: May to September
- Getting there: About 1.5 hours by ferry from Vancouver (plus terminal drives); 35 minutes by floatplane
- Don’t miss: Butchart Gardens, Inner Harbour and Royal BC Museum
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
Okanagan Valley (Kelowna)
The Okanagan Valley is BC’s sunny lake and wine country, with beaches, more than 180 wineries and orchards. Read our Okanagan Valley (Kelowna) travel guide.
- Best time: June to September; September for harvest
- Getting there: About 4 hours from Vancouver
- Don’t miss: Wineries, Okanagan Lake and Myra Canyon trestles
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
Tofino
Tofino sits on Vancouver Island’s wild west coast, famous for surfing, storm watching and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Read our Tofino travel guide.
- Best time: May to September; November to February for storms
- Getting there: About 3 hours from Nanaimo; 4.5–5 hours from Victoria
- Don’t miss: Long Beach, Storm watching and Hot Springs Cove
- Mid-range hotels: C$320–550 a night
Planning tips for your trip
- ID for flights: Domestic flights require government-issued photo ID; carry a passport if you might cross into the US.
- Money: GST or HST is added to most prices at the till, so budget 5–15% more than the shelf price; tipping 15–20% at restaurants is standard.
- Insurance: Provincial health plans may not pay the full cost of care in another province, and ambulance and air-ambulance costs can be high, so check whether an out-of-province travel insurance policy makes sense for you. Read our guide to out-of-province travel insurance.
- Driving: Most Canadians road-trip in their own car; rentals are widely available, and winter tyres are required on many BC highways and in Quebec in winter. Fuel is usually cheapest in Alberta and most expensive in BC and the North.
- Saving money: see our Canada budget travel and cheapest places to travel in Canada guides.
What a trip costs
Typical spending per person per day, excluding flights:
| Travel style | Per person per day | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | C$150–C$220 | motel, hostel or campsite, casual meals, self-drive |
| Mid-range | C$300–C$480 | good hotel, restaurant meals, some tours |
| Luxury | C$700–C$1,400 | resort or historic hotel, fine dining, guided experiences |
Prices rise in peak season and on holiday weekends, and fall sharply in the shoulder seasons.
Travelling responsibly
Follow Leave No Trace principles: stay on marked trails, pack out everything you bring in, and never feed wildlife. Support locally owned restaurants, guides and shops, and visit popular places early or late to spread out the crowds. In busy parks, use shuttles where they exist to cut traffic and parking pressure.
Safety basics
Carry water and layers on outdoor outings, check weather and road conditions before long drives, and tell someone your plans in remote areas, where mobile coverage can be patchy. In cities, use normal precautions with valuables at night. The emergency number is 911.
Travel in style
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Gifts for the traveller in your life. - Luxury weekender bags for short getaways Opulique
A refined weekender is perfect for two-night escapes.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest getaway?
The first entries on our list are under two hours away.
Do I need a car?
For most, yes, though some are reachable by train or bus.
When is the best time?
Spring and fall have the best weather and fewer crowds.
Are these good for couples?
Yes, several are classic romantic escapes.
How much does a weekend cost?
Plan roughly C$400–C$800 per person for two nights mid-range.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Most Romantic Getaways in Canada
- Best Small Towns to Visit in Canada
- How to Travel Canada on a Budget: 25 Money-Saving Tips