Airports near Nanaimo
ZNA・YCD・CXH・PAE・YHS
What airports are closest to Nanaimo?
Nanaimo Harbour Water Airport (ZNA) is the nearest gateway to the city center, located just 0.52 km away, with walking as the primary, most convenient mode taking approximately 5 minutes. Nanaimo Airport (YCD) lies 13.47 km to the south and is best reached by a 22 minutes bus ride or taxi transfer. Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre (CXH) is located in the neighboring city of Vancouver, 61.30 km away, typically requiring a 1 hour 20 minutes combined ferry or flight connection to reach Nanaimo. Paine Field Airport (PAE) is situated 185.66 km away in Everett, Washington, and necessitates a 2 hours transit journey. Finally, Sechelt Airport (YHS) sits 36.34 km away on the Sunshine Coast, with typical ground and water-based transit times of 5 hours for those not utilizing direct air connections. Search for flights to Nanaimo and book hotels in Nanaimo, or scroll down for more details.
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Airports near Nanaimo: ZNA, YCD, CXH, PAE and YHS.
Airports Near Nanaimo: Key Information
Number of airports in Nanaimo
2
Closest airport to the city center
Nanaimo Harbour Water Airport (ZNA)
Distance
0.5 km
Fastest arrival time
5 minutes - 10 minutes
Airport with the cheapest transport
Nanaimo Harbour Water Airport (ZNA)
Compare domestic and international airports near Nanaimo.
Nanaimo Harbour Water Airport
Distance: 0.5 km
Transport option
Est. duration
Est. fare
Features/best for
Walking
Fastest
5 minutes - 10 minutes
Budget
Taxi Services
5 minutes - 8 minutes
CAD 10-15
Comfort
BC Transit
10 minutes - 15 minutes
CAD 2.5
Balanced
Nanaimo Airport
Distance: 13.5 km
Transport option
Est. duration
Est. fare
Features/best for
BC Transit Route 78
Cheapest
30 minutes - 40 minutes
CAD 3
Budget
Nanaimo Airporter
20 minutes - 30 minutes
CAD 30-45
Balanced
Taxi / Rideshare
Fastest
15 minutes - 20 minutes
CAD 35-55
Comfort
Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre
Distance: 61.3 km
Transport option
Est. duration
Est. fare
Features/best for
Taxi/Rideshare to Terminal
Fastest
10 minutes - 20 minutes
CAD 15-30
Comfort
SkyTrain Canada Line
Cheapest
20 minutes - 30 minutes
CAD 4-6
Budget
Local Bus Transit
25 minutes - 40 minutes
CAD 3-4
Balanced
Paine Field Airport
Distance: 185.7 km
Transport option
Est. duration
Est. fare
Features/best for
Private Car Service
Fastest
30 minutes - 45 minutes
USD 80-150
Comfort
Airporter Shuttle
Cheapest
1 hour - 1 hour 30 minutes
USD 40-70
Balanced
Local Everett Transit
1 hour 30 minutes - 2 hours
USD 2-5
Budget
Sechelt Airport
Distance: 36.3 km
Transport option
Est. duration
Est. fare
Features/best for
Local Taxi
Fastest
15 minutes - 20 minutes
CAD 25-40
Comfort
Local Bus Services
Cheapest
45 minutes - 1 hour
CAD 2-5
Budget
Regional Shuttle
30 minutes - 45 minutes
CAD 30-60
Balanced
Compare 5 airports near Nanaimo
Airport Guide
Compare 5 airports near Nanaimo
Choosing the right airport for your trip depends largely on your final destination within the Nanaimo region and your travel preferences. The two airports located within the city itself, Nanaimo Harbour Water Airport (ZNA) and Nanaimo Airport (YCD), offer the most direct access for travelers. ZNA is perfectly situated for downtown access, primarily serving seaplane routes from Vancouver, while YCD is the primary regional hub for wheeled aircraft and longer-distance domestic connections. The remaining options are not in Nanaimo at all. Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre (CXH) serves downtown Vancouver and is a prime transit point for seaplane transfers. For those arriving from the United States, Paine Field Airport (PAE) in Everett provides a convenient alternative to larger Seattle hubs, though it requires significant onward travel. Sechelt Airport (YHS) is located on the Sunshine Coast and serves local regional needs. For speed and convenience to downtown Nanaimo, ZNA remains the unparalleled choice, whereas YCD is superior for traditional airline flights. International travelers or those seeking cost-effective connections through major hubs will likely find YCD or the broader ferry-connected Vancouver network more practical, despite the additional transit requirements.
Flights to Nanaimo
to Nanaimo Harbour Water Airport
to Nanaimo Airport
to Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre
to Paine Field Airport
See all flights
Hotels near Nanaimo airport
Breakfast
Very Good132 Reviews
Nanaimo|0.3km from city center
It’s my first Best western in few decades. Pleasantly surprised by the modernity and cleanliness.
Room is comfortable and compact with all the basic touches and a good layout.
The free breakfast was a nice touch.
Location is perfect for one night stay to get in and out from the highway.FromUS$154
Very Good74 Reviews
Nanaimo|0.22km from city center
It was an amazing exercise staying at Turtle, it’s in the middle of downtown, super close to ocean, restaurants and night life is good. I’m definitely staying there again! It was clean n neat, no one disturbed, guests were super friendly. FromUS$50
Very Good106 Reviews
Nanaimo|10.52km from city center
All aspects are very good. The hotel is very clean, but there is no hot water bottle, you have to take it with the front desk, and there is no bottled water in the hotel.FromUS$202
Very Good105 Reviews
Nanaimo|0.38km from city center
Many small problems, the curtains fell off as soon as they were pulled, the bathroom exhaust fan could not be turned on or off (in order to say that the central control actually did not seem to be) The sound was oversized, and then I didn’t know how to turn on the hot water for a long time. The new front desk was a bit greasy.FromUS$148
Good104 Reviews
Nanaimo|2.15km from city center
We had a great time. The staff is friendly and helpful, offering good informatiin for island activities. (highway closure, local acyivities and such) The pool is a little cold but there is a nice hot tub jacuzzi option. The pools hours of availability are terrific, and allowed for plenty of time for fun The breakfast available with the stay offers a good basic variety of hard boiled eggs, cereals, toast and bagels juice and coffee or tea. Just one suggestiin would be to add aniyher ice machine, otherwise we are happy with our stay and found everything clean and enjoyable Again such friendly and helpful staff throughout. Thank you Days Inn NanaimoFromUS$143
Family friendly
Very Good106 Reviews
Nanaimo|8.21km from city center
The room is badly in need of renovations because the very old carpeted floor is uneven and bumpy. There is a smell in the room where I had to open the window to air.
The bathtub hot water is just barely warm. A report to the receptionist on my 3rd evening.. who suggested I change my room.
When I checked on the first day, the reception offered a room upgrade which I rejected after I went to the room because it was very dark and gave an uneasy feeling.
This is probably the worst hotel on this trip in Canada where I have been for last one month.FromUS$162
Great94 Reviews
Parksville|3.66km from city center
When you stay at Ocean Sands Resort in Parksville, you'll be on the beach, a 1-minute drive from Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara and 7 minutes from Parksville Beach. This beach hotel is 0.2 mi (0.4 km) from Tranquil Moments Day Spa and 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from Rathtrevor Beach.Don't miss out on the many recreational opportunities, including a hot tub, a sauna, and a seasonal outdoor pool. Additional features at this hotel include complimentary wireless internet access and a picnic area.Featured amenities include laundry facilities and an elevator. Free self parking is available onsite.Treat yourself to a stay in one of the 25 individually decorated guestrooms, featuring fireplaces and LCD televisions. Rooms have private balconies. Cable programming and DVD players are provided for your entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Conveniences include refrigerators and microwaves, as well as phones with free local calls.Great103 Reviews
Parksville|0.43km from city center
I would describe myself as a “non-guest” as I reserved and booked here, thinking it was a dog-accepting hotel. But at checkin, there was a sign “no dogs in rooms” - so I was in a quandary. When I iexclaimed at my confusion and error, the receptionist was totally cool and maximum helpful - he called a sister hotel, transferred my reservation and payment to them, pre-checked me in, and never broke a swear, just “happy to help ma’am. “ Great service! Excellent staff! Thanks so much!FromUS$264
Very Good103 Reviews
Parksville|3.71km from city center
The bedroom is very clean and comfortable. The front desk staff was very courteous and efficient. The breakfast was delicious and inexpensive.FromUS$264
Amazing41 Reviews
Parksville|3.1km from city center
With a stay at Oceanside Village Resort, you'll be centrally located in Parksville, a 1-minute drive from Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara and 6 minutes from Parksville Beach. This family-friendly vacation home is 0.1 mi (0.2 km) from Tranquil Moments Day Spa and 0.2 mi (0.3 km) from Riptide Lagoon Adventure Golf.Relax at the full-service spa, where you can enjoy massages, body treatments, and facials. You're sure to appreciate the recreational amenities, including an indoor pool, a hot tub, and a fitness center. This vacation home also features an arcade/game room, a hair salon, and a fireplace in the lobby.For lunch or brunch, stop by Taste Cafe & Bistro, a restaurant that specializes in American cuisine. You can also grab snacks at the coffee shop/cafe.Featured amenities include a business center, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and luggage storage. Extended parking is available onsite.Treat yourself to a stay in one of the 3 individually furnished guestrooms, featuring fireplaces. Rooms have private patios. Kitchens are outfitted with full-sized refrigerators/freezers, ovens, and microwaves. Cable programming and DVD players are provided for your entertainment, while complimentary wired internet access keeps you connected. Bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature deep soaking bathtubs and complimentary toiletries.5 star
Very Good85 Reviews
Nanaimo|0.35km from city center
The hotel itself is very nice super clean rooms and a very convenient location to the old city quarter. When we arrived one of the elevators was not working but didn’t seem like a big deal as there are 2 elevators. The next morning however we discovered that the second elevator was not working, there were no notices on the elevators themselves so had to call reception to find out what was going on. My husband has significant mobility issues luckily we were on the 3rd floor but even so he could not get back up to the room so we had to leave earlier than we had planned. The staff although pleasant were pretty useless we wanted to get a coffee but they wanted to charge us $5.25 a cup the least they could have done was offer everyone a free coffee for the inconvenience
There should have been a manager taking care of things but didn’t seem to be one and staff did not have any authority to make any decisions- poor showFromUS$134
Outstanding1 Reviews
Nanaimo|11.6km from city center
Spacious, quiet, clean and well equipped. Beautiful scene from the balcony. Great location and easy access to the house. Definitely recommended.FromUS$484
97 Reviews
Nanaimo|1.39km from city center
The environment is very nice and there is a garden, a large parking lot, and the rooms are large, like suites. It is only a few minutes drive from the hotel to the city centre, which is especially convenient.FromUS$94
Good119 Reviews
Nanaimo|1.21km from city center
The room was comfortable and clean. The breakfast included was definitely the best part of the stay because it wasn't a continental breakfast but a freshly made egg omelet with sausage, waffles, bagels, and of course coffee or tea. The downside of the stay was being close to a busy road and traffic can be a little noisy.FromUS$145
FAQs
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Which airport is the closest to Nanaimo?
The nearest airport to Nanaimo is Nanaimo Harbour Water Airport (ZNA), about 0.5 km away.Nanaimo Airport (YCD) (13.5 km), Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre (CXH) (61.3 km), Paine Field Airport (PAE) (185.7 km) and Sechelt Airport (YHS) (36.3 km).
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How long does it take to get from Nanaimo to the airport?
Getting from Nanaimo to Nanaimo Harbour Water Airport (ZNA) takes about 5 minutes - 10 minutes.
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How do I get to Nanaimo?
We recommend flying into Nanaimo Harbour Water Airport (ZNA), which is approximately 0.5 km away. The fastest mode of transportation is Walking, reaching downtown in about 5 minutes - 10 minutes.
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How many airports does Nanaimo have?
Nanaimo has 5 airports: Nanaimo Harbour Water Airport (ZNA), Nanaimo Airport (YCD), Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre (CXH), Paine Field Airport (PAE) and Sechelt Airport (YHS).