Feeling the grind and craving a quick escape from Calgary? A holiday might be exactly what you need. But where can you go without embarking on a marathon journey?
Calgary, one of Western Canada's top air travel hubs, promises a variety of incredible international destinations within a five-hour flight. With a whole bunch of easy, direct flights, your dream vacation could be as close as a few hours away.
Imagine yourself lounging on Mexico's pristine beaches or exploring the iconic glamour of Las Vegas — all easily accessible from Calgary.
Ready to pack your bags? Here are 11 stunning international getaways that are just a short flight from Calgary, perfect for your next quick and dreamy escape!
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Flight time: 5 hours
Why You Need To Go: Located on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, Puerto Vallarta is a resort town renowned for its beautiful beaches, stunning architecture, and vibrant nightlife.
There are plenty of places to explore, from the cobblestone streets of the Romantic Zone to the picturesque Marina and foodie haven of Versalles. Puerto Vallarta also has a dynamic LGBTQ+ scene.
WestJet offers direct flights from Calgary to Puerto Vallarta every day of the week. Sunwing and Flair also offer flights to Puerto Vallarta. However, some options may only be available during the high season between October and April.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Flight time: 3 hours
Why You Need To Go: Set off from Calgary and in just under three hours you could be strolling the Las Vegas Strip. There’s something for everyone in Vegas, from glitzy resorts and casinos to adrenaline-pumping rides, interesting museums and world-class shopping and dining. Plus, the city has a world-famous nightlife scene.
There are multiple direct flights daily from Calgary to Las Vegas with WestJet. You can leave early in the morning so that you get more time on the ground in Las Vegas, or take an afternoon flight and touch down before sunset. Flair also offers a morning flight.
Phoenix, Arizona
Flight time: 3-4 hours
Why You Need To Go: With year-round sunshine, incredible spas, and stunning golf courses, Phoenix is a pretty sweet spot to skip off to for a few days or longer. The city is a great base to sample Southwestern cuisine, do some shopping, and lounge by the pool at a cushy resort. You can also head off on hikes into the desert.
WestJet offers several flights to Phoenix daily, including morning and afternoon departures. The direct flights take just over three hours. However, if you don’t mind stopping over somewhere, airlines like Air Canada, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines all have options, too.
Nashville, Tennessee
Flight time: 3.5-4 hours
Why You Need To Go: With over 180 live music venues, Nashville is worthy of its Music City moniker. It’s also renowned for its legendary barbecue joints and vibrant nightlife scene.
When you're not rocking out at honky tonk joints, you can visit the famous Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame or test your mettle with a plate of fiery Nashville hot chicken.
WestJet is the only airline that offers direct flights from Calgary to Nashville. The flight leaves daily at 11:15 a.m. and takes just under four hours. It gets you into Nashville at roughly 4:05 p.m., provided there are no delays.
Palm Springs, California
Flight time: 3-3.5 hours
Why You Need To Go: Craving a spa vacation? Palm Springs is the perfect spot.
This picturesque city in the Sonoran Desert is home to numerous serene spas, as well as spectacular golf courses, hot springs and stylish resorts. It’s the ideal place for a group getaway, a couples escape or a solo trip to relax, reflect and rejuvenate.
WestJet offers direct flights from Calgary to Palm Springs every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. The flight leaves at 10:05 a.m. and takes a little over three hours, getting you into Palm Springs at roughly 12:15 p.m.
San Francisco, California
Flight time: 3 hours
Why You Need To Go: San Fransisco only spans about 79 square kilometres, but it packs a lot into that small space. From the Golden Gate Bridge to Fisherman’s Wharf and Alcatraz, the city is famous for so many things.
One of the best ways to get around is by cable car. You take in views of the Bay as you explore various neighbourhoods like Chinatown, Haight-Ashbury and the Castro District.
There are plenty of flights from Calgary to San Francisco, making it easy to jet off to The Golden City on a whim. WestJet and United Airlines offer several direct flights every day. The flight takes approximately three hours, provided there are no delays.
New York City, New York
Flight time: 4.5-5 hours
Why You Need To Go: It’s hard to even scratch the surface of New York City in just a few days. Luckily, the Big Apple is only four and a half hours by plane from Calgary, so it’s easy to make repeat trips.
Must-see sights include the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center and Central Park. You can also dive into New York’s fabulous food scene, visit art galleries and museums, or just soak up the vibes in the city’s many bustling neighbourhoods.
Air Canada offers daily flights to New York City that leave at 7:15 a.m. Keep in mind that there’s a time difference, so you won’t touch down until about 2 p.m. WestJet also has direct flights to New York that leave at 9:50 a.m. every day except Sunday.
Seattle, Washington
Flight time: 1.5-2 hours
Why You Need To Go: If you’re looking for a change of scenery and some Pacific Northwest vibes, Seattle is just a short flight from Calgary.
This seaport city is famous for being the birthplace of Starbucks and grunge music. You could spend your days soaking up views from the top of the Space Needle, kayaking around the San Juan Islands, or sampling local bites at Pike Place Market.
The flight time from Calgary to Seattle is just one and a half hours, which makes this trip a breeze. Alaska Airlines and WestJet offer direct flights with several departure options including early morning, mid-day and evening flights.
Austin, Texas
Flight time: 4 hours
Why You Need To Go: Austin's motto is "Keep Austin Weird," which gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect in this eclectic city.
The state capital of Texas is an artsy spot with a thriving music scene, funky street art, vintage shops and tons of interesting restaurants. Whether you’re in town for a music festival or just to hang out for a few days, there is plenty to see and do in Austin.
If you want to fly direct, WestJet offers two flights a week on Thursdays and Sundays. The flight leaves at 11:00 a.m. and gets you into Austin four hours later at 4:00 p.m. local time.
Los Cabos, Mexico
Flight time: 4.5 hours
Why You Need To Go: If it’s gorgeous beaches you’re after, Los Cabos is your spot. Covering the southernmost tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, this vacation hotspot is sought after by celebrities, honeymooners and spring breakers alike.
Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo (collectively Los Cabos) are renowned for their pristine beaches, spectacular resorts and lively nightlife.
If you’re planning on visiting Los Cabos during the high season between October and April, you’ll find daily WestJet flights from Calgary to San José del Cabo International Airport. The airline cuts its flights back in the low season, operating this route on Saturdays and Sundays only.
Chicago, Illinois
Flight time: 3.5 hours
Why You Need To Go: If you’re a fan of The Bear, Chicago is probably on your travel bucket list. The city is a foodie’s dream with several iconic dishes originating there, including deep-dish pizza, the Italian beef sandwich and the Chicago hot dog.
When you’re not stuffing your face, you can catch a Bears game, explore the Art Institute of Chicago, or conquer your fear of heights in the glass balcony at Willis Tower’s Skydeck.
Several airlines offer daily nonstop flights to Chicago, including WestJet, United Airlines and American Airlines. The trip takes about three and a half hours.
Happy travels, Calgary!
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
