Book Flights to Kamloops, British Columbia
Kamloops — British Columbia's Interior plateau city at the confluence of the North and South Thompson rivers, 350 km northeast of Vancouver — is one of Canada's most underrated year-round destinations. For skiers, Sun Peaks Resort (55 km from downtown) is Canada's second-largest ski area by terrain: 4,270 acres across three mountains with an 881-metre vertical drop. For anglers, the Thompson River system is among North America's finest steelhead and salmon fisheries. And for outdoor enthusiasts, Kenna Cartwright Park — BC's largest municipal park at 5,800 acres of ponderosa pine and grassland plateau — provides world-class hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing at the city's edge.
Kamloops Airport (YKA) is served by Air Canada (via Jazz Aviation) with multiple daily flights from Vancouver (YVR), Calgary (YYC), Edmonton (YEG), Toronto (YYZ), and Montreal (YUL). WestJet connects Kamloops with Calgary. FareOptic compares all available fares to find the cheapest flights to Kamloops from your departure city.
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Why Visit Kamloops, British Columbia?
Sun Peaks skiing, Thompson River steelhead fishing, BC Interior grassland landscapes, Secwépemc cultural heritage, and year-round outdoor adventure just 40 minutes from Kamloops Airport.
Sun Peaks Resort
Canada's Second-Largest Ski Resort — World-Class Mountain SkiingSun Peaks Resort — 55 km northeast of Kamloops, with 4,270 acres of skiable terrain across three mountains (Tod Mountain, Sundance Mountain, and Morrisey Mountain) — is Canada's second-largest ski area by skiable acreage. The 881-metre vertical drop, 137 named runs (from beginner to expert double-black-diamond), and a charming European-style village make Sun Peaks one of British Columbia's premier winter destinations. The resort operates year-round: summer brings mountain biking, hiking, golf, and gondola sightseeing.
Sun Peaks Nordic Centre
Sun Peaks' Nordic Centre — with 40 km of groomed cross-country ski trails through old-growth forests and alpine meadows — is one of BC's finest Nordic skiing facilities. The trails are lit for evening skiing under the stars, and snowshoeing, fat-biking, and guided tours are available. Sun Peaks averages 6 metres of snowfall per season with excellent powder conditions from December through March
Thompson River and Secwépemc Territory
World-Class River Fishing and Indigenous Cultural HeritageThe Thompson River — flowing through Kamloops at the confluence of the North and South Thompson rivers — is one of Canada's most renowned salmon fishing destinations: the river's annual sockeye salmon runs (historically the world's largest sockeye run outside Alaska) and the spring and fall steelhead runs attract anglers from across North America. The river runs through the traditional territory of the Secwépemc (Shuswap) Nation — one of BC's largest First Nations groups, with a history in the Thompson River valley stretching back at least 8,000 years.
The Kamloops Fishery
Kamloops Lake (the widened section of the Thompson River west of the city) is the origin of the 'Kamloops trout' — a locally evolved strain of rainbow trout celebrated in sport fishing circles worldwide for its fighting ability and size. The lake holds Kamloops rainbows up to 20 pounds; fly fishing the Thompson system for wild steelhead is considered one of the finest wilderness fishing experiences in North America
Kamloops Wildlife Park
British Columbia's Interior Wildlife — Up Close on the GrasslandsThe Kamloops Wildlife Park — a 50-hectare facility on the western edge of the city — houses over 70 species of BC wildlife including grizzly bears, timber wolves, cougars, lynx, bison, elk, and BC's provincial bird, the Steller's jay. The park operates an important conservation breeding programme for several species at risk, including the burrowing owl and Vancouver Island marmot. The surrounding dry Interior plateau — characterised by ponderosa pine forests, sagebrush grasslands, and dramatic hoodoo formations — is some of BC's most distinctive and underappreciated landscape.
Grasslands and Hoodoos
The Kamloops area sits within the Bunchgrass and Ponderosa Pine biogeoclimatic zones — BC's driest ecosystems, receiving as little as 250 mm of annual rainfall — creating a near-desert landscape of red clay hills, sagebrush, antelope-brush, and dramatic erosional hoodoo formations at Kenna Cartwright Park (the largest municipal park in BC at 5,800 acres) and along the South Thompson River valley
Overlander Trail and Riverside Parks
18 km of Riverside Walking Through Kamloops' Urban Green BeltThe Overlander Trail — an 18 km paved riverside trail system connecting the city's major parks along the North Thompson, South Thompson, and Thompson rivers — is Kamloops' most-used recreational corridor. The trail passes through McArthur Island Park (sports fields, nature trails, accessible fishing areas), Riverside Park (the city's central waterfront gathering space), and the Coho Park wetlands area. The Thompson River confluence — where the green South Thompson meets the silty North Thompson — is one of BC's most dramatic and accessible river confluences.
McArthur Island Sport and Event Park
McArthur Island — a 60-hectare river island in the North Thompson, accessible by pedestrian bridge — is Kamloops' primary outdoor recreation and events venue, hosting the BC Interior's largest community events, the Kamloops Naturalist Society's nature walks, disc golf courses, sports fields, and one of BC's most accessible summer steelhead fishing areas directly from the island's riverbank
British Columbia Wildlife Park
Conservation and Education — Rescuing BC's At-Risk WildlifeThe British Columbia Wildlife Park — formerly Kamloops Wildlife Park, one of BC's oldest wildlife conservation facilities — focuses on rescue, rehabilitation, and breeding of species at risk including the burrowing owl, Vancouver Island marmot, swift fox, and American badger. The park's educational programmes attract school groups from across the BC Interior, and its predator exhibits — featuring grizzly bears, timber wolves, cougars, and wolverines — are among the province's most accessible. A new dinosaur walk and wetlands boardwalk have been added in recent years.
Burrowing Owl Recovery
The BC Wildlife Park operates one of Canada's most successful burrowing owl recovery programmes — breeding the species in captivity and releasing birds into reestablished grassland habitat in the Okanagan valley. The burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) had been extirpated from BC by the 1980s; the recovery programme, partnered with the Rocky Mountain Burrowing Owl Recovery Programme, has established a small but growing wild population in southern BC
How to Find Cheap Flights to Kamloops
Connect via Vancouver (YVR) for the Most Flight Options to Kamloops
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is the main hub for Kamloops connections — with multiple Air Canada Jazz flights daily to YKA (40-minute flight). If you're flying from the US, Europe, or Asia, connecting via YVR gives the most frequency and best fares. The YVR–YKA connection is one of the most reliable in the BC Interior network.
Book Sun Peaks Ski Packages Including Flights for Best Winter Value
Sun Peaks Resort offers ski-and-flight package deals through Air Canada Vacations and WestJet Vacations during the winter season (December–March). Booking flights bundled with Sun Peaks accommodation is often significantly cheaper than booking separately, particularly for the peak Christmas–New Year and February spring break periods.
Kamloops Airport (YKA) is 6 km from Downtown — No Shuttle Needed
Kamloops Airport (YKA) is just 6 km northwest of downtown Kamloops, making it one of Canada's most conveniently situated regional airports. Taxi or rideshare to downtown takes under 10 minutes. Car rental is available at the airport from national operators. For Sun Peaks, the resort operates shuttle services from Kamloops Airport during the ski season.
September–October for Fall Colour and Steelhead Fishing in the Thompson
September–October is an underrated time to visit Kamloops: the Thompson River valley turns gold with cottonwoods and aspens, the fall chinook and coho salmon runs are underway, steelhead begin entering the river, and crowds are a fraction of summer. Flights and accommodation are significantly cheaper than peak summer or ski season. The Thompson River steelhead season (October–November) attracts serious fly fishers from across North America.
Airlines Flying to Kamloops (YKA)
Air Canada
Kamloops' Primary Carrier — Connections Across Canada and the WorldAir Canada operates the dominant share of flights to Kamloops Airport (YKA), connecting to Vancouver (YVR), Calgary (YYC), Edmonton (YEG), Toronto (YYZ), and Montreal (YUL). Air Canada's regional partner Jazz Aviation operates many Kamloops routes on Bombardier Q400 turboprops and CRJ aircraft. Through Air Canada's Vancouver hub, international connections to Asia, the UK, Europe, and the US are available — making Air Canada the most practical airline for reaching Kamloops from almost any origin.
Key Routes
Vancouver YVR (multiple daily); Calgary YYC; Edmonton YEG; Toronto YYZ; Montreal YUL — international connections via YVR hub
WestJet
Budget-Friendly Kamloops Routes from Calgary and Western CanadaWestJet serves Kamloops from Calgary International Airport (YYC), offering a lower-cost alternative to Air Canada for Western Canada travellers. WestJet's Kamloops routes are typically operated by WestJet Encore (the regional subsidiary) on Bombardier Q400 aircraft. WestJet also enables US connections from Phoenix (PHX), Las Vegas (LAS), and other WestJet Sunspot destinations, making it useful for travellers connecting from the US Southwest.
Key Routes
Calgary YYC via WestJet Encore; US connections via YYC hub from Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Palm Springs
Pacific Coastal Airlines
Regional BC Connections to KamloopsPacific Coastal Airlines connects smaller British Columbia communities to Kamloops on Saab 340 and Beech 1900 aircraft, serving the Interior BC network including Penticton, Cranbrook, Prince George, and Williams Lake. For travellers originating from smaller BC communities, Pacific Coastal provides the only direct air link to Kamloops before connecting to the national Air Canada and WestJet networks.
Key Routes
Penticton, Cranbrook, Prince George, Williams Lake — Interior BC regional service
Things to Do in and around Kamloops, BC
Important Information Before You Fly to Kamloops
Currency
Canadian Dollar (CAD) — 1 USD ≈ 1.36 CAD approx.
Language
English (French services also available)
Time Zone
PST (UTC−8) / PDT (UTC−7) — same as Vancouver
Country Code
+1 (Canada)
Airport Code
YKA — Kamloops Airport (6 km from downtown)
US Entry
No visa required for US citizens; valid passport needed
Power Plugs
Type A/B — 120V / 60Hz (same as USA, no adaptor needed)
Emergency Number
911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Most Popular Airlines
Best Airlines for Domestic & International Routes
Frequently Asked Questions on Travel to Kamloops
Everything you need to know about booking cheap flights to Kamloops, British Columbia
What airport serves Kamloops, BC?
Kamloops Airport (YKA) is located 6 km northwest of downtown Kamloops, BC. It is served by Air Canada (via Jazz Aviation) from Vancouver (YVR), Calgary (YYC), Edmonton (YEG), Toronto (YYZ), and Montreal (YUL). WestJet serves Kamloops from Calgary (YYC). The airport has car rental desks, a café, and a taxi stand. It is approximately 55 km from Sun Peaks Resort.
How do I get to Sun Peaks from Kamloops Airport?
Sun Peaks Resort is 55 km northeast of Kamloops Airport (approximately 45 minutes by road). Sun Peaks Resort operates an official shuttle service from Kamloops Airport during the ski season (December–March) — bookable directly through Sun Peaks. Car rental is the most flexible option for independent travellers. Taxis and rideshares to Sun Peaks are available but expensive (approximately CAD $120–150 each way).
What airlines fly to Kamloops (YKA)?
Kamloops Airport (YKA) is served by Air Canada Jazz (regional subsidiary of Air Canada) from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, and Montreal; WestJet Encore from Calgary; and Pacific Coastal Airlines from smaller BC Interior communities. Air Canada Jazz operates Q400 and CRJ aircraft on most routes; WestJet Encore uses Bombardier Q400 turboprops.
What is Kamloops known for?
Kamloops is known for Sun Peaks Resort (Canada's second-largest ski area), world-class salmon and steelhead fishing on the Thompson River, its distinctive Interior BC landscape of ponderosa pine forests and grassland hills, the Secwépemc (Shuswap) indigenous cultural heritage, and as BC's 'Tournament Capital' — hosting more sports events per capita than almost any city in Canada. The city of approximately 100,000 is the commercial hub of BC's Interior plateau.
What is the best time to visit Kamloops?
Kamloops is a year-round destination. December–March for skiing at Sun Peaks; June–August for hiking, river activities, and 30°C+ summer warmth (Kamloops is BC's sunniest city); September–October for fall colours and steelhead fishing. Kamloops has BC's most continental climate — hot, dry summers and cold, relatively snowless winters in the city (snow is at Sun Peaks, not in the valley).
Is Kamloops worth visiting?
Yes — Kamloops is an underrated destination offering Sun Peaks ski resort, the Thompson River steelhead fishery (one of North America's finest), Kenna Cartwright Park (BC's largest municipal park), and a genuine Interior BC small-city experience. It is particularly appealing for outdoors-focused travellers: anglers, mountain bikers, hikers, and skiers all find world-class terrain within 60 km of the airport.
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