As summer heats up, Calgarians are spoiled for choice with affordable travel options both near and far. From PEI’s red-sand shores and culinary wonders to international adventures just a flight away, this season offers the perfect escape for every type of traveller. If you’re not sure where to travel in or out of Canada this summer, we’ve got you sorted.
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Where to Travel In and Out of Canada This Summer
Whether you’re craving Maritime charm, Nordic relaxation, Alpine exploration, or Asian adventures, direct flights from YYC are unlocking summer travel destinations that balance bucket-list experiences with surprising affordability. Here are my top recommendations for summer adventures with direct flight access from Calgary.
Calgary to PEI
Canada’s smallest province packs an oversized punch for summer travellers. With over 1,000 kilometres of coastline, PEI’s beaches are a kaleidoscope of sensory delights. Besides the iconic red sand shores, they’ve got white sand beaches and even” singing sands” at Basin Head Provincial Park, where silica-rich grains actually create music beneath your feet.
Credit: Tourism PEI/Stephen Harris.
Foodies won’t have a hard time discovering why Prince Edward Island has earned its nickname as “Canada’s Food Island,” serving up world-class potatoes, beef (them cows eat potatoes, and this Alberta beef gal is here for it!), and succulent shellfish that draw celebrity chefs to the PEI International Shellfish Festival each September.
Golf enthusiasts can tee off across more than 400 fairways, often playing multiple world-class courses in a single day. With seasonal non-stop flights from Calgary to PEI via WestJet, there’s never been a better time to wiggle your toes in PEI’s colourful sands and scarf back some seriously good eats.
Calgary to Iceland
Just a direct flight away, WestJet offers daily service from Calgary to Iceland for under $300 one-way (yes, this summer!). Its perfectly temperate summer climate hovering comfortably in the teens (rarely exceeding 25°C) makes it a great spot to cool off during those all-too-frequent summer heat waves we’ve been experiencing of late.
This otherworldly landscape captivates with its dramatic contrasts—thundering waterfalls cascade nearby, bubbling geothermal areas where geysers erupt with supposedly clockwork precision. We were told the eruption happened every 4 minutes, but “our geyser” went 5 times in thirty seconds, then nothing for another 8 minutes. Still, you get the point…
Adventure seekers can experience epic hiking and snorkelling between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, literally swimming between continents. After your explorations, embrace Iceland’s legendary Nordic spa culture at the newly expanded Sky Lagoon.
This geothermal paradise sits right in Iceland’s capital city of Reykjavik, featuring an infinity pool merging visually with the North Atlantic horizon. At no extra charge, you can indulge in “The Ritual,” a seven-step wellness journey rooted in ancient Icelandic traditions—combining warm soaks, cold plunges, steam sessions, and body scrubs, all while sipping local cocktails beneath the sauna’s panoramic window (the largest in Iceland) overlooking the North Atlantic ocean.
I capped off my recent four-day visit (yes, too short, but still worth it!) with a visit to FlyOver Iceland. My only regret was not watching FlyOver Iceland earlier; it gave me so many ideas for what I wanted to see. I’ll definitely be back!
Calgary to Switzerland
Yes, you can fly directly from Calgary to Switzerland without breaking the bank. This summer, Calgarians can access the breathtaking Swiss Alps more easily than ever, thanks to Edelweiss Air’s direct Calgary-to-Zurich flights running until mid-September. Edelweiss is a low-cost carrier affiliated with Swiss International Air Lines and Lufthansa. But they offer special perks, such as families with children under 14 years old getting seated together at no extra charge.
While these routes primarily bring Swiss visitors to our Rockies, savvy Canadian travellers can take advantage of this convenient gateway to experience Switzerland’s legendary hut-to-hut hiking trails without the typical European travel premium.
I have my eye on the French-speaking Vaud region. Nestled north of Lake Geneva, it offers postcard-perfect landscapes of rolling vineyards and charming mountain resort towns. Time your visit with July’s renowned Montreux Jazz Festival (coinciding with the Calgary Stampede) for an unforgettable cultural experience against the backdrop of shimmering Alpine lakes.
Make your Swiss adventure surprisingly affordable with the Swiss Travel Pass, your all-access ticket to the country’s famously efficient transportation network—including scenic boat cruises—plus complimentary museum entries and half-price mountain excursions. From panoramic train journeys to cable car rides soaring above pristine valleys, this single pass transforms Switzerland from a luxury destination into an accessible summer paradise.
Vancouver to Fiji
For Calgarians willing to make a quick connection through YVR, the Pacific’s most exotic destinations become surprisingly accessible this summer. Fiji Airways offers direct Vancouver-to-Fiji flights at roughly half the cost of a Hawaiian vacation, delivering you to pristine beaches and crystalline waters that rival any South Pacific paradise—without the premium price tag. The short layover pays dividends with significant savings and fewer tourists than Hawaii’s crowded shores.
Vancouver to Asia
Air Canada has strategically transformed Vancouver into its western Canadian hub, launching an impressive slate of direct flights to Asia that Calgary travellers can easily access with a brief connection. (Though WestJet also offers direct access to Asia via Tokyo and Seoul from Calgary.)
From Vancouver, a new non-stop service to Manila opens the door to the Philippines’ spectacular island archipelago. At the same time, established routes to Singapore, Hong Kong, and various Indian destinations have been enhanced as WestJet shifts its expansion focus to Calgary. These convenient connections put Asia’s vibrant cities, ancient temples, and legendary cuisine within comfortable reach for Alberta travellers willing to make the short hop to Vancouver first.
Where do you plan to travel this summer?
