BC Ferries complete travel guide: routes, tips and booking

BC Ferries operates one of the largest ferry networks in the world — 47 terminals, 25 routes, and over 8 million vehicle sailings per year — connecting the BC mainland to Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast, and the Inside Passage communities of the north coast. For visitors to British Columbia, understanding BC Ferries is not optional. It is the access system for some of the province’s most beautiful and distinctive destinations.

The good news is that the system, while occasionally complex in its route logic, is fundamentally straightforward once you understand the key routes and how reservation works. This guide covers everything you need.

The major routes

Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (Victoria route)

Distance: 55 km | Sailing time: 95 minutes | Frequency: 8–12 sailings per day

This is the primary connection between Metro Vancouver and Victoria. Tsawwassen is the terminal on the south Delta mainland; Swartz Bay is 32 km north of Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula.

The sailing threads through the Gulf Islands — Active Pass, in particular, is one of the most scenic 20 minutes of any ferry journey in BC — and offers views of the San Juan Islands across the border in Washington State. On clear days, Mount Baker’s volcanic cone is visible to the southeast.

This is the most trafficked route in the BC Ferries system and the one where summer waits are longest without a reservation. On busy summer long weekends (Victoria Day, Canada Day, BC Day), the wait without a reservation can reach 3+ sailings (3+ hours in the queue).

Reservation: Strongly recommended for vehicles from June through September, and mandatory on holiday weekends. Walk-on passengers board all sailings without reservation and rarely wait more than one sailing.

Terminals: Tsawwassen is a 45-minute drive or SkyTrain + bus connection from downtown Vancouver. Swartz Bay is 32 km from downtown Victoria by Highway 17.

Tsawwassen to Departure Bay (Nanaimo route)

Distance: 76 km | Sailing time: 2 hours | Frequency: 6–8 sailings per day

Connects Metro Vancouver to Nanaimo on central Vancouver Island. This is the main route for travellers heading to Nanaimo, Parksville, Tofino, or the central and north island. The longer sailing goes further north in the Strait of Georgia, with views of the Gulf Islands to the south and the BC coastal range to the north.

Horseshoe Bay to Langdale (Sunshine Coast)

Distance: 16 km | Sailing time: 40 minutes | Frequency: 8–10 sailings per day

The shortest major ferry crossing connects West Vancouver to the Sunshine Coast — one of BC’s most underrated scenic drives. The route to Powell River (requiring a second ferry at Earls Cove to Saltery Bay) opens up the entire Sunshine Coast for road trippers.

Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (Nanaimo)

Distance: 60 km | Sailing time: 95 minutes | Frequency: 4–6 sailings per day

An alternative Nanaimo route from West Vancouver, useful for travellers staying in North Vancouver or the Sea-to-Sky corridor.

Swartz Bay/Tsawwassen to Gulf Islands

Frequency: Several sailings per day per island; schedules vary significantly

BC Ferries connects the Southern Gulf Islands (Salt Spring, Galiano, Mayne, Saturna, Pender) from both Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen. The inter-island routing can be complex — some islands require connections through other islands, and the schedule requires careful reading. Allow a full travel day for more remote islands.

Salt Spring Island is the most-visited Gulf Island, with the most frequent ferry service and the most tourist infrastructure. Galiano is wilder and quieter. Pender is popular with cyclists.

The Inside Passage: Port Hardy to Prince Rupert

Distance: 503 km | Sailing time: 15 hours | Frequency: Every 2 days in summer; less frequent in winter

The Inside Passage sailing is one of the great scenic boat journeys in North America. The Queen of the North route (now operated by various BC Ferries vessels) threads through the coastal channels of the northern BC coast — between forested islands and the mainland mountains — for 15 hours, passing through areas accessible only by sea.

What you see: Old-growth temperate rainforest descending to the water’s edge, bald eagles at near-constant presence, porpoises and dolphins bow-riding, occasional orca sightings in summer, humpback whales in the north. The scale of the wilderness is difficult to communicate — several hours of sailing pass without any visible human habitation.

Day sailing vs overnight: The ferry departs Port Hardy at approximately 7:30 am and arrives Prince Rupert at approximately 10:30 pm. Cabins are available for purchase and give you a private space for the 15-hour journey. Day seats (reclining chairs in a lounge) are the cheaper option. The outside deck observation areas are excellent in good weather.

Reservations: Vehicle reservations are mandatory for the Inside Passage and book out months in advance for summer sailings. Cabin reservations follow. Book in February or March for July–August sailings.

Connecting to: Prince Rupert connects to Haida Gwaii by BC Ferries, to Alaska by ferry (Alaska Marine Highway System), and is the starting point for Great Bear Rainforest lodge-based tours. See the Inside Passage voyage guide for a dedicated sailing narrative.

Browse Vancouver and BC coastal tours and activities on GetYourGuide

Booking and reservations

How to book: Online at bcferries.com. The reservation system opens 3 months in advance for most major routes.

Reservation fees: BC Ferries charges a small reservation fee (CAD 10–18 per vehicle depending on route and season) in addition to the base fare. This fee is non-refundable if you cancel, but the ticket itself can usually be refunded with sufficient notice.

When reservations are mandatory:

• Inside Passage (Port Hardy–Prince Rupert) — always
• Discovery Coast Passage — always
• Holiday weekends on all major routes — strongly advised; waits without one can reach 3+ hours

Walk-on passengers: No reservation is needed for foot passengers on any route. Arrive 30–45 minutes before departure for popular summer sailings to ensure you get a seat.

Fare system: Fares are charged per vehicle (by size) plus per passenger. A standard passenger vehicle with two adults on the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay route costs approximately CAD 80–100 each way (vehicle + 2 passengers). A reservation is additional. Check bcferries.com for current fares as these change with the tariff year.

Tips for sailing BC Ferries

Book early for summer: For July and August sailings on major routes, book vehicles as early as the 3-month window allows. The 90-minute route to Swartz Bay sells out for vehicles on peak summer weekends.

Avoid peak times: On major routes, the 5–7 pm Friday sailings and Saturday morning sailings are the most crowded. If your schedule allows, travel Thursday evening or Sunday.

Arrive early: Vehicle check-in closes 30 minutes before departure. Arrive at the terminal at least 45 minutes before sailing time in summer. Missing check-in means missing your sailing even with a reservation.

Food on board: BC Ferries has cafeterias on all major sailings with hot food, sandwiches, and coffee. Quality varies by vessel — pack your own snacks as a backup.

Deck experience: The outside decks are the best part of any BC Ferries sailing. Even on a short route like Horseshoe Bay–Langdale (40 minutes), the views of Howe Sound are stunning. Dress for the weather — deck temperatures are always cooler than the terminal.

Cell and Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is available on most vessels (quality variable). Cell coverage is maintained on the major routes near urban areas but disappears on portions of the Gulf Islands routes and the Inside Passage.

Route prices (approximate, CAD, one way)

Route	Vehicle	Foot passenger
Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay	$70–90	$20–25
Tsawwassen–Departure Bay	$75–95	$22–28
Horseshoe Bay–Langdale	$40–55	$15–18
Swartz Bay–Gulf Islands	$20–40	$10–15
Port Hardy–Prince Rupert	$250–350	$160–220

Vehicle prices vary by length. Motorcycles are cheaper than standard vehicles. Advance online booking does not reduce the base fare but secures your sailing.

Connections to key destinations

Victoria: Take the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay route. Victoria is 32 km south of Swartz Bay on Highway 17. See the whale watching in Victoria guide for activities in the city.

Tofino: Take either Nanaimo route (Tsawwassen–Departure Bay or Horseshoe Bay–Departure Bay) then drive 3 hours west on Highway 4 through Port Alberni. This is a full day of travel from Vancouver.

Gulf Islands: Swartz Bay ferries serve Salt Spring, Galiano, Mayne, Saturna, and Pender. Tsawwassen ferries serve some islands directly. The inter-island routes allow island-hopping for those with time.

Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii: Inside Passage ferry from Port Hardy (accessible from Vancouver Island via ferry + drive). This is a multi-day journey from Vancouver.

Explore Vancouver Island tours and ferry-accessible experiences on GetYourGuide

Frequently asked questions about BC Ferries complete travel guide: routes, tips and booking

Can I take my bike on BC Ferries?

Yes. Bicycles are accepted on all BC Ferries routes at a reduced fare (approximately CAD 4–7 extra, added to your foot passenger ticket). No reservation is required for bikes. Bikes are loaded before vehicles and stored in a designated area on the car deck.

Can walk-on passengers get on without a ticket?

You can purchase foot passenger tickets at the terminal immediately before sailing. For major routes in summer, there is almost never a problem for walk-on passengers. However, buying a mobile ticket on the BC Ferries app or online before arriving at the terminal saves time.

Are pets allowed on BC Ferries?

Yes. Pets travel in vehicles (they must remain in the vehicle on the car deck during sailing) or, on longer sailings, there are designated pet areas on deck. Pets are not allowed in passenger lounges. On short sailings (under 1 hour), pets typically stay in the vehicle.

What happens if I miss my reserved sailing?

BC Ferries has a “missed sailing” process — if you miss your reserved sailing, you are typically accommodated on the next available sailing in a standby capacity, at the discretion of the terminal. You lose your reservation. Call BC Ferries customer service immediately if you know you will miss your sailing.

Is BC Ferries affected by weather?

Cancellations due to weather occur but are rare on major routes. The Inside Passage and northern routes are more weather-dependent, and sailings can be delayed in severe conditions. The terminal ferry information line or bcferries.com provides real-time sailing updates.