British Columbia's ferry network is a genuine part of the province's transport infrastructure, not a tourist add-on, and for visitors without a car it is often the easiest way to reach Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. BC Ferries operates dozens of routes along the coast, but a handful matter most for visitors: the main Vancouver–Vancouver Island crossings, the Gulf Islands hops, and the long, scenic Inside Passage route north.
The main route: Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay
The principal link between the Vancouver mainland and Vancouver Island runs from Tsawwassen (south of Vancouver) to Swartz Bay (north of Victoria), a crossing of roughly 1 hour 35 minutes through the Gulf Islands — genuinely scenic in its own right, not just a functional crossing. Sailings run multiple times a day year-round, more frequently in summer, and the route is popular enough that both foot passengers and vehicles should check the schedule rather than simply turning up, especially around weekends and holidays.
A second, slightly shorter route connects Horseshoe Bay (on Vancouver's North Shore) to Departure Bay near Nanaimo, useful if you're approaching from the north side of the city or heading to central Vancouver Island rather than Victoria directly. For getting between Vancouver and Victoria overall, including the ferry as one option among several, see our route guide to Vancouver to Victoria.
Walk-on passenger or vehicle?
This is the first real decision for most visitors, and it depends entirely on what you're doing once you land.
Walk-on (foot passenger) is cheaper, needs no vehicle reservation, and suits anyone heading into Victoria itself, where the ferry terminal connects to a bus service into the city centre. It's the simplest option if you don't need a car on the island.
Bringing a vehicle makes sense if you're exploring beyond Victoria — Vancouver Island is large, and its best-known spots (Tofino, the Cowichan Valley, the island's rugged west coast) are a considerable drive from the ferry terminal with limited public transport once you're there. Vehicle space should be reserved in advance, particularly in summer. If you're picking up a hire car for the island, see our guide to driving in Canada for the general rules of the road.
Reservations
Foot passengers generally don't need a reservation and can simply turn up, though arriving with reasonable time before a busy summer sailing is sensible. Vehicles are a different matter: reservations are strongly recommended on the main routes, especially in July and August and around long weekends, when sailing waits without a reservation can run to several hours during peak periods. Reservations carry a modest additional fee on top of the fare but remove the uncertainty entirely — worth it if your onward plans depend on a specific sailing.
The Gulf Islands
Beyond the main Vancouver Island crossings, BC Ferries also serves the Southern Gulf Islands — Salt Spring, Galiano, Mayne, Pender and Saturna among them — with smaller, more frequent local ferries from various mainland and island terminals. These islands are worth a detour in their own right: quieter, artier and considerably less visited than Victoria, with a slower pace that rewards at least one overnight stay rather than a rushed day trip.
The Inside Passage: a scenic route north
For a genuinely different kind of trip, BC Ferries operates a long daytime route along the Inside Passage, between Port Hardy (northern Vancouver Island) and Prince Rupert, a roughly 15-to-18-hour scenic sailing along the sheltered coastal waters between the mainland and a string of islands, with a real chance of spotting whales, eagles and dramatic coastal scenery along the way. This is less a point-to-point transfer than a destination in itself, and it operates less frequently than the main routes — check current sailing days well ahead if you want to build a trip around it, since gaps of several days between sailings are common outside peak season.
Fares and costs
Budgeting for a British Columbia trip more broadly means weighing the ferry against other transport costs — see our guide to avoiding ATM fees abroad if you're planning how to pay for fares, fuel and everything else on a Canadian road trip.
Fares are charged per passenger and, separately, per vehicle (with the vehicle fare varying by length), so a family travelling together with a car pays a combination of passenger and vehicle fares rather than one flat rate. Fares also vary somewhat by route and season. Foot-passenger fares are modest; vehicle fares, particularly on longer routes, add up more meaningfully, which is part of why walking on and using local transport at the destination is worth considering if you don't specifically need a car.
Which should you choose?
For a straightforward Vancouver-to-Victoria trip without a car, walk on and use the connecting bus into the city — it's cheaper and simpler. If you're exploring Vancouver Island more widely, bring and reserve a vehicle, especially in summer. For a slower, more adventurous trip, consider building time around the Gulf Islands or the long Inside Passage sailing north — both are worth treating as a highlight of a British Columbia trip rather than simply a way to get somewhere.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book the Vancouver to Victoria ferry in advance?
Foot passengers usually don't need to, though arriving early for busy sailings helps. If you're bringing a vehicle, a reservation is strongly recommended, especially in summer and around long weekends, when unreserved vehicle waits can be lengthy.
Is it cheaper to walk on or bring a car?
Walking on is cheaper, since you avoid the separate vehicle fare. It only makes sense, though, if you don't need a car at your destination — Victoria itself is walkable and has onward bus connections from the terminal, but much of the rest of Vancouver Island is not well served by public transport.
How long is the Inside Passage ferry route?
The daytime sailing between Port Hardy and Prince Rupert takes roughly 15 to 18 hours and runs less frequently than the main Vancouver Island routes, so check current sailing days well in advance if you want to include it in your trip.
Can I see whales on a BC Ferries crossing?
It's possible, particularly on the longer Inside Passage route and some Gulf Islands crossings, though sightings are never guaranteed on any specific sailing. Bring binoculars and keep an eye on the water regardless of which route you're on.
Sources and further reading:
- Routes, fares, timetables and reservations: BC Ferries (bcferries.com).
- Wider North American ferry context: our guide to ferries in North America.
- Entry requirements for visitors to Canada: Canada eTA guidance (see our Canada eTA explained guide).