Frequently Asked Questions

 

Where are your main terminals located in Vancouver, Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast? >>

How do I get to a BC Ferries Terminal from Vancouver Airport? >>

How do I get to downtown Vancouver from a BC Ferries Terminal? >>

How do I get to Whistler from a BC Ferries Terminal? >>

Can I park at the terminals? >>

Will you have additional sailings during the Olympics and Paralympics? >>

What are the busiest sailings of the day? >>

What are your plans if there is inclement weather? >>

What are your security plans during the Olympics and Paralympics? >>

How can I find out about routes and departure and arrival times? >>

When should I be at the terminals? >>

How much does it cost to travel on BC Ferries? >>

How can I purchase tickets? >>

How can I make a reservation? >>

Can I cancel or change a reservation? >>

What amenities do you have on board the vessels and at the terminals? >>

Do you offer special services for people with disabilities? >>

How do I contact your Bus Partners? >>





Q: Where are your main terminals located in Vancouver, Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast?
A:

Departure Bay
680 Trans Canada Highway
Nanaimo, BC V9S 5R1
Phone: 250-753-1261
Fax: 250-754-3421

Duke Point
400 Duke Point Highway
Nanaimo, BC V9X 1H6
Phone: 250-722-0181
Fax: 250-722-3260

Horseshoe Bay
6750 Keith Road
West Vancouver, BC V7W 2V1
Phone: 604-921-7414
Fax: 604-921-7238

Swartz Bay
Patricia Bay Highway
Mailing Address:
  Box 2250, Sidney, BC V8L 3S8
Phone: 250-656-5571
Fax: 250-655-3183

Tsawwassen
#1 Ferry Causeway
Delta, BC V4M 4G6
Phone: 604-943-9331
Fax: 604-943-3028

Langdale (Sunshine Coast)
1376 Port Mellon Highway
Langdale, BC V0N 1V0
Phone: 604-886-2242
Fax: 604-943-3028

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Q: How do I get to a BC Ferries Terminal from Vancouver Airport?
A: Getting to Horseshoe Bay

  • Bus/Van
    • Translink offers connecting bus service through Richmond and Vancouver.
    • Island Link offers van service from the Vancouver Airport to Vancouver Island via Horseshoe Bay Terminal. Van will drop off and pick up at the terminal.
    • Malaspina Coach Lines offers bus service from the Vancouver Airport to the Sunshine Coast via Horseshoe Bay Terminal.
    • Greyhound Canada offers bus service between Horseshoe Bay and dowtown Vancouver, where a transfer can be made to Vancouver Airport.
  • Driving
    • Look for destination signs leaving the airport terminal and follow Highway 99 North into Vancouver.
    • Go West on Georgia Street.
    • Take Highway 99 North over Lions Gate Bridge.
    • Follow Highway 1 West (Upper Levels Highway) to Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal.
    • Estimated driving time is approximately 60 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
    • Taxi or rental car.

A: Getting to Tsawwassen

  • Bus
    • Pacific Coach Lines offers point to point bus service from Vancouver Airport to Victoria via Tsawwassen terminal.
  • Driving
    • Look for destination signs leaving the airport terminal and follow Highway 99 South to Highway 17.
    • Follow Highway 17 South to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal.
    • Estimated driving time is approximately 25 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
    • Taxi
    • Rental Car
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Q: How do I get to downtown Vancouver from a BC Ferries Terminal?
A: From Horseshoe Bay

  • Bus/Van
    • West Vancouver Transit offers bus service from Horseshoe Bay terminal to downtown Vancouver.
    • Greyhound Canada offers point to point bus service from downtown Nanaimo to downtown Vancouver via Departure Bay/Horseshoe Bay or walk-on the ferry and purchase a bus ticket on board the vessel.
    • IslandLink Bus offers van service from Vancouver Island to Vancouver via Departure Bay/Horseshoe Bay. Van will drop off and pick up at the terminal.
    • Malaspina Coach Lines offers bus service from Sunshine Coast to Vancouver via Horseshoe Bay.
  • Driving
    • Follow Highway 1 East (Upper Levels Highway).
    • Exit Taylor Way.
    • Take Highway 99 South over Lions Gate Bridge.
    • Go East on Georgia Street .
    • Taxi

A: From Tsawwassen

  • Bus
    • Translink offers bus service from Horseshoe Bay terminal to downtown Vancouver
    • Pacific Coach Lines offers point to point bus service from Victoria to downtown Vancouver via Tsawwasen or walk on the ferry and purchase a bus ticket on board the vessel.
  • Driving
    • Follow Highway 17 North to Highway 99 North.
    • Take Highway 99 North over Oak Street Bridge.
    • Go West on 70 Avenue.
    • Go North on Granville Street.
    • Go over Granville Street bridge to downtown Vancouver
    • Estimated driving time approximately 50 minutes depending on traffic conditions
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Q: How do I get to Whistler from a BC Ferries Terminal?
A: From Horseshoe Bay

  • Bus/Van
    • Greyhound offers bus service from Nanaimo and Horseshoe Bay to Whistler via Horseshoe Bay terminal.
    • IslandLink Bus offers a once-daily Horseshoe Bay to Squamish and Whistler round trip with connections to/from most IslandLink Bus points.
  • Driving
    • Exit Horseshoe Bay Terminal
    • Take Highway 99 North to Whistler.

A: From Tsawwassen

  • Bus
    • Pacific Coach Lines offers point to point bus service from Victoria to Whistler via Tsawwassen or walk-on the ferry and purchase a bus ticket on board the vessel. Guests will need to transfer at YVR to Pacific Coach Lines Whistler service.
    • Pacific Coach Lines offers point to point bus service from Nanaimo to Vancouver International Airport via Duke Point/Tsawwassen. Guests will need to transfer at YVR to Pacific Coach Lines Whistler Service.
    • Translink offers bus service from Tsawwassen terminal to the Canada Line Express Rail System which guests can take to the closest Park n’ Ride lot and then bus up to Whistler.
  • Driving
    • Take Highway 17 North to Highway 99 North
    • Go over Oak Street Bridge
    • Go West on 70 Avenue.
    • Go North on Granville Street.
    • Go over Granville Street bridge
    • Go North on Hornby Street
    • Go over Granville Street bridge
    • Go West on Georgia Street
    • Take Highway 99 North over Lions Gate Bridge
    • Follow Highway 1 West (Upper Levels Highway) to Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal
    • Follow Highway 99 North to Whistler
    • Estimated driving time 3 hours depending on traffic conditions
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Q: Can I park at the terminals?
A: Yes. Tsawwassen, Horseshoe Bay, Swartz Bay, Departure Bay, Duke Point and Langdale terminals all have pay parking. During the Olympics, parking may fill up quickly. Customers are encouraged to check parking conditions on our website prior to travel. 

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Q: Will you have additional sailings during the Olympics and Paralympics?
A: Yes. To provide better service, we have added additional sailings on the three routes that are expected to have the largest increase in traffic during the Olympic games:

  • Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Victoria (Swartz Bay)
  • Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) to Nanaimo (Departure Bay)
  • Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) to Sunshine Coast (Langdale)

As Schedules are subject to change, please visit www.bcferries.com/schedules/ for the most up-to-date schedule information.

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Q: What are the busiest sailings of the day?
A: The busiest sailings of the day are expected to be early in the morning and late at night. Please make reservations at www.bcferries.com/res/ or by calling 1-888-223-3779.

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Q: What are your plans if there is inclement weather?
A: BC Ferries will sail in most weather, except when wind gusts exceed 40 knots.

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Q: What are your security plans during the Olympics and Paralympics?
A: BC Ferries is currently planning an enhanced security presence leading up to and during the Olympics. It is not anticipated that this enhanced security presence will delay or impact operations. 

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Q: How can I find out about routes and departure and arrival times?
A: Detailed information on routes and scheduled departures/arrival times is available at www.bcferries.com/schedules/. Here are the approximate trip durations for our three main routes:

  • Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Victoria (Swartz Bay) – 1 hour and 35 minutes
  • Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Nanaimo (Duke Point) - 2 hours
  • Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) to Nanaimo (Departure Bay) – 1 hour and 35 minutes
  • Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) to Sunshine Coast (Langdale) – 40 minutes

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Q: When should I be at the terminals?
A: If you have a vehicle reservation, you must be checked in through the ticket booth at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled sailing time or your reservation will no longer be valid and you will travel standby. The reservation fee for unclaimed reservations will not be refunded.

Walk-on passengers should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes in advance of their desired sailing. Tickets must be purchased at least ten minutes before the scheduled sailing time.

Our Current Conditions web pages and mobile.bcferries.com from a handheld device, can serve as good indicators of overall traffic volume at a particular terminal.

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Q: How much does it cost to travel on BC Ferries?
A: Fares vary by route. Click here for detailed information or call 1-888-223-3779.

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Q: How can I purchase tickets?
A: Tickets are purchased at the terminal the day of your trip but reservations can be made in advance at www.bcferries.com/res/ or by calling 1-888-223-3779.

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Q: Can I make reservations for travel on BC Ferries?
A: Reservations are strongly encouraged during the Olympic Games. You can make reservations at www.bcferries.com/res/ or by calling our Customer Sales and Service Representatives between 7 am and 8 pm (Pacific Time) Monday to Friday and between 8am and 6pm Saturday and Sunday:

  • 1-888-BCFERRY (1-888-223-3779) toll-free in North America
  • (250) 386-3431 long distance from outside North America

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Q: Can I cancel or change a reservation?
A: Yes, it is possible to change or cancel a reservation. Specific policies & fees will vary by route & reservation type. For further information, please visit www.bcferries.com/res/ or call 1-888-223-3779.

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Q: What amenities do you have on board the vessels and at the terminals?
A:
BC Ferries has a wide varietyof amenities to serve our customers. Please click here for more information >> 

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Q: Do you offer special services for people with disabilities?
A: We provide special vehicle loading for people who have difficulty with stairs. If you use a wheelchair or walking aid please tell your ticket agent when you arrive at the terminal and we'll load your vehicle as close to an elevator as possible.

If you are a resident of British Columbia and have a permanent disability, reduced fares are available (this applies to passenger fares only). To receive them, you must present your BC Ferries Disabled Status Identification (DSI) card when you arrive at the terminal. Passengers requiring the use of an overheight vehicle equipped with a mechanical wheelchair lift or ramp may travel at the posted underheight vehicle (or car) tariff with or without a DSI card. Please tell the ticket agent of your vehicle's special status.

Let us know if BC Ferries can assist in any way to make your experience travelling as a foot passenger more comfortable. Please contact our Customer Service Centre (1-888-223-3779) 48 hours prior to your intended departure date to arrange for assistance and additional information on the range of services provided to our customers with varying abilities.

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Q: How do I contact your Bus Partners?
A: Bus Partner Details:

Malaspina Bus Lines
Service from Vancouver and Vancouver Airport to the Sunshine Coast
www.malaspinacoach.com
1-877-227-8287

IslandLink Bus Services
Service from Vancouver and Vancouver Airport to Vancouver Island
www.islandlinkbus.com
1-250-954-8257 or 1-604-970-4990

Greyhound Canada
Service from Nanaimo to Vancouver
www.greyhound.ca
1-800-661-8747

Pacific Coach Lines
Service from Victoria to Vancouver and Whistler
www.pacificcoach.com
1-800-661-1725

Translink
Service from Tsawwassen Terminal to Vancouver
www.translink.bc.ca
604-953-3333

West Vancouver Transit
Service from Horseshoe Bay Terminal to Vancouver
www.westvancouver.net
604-985-7777

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  This pagerevised as of Feb 1, 2010 at 3:40 PM Pacific