BC Ferries offers travel tips for Canada Day

VICTORIA – Canada Day is coming up, marking the official launch of summer. BC Ferries is thrilled to be reconnecting friends and families this summer, and is offering travel tips to ensure smooth sailing.
 

Canada Day and Summertime Travel Tips

• Book in advance – Book early to secure a spot on the sailing time of your choice. Customers with flexibility can travel at less busy times to avoid the rush. Book online at bcferries.com. Customers with a booking do not experience sailing waits.
   
• Travel at less busy times – Sailing waits are common during popular travel periods. If reservations are sold out, the best option to avoid sailing waits is to travel during less busy times. These are typically mid-week days and early morning or late evening sailings.
   
• Saver fares – This summer, travel for less with BC Ferries’ new Saver fare from $49 for a standard vehicle and driver, including a free booking. Saver fares are available on select sailings on the three routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Take advantage of the savings today – book online to secure a spot. Availability is limited and Saver fares may sell out.
   
• Over-height Saver fares – Customers in private passenger vehicles over seven feet in height who book in advance can save on select sailings on the Vancouver (Tsawwassen) - Victoria (Swartz Bay) and Vancouver (Tsawwassen) -Nanaimo (Duke Point) routes for travel from now through Oct. 13. Overheight vehicles also can save 50 per cent per additional foot over 20 ft.
   
• Check-in smoothly – Follow traffic control flaggers and have your booking reference number ready upon arrival at the ticket booth to speed up the check-in process if you have an advanced booking. Watch for pedestrians and drive with care while navigating the terminals and vehicle deck
   
• Arrive early – Customers with an advanced booking should plan to arrive at the terminal 45-60 minutes before their scheduled departure. Walk-on passengers should arrive 45 minutes before their anticipated sailing.
   
• BC Ferries Vacations packages – Book a getaway with ease with BC Ferries Vacations. Packages to stunning local destinations include ferry travel, accommodation and flexible cancellations
   
• Consider parking options – Parking lots at the major terminals fill up quickly on summer weekends. If possible, choose public transit or arrange to be dropped off at the terminal to avoid traffic congestion. When parking lots fill up, BC Ferries informs customers via Twitter @BCFerries and on the website.
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• Lower vehicle decks – Passengers in vehicles on enclosed lower vehicle decks must leave their vehicles during the sailing to comply with Transport Canada’s safety regulation. Passengers in vehicles on open vehicle decks are welcome to stay in the cars for the duration of the voyage.

For full schedule information, current conditions, reservations and promotional offers, please visit bcferries.com. For the most up-to-date travel information, follow @BCFerries on Twitter.
  Media Contact:
BC Ferries, Media Relations
Victoria: (250) 978-1267

Customer Contact:
Victoria: (250) 410-1465
Toll-free: 1-888-BCFERRY (1-888-223-3779)

Note to newsrooms: For urgent media inquiries off-hours, call our emergency line at (250) 516-7211.