Update on travel between Powell River & Comox

Route 17 has seen significant growth in recent years, with traffic volumes and population growth outpacing terminal capacity, particularly at Little River. Increased demand led to growing congestion, longer waits, uncertainty about boarding, and challenges accommodating essential travel, including those using the Travel Assistance Program (TAP). 

To help address this, we have increased bookable space on the route, expanded terminal capacity and introduced tools such as waitlists and booking alerts. Bookable space varies by sailing, based on demand patterns, and can reach up to 85%. The goal is to improve travel certainty, reduce terminal congestion and long waits, and better use vessel capacity.  
 
To support the change, we’ve added 5x more Saver fares from $39 on select sailings. Kids 11 and under also sail free with a Saver or Prepaid booking until October 14, 2026.
 

 Both Prepaid and Saver fares include a reservation.

Travelled recently? Tell us about your experience

We’re asking customers to take part in a short survey about your recent booking experience. Your feedback will help us understand how the changes in booking are impacting you, and what we can do to make your journey better.

What you need to know: 

Do I need to make a booking to travel on this route? 
No, bookings are not mandatory and drive-up space remains available on every sailing. If staging capacity is reached at Little River or Westview, vehicles may be turned away until the vessel begins loading. We encourage customers to book in advance, particularly during peak periods, as drive-up space is more limited.  

How much space is available for drive-up? 
At least 15% of deck space on board is allocated for customers that drive up to the terminal without a booking. While sailings at peak times may sell out of bookable space in advance, there is unsold space on many sailings that is also available for drive-up customers. On sailings with limited commercial traffic, we can typically accommodate an additional 10-15 standby vehicles on top of the 15%. 

Does it cost more to make an advance booking? 
No, a Prepaid fare booked online costs the same as driving up and paying the At Terminal fare ($71.35 for a car & driver). When you book online, you also have the option to book a Saver fare, starting from $39 for a car and driver on select sailings. 
 
Starting June 15, there are five times more Saver fares available to book compared to last year. Kids 11 and under also sail free when added to a Saver or Prepaid booking until October 14, 2026.  
 
How do I book in advance? Can I book over the phone? 

You can book a Saver, Prepaid or Reservation Only fare in advance online on our website, using the mobile app, or by calling our Customer Service Centre directly at 1-888-223-3779. You can also schedule a callback here

Can I make an advance booking without a credit card? 
Yes, you can use cash to purchase a Reservation Only, Prepaid or Saver fare at the terminal in advance of travel. Visit the Terminal Administration office at Westview terminal in Powell River to make your cash purchase. Fares are subject to availability and must be booked at least two hours in advance of the scheduled departure time. Please call our Customer Service Centre at 1-888-223-3779 with any questions, or schedule a callback here.

Are motorcycle bookings available?

Advance bookings for individual motorcycles are not available at this time, but this is something we are actively working to implement in the future. Currently, individual motorcycles will be accommodated as standby. Motorcycle groups of 5 or more can make a group booking by emailing Group.Travel@bcferries.com. 

Can I still use my Experience Card? 

Yes, you can continue to drive-up and use your Experience Card as a form of payment at the terminal. If you would like to confirm your sailing time in advance, book a Reservation Only online in advance of travel, and pay the balance at the terminal. 

How close to departure am I able to make a booking?

You can make a booking up to two hours before the scheduled departure time, subject to availability.

Click here for more FAQs

Book your Saver fare ahead of travel


UNDER-HEIGHT VEHICLE SAVERS

ONE WAY FROM

$39*

Car & driver, change or cancel from $5


OVER-HEIGHT VEHICLE SAVERS

ONE WAY FOR

$49

Save 50% per foot over 20 feet


PASSENGER
SAVERS

ONE WAY FOR

$9

Adult foot passenger

PLUS, Kids 11 and under sail FREE until Oct 14**


Booking alerts & waitlist

Subscribe to be notified when space becomes available on sold out sailings.

Learn more

Tips for booking Saver fares

  • Saver fares are available on select sailings and must be booked and paid for in advance. They will not be available for purchase at the terminal.
  • Cannot be purchased using an Experience Card (Saver fares offer greater savings than Experience Card for car and driver fares).

Vehicle fares for travel between Comox (Little River) and Powell River (Westview) 

 
Fare
Price
Booking & payment
Changes & cancellations


Saver

select sailings

BEST
VALUE

$39-$59*

Includes reservation

$39 - $59 Car & driver 

$49 Over-height vehicle

Pay in full when you book in advance. 

Cannot be purchased at the terminal or using an Experience Card.

Not valid for Travel Assistance Program (TAP) travel. 

$5 change fee (plus price difference, if applicable).

$5 cancellation fee four days or more before travel; $20 cancellation fee three days or less up to one hour before departure.

Unredeemed bookings will be refunded less a $30 fee.


Prepaid

$68

Includes reservation

$68 - Car & driver 

Pay in full when you book in advance. 

Cannot be purchased at the terminal or using an Experience Card.

Not valid for Travel Assistance Program (TAP) travel. 

$5 change fee (plus price difference, if applicable).

$5 cancellation fee up to 11:59 PM the day before departure.
$15 cancellation fee on day of departure up to one hour before departure.

Unredeemed bookings will be refunded less a $20 cancellation fee. 

Reservation Only

$88

$20 – Reservation

$68 – Car & driver

$78.30 – With Experience Card savings

Pay the $20 reservation fee when you book, pay the car and driver fares at the terminal. 

Applicable for a one-way reservation. Available for travel in either direction. 
 

$5 change fee.

Reservation fee is non-refundable.

Change up to one hour before booked sailing.

At Terminal

$68

No reservation

$68 – Car & driver 

$58.30 - With Experience Card savings

Pay in full when you arrive at the terminal.

Travel after reserved customers, sailing waits possible.

Changes and cancellations not applicable for this fare choice.

 


 

Arrived early or missed your sailing?

If you book a Saver fare between Comox (Little River) and Powell River (Westview) and arrive at the terminal early or late, you can use your fare towards travel on a different sailing on the same route, same day by paying the difference in price between your fare and the At Terminal fare. Travel must be in the direction originally booked. You will board after booked customers in the order you arrive on the next available sailing, based on deck space availability.

 

Frequently asked questions continued

Can I change or cancel a Saver or Prepaid booking?

Yes, you can change your sailing up to one hour before the scheduled departure time of your original booking for a $5 change fee. If you have booked a Saver fare and move to a sailing where no Saver fares available, you will need to pay the difference in price. 
 
If you book a Saver fare, you can cancel four days or more before departure for a refund of the fare paid, less a $5 cancellation fee. If you cancel three days or less, up to one hour before departure, the cancellation fee is $20. Unredeemed bookings will be refunded less a $30 fee. 
 
Prepaid fares can be cancelled up to 11:59 PM the day before departure for a refund of the fare paid, less a $5 cancellation fee. Unredeemed bookings will be refunded less a $15 fee. 

 

How can I take advantage of the kids sail free offer?

Kids 11 and under sail free when you book a Prepaid or Saver fare in advance. Prepaid fares are available on all sailings, while Savers are offered on select sailings. The kids sail free offer is also available for Prepaid foot passenger bookings.

Are there any offers available for personal RVs (recreational vehicles)?

Yes, Saver fares from $49 are available on select sailings for standard over-height vehicles (over 7 feet (2.13 m) in height). This offer is not applicable to buses or commercial vehicles. When you book an over-height Saver fare, you will also receive extra length savings of 50% off per additional foot over 20 feet. 

Does the BC Senior discount for travel Monday through Thursday still apply?
Yes, the BC Senior discount still applies for travel from Monday to Thursday for all fare types, excluding statutory holidays. 
Which sailings are typically the least busy? 
The least busy sailings are typically the 7:10 PM sailing from Comox to Powell River, and the 8:45 PM sailing from Powell River to Comox. These sailings will have the cheapest Saver fares available starting from $39.  
 
Can I make a TAP booking in advance? 
Yes, customers travelling with a completed TAP form can continue to book a free reservation. The increase in bookable space allows more customers travelling to medical appointments and other eligible services to confirm their travel in advance. We encourage TAP customers to book in advance whenever possible, as it helps us plan ahead and manage available space more effectively.
How do I make a booking if I am carrying livestock?
Customers travelling with livestock are encouraged to make a booking in advance online or over the phone by calling our Customer Service Centre directly at 1-888-223-3779. If you are unable to make a booking, please notify the terminal staff at check-in that you are carrying livestock. 

General booking questions
What happens if I book a Saver fare and arrive early, or miss my sailing? Can I travel on a different sailing? 

If you arrive early or miss your sailing, you can use your Saver fare toward the purchase of an At Terminal fare by paying the difference in price, if applicable.

Your fare must be put towards a sailing on the same route on the same day, travelling in the direction originally booked. You will board after reserved customers in the order you arrive on the next available sailing, based on space availability.

What happens if I have fewer/more passengers than what was booked and paid for online?

If you check-in at the terminal with fewer passengers than you booked and paid for, and the booking has not been changed prior to check-in, the ticket agent will issue you a refund for the difference to the original form of payment.

If you check-in at the terminal with more passengers than you booked and paid for, the ticket agent will charge you the additional passenger fare(s).  

Is there a Seniors’ discount for Saver fares?

BC Seniors travel free on select routes Monday to Thursday. BC Seniors who book Saver fares from Monday to Thursday will only be charged for the cost of the vehicle. Make sure you select the correct BC Senior passenger type when creating the booking online, and present your BC government issued identification at the ticket booth. Friday to Sunday BC Seniors will be charged regular adult fares.

I don’t have a credit card or internet access. How can I book a Saver fare? 

You can pay online and over the phone using MasterCard Debit or Visa Debit. You can also visit the Little River or Westview terminal administration office at least two hours in advance of departure and pay with cash (subject to availability).

What vehicle types qualify for Saver fares on this route?

Saver fares are available to customers travelling with a standard under-height vehicle, such as a car, truck, SUV, or van. Customers with under-height vehicles over 20 feet (6.10 metres) in length can take advantage of the Saver fare discount for the first 20 feet, and pay the extra length rate (per foot) for any additional feet. Over-height vehicle Saver fares are applicable to standard over-height vehicles over 7 feet (2.13 m) in height only and are not applicable for buses or commercial vehicles. Over-height vehicles travelling with a $49 Saver fare will save 50% per additional foot (over 20 feet).

What happens if my sailing is cancelled after I’ve checked in at the terminal?

We'll do our best to get you on the next available sailing where space is available if your sailing is cancelled. Scheduled sailings may need to be cancelled from time-to-time as a result of severe weather conditions, mechanical difficulties or other unforeseen circumstances.

Customers with a booking on the next scheduled departure will be loaded in advance of customers from the cancelled sailing. If we are unable to load you on the next available sailing, you will be loaded in order of arrival at the terminal.

If you choose not to travel, you will need to return to the ticket agent to check-out of the terminal. Your fares and any reservation fees will be automatically refunded to your original form of payment. Any changes made to your booking at check-in will also be automatically refunded, with the exception of transactions using forms of payment other than a credit card, which need to be processed manually before you leave the terminal.

To get a refund for a cancelled sailing, if you left the terminal without going through the ticket booth, you can also mail copies of your receipts to Customer Relations.

For the most up-to-date departure information, visit current conditions and check service notices.

What happens if my sailing is cancelled before I’ve checked in at the terminal, on the day of travel?

We will make every effort to move your booking to an alternate sailing, later in the day, based on space availability. This will occur at no cost to you, regardless of the fare you paid. Future sailings may have limited reservation space due to previous bookings.

If your booking is moved, you will be notified by email. If we are not able to move your booking, you will be notified by email in advance that your booking has been cancelled, your fares and any reservation fees will be refunded. We will also mail you a free travel voucher, for vehicle and driver, for use on a future sailing. If you choose to rebook, your original fare will not be guaranteed, as Saver fares have limited availability. For example, if you booked a Saver fare and there are no Saver fares available when you rebook, you will need to purchase a Reservation Only.

If you choose to travel without a booking on a later sailing, you can purchase an At Terminal fare and be loaded on the next available sailing based on order of arrival at the terminal and deck space availability.

For the most up-to-date departure information, visit current conditions and check service notices.

What happens if my sailing is cancelled before the day of travel?

In the event of schedule changes known in advance, we will move you to the next scheduled sailing, based on space availability. This will occur at no cost to you, regardless of the fare you paid. Future sailings may have limited reservation space due to previous bookings.

If your booking is moved, you will be notified by email. If we are not able to move your booking, due to limited space availability, you will be notified by email that your booking has been cancelled and your fares and any reservation fees will be refunded. We will also mail you a free travel voucher, for vehicle and driver, for use on a future sailing. If you choose to rebook, your original fare will not be guaranteed, as Saver fares have limited. For example, if you booked a Saver fare and there are no Saver fares available when you rebook, you will need to purchase a Reservation Only.

For the most up-to-date departure information, visit current conditions and check service notices.

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