How to get to Victoria from Vancouver, British Columbia?
(And you must visit the beautiful city where we live! We know of dozens of awesome things to do in Victoria.)
Many visitors take the ferry from Vancouver to Victoria.
The ferry ride is generally cheaper, easier and quicker than flying to Victoria, especially if you count the time checking in for the plane, extra bag fees, etc.
(The exception is if you’re already on a plane, flying to or within Canada, and are just connecting through Vancouver.)
Ferry from Vancouver to Victoria, BC
Below is a complete guide on the ferry to Victoria from Vancouver (and the reverse ferry from Vancouver to Victoria).
Note: Prices shown are in CAD.
How to get to Victoria from Vancouver by ferry:
1) BC Ferries from Vancouver to Victoria
4) Making reservations (Do you need a reservation on BC Ferries?)
6) Connector Bus from Vancouver to Victoria (With ferry service)
7) Public transit from Vancouver to Victoria
1) BC Ferries from Vancouver to Victoria
Victoria is BC’s capital city.
It’s located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, which is separated from the mainland of BC by the Strait of Georgia.
(It’s a bit confusing because Vancouver isn’t on Vancouver Island. It’s located on the mainland.)
The trip by vehicle and ferry on BC Ferries from downtown Vancouver to Victoria takes from 4 to 5 hours, depending on your departure terminal.
There are 2 Vancouver ferry terminals that you can depart from:
- Tsawwassen
- Horseshoe Bay
BC Ferries from Tsawwassen:
The Tsawwassen ferry terminal is the main terminal (south of Vancouver), and the one you want to depart from if you’re leaving from downtown Vancouver (or if you’re driving into Greater Vancouver on the TransCanada #1 Highway).
The scenic sail on BC Ferries is 1 hour and 35 minutes to Victoria’s Swartz Bay terminal (which is actually located in Sidney, BC).
The Victoria ferry from Vancouver goes at least every 2 hours (more in the peak summer season). The first sailing is typically at 7:00 am.
The total travel time from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria is about 4 hours.
This includes driving to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal, waiting for the ferry, the actual ferry trip and driving from the Swartz Bay terminal to downtown Victoria.
BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay:
If you’re coming from North or West Vancouver or Whistler, we suggest you take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to the Departure Bay terminal in Nanaimo.
From Nanaimo, you then drive down the TransCanada Highway (#1 Highway) to Victoria.
The ferry crossing time is 1 hour and 40 minutes.
The total trip time on this ferry route is about 5 hours.
We used to live in West Vancouver, and whenever we visited Victoria, this is the route we took.
Now, you could alternatively drive through downtown Vancouver and on to Tsawwassen and take the ferry from there. Your total trip time from North or West Vancouver would be about the same (5 hours).
But you’d be fighting traffic congestion in downtown Vancouver – something to avoid, especially at rush hour – and occasionally a clogged tunnel delay (at the George Massey Tunnel).
If you’re coming from Vancouver’s North Shore or Whistler
We think it’s simply more pleasant – and can be quicker – to sail to Nanaimo instead and drive down the scenic highway on Vancouver Island to get to Victoria.
2) BC Ferries schedule
Ferry from Vancouver Island to Vancouver:
3) Services: What to do on BC Ferries
On BC Ferries between Vancouver and Victoria, you’ll find many amenities.
It’s really like a mini-cruise.
You’ll find an excellent gift shop (stocked with many books by BC authors), a kids’ playroom and many comfortable seating areas.
Of course, you can walk around on the outside decks.
When the weather is good, we like plopping ourselves down for a while on a bench in the sunshine and soaking in the views, especially when the ferry squeezes through the very scenic Active Pass.
Coastal Café:
There’s also a cafeteria (the Coastal Café) with hot and cold food items for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It features a White Spot menu (e.g., burgers, Caesar salad, cherry pie).
As well, you’ll find a smaller café for coffee, cappuccino, baked goodies and the like.
Pacific Buffet:
In addition to the regular cafeteria, there’s a separate dining room – the Pacific Buffet – on select ferries, offering a complete buffet meal.
The following ferries have the Pacific Buffet:
- Coastal Celebration
- Spirit of British Columbia
- Spirit of Vancouver Island
On one ferry crossing for lunch, for example, we helped ourselves to barbecued Korean riblets, Chinese chicken dumplings (Dim Sum style), fish in a cream sauce and other hot items, along with lettuce and spinach salad.
That was followed by a selection of desserts ranging from cheese cake to chocolate brownies.
The cost for an adult is:
- $21.50 (about $16 USD) for breakfast
- $22.75 (about $17 USD) for a hot lunch
- $26.95 (about $20 USD) for dinner
Taxes are extra.
You can buy beer and wine in the Pacific Buffet for an additional cost.
Complete Pacific Buffet menus: See here
Coastal naturalist:
In the summer months, a coastal naturalist travels onboard and gives a 20-minute talk outside on deck.
What’s the difference between a Stellar sea lion and a California sea lion? That’s one tidbit of information you might learn.
Answer?
The Stellar sea lions you commonly see here in our British Columbia coastal waters are twice as big as Californian sea lions. The males can weigh up to 2,200 lbs (females up to 800 lbs).
Another distinction – California sea lions bark like dogs, while Stellar sea lions make a low throaty sound, like a long deep burp.
4) BC Ferries reservations
We recommend you make ferry reservations in advance (otherwise, it’s first come, first served).
The standard BC Ferries reservation fee is $17 (about $12.75 USD).
And a reservation guarantees you’ll get on the ferry at the reserved time.
If you don’t make a reservation in peak season, you could wait for hours in a ferry line-up. And you don’t want to waste precious vacation time waiting for the ferry to get to Victoria!
We personally always make reservations now, even middle of the day, mid-week, in winter. This gives us certainty – and peace of mind…
BC Ferries reservation cut-off times
You must be at the ferry booth to redeem your reservation between 1 hour and 30 minutes before the ferry sailing.
If you’re booked on a 5:00 pm ferry, this means you have to be at the ferry booth sometime between 4:00 and 4:30 pm.
If you arrive later, say 4:35 pm, you’ll lose your reservation and go to the end of the line (where you may or may not get on the 5:00 pm sailing, depending on how busy the ferries are).
To reserve with BC Ferries: See here
5) How much is a BC Ferry ticket from Vancouver to Victoria?
Standard ferry cost Vancouver to Victoria:
The cost to take the ferry from Vancouver to Victoria, BC, ranges as follows:
- Pay at the terminal: $80 (about $60 USD) for a car and driver (no reservation)
- Reservation: $97 (about $72 USD) for a car and driver (where you pay a $17 CAD reservation fee in advance, but pay the rest at the terminal)
- Pre-pay reservation and ferry cost: $87.50 (about $65 USD) for a car and driver (when you book and pay in full in advance)
These ticket costs apply to a standard vehicle, up to 20 feet long.
Change fees – to change the travel date – are $5.
Each additional passenger, aged 12 or older, costs $18 (about $13.50 USD).
Children aged 5 to 11 cost $9 each (about $6.70 USD). Children under 5 are free.
Note: Fuel surcharges are extra. For example, the total “Pay at the terminal” cost is $83.15, and the total cost for an additional adult passenger is $18.70.
BC Ferries Saver fares:
As well, there are new “Saver” tickets. These are the cheapest BC Ferries tickets for a one-way ride (car and driver) between Vancouver and Victoria.
You have to pay in full when you book. And the fare includes a free reservation.
The Saver fares vary. They’re less expensive for less busy times, for example, the first early morning sailing or the very latest sailing of the day.
For a car and driver, you could pay as little as $49 (plus fuel surcharge) for a total of $50.90 (about $38 USD).
These Saver fares will pop up on the BC Ferries website when you enter the day you want to travel in the booking screen.
All costs:
For full details of the ferry cost to Victoria (including reservation fees and Saver tickets), see BC Ferries’ Fare Information for travel between Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
Bottom line? Vancouver to Victoria ferry price
You’re looking at a rough cost of approximately $108 (about $80 USD) for a car and 2 adults to travel one way from Vancouver to Victoria on the ferry (on a prepaid ticket with a reservation).
For 2 people, it’s less expensive to take your car on the ferry than ditching the car and using the BC Ferries Connector bus and ferry (see below in #6).
For current BC Ferries prices for all routes: See here
6) Vancouver to Victoria bus and ferry (Connector bus)
Is there a bus from Vancouver to Victoria?
Yes.
The BC Ferries Connector bus operates year-round and takes you from the downtown Vancouver bus terminal (Pacific Central Station) to the downtown Victoria terminal (Capital City Station).
Hotel pick-up and drop-off is available.
It also offers bus/ferry connections from the Vancouver cruise ship terminal and Vancouver’s international airport to and from Victoria.
BC Ferries Connector Schedule: See here
Cost of the bus from Vancouver to Victoria
The cost of the BC Ferries Connector for an adult from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria is $52.53 (about $39 USD) for the bus.
Then you have to add on the ferry passenger fare, which is $18.72 for an adult (about $14.00 USD).
The total is thus just over $71 CAD (about $53 USD) for a one-way fare between Vancouver and Victoria, for one person, on the Connector bus.
Rates are less for children aged 5 to 11 and for British Columbia seniors (65+) and students.
See complete pricing here.
BC Ferries Connector bus and ferry tickets: You can book your all-inclusive tickets (bus + ferry ) on Viator here
7) Public transit from Vancouver to Victoria
To save money, you can use public transit to and from the ferry terminals in Vancouver and Victoria.
From Vancouver, start by catching the Sky Train’s Canada Line to the Bridgeport Station. Then take TransLink Bus 620 from the Bridgeport Station to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal.
At the ferry terminal, buy your passenger ticket to Victoria’s Swartz Bay terminal.
Once at Swartz Bay, take the BC Transit Bus 70 (express bus) or BC Transit Bus 72 (not express) to downtown Victoria.
For more details on taking the public bus between Vancouver and Victoria, see this TransLink blog post.
8) Travel from Vancouver airport to Tsawwassen ferry terminal
The same BC Ferries Connector bus that operates between the Vancouver and Victoria ferry terminals (see #6 above) also runs from the Vancouver Airport to the Vancouver ferry terminal in Tsawwassen.
From there, the bus continues on the ferry and to Victoria.
It also does the reverse route from Victoria to the Vancouver International Airport.
Vancouver Airport (YVR) schedule on the BC Ferries Connector bus (to March 31, 2024): See here
Leave YVR Airport (to Victoria):
The Connector bus leaves twice a day year-round from the Vancouver International Airport at:
- 9:40 am – Arrive in Victoria at 12:35 pm (Swartz Bay ferry terminal) and 1:20 pm (Victoria bus terminal)
- 3:40 pm – Arrive in Victoria at 6:35 pm (Swartz Bay ferry terminal) and 7:20 pm (Victoria bus terminal)
Come spring, there’s a third bus from the Vancouver airport to Victoria, leaving at 1:40 pm.
And in the summer, there are four buses operating, with departures at 9:40 am, 11:40 am, 1:40 pm and 3:40 pm.
Vancouver International Airport to Victoria: You can book your all-inclusive tickets (ferry + bus) on Viator here
Leave Victoria (for YVR Airport):
The Connector bus for the Victoria to Vancouver ferry leaves twice a day year-round from the Victoria bus terminal at:
- 9:45 am – Arrive at the Vancouver Airport at 1:25 pm
- 3:45 pm – Arrive at the Vancouver Airport at 7:25 pm
In the spring, there’s a third departure from Victoria at 7:45 am.
And in the summer, there are four bus departures for the Vancouver airport at 7:45 am, 9:45 am, 3:45 pm and 5:45 pm.
Victoria to Vancouver International Airport: You can book your all-inclusive tickets (ferry + bus) on Viator here
Cost of BC Ferries Connector bus from YVR:
The cost to or from the Vancouver Airport varies depending on the time of year, the departure time and whether you’re traveling on a weekend or holiday.
You’ll find adult bus prices ranging from $52.53 (about $39 USD) to $95.94 (a little over $70 USD).
As well, you have to add on the BC Ferries passenger fare of $18.72 per adult for the Connector routes. So your total cost to travel between Victoria and the Vancouver airport will range from a low of some $71 (about $53 USD) to around $114 ($85 USD) per adult.
See complete pricing for seniors, children, etc. here.
Taxi from Vancouver Airport to ferry terminal:
Alternatively, you can take a taxi from YVR to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal.
Time-wise, allow about 30 minutes (perhaps 40 minutes at peak times). The taxi cost will run about $60 to $75 ($45 to $56 USD), depending on traffic.
For two people, you might find it more convenient (and just a little more expensive) to take a taxi from YVR to the ferry terminal, travel as a foot passenger on BC Ferries, then take a taxi from the Victoria ferry terminal to downtown Victoria.
The taxi cost from the ferry terminal in Swartz Bay to downtown Victoria is about $70 to $80 ($52 to $60 USD), depending on traffic.
9) Ferry tours and day trips from Vancouver to Victoria
If you’re short on time, it’s possible to visit Victoria on a day trip from Vancouver.
Perhaps you’ve got your heart set on visiting the Butchart Gardens? There are many beautiful gardens in Victoria, but the Butchart Gardens are world-famous.
You could rent a car for a DIY day trip.
Or you could make your life easy with this Victoria and Buchart Gardens day tour (about 13 hours).
You’ll be picked up from your Vancouver hotel in a spacious mini-coach for your ride on the ferry.
Once in Victoria, you can walk the oh-so-picturesque Inner Harbour, see the major Victoria attractions (like the Royal BC Museum and Parliament Buildings) and have lunch.
The Butchart Gardens are saved for last. Then at the end of the day, you’ll return to Vancouver on the ferry and be dropped off at your hotel.
Another excellent day tour is this Vancouver to Victoria seaplane and ferry trip (about 12 hours)
You’ll fly from downtown Vancouver with Harbour Air Seaplanes over the Gulf Islands to Victoria (35-minute scenic flight).
After splashing down, you’ll have lots of free time to explore Victoria on your own before taking a coach ride to the ferry for the return trip to Vancouver.
10) Last words on BC Ferries: Vancouver to Victoria
The ferry ride from Vancouver to Victoria by car is the best way for two or more people to get to the capital of British Columbia (apart from taking the seaplane).
It’s also a delightfully scenic trip!
The cheapest way for one person is to go as a foot passenger – and to take public transit at both ends.
But the more convenient way for one person is to take the ferry from Victoria to Vancouver (or vice-versa) via the Connector bus. The ferry/bus combination makes the land and sea travel seamless.
Have you taken the ferry to Victoria? Let us know in the Comments below!
Experience more of Vancouver Island and BC’s Gulf Islands!
Parksville area | From swimming at warm shallow beaches to caving to spying the goats on the roof, you’ll love these crazy fun things to do in Parksville and Qualicum Beach.
Victoria | Wondering where to stay? We love these delightful luxury B&Bs and hotels in Victoria. Be sure to lace up your sneakers and check out these easy scenic walks in Victoria too!
Salt Spring Island | Discover all the magical things to do on Salt Spring Island (only a 35-minute ferry ride from Victoria or 90-minute ferry ride from Vancouver).
Tofino | When the weather is wild and bad, head to Tofino for storm watching!
Our top travel tips and resources
Here are our favorite travel resources:
Hotels: Booking.com is great for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one. (We especially like their flexible cancellation policy!)
Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out GetYourGuide and Viator.
Car rental: Renting a car is often one of the best ways to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the best rates.
Travel insurance: World Nomads travel insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers, with coverage for more than 150 activities, as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Vaccines and meds: We follow CDC travel guidelines to see what medications and vaccines are needed for trips. You can get vaccines at your pharmacy, travel medical clinic or doctor’s office.
Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.
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Photo credits: 3 to 5, 11 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase | 1, 6 to 10, BC Ferries | 12, 13 BC Ferries Connector
About the authors
Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC “Best Travel Blog” award winners, Janice and George Mucalov are the publishers of Sand In My Suitcase. Between them, they’ve traveled to all 7 continents. See About.
Find destination guides, global food-and-wine stories, luxury hotel reviews, articles on cultural explorations and soft adventure trips, cruise reviews, insanely useful travel tips and more!
Tennille
Thursday 16th of February 2023
Hello, I have just found your post on the ferry etc. Do you know if you can get a rental car at the Victoria ferry terminal? Or do we need to still take the bus to Victoria to rent a car?
Janice and George
Friday 17th of February 2023
We don't believe there are any car rental agencies at the Swartz Bay ferry terminal (Victoria).
There are at least five car rental places at the Victoria International Airport (YYJ), which is about a 10-minute drive away. You could take a taxi from the ferry terminal to the airport to pick up a rental car there, if you wish.
We also understand that both Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental will pick you up at the Swartz Bay terminal (so long as it's during business hours). They have offices in Sidney (about a 10-minute drive away).
Jenni Antulov
Saturday 21st of January 2023
Hello! I am trying to find out how long in advance before our planned trip between Vancouver and Vancouver Island I am able to make a reservation. We are 4 adults and 1 car. Thank you for your assistance. Jenni
Janice and George
Wednesday 25th of January 2023
We don't usually book too far in advance. We just tested BC Ferries' website to see what it would allow. It seems you can book up to at least 4 months in advance. (It wouldn't allow us to make a booking 5 months in advance.) Hope this information helps :-).
Wade Harrison
Monday 8th of August 2022
Hi! My wife and I (from Atlanta GA) are planning a trip in October around a week-long conference she has Victoria.
We're heading out a week early in hopes of some island-hopping (whether Gulf/CA or San Juan/US). But we've also elected to fly up via Vancouver as neither of us has been there, and we hear it's a great city to spend a day or two in before heading out for an island adventure.
We'll rent a car in Vancouver.
BUT I am scratching my head over BC Ferries in my attempt to contrive a ferry trip from Vancouver to Swartz Bay in which we stop off for some Gulf Island hopping.
I seem to be able to get us from Tsawwassen to Mayne or Galiano one-way, and can find various island-to-island routes available once there.
But then getting from there to Swartz Bay/Sidney (one-way) keeps turning up nothing. Is that intentionally forbidden? Would we have to ferry to Swartz Bay first, then go back to the Island? I can't find that stated anywhere but it seems impossible?
I haven't dug into San Juans yet, other than to determine "you can't get there from Vancouver" (at least not efficiently) except via Anacourtes WA!
Janice and George
Monday 15th of August 2022
Hi Wade,
First, great idea to fly to Vancouver first, explore some of the Gulf Islands, then end up in Victoria for the conference!
From Vancouver (Tsawwassen terminal), you can take a ferry to Salt Spring Island or any of the other smaller main islands (Mayne, Galiano, Pender). From there, you can work your way to Sidney on Vancouver Island (Swartz Bay terminal). From Sidney, you'd drive to Victoria.
In the summer, there are usually non-stop ferries from Vancouver to Salt Spring and Galiano Islands, for example. But off-season, to go to one island from Vancouver, you might have to stop at another island first. And then to hop to another island from a smaller island, you might have to go back to Swartz Bay or Vancouver first!
With a week before the conference, we'd suggest at least 2 or 3 nights in Vancouver (it's a beautiful city, and there's tons to keep you busy there!), and then visiting only a maximum of two Gulf Islands before going to Vancouver Island (and Victoria).
Also, in October, the islands get quite quiet, so make Salt Spring Island one of your Gulf Islands. It'll still give you the island "feel" but will have a bit more going on (e.g., art galleries and restaurants that are open). Salt Spring connects easily to both Vancouver and Victoria by ferry.
Frankly, you could do 4 nights in Vancouver (really only 3 days aside from travel days) and 3 nights on Salt Spring and have an amazing pre-conference vacay. (Less toing and froing and ferry fussing too.) And most visitors who end up passing through Vancouver wish they had more time to enjoy the city.
Hope this helps :-).
Aleisha
Friday 8th of April 2022
I appreciate this post as we are planning a trip in the near future. I am a little confused on one point, both your article and the ferry's website indicate that the ferry ride should take about ninety minutes; however, you also suggest that the travel time may take up to four hours. Is this due to accessing the port from downtown Vancouver and the need to arrive earlier than the stated departure time? Any clarity you can provide on this subject would be most welcome. Thank you!
Janice and George
Friday 8th of April 2022
Hi Aleisha, Yes, you have to budget driving time from downtown Vancouver to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal. Depending on traffic? 45 minutes? If you're driving and have a reservation, you have to get there at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. We plan on being there 45 minutes in advance. (And we always have a reservation.) The ferry could be late (often it is in peak times), so that's a bit more time. (You might want to think of an extra 15 minutes in case it's late.) Then you've got the 90 minute-ferry ride. At the Swartz Bay ferry terminal, it takes a little time for cars and everyone to unload and get off the ferry. And finally, there's the drive from Swartz Bay ferry terminal to downtown Victoria - maybe 45 minutes? So that's how it all adds up to 4 hours! The time on the ferry is enjoyable though - think of it like a mini-cruise :-). Hope this helps... And have a great trip!
Annie
Tuesday 22nd of June 2021
Very helpful. It looks like V2V Empress is no longer operating. If you ever know of a new similar alternative I would love to know. This is for a trip in October 2021. Thank you
Janice and George
Wednesday 23rd of June 2021
Hi Annie, Thanks for commenting! Yes, you're right. Sadly the V2V Empress passenger-only ferry has shut down. (And we've updated our post so it no longer displays this service.) We expect there'll be a replacement in future. Before the V2V, there was another similar outfit, offering direct passenger ferry service from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria. Will that happen by October, 2021? Hmmm... Of course, we'll update our post again if such a service pops up in future! There's sure to be a demand for it, once people start traveling again like they used to :-).