Book. Save. Sail.

What are the new fare for routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island?

Enjoy more savings and flexibility with Saver and Prepaid fares.

More Saver fares

• Saver fares are available on select sailings:
  • From $49 one-way between Vancouver (Tsawwassen) and Nanaimo (Duke Point)
  • From $49 one-way between Vancouver (Tsawwassen) and Victoria (Swartz Bay)
  • From $49 one-way between Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) and Nanaimo (Departure Bay) 

More flexible changes and cancellations 

• Change your Saver or Prepaid booking up to one hour before departure for a $5 change fee.
• Cancel your Saver booking four days or more before departure for a $5 cancellation fee, or within three days up to one hour before for $20.
• Cancel your Prepaid booking up to 11:59 PM the day before departure for a $5 cancellation fee. 

*Saver fares above do not include the fuel rebate or surcharge.

  

What's the difference between a Saver fare and a Prepaid fare?

Saver fares are available on select sailings, while Prepaid fares are offered on all sailings between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Both fares include a reservation, and must be booked in advance and paid for in full.

Saver is our most affordable fare choice, starting from $49 one-way for a standard under-height or over-height vehicle and driver. Availability is limited.

With both Saver and Prepaid fares, you have the option to change your booking up to one hour before booked departure for a $5 change fee, plus any difference in price (if applicable). The following cancellation fees apply:

• Cancel your Saver booking four days or more before departure for a $5 cancellation fee, or within three days up to one hour before for $20.
• Cancel your Prepaid booking up to 11:59 PM the day before departure for a $5 cancellation fee.

What routes offer the new fare choices? 

Saver and Prepaid fares are available on bookable routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island:

• Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Victoria (Swartz Bay)
• Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Nanaimo (Duke Point) 
• Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) – Nanaimo (Departure Bay)

New for travel to the Sunshine Coast: Saver and Prepaid fares are also available for travel between Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) and the Sunshine Coast (Langdale), and Powell River (Westview) to Comox (Little River). Learn more.

  

What sailings will Saver fares be offered on?

Saver fare availability will vary by route. Generally, Saver fares are available on less busy sailings that are not expected to sell out, including early morning and late evening sailings, midday sailings during the week, as well as Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning sailings. However, there will be a limited number of Saver fares available on these sailings.

  

How flexible are the change and cancellation options for Saver and Prepaid fares?

Saver and Prepaid fares offer flexible change and cancellation options:

• Change your sailing up to one hour before booked departure for a $5 change fee, plus any difference in price. If you change your Saver fare to a sailing where there are no remaining Saver fares or only higher priced Saver fares available, you will need to pay the difference in price.
• Change your booking from a Prepaid fare to a Saver fare on the same sailing, up to one hour before departure, and receive a refund for the difference in fare, less a $5 change fee.
• Cancel your Saver booking four days or more before departure for a $5 cancellation fee, or within three days up to one hour before for $20. Unredeemed bookings will be refunded less a $20 fee. 
• Cancel your Prepaid booking up to 11:59 PM the day before departure for a $5 cancellation fee. Unredeemed bookings will be refunded less a $15 fee. 

Change and cancellation fees are non-refundable.

Set up a BC Ferries account online to create and change bookings with ease. Bookings made online (as a guest or logged in customer) can be adjusted using the edit your booking link found in your booking confirmation email. 

If you’ve made a booking as a guest through the Customer Service Centre, you will need to contact the Customer Service Centre to modify your booking. If you have an account, you can log in to make changes.

  

Will you offer Prepaid and Saver fares on other routes?

We are continuing to listen to your feedback to inform how we expand new fare choices to additional bookable routes.

  

Will the new fare choices result in more bookable deck space on the ferry?

The amount of bookable deck space varies by ship and sailing time.

We expect Saver fares will distribute traffic more evenly across all sailings, so those who prefer to drive up to the terminal without a booking should experience fewer sailing waits. If you arrive at the terminal without a booking, you may experience sailing waits at popular times.

  

How can I provide feedback?

Your feedback is important and helps us improve your online experience. Contact us here. 

How do I book a Saver or Prepaid fare online?

When you arrive on the sailing selection screen, select "View fares" on the right side under the price to show all available fare choices for each sailing. To learn more about the different fare choices, including change and cancellation fees, select 'Compare fares'. Choose the fare you want to book using the "Select" button, then complete your booking and payment.

  

Can I book a Saver fare as a guest user on bcferries.com?

Yes. You can book a Saver fare or any other fare as a guest.

  

If I'm travelling using a Provincial Travel Assistance Program (TAP) form, what fare type should I book?

If you are travelling using a TAP form, choose the Travel Assistance Program option on the passenger selection screen.

  

Is there a Seniors’ discount for Saver fares?

BC Seniors travel free on select routes Monday to Thursday. Seniors who book Saver fares from Monday to Thursday will only be charged for the cost of the vehicle.

  

Can I book and pay for group/school/senior/persons with disabilities and escort online?

Yes, you can book all these fares online. Large groups (10 or more passengers) need to submit a group booking form.

  

Can I book a Saver fare with my BC Ferries Vacations package?

Saver fares are not available to book with BC Ferries Vacations package bookings. Vacation package prices include accommodation, return ferry travel and ferry reservations on bookable routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Explore deals and offers, or call us to learn more at 1-888-BC FERRY (223-3779) Ext. 3.

  

Can I pay for my fare with cash at the terminal?

Saver and Prepaid fares must be fully prepaid in advance and are not available for purchase at drive-up terminal ticket booths. For the greatest savings, we recommend that you book these fares online.

If you would like to pay in cash, you can still pay for our existing At Terminal fare at the drive-up ticket booth when you arrive at the terminal. Subject to availability, you can pay for Saver or Prepaid fares with cash at the Terminal Administration office at least two hours in advance of departure.

  

Can I pay for a Saver or Prepaid fare with a gift certificate?

Gift certificates cannot be used to pay for these fares online. However, bookings and payment can be made with a gift certificate at the Terminal Administration office in advance of travel.

Note: Bookings cannot be made at the vehicle or foot passenger ticket booths.

  

Can I apply a Saver or Prepaid fare to a Thru fare to the Southern Gulf Islands?

You cannot apply a Saver or Prepaid fare to a Thru fare. A Thru fare is a separate fare product only valid for travel to and from the Southern Gulf Islands via Swartz Bay.

If you are travelling thru fare, book a Reservation Only between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen.

  

What happens if I book a Saver or Prepaid 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 or Prepaid fare toward the purchase of an At Terminal fare by paying the difference in price, if applicable. Saver fare pricing is only available on select sailings, subject to availability.

Your fare must be put towards a sailing on the same route and same day in the direction that was originally booked. You will board after reserved customers in the order you arrive on the next available sailing, where space is available.

  

Can I still travel without booking in advance?

Yes. We continue to offer our At Terminal fare, which does not require a booking in advance. If you travel on an At Terminal fare, you’ll be boarded after reserved customers in the order you arrive at the terminal, on the next available sailing, where space is available.

We always keep deck space available for customers who arrive at the terminal without a booking, however space may be limited. During popular travel times, you may experience sailing waits.

  

Can I still book in advance without fully prepaying my fare?

Yes, the Reservation Only option is available. This option provides travel certainty, without fully prepaying. You will pay a non-refundable $18 reservation fee at the time of booking, and then pay the remaining vehicle and passenger fares at the terminal when you redeem your booking.

You can change your sailing by paying a $5 change fee. This fare will always be available as long as there is bookable space on the ferry.

  

Why are the fare prices in the table different than the prices when I made a booking?

A fuel surcharge is currently in effect, and will be automatically applied to all fares online and at the terminal. The fares shown in the table exclude the fuel rebate.

Are Saver and Prepaid fares available year-round?

Yes, Saver and Prepaid fares are available year-round on bookable routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.

  

How do I find these fares online?

Prepaid fares will be available on all sailings between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island. They will appear during the booking process when you are selecting your sailing time.

Saver fares will be available on select sailings between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island, and will also appear when you are selecting your sailing time. If you do not see any Saver fares, that means there are none available on that sailing or they have already sold out.

To be among the first to know about the latest sailing specials, subscribe to our onBoard eNewsletter.

  

I have flexibility with my travel dates. Can I view a Saver fare calendar to see availability by week or month?

At this time, our system is not set up to display Saver fare availability by week or by month.

Saver fares will be offered on less busy sailings that are not expected to sell out, including early morning and late evening sailings, midday sailings during the week, as well as Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning sailings. There are a limited number of Saver fares available on these sailings.

  

What vehicle types qualify for Saver fares?

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.

For travel between Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast, over-height Saver fares are available starting from $39. Commercial vehicles, buses, tour operators and travel agents cannot book Saver fares.

  

Are Saver fares available for foot passengers?

Saver fares are available on select sailings for foot passengers travelling between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.

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.

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).

  

What happens if my vehicle is different from what was booked online?

To streamline terminal check-in, please update the length or type of your vehicle online in advance of checking in for your sailing. You can also do this by calling the Customer Service Centre up to one hour before your scheduled departure time.

Subject to space availability, if you have booked a Prepaid or Reservation Only fare you can:

• Change to a different standard or oversize vehicle type at no cost
• Change the size of your vehicle and either pay or receive a refund for any price difference

Subject to space availability, if you have booked a Saver Fare you can:

• Change to a different standard or oversize vehicle and either pay or receive a
  refund for any price difference
• Change the size of your vehicle and either pay or receive a refund for any price difference

View a full list of our booking cancellation and change policies

  

What happens if I book a Saver fare from the wrong departure terminal?

If you book a Saver fare for travel in the wrong direction, you can change your departure terminal or change to a different route between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island for a $5 change fee. Saver fare pricing is only available on select sailings, subject to availability, so you may have to pay the difference to switch to a different fare, or a more expensive Saver fare. You can change your booking to an alternate sailing up to one hour before scheduled departure.

  

I booked a Prepaid fare but decided not to travel. Can I get a refund?

Yes, all unclaimed Prepaid bookings will be automatically refunded seven days after your booked departure date, less a $15 cancellation fee.

  

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

We'll get you on the next available sailing where space is available if your sailing is cancelled. Scheduled sailings may 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 based on the 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.

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 at no additional cost to an alternate sailing, later in the day, based on space availability. Alternate sailings may have limited reservation space due to previous bookings.

If your booking is moved, you will be notified. If we are not able to move your booking, you will be notified in advance that your booking has been cancelled, your fares and any reservation fees will be refunded. If you choose to rebook, your original fare will not be guaranteed, as Saver fares have limited availability and Prepaid fares vary by sailing. 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 or Prepaid fare at full price.

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.

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 the day of travel?

In the event of schedule changes known in advance of the day of sailing, we will move you to the next scheduled sailing at no additional cost, based on space availability. Alternate sailings may have limited reservation space due to previous bookings.

If your booking is moved, you will be notified. If we are not able to move your booking, you will be notified in advance that your booking has been cancelled, your fares and any reservation fees will be refunded. If you choose to rebook, your original fare will not be guaranteed, as Saver fares have limited availability and Prepaid fares vary by sailing. 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 or Prepaid fare at full price.

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

Following the introduction of these new fares, we’ll be listening to your feedback to inform how we expand new fare choices to additional bookable routes.

To find out more about how we’re keeping you safe and moving, visit our COVID safety page.