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Important travel information

 

Groups travelling with a bus

Applicable routes:

Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Victoria (Swartz Bay)
Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Nanaimo (Duke Point)
Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) – Nanaimo (Departure Bay)
Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) – Sunshine Coast (Langdale)
Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) – Bowen Island (Snug Cove)
Comox (Little River) – Powell River (Westview)
Powell River (Saltery Bay) – Sunshine Coast (Earl's Cove)
Victoria (Swartz Bay) to Salt Spring Island (Fulford Harbour) only
Victoria (Swartz Bay) to Southern Gulf Islands only
 

Arrive at the terminal 30 to 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure


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Vehicle deck safety

Your coach will be directed to the appropriate lane on board by BC Ferries staff. For the safety of your passengers, once the coach is parked, please wait to unload your passengers until vehicles around your coach have stopped moving and are parked in their appropriate spaces.


 

Check in with the Chief Steward

The leader of any youth group, sports team or school group must check in with the Chief Steward once on board the ferry.


 

Vehicle type and size

Your booking will only be honoured for the specific sailing you reserved and is valid only for your selected vehicle type and size.

To make changes to your booking, access your BC Ferries account online.


 

Booking cancellations and changes to ferry travel

A fee will be applied to any bus or group booking cancelled or changed within five days of the scheduled departure. A fee will be applied to any bus and/or group bookings that are not redeemed. Check BC Ferries’ Cancellation/Change policies for details.


 

Conditions of Carriage/Rules & Requirements

By purchasing a booking, you acknowledge your acceptance of BC Ferries’ Conditions of Carriage and Rules & Requirements (available upon request at any terminal, any ferry, or at BC Ferries’ head office). You further acknowledge that the non-authorized resale of a booking, reservation, or ticket is prohibited unless contracted through BC Ferries. 

The non-authorized resale of a booking/reservation is prohibited unless contracted through BC Ferries.


 

Health and safety

To support the health and wellness of our customers and employees, all BC Ferries vessels and terminals are smoke and vape-free environments. BC Ferries has a zero tolerance policy for passengers under the influence of drugs or alcohol and any unacceptable conduct that can be associated with impairment. The consumption of drugs and alcohol on BC Ferries’ vessels and at its terminals is prohibited. We all deserve to feel safe and respected—violence and foul language will not be tolerated and may result in denial of service.

Your coach will be directed to the appropriate lane on board by BC Ferries staff. For the safety of your passengers, once the coach is parked, please wait to unload your passengers until vehicles around your coach have stopped moving and are parked in their appropriate spaces.

Transport Canada safety regulation

In accordance with Transport Canada safety regulations passengers must exit their vehicle on any closed lower deck on a ferry that is underway. A closed vehicle deck is a space that is closed at both ends with limited side openings. Exception: ferries in service on the Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) – Sunshine Coast (Langdale) route.

During boarding, passengers should advise the Chief Steward of any serious medical conditions. BC Ferries staff are trained in emergency first aid; however, there are no qualified medical personnel on board.

Follow us on X @BCFerries for service updates.

Booking change and cancellation

Groups travelling with a bus
Routes between Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Sunshine Coast and Southern Gulf Islands
Changes accepted at terminal on day of departure:
  • Arrived early: groups arriving in time for an earlier sailing, on the date they booked to travel, lose their reservation but may travel on the next available sailing, based on order of arrival at the terminal.
  • Arrived after reservation cut off (as specified on the booking confirmation document): reservation lost, group will travel on the next available sailing, based on order of arrival at the terminal.
  • Arrived late: reservation lost, groups who arrive after the sailing has closed for loading, but on the day they booked for travel lose their reservation but may travel on the next available sailing, based on order of arrival at the terminal. Will incur a $25 no-show fee.
  • Add or remove ≤5 ft.: reservation maintained.
  • Add or remove > 5 ft.: booking will not be honoured, travel based on order of arrival at the terminal.
  • Attempt to check in without a bus: reservation lost, travel based on order of arrival.
 
Changing or cancelling your booking:
A $25 fee will be applied to any bus or group booking cancelled or changed within five days of the scheduled departure. A $25 fee will also be applied to any bookings that are not redeemed. 

 
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