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BC Ferries
Category: Hotels & Travel Transportation Public Transportation Public Transportation [Edit]
1 Ferry CausewayDelta, BC V4M
(604) 943-9331
42 reviews for BC Ferries
42 reviews in English
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Review from Brian S.
As the occasional Bike &Walk on passenger. B.C. Ferries works for me. It is starting to get a bit pricey to take the ferry to Victoria for a day trip with Bike at $32.00. Regardless of cost its one of the best ways I know of to see the B. C .Coast.
I like to see more seating better in the main cabins and to be able to ride in the front section of the boat take in unobstructed views
I know every loves to complain about the ferries food service it is expensive for what you get. If your motivated you can always pack your own meal from home or get some take out on the way to the ferry. Car Prices for and Island for a day trip are over the top price wise as part of a weekend away the costs starts to average down. -
Review from Jew C.
Burnaby, BC
3/2/2012 3 Check-ins Here
~~~----W IND ~~~~ --~- winD ~~--~-~-WINDY!!!
Dress for the occasion. -
Review from Louise G.
12/3/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I'm on a boat, going to an island. Or I'm coming back from one.... how could anything be wrong with that?
Well other than the usual range of things that could go wrong, lets just say that quite often I find that these adventures or trips on BC Ferries, whether for pleasure or otherwise, are always decent. And with a lot of things travel related, you have to give yourself time and space and a good frame of mind; make it an 'adventure' or your are setting yourself up to be disappointed or frustrated.
I do find some of the terminals including this one a bit confusing. If I wasn't sure what the directions the ticket agent had given me, I wouldn't be sure from the signage where to go. Potential for mistake might mean you go to the wrong place, but I'm sure that might be discovered when upon boarding, unless it wasn't. YIKES. But it's not like you are going to end up in Kingston Jamaica, instead of Kingston Ontario.... A minor potential inconvenience. I guess the wait for the ferry was too long for me to be considering such a thing... I worry too much. Like my mother. And now I'm worrying that I've turned into my mother. Great. I need a vacation. To an island, even for the day.
FERRY! -
Review from Julian H.
5/9/2012
We were really impressed with the comfort of the boats, and the kids play areas were great, I wish they had those on the Washington ferries. The crossing was easy, once you get aboard, though the wait can be hours long. I wish the wifi had been better, it was very spotty and non-existent in parts. Also certain parts of the boat were closed off, unfortunately. The onboard food was just okay. Be warned this is very expensive, I think we paid $80 each way!
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Review from Rudy W.
5/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
not a whole lot of options to go to victoria from Vancouver :)
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Review from Melissa E.
Vancouver, BC
11/13/2011
Man oh man. I have a love/hate relationship with the ferry. The love comes from the fact that when i'm on it, I'm usually heading somewhere awesome like Tofino or Juan de Fuca trail.
But the hate is because they are so crazy expensive!! A CBC listener put it well...this is supposed to be a continuation of a highway system and no way would you ever consider a toll that high. I'm not saying people shouldn't pay at all, but I think the prices are exorbitant at best.
Also, the seats are so uncomfortable. Let a sister get some shut eye without the immediate need for a chiropractor !! Good god.
But, at the end of the day, it's kinda like going to the airport for me...just means adventure beckons! And with the right company, it's always a good time.Listed in: All aboard!!!
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Review from Nicole F.
10/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been traveling with BC Ferries for years and it has always been a perfectly pleasant experience. The fares are decent for walk ons, though they seem to have gone up since the last time I sailed, but not by much.
I love the convenience of the self-serve ticket dispensers (debit and credit friendly, oh my!) because they're so much faster than waiting in line to pay with cash, and if you're anti-social or an asshole, you won't have to deal with human interaction or risk offending someone. (lighten up bro)
I don't know how long BC Ferries has had free wi-fi on board, but I discovered it on my last trip and was happy to see that they've stepped it up.
Other things I love about taking the Ferry in point form:
-The outside deck in the spring and summer. The view is incredible, the breeze is warm and inviting, and you can relax with some music if you wish.
-The freakin' White Spot. Nobody serves up a delicious and messy veggie burger like these folks, so I'm happy to have them on board because I always know what I'm getting.
-The polite, yet stern announcement asking customers to get the hell out of the cafeteria when they're done eating so that other people can sit down and enjoy their meal.
-The warning before they blow the horn, so that you don't go deaf.
-The little coffee/muffin stops you can browse if you don't feel like throwing back a greasy burger and fries.
-The little educational presentation they have on the outside deck when the weather is nice! I've only seen one and it was about lighthouses.
-The washrooms are very well maintained, which is important to me because I'm a god damn princess.
-The last trip I went on, my ticket on the way to Victoria said I was an Adult Beaver, and on the way back to Vancouver I was an Adult Cougar.
I'm happy to sail with BC Ferries any time!Listed in: Touristy Things
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Review from Diana B.
8/9/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Just by doing extra research about BC Ferriesbefore taking my trip to Victoria, it seemed so much more difficult. Come to find out upon entering, it was Easy breezy...
We took our car with 5 passengers = $108
I can't believe how easy it is, seriously! You pay, drive on through, and hang out on the Ferry...
Food is a little pricey, so pack a lunch. The ride is nice and smooth. There are activities for the kids. Shopping for the Adults.
Awesome times, and you will definitely find me on a BC Ferry again! -
Review from Duke D.
1/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Very clean, on time, inexpensive, and comfortable. The best ferry ride I have been on ever! BC knows how to work their ferry system...
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Review from Emily-Anne P.
Vancouver, BC
2/12/2011 6 Check-ins Here
I take the ferry every weekend from Victoria to Vancouver and back. I've been doing it for most of my life and I have a bunch of coping mechanisms for the ferry:
- bring your own food, get a snack or something, and only eat the fries. The rest of it is fine if you are hung over, but really there's only so much whitespot a person can consume in their life.
-have something to read, even if you aren't going to read it just have it so that you can hold it up if people look like they want to talk to you.
-time your departure, my suggestion is if you are planning on taking public transit on either side make sure that you are ready and down by the walk off exit about 25 min before the boat docks. if you are there early you are sure to get a seat on the bus.
-bring a drink, seriously. i didn't start bringing my own drinks until recently and it really does make the experience a whole lot more pleasant.
-try not to get the Coastal class ferries. They suck, the best are the refurbished Queen class, best places to sit.
-don't sit by the washroom or the kids area. no matter how much you think it might be good, but it wont be, it will smell like urine, both from the washroom and from the kids.
-the wifi is great, i will give them that.
-they are very clean. seriously, they used to be disgusting but now they are a lot better. -
Review from Sarah D.
7/5/2011
I just took the Vancouver to Victoria and back twice this weekend and was super impressed. I am used to taking the Washington State Ferries, which are ok, but nothing compared to the BC Ferries. They are super clean, fast and the check in and wait times were a breeze. They have a great shop on board for all kinds of books, clothes and tchockies. They even have a buffet and nail salon/massage in addition to the regular cafe. On the second ferry we took they had a naturalist presentation where you could sit out on deck and hear all about the wildlife of the area. An hour and a half flew by. The only drawback was the price. It was vastly higher than what we pay on the WA State Ferries, but it is a much nicer experience.
PS: The ferry terminal at Tsawwassen is awesome. They have a whole mini mall with numerous food choices, little shops and a very clean restroom. The metaphysical shop is particularly nice. It's great that they announce the time to go back to your cars for loading well in advance on a clear loudspeaker. So, you can just enjoy and hang out till it's time to go... -
Review from Vb L.
1/15/2011
Considering the amount of traffic that gets shuffled through their ports, the BC Ferries are really on top of things. We've never had a problem with getting on or off the ferries because it's so organized. And everyone's so polite. From the ticket booth workers to the traffic controllers to the restaurant vendors, they are courteous and usually a pleasure to talk to.
The boats are clean, with plentiful restrooms, WiFi work stations, lots of seating and lots of random plugs for the computer user. The food options are pretty good. You have a choice of eating in the cafeteria or the buffet. We usually go to the cafeteria because it's cheaper than the buffet, and the food isn't too bad. Greasy burgers, fries, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, stuff like that. The buffet is a bit more upscale. Steak, roasted chicken, salad bar. Love their mashed potatoes and gravy. Yummy!
My favorite part of the ferry ride is standing outside, breathing the fresh air and looking at the spectacular surroundings. No matter how cold it is, I stand at the front of the bow and breath in the beauty of BC (kind of like Titanic, except without Leo DiCaprio and the sinking ship part).
I love the ferry rides and would give them five stars if it wasn't so darn expensive. I can't imagine living on the island and paying the hefty $110 one-way fee every day to work in Vancouver. Then again, you get what you pay for and the ferris are pretty great!Listed in: Water Baby!!
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Review from Eva B.
12/31/2010
Oh BC ferries there is so much to say, but not enough time or space. First of all a list of positive recollections. The ferry interiors have for the most part been upgraded on the busier routes. If you are traveling to the smaller islands or more remote routes maybe not, but generally these are short trips so it doesn't really matter unless you have to go into one of the scary bathrooms. The ferry I take the most is the Departure Bay-Horseshoe Bay route. For this route the ferry corporation has things down pat. They usually offer two food areas including a smaller cafe and a cafeteria, a news stand and gift shop, arcade, play area for children and a sundeck for smokers and whale watchers. So if you are sitting in your car please come on up and spend some more money... I mean, enjoy the amenities.
On both sides, the mainland and island route, the terminals have had a major upgrade and wow, they even have a self check-in where you can use a debit card. I have been waiting years for this as I was getting a little tired of the long line ups and cash or credit-only shtick. They also now have adequate seating in the waiting rooms, which are also heated, and have clean washrooms. In addition, the staff are really great. Always helpful and professional for the most part.
My biggest pet peeve with the ferry is tardiness. Now if I say I'm going to leave at 3 pm and I have been operating a ferry for umpteen years I should know what it takes to leave on time. I can understand being late due to horrible weather, accidents, medical emergencies but other than that, not much more. The one I hear most often is heavy traffic. I just happened to be on the ferry recently and although there were hardly any cars the heavy traffic excuse was put forth. The ferry was a half hour late leaving. That means if you are taking the bus on the other side, you just missed it and will likely have to wait 30-40 minutes for another one. I also noticed that they were having a lot of trouble coordinating the loading of the ferry which was only a third full. I wonder how many ferries actually leave on schedule.
Second pet peeve is the bus service offered on the ferry. This Fall I decided that, as the ferry was terribly late, I would go and buy a bus ticket to downtown Vancouver. I went to the counter as the announcement said and waited for the bus driver. No one showed up so I went to the chief stewards office to inquire. Apparently the bus contractor was not fulfilling their duty to provide bus service as it was costing them too much money. They had reduced the scheduled routes, but didn't bother to leave a sign at the desk. I think that it is partially BC Ferries' responsibility to hold the bus provider to their contract. At minimum, inform passengers that bus service is not available. Of course the best times to take the bus are during holidays (from the bus terminal-not the ferry) and if you are getting into Horseshoe Bay past 9pm (no more express 257 bus).
My third pet peeve is the price. The ferry is way too expensive for an essential service. However, every once in a while the ferry offers a discounted rate to keep the plebeians happy. In my observations it is only during the week days or before or after holidays during slow times. Basically they get to look good by offering the deal, but the majority of their patrons who travel on weekends and during civic holidays don't benefit.
My fourth and final pet peeve is parking. If you have ever checked the parking lot availability online in Horseshoe Bay and it says 80% full then just take the bus or drive on the ferry as when you arrive you will see a 'lot full' sign. I have been duped by this a few times and nothing has ever been resolved after a few complaints. The parking lot saves parking spaces for BC Ferry staff. I assume 20% of their spaces. This is a total burn as there is so little parking offered in town. In addition, the parking 'police' waiting at the drop off and pick up areas are horrible. They want you to buy a parking ticket to wait for a passenger on a ferry that guess what - is most likely late to arrive.
Anyway from years of ferry travel here is my sage advice. If you have to catch the bus at Horseshoe Bay do not check your luggage carry it on, line up early to get off and speed walk/run off the ferry so you have a chance at getting a seat on the bus. Definitely bring a snack and a tea bag. Hot water is free, but the food and beverages sold on the ferry are far too overpriced! Sit upstairs on a sunny day and enjoy the glorious view. In the summer if you want to drive take the Tsawwassen to Duke Point ferry as the wait is usually much shorter. The sailing takes longer, but with the 'heavy traffic' conditions along the Horseshoe Bay ferry route I think the journeys end up being about the same. If you have to get on the ferry and you are driving during the peak season make a reservation there and back. -
Review from Caitlin S.
6/2/2011
Okay, to be fair - I haven't actually EMBARKED on my bcferries trip yet. So I'll be back to update.
But - my experience booking my trip has just been awesome.
My husband and I are going from Seattle to Quadra Island, spending a night in Victoria on the way. We had to book 4 ferry rides with a car and a hotel in Victoria. We did it for a bit under $300.
The customer service was just AMAZING. I spoke with 2 different women,
and they were both exceptionally sweet, helpful and on top of things. -
Review from Larry L.
Updated - 3/14/2011 3 photos
7 am ferry to Victoria.
Breakfast on the boat.
Had the protein platter.
greasy.
salty
all that I shouldn't eat.
Yum.
My liver is killing me now.
What is it about ferry rides? I have to eat bad food?
thankfully for lunch and dinner they have White Spot food and decent salads.Listed in: Where do Rally Drivers Eat?
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/21/2010
I love the newer bigger ferries.
The new boats offer more space, more stuff to do and of course… Read more »
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Review from Gary E.
Believe it or not this was the first time we've ever taken ferry transportation. I was pretty excited to say the least! I just love boats...
BC Ferries hosts a number of routes in Canada and the one for our trip's purposes was for Vancouver Island. I guess the only way to get to Victoria is either by ferry or plane.
I was surprised how big this thing was! Seven deck levels that included a vehicle deck which I thought was so cool.
On board there's a gift shop, a snack bar, a buffet, an arcade room, conference room and more. Just add a couple more bells and whistles and this ferry can pass for a mini cruise ship in my book. There was even a little show and tell presentation about Coastal Naturalist on the sun deck.
We enjoyed the relaxing scenic beauty along the way - the ooh and ahh factors were in effect!
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It took us roughly a little over an hour and a half to disembark at Swartz Bay.
BC Ferries I loved every minute... I just couldn't get that Christopher Cross song out of my head!...Listed in: You've gotta see or try it at…
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Review from Lex B.
9/24/2010
I actually really enjoy the ferry - I am back and forth at least a few times a year.
The summer is the best time to enjoy the ferry. Nothing beats relaxing on the deck while weaving gently through the islands. On occasion I've seen orcas, eagles, herons, hawks, and all sorts of westcoast wildlife. During the summer months they even have a presenter on board to tell a little about the surroundings and tell historical local stories. This year I learned about lighthouses! Years past I've seen orcas breach, learned about octopus, and seen this amazingly beautiful phenomena where the sea water and river water crashes against each other leaving blue water and brown silty water separated entirely by a tumultuous white line.
Foot passenger is the way to do it - it's never too full, and there are buses, both public and charter to get into and out of Victoria and Vancouver. The public buses are ALWAYS crowded, but for $2.50 - deal with it.
The food is moderately overpriced. The buffet is OK, but only worth it if you eat a LOT of have a few really hungry kids - last time I checked under a certain age was free!
What could make this better? A bar. An onboard bar would make the trip unstoppable. Grab some liquor to discreetly on the way and you're pretty much set. -
Review from Catherine W.
New Westminster, BC
9/9/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Since there is no other way over to the Island that's less expensive I will give BC Ferries a 4 star rating. If the powers that be would finally build a bridge I would be in heaven but I digress.
On my last venture to the island it cost 3 of us $70 each round trip. Then you factor in food. Please be advised to bring your own. The good thing about the ferry is the beauty of the areas it sails trough. Nothing like seeing Whales off the bow of the ship to brighten your sailing day.
The washrooms are generally clean and I have never had to wait too long, even on a long weekend. At this terminal there are actually places to shop if you get there early, which you should.
If you are driving on I would suggest also making a reservation if you have to be on a particular ferry. -
Review from Elle D.
Burnaby, BC
9/7/2010
Oh how I wish you were still government owned!!! Expensive parking, food and fares. I don't know how anyone can afford to drive on anymore. Since there is really no practical alternative of getting to the island (flying is ridiculous expensive), BC ferries is taking advantage of tourists and locals alike. Lots of unnecessary renovations and clunker ferries still running. I used to be able to afford to visit the island at least 3 times a month and now it's down to once a year :(
If you've never taken BC ferries I suggest not sitting on the upper decks unless you have kids. Don't waste your money on the massage chairs either (They have a habit of not working after you've paid), and eat either before or after the ride (You'll save a ton). And finally, bring a jacket if you're planning on going on deck, it gets fairly chilly even in the summer months.
:) -
Review from Ryan B.
9/2/2011
Took the ferry from Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Victoria (Swartz Bay). The ferries I rode seemed brand-new, very well appointed (free wifi), and felt more like a cruise ship. The price ... wow. $130 round-trip (one car, one passenger). I should've done my research: You can park at the terminal, walk on-board for much less, and while on-board, buy a bus ticket to Victoria. Probably would've saved some money and gas.
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Review from Jason D.
Vancouver, BC
9/24/2010 1 Check-in Here
So...you're backpacking through Vancouver and you need somewhere to skin up and hacky sack in the sun, the BCF crossing can be an enjoyable trip once or twice. But if you're forced to rely on the BCF for a long weekend or, god forbid, regular transportation, the BCF is a nightmare; one that lasts for 1 hour and 35 minutes!
And that is why I like to fly.
The BC Ferries get one star for having Triple-O's on-board and one more for being there when the seaplanes can't cross. That's where the benefits for me cease to exist. -
Review from Jenni B.
6/16/2009
BC Ferries offers the most economical way to get from the Mainland to the Island (and vice versa). There is walk on, bike on, drive on options to satisfy whichever type of travelling you are doing.
My most frequented route is the Tswwassen to Duke Point route - unfortunately I was plague with the Queen of New Westminster boat on one too many occassions - this vessel is likely one of their oldest, built in the 40s, it shakes the entire way, resulting often in discomfort for even those who do not suffer motion sickness. Vessels cruising to Victoria are much nicer.
In peak travel times it is best to reserve a spot on the ferry, I have sat through a couple three sailing waits on hot summer days.
The ride on BC Ferrys overall is lovely though, especially on a nice sunny day. I typically end up whipping out my camera at one point or another. They also have a good cafeteria with awesome staff (one bloke who was working as cashier had me in absolute stitches one night).
Aside from their increasing prices, and the fact travelling by boat as compared to plane is slower I think BC Ferries is A-okay -
Review from Tony S.
5/1/2010
Route: Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver) to Departure Bay (Nanaimo).
Qualifications for this yelp: a) visitors to British Columbia; b) comparatively length visit/stay: 10 days; c) the desire to see as much as possible AND be off the road as much as possible; d) areas visiting: Vancouver, Whistler, Victoria and environs.
The BC Ferries experience: FIVE for sure. Why?
1. We made every effort to prepare an itinerary that was as well-thought-in-advance as possible and with as much opportunity to adjust as necessary once underway. In this case, the BC Ferry from West Vancouver to Vancouver Island (Victoria) fit right in.
2. Online reservation booking, in advance, assured that we would have a spot on a particular sailing. We did just that. Once we arrived at the Vancouver terminal/landing, we paid the additional collections via credit card. Very simple, efficient and pleasant. We were checked in and in line with little distraction.
3. Our arrival at the West Vancouver terminal (Horseshoe Bay) allowed us, also, at least a 45 minute opportunity to walk into the waterfront village for site seeing, coffee, souvenirs. Nice, nice.
4. Onboard: ample window-side seating on the upper decks for photos, food, beverages, even internet connections (if that's your thing). Clean, bright, comparatively quiet and restful. This city to city crossing takes approximately 1.5 hours. We departed on time; we arrived on time.
5. Cost (compared to vehicle petrel): two adults and 1 vehicle - approximately 75.00 USD. This, as opposed to driving from Vancouver to Seattle and/or Port Angeles to make a similar drive/trip/connections to Vancouver Island (Victoria, etc.)
Treat yourself (if you can). We did. Thank you BC Ferries! -
Review from Alena B.
5/24/2011
The prices are just too high...the food isn't good and it's a long ride from Vancouver to Victoria Island. We spend a lot of time in Seattle and were expecting Seattle Ferry-like prices and were blown away by the almost 100 for three of us to go one way to Victoria...and then of course you are stuck and have to pay to go back. :) But seriously...the ferries are clean and safe and the staff seemed nice enough. One of them did yell at me for pulling forward with my young son in my lap in the car...but i seriously thought I was far enough up when I stopped the car and got my screaming kid out of his seat. They did let me have warm warted for formula though which was nice of them. They have a nice playroom inside where my little boy watched other kids play on the slide and played on the little cars. All the parents in the room were really responsible and kept an eye on everyone's kids.
I just wish it didn't cost so much. Victoria is beautiful but i cannot say I'd make the trek again based on the price. -
Review from Reena M.
9/16/2009 2 Check-ins Here
I love the ferries! Especially the modern, up to date ones. I like that there are shops on board that don't sell junk only! I bought my favorite pair of funky silver earrings from there. And the view outside is amazing.
On the other hand, the food is horrendous and a rip off. Cafeteria breakfast for $9? Well I would settle for horrendous on the ferry if I'm starving, but what about the portion size. This was a measly breakfast. Why can't you put a bit more eggs!? Half a scoop is 1/4 of what the picture shows the dish to have. :( -
Review from Roanna Z.
8/6/2010 3 photos
For me, half the fun of the trip is the ferry ride. I pretend I'm on a cruise ship for a couple of hours. The refreshing wind and the light on the water, the happy vibe of people on holiday all make it such fun.
The ferry has what you need for a comfortable ride including a little shopping and a cafeteria with a *microwave ;-)
You can ride up top for the full cruising experience, or ride inside where it's warm, with windows to the breathtaking views. You can sit with a cup of coffee and a snack.
On the way back our car was on the outside lane, so exiting the car was immediately like having our own balcony. I took some nice pictures of the sun setting behind the mountains.
To note:
If your car alarm is quite sensitive to the shifting movements of the ship it will go off and annoy people, so it's best to disarm the alarm on the journey. Ours went off and they made an embarrassing and almost inaudible announcement over the P.A system. -
Review from Vanessa G.
6/20/2010
The next and only best thing to setting to the Beautiful Vancouver islands (or mainland) other then flying.
Depending on what your doing, i reccommend walking on if you can to save the costs of taking a car. If needed you can usually rent a car at your arrival point for cheaper then taking it on a two way trip. That being said some routes (Bowen Island, Langdale) don't charge for the return trip (yay!).
Check there schedules online ,and also pre book if it's a long weekend to avoid waiting for up to 9 hours (that is the longest i had to wait one year).
Bring food if you can or buy something nice which ever terminal area you are on because the food on board is mediocre cafeteria style and very overpriced.
Other then those issues i find the Ferries very well organized to deal with the high volume of daily neve rending traffic. -
Review from Chris H.
11/10/2008
WOW! I dont know what else to say. I grew up riding ferries from Bainbridge Island, Washington to Seattle and I thought they were always kind of at the forefront of ferry transportation. Boy was I ever wrong! These ferries are totally amazing and have all the amenities and creature comforts you could ever ask for. These ships are beautiful and well maintained. They have a nice galley and dining area and plenty of places to sit back and relax or catch a few Z's.
What really made me happy was that they had a little play area for small children so people are annoyed by mulitiudes of children running amok. I only hope some day the US can catch up to Canada on our transportation. -
Review from Joshua N.
2/28/2011
I love the ferries. And I hate the ferries. I lovehate them.
There are lots of good things to be said about the ferry ride from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (aka Vancouver to Victoria), which is the only one I've traveled so far:
- the boats are very comfortable, even at full capacity
- they are reliable and mostly run on time, even in inclement weather
- the crew is professional and organized (I'm sure getting several hundred people and vehicles onto and off a huge boat takes some serious organizational skills, but they do it well)
- the ride is pretty smooth, given that you are on a boat on the ocean
- the view can be incredible at times
- the one-way trip is short (1hr 35min)
- the walk-on price (ie the price if you are traveling with no car) is very reasonable at $13.50 each way. I don't think there's anywhere else you can get a round-trip ticket to a destination two hours away for only $27.
However, I have some pretty major complaints. I realize not all of these are the current ferry operator's fault (there are some historical and political factors here that I won't get into) -- but this is a review of the service and I have to take them into consideration:
- the food on the ferry is ridiculously overpriced
- the price to bring a car on the ferry is nearly $50. So two people in a car are paying $76 each way. Which wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the fact that...
- THE FERRY TERMINALS ARE 45 MINUTES AWAY FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE DESTINATIONS!!! AAARRRRGGHHH!!!! So a 1h35min trip becomes 3hrs. And forget about taking public transit, it'll just be longer, especially if you happen to miss the bus. Who thought this would be a good idea? Why does Tsawwassen, and all of the 20,000 people who live there, need their own ferry terminal? Does anyone live in Swartz Bay? Aren't there 500 locations closer to Vancouver and Victoria where these things could have gone? I measured it on Google maps, and the distance from downtown Vancouver to the ferry terminal is only 8kms less than the distance that the ferry travels across the Georgia Strait. What??!?! It reminds me of the good old days when the Montreal airport was in Mirabel.
(pant... pant...) OK. I get a little worked up over this. I'm over it now. 3 stars. -
Review from Andrew B.
2/5/2009
I like BC Ferries. From my limited experience with ferries (WSF and a few water taxis in Chicago), I'd put BC Ferries pretty far up the chart.
The ferry I took (Horseshoe-Bowen) was on time. To a fault. We had intended to go to Nanaimo, but missed our ferry by about two minutes. Annoying, but a testament to timetable precision. I'll take it.
The crossing was well-practiced, like a NASA mission control crew that's done this a thousand times, but is still ready for anything.
The crossing is beautiful. Again, being a landlubber, I was blown away. BC is gorgeous. I only wish I had had the time to take the Horseshoe-Nanaimo route or Tsawwassen-Victoria route. Next time. -
Review from Dave D.
Victoria, BC
8/4/2010
The pricing isn't great for what you get - especially when one lives on an island and need to pay there-and-back anytime they want to go anywhere.
I also didn't care for the habit they has of raising prices as gas prices went up but somehow the prices didn't go down when gas prices did.
Given their monopoly it's alright. -
Review from Letie W.
7/7/2011
I took the first AM ferry from Vancouver to Vancouver Island and it wasn't packed unlike the one I took back to Vancouver around 5PM. Overall, clean, nice cafes, good breakfast, and FREE WI-FI!! Yay!!
To take a car + 2 people=$77/each way
Lets talk about reservations-
If you go on the website, you can make "reservations". So this is how the "reservation" system works. You can reserve online for $15 (yes, that is $15 additional on top of the $77-which I obviously didn't realize until I got to the ferry terminal). What the reservation give you is priority on the ferry. So say if you were running a bit late and had to make the rush hour ferry 5PM, as long as you have a reservation, you're guaranteed to be on the boat (basically, you just drive to another lane where they will board you first). If you DO NOT have reservations, then if you're running late, you'll be with the rest of everyone and not be guaranteed to board and may have to wait for the next ferry (up to 4 hours...I read somewhere). So, unknowingly, I bought the reservation while planning my vacation. Thinking back, was it at all necessary for me to purchase? No. I would like to call it a waste of $30. Is it right to do this? Shouldn't it be first come, first serve? You would think, but that's an issue for Canadians.
Check out my pics.
http://what2eatz.blogs... -
Review from Howard L.
5/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
i've been on a lot of ferries in washington but BC ferries are way better. Cleaner, More comfortable seating, faster loading and unloading, and free wifi with business stations. Havent had the food until i do i will leave me ratings at 5 stars.
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Review from Christie S.
Vancouver, BC
1/22/2010 1 photo
If you have ever taken the ferries in Atlantic Canada, you could not possibly assign BC Ferries anything less than 4 stars. I mean really, how much more luxury can one expect for a (usually) less than 2-hour ride?
The larger and newer vessels are like cruise ships. Gift shop, kid's play area (stay AWAY unless you really really love kids), a lounge, business area, cafeteria and full buffet are entertaining on any rainy day, and if it happens to be sunny? Get thee outside and gawk at the ridiculously beautiful scenery.
I have one little issue with BC Ferries: Why do I, in my laughably tiny SmartCar, pay the same price as the guy in the SUV next to me? Not fair, BC Ferries.... but I still love you. -
Review from Chris N.
Victoria, BC
1/21/2009
Well compared to many other ferry systems around the world, these are not bad. The new ferries are an upgrade for sure. It still feels as though we as locals should get some dort of price break over the tourists. Considering it is part of our trans-canada highway.
The views are breathtaking, and if you are lucky you can see killer whale pods on your trip.
Plan to get there early if you are taking a car over. An hour before your sailing is average to make sure you get on. -
Review from Tim S.
8/17/2010
Ferry to Victoria by transit: here's how you do it.
- Take Canada Line out to Bridgeport. Plan on arriving there on the hour before the ferry you want to take.
- Take the 620 bus from bay 3. It runs every 30 minutes on weekends. If you take the one on the bottom of the hour, do us all a favor and don't carp about how you're gonna miss the ferry. We get it: you're both very important and very bad at planning. (You will, though, miss the ferry on that bus.)
- Upon arriving, make a beeline for the self-ticketing machines. There's no reason to stand in the counter line unless you're paying in cash.
- The berth number you're leaving from is, inexplicably, not printed on the ticket itself. But it *is* on the bottom of the receipt, in reverse type.
- Crack open a book or an iPad or something (free WiFi!). I'm an inveterate airport-terminal-wanderer but I gave up, here: there's really just nothing to look at here. No beer, either (sigh).
- Boat!
- On the other side, double-decker buses to downtown will be waiting to your right as you exit the Swartz Bay terminal. Explain politely to the Americans behind you that yes, they ought to have exact fare ($2.50) and no, it doesn't all have to be in quarters (this will only confuse them more until you wave a loonie at them). Both bus decks are uncomfortable in different ways: try them both and choose your poison!
Altogether, I've had way less fun for way more money than my $30 round-trip fare from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay. The route briefly crosses through US coastal waters before heading into scenic narrow passes through the Gulf Islands. The boats are big, solid, surprisingly luxurious affairs with all the amenities of home (provided that home is an upscale suburban strip mall). The passenger decks are fun to climb around and the on-board fast food is only slightly exploitative. You can also enjoy free WiFi and uninterrupted cell phone service.
They're pretty touristy, in both nice ways (the "on-board naturalist presentation" is, giggles aside, a nice touch, though really just for the kids) and slightly gauche ways (middle-aged men in shorts lounging on the life jacket bins like beached whales). Catching the 8pm cruise (Fridays and Sundays only) back to Tsawwassen yields a gorgeous sunset vista this time of year. Only downside: screaming children running around the sundeck. (Parents! You will care a lot more than I do when your child slips and falls overboard! Can't you just leash them?)
It's not knocking the Island to say that that the ferry was one of my favorite parts of the trip. -
Review from Kat S.
8/9/2010
If there were other ways to get to the islands without spending a fortune I would take them. Alas, I am stuck with BC Ferries until I become a billionaire and fly over in my own helicopter.
Normally I try and enter a zen state of mind when required to take a BC Ferry, so I can remain calm, but it was not possible this past weekend. First, we arrived with plenty of time to catch a 12:35 ferry as walk on passengers. The ferry was nowhere to been seen by 12:10. It should have been close to docking. By 12:15 it was barely visible on the horizon. We waited and waited and finally it arrived in the dock at 12:40. So everyone in the waiting area got up and went to the doors. We watched as people unloaded. Then they shut the doors and told us they were not ready to board. They then kept us waiting for 15 minutes for no apparent reason. We finally got on the boat, got some overpriced, mediocre food from the cafe and finished eating by the time the boat finally started moving. The boat left over 40 min late. Eventually, about a half hour into our journey they explained over a crackly, barely audible PA that the reason was because of the accident at Mayne Island a few days previous and they had to wait for other boats to use the dock before they could. Fair enough, but no explanation why it took them an extra 15 min of waiting before we could board. You'd think if they were so behind they would bust their asses a little to get caught up. But the overpaid ferry workers must have needed their union required break time.
If you are running late, let people know. Let them know why. Don't just leave us hanging.
Also, there are some damn old ferries still in service, and smelling exhaust on my journey, freezing my ass off because they keep the doors open, is not my idea of a fun time. Considering how often they jack up their fares, and the massive number of people they move in a day, you would think they could find the funds to fix up some of the older boats like the Bowen Queen. The Gulf Islands get the shaft when it comes to service from BC Ferries.
However, I have had some enjoyable trips on the newer boats (let's not talk about the Fast Cat fiasco...) in the Coastal ___ series of ships. I like the Sitka Lounge, and find the $10 fee to sit in silence, away from wedding parties, tour groups and screaming children, worth the price when you also get newspapers, food and beverages.
I had a super friendly ferry worker at the car ticket booth a few weeks ago, too. Sadly, my good feelings have been squashed by the very rude ferry worker who barged past me, knocked my shoulder, and didn't even say "excuse me" or "sorry" this past weekend.
I ride the ferries a lot and the experience is always Hit or Miss. The upkeep of their ferries, including new ones, appears to be lacking. I watched as a table top on the outer deck of a new ferry fell off as all the rusty bolts dropped to the ground and the top hit an old man in the back. Nice! The ferry workers are the same. New, young and keen staff are not jaded yet, and don't realize they can't be fired, so are friendly and helpful. Older staff, with the exception of some that actually like their job, are grumpy, and unhelpful. I seriously doubt any of those people are going to help you in the event of an emergency, despite being "Transport Canada Safety Certified". They'll be saving their own overpaid asses first. -
Review from Chris H.
11/30/2010
There are better ferries, but not by much.
Some special ferries, like the cross channel ferries between Britain and France offer better service and facilities, but you are on them for hours. For what is basically a transit system the BC ferries are great.
Most recently we traveled from Swartz Bay to Vancouver, the scenery alone was worth the price. The only down side was that I was driving a fairly wide SUV and almost got stuck in the vehicle because the person to my right was over the line and there was some sort of duct to my left.
After taking in the sights from the upper decks we ducked inside for the buffet breakfast down at the stern (though since they are double enders I guess that would be the bow on another day). For the price it was a very reasonable meal, much better than the Washington State ferries offer. The crew were also noticeably more friendly. -
Review from Bryan W.
Vancouver, BC
10/5/2010
I love taking the ferry.When i go i am a foot passenger and there is never a wait unless its the day before a long weekend. If you like wind in your face stand on the forward passenger deck when the boat is moving but do hang onto the handrail. Just a warning though its quite expensive to take the ferry if your driving or taking the bus.Same goes for the food on board as they charge more for then they do on land.You can sit in the lounge on the tsawassen route and watch tv and relax until the ferry docks.
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Review from Jim T.
7/26/2009
I have never ridden on a Ferry before so I have nothing to compare this to, but I really enjoyed the experience. British Columbia is beautiful, beautiful country, and I can't think of a better way to see it, and to get from Vancouver to Victoria that this ferry cruise. The organizational procedures is near perfection. The boat is an amazing feat of engineering. The only reason why they don't get 5-stars is the food looks awful. It is like the food you would expect at a cheap bowling alley in the U.S.A. However, as long as you don't eat aboard the ship, the trip is a delightful and scenic one!
