Tsawwassen
South of Vancouver and commonly used for Swartz Bay, Victoria and Southern Gulf Islands routes.
Metro Vancouver has two major ferry terminals serving different routes. Confirm the correct terminal before arranging transportation.
Choose the ferry terminal from the route, not from whichever terminal sounds closer. Tsawwassen serves major routes including Victoria's Swartz Bay and Nanaimo's Duke Point, while Horseshoe Bay serves routes including Nanaimo's Departure Bay and the Sunshine Coast. Then decide whether to travel as a foot passenger or take a vehicle aboard.
South of Vancouver and commonly used for Swartz Bay, Victoria and Southern Gulf Islands routes.
West Vancouver terminal serving routes including Nanaimo and the Sunshine Coast.
Can work well for walk-on passengers but may involve transfers and luggage handling.
Door-to-terminal travel can simplify early sailings, luggage and groups.
A vehicle may have enough seats but not enough enclosed luggage space.
Luggage guide →Keeping a group together can change the economics and convenience of the trip.
Group guide →Late arrivals, early departures and fixed reservations reduce flexibility.
Transfers between modes matter more when travelling with children, mobility limitations or heavy bags.
A pre-arranged service is one option, not a requirement. Compare the trip details and obtain a confirmed quote before booking.
See pre-arranged ferry-terminal transportation.
BC Ferries limousine service →Planning a Victoria trip?
Victoria guide →Connecting from YVR?
YVR guide →Tsawwassen is south of Vancouver and is the key Metro Vancouver terminal for Victoria via Swartz Bay. It also serves Nanaimo via Duke Point and Southern Gulf Islands routes. Airport and downtown travellers should allow time to reach the terminal before the required ferry check-in.
Horseshoe Bay is in West Vancouver and is used for routes including Nanaimo's Departure Bay and the Sunshine Coast. It is a very different direction from Tsawwassen, so confirming the route before booking ground transportation is essential.
Foot travel can avoid vehicle costs and parking considerations, but passengers must manage luggage and arrange onward transportation. BC Ferries now supports advance foot-passenger booking on several major Metro Vancouver–Vancouver Island routes, while walk-on space can also be available subject to current policies.
A vehicle is useful when the onward itinerary on Vancouver Island or the Sunshine Coast requires one. Reservations and check-in rules matter on busy sailings. Always use the current BC Ferries booking information for the specific route.
Do not treat a ferry connection like a normal city transfer. Add road travel, terminal check-in, the sailing and onward transportation. Tight same-day flight or cruise connections deserve extra buffer.
There is no single best option. Compare the final destination, passenger count, luggage, schedule, mobility needs and whether a reserved vehicle is valuable for this particular trip.
Advance booking is most useful for fixed schedules, larger groups, special vehicle requirements and long-distance trips. On-demand options may be sufficient for simple local travel.
Tell the provider the number of passengers plus full-size suitcases, carry-ons and oversized items. Passenger capacity and luggage capacity are not the same.
Use the relevant airport, transit, ferry, border, attraction or transportation provider for current schedules, fares, operating hours and pickup procedures.