The quick verdict
The bottom line: walking onto the Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay ferry is the easiest and cheapest way to get from Vancouver to Victoria without a car. You do not need a reservation, the ticket costs around $21, and the 95-minute sailing through the Gulf Islands is half the experience. Just show up early, buy your ticket at a kiosk, and follow the signs. It is nearly impossible to get lost.
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Watch: the full video walkthrough
I filmed the entire trip as a walk-on passenger, from the drive down Highway 17 to stepping off at Swartz Bay. Everything below matches what you will see in the video, with the fares and logistics filled in.
Walk-on vs bringing a vehicle
The biggest decision is whether to take your car or walk on. Driving gives you freedom on the other side, but it costs a lot more: a standard vehicle fare is around $89 on top of the passenger fares, and on busy weekends you will want a reservation or you risk sailing waits. Walk-on passengers pay only the foot passenger fare (around $21 for an adult as of September 2026, kids 5 to 11 about half that, under 5 free), do not need a reservation, and can almost always get on the sailing they want.
Walking on also means you skip the entire vehicle lineup. You park or get dropped off, walk into the terminal, buy a ticket, and board through the foot passenger entrance. If your trip to Victoria is centred on downtown, which is very walkable and well served by transit, leaving the car behind is the move. BC seniors ride free Monday to Thursday (excluding statutory holidays), which makes the walk-on option even better for eligible travellers.
Booking and reservations
Here is the good news: walk-on passengers do not need a reservation. You can buy a foot passenger ticket at the terminal on the day of travel, and outside of major holidays there is always room.
You can also book online in advance if you want the security of a confirmed sailing. One thing to know: if you book a foot passenger ticket online, you still have to see a ticket agent at the terminal to pick it up. There is no way to print a foot passenger ticket at home or pull it up on your phone the way you can with some vehicle bookings, so budget a few extra minutes for that.
If you are buying at the terminal, skip the long ticket line and use the self-serve kiosks. They are much faster, especially if you are cutting it close to departure time.
Getting to Tsawwassen terminal
If you are driving, take Highway 17 south. It is a straight shot all the way to the terminal; the road literally ends at the ferry. As you get close, the signage splits the road into clearly marked lanes early, so you will know well in advance where you need to be. Walk-on passengers should stick to the left lane, which takes you toward long-term parking or the foot passenger drop-off area. Vehicles boarding the ferry stay in the right lanes. Staff are usually out directing traffic when it gets busy.
If you are parking for the day or longer, use the long-term lot. Note your stall number and your licence plate, because you will need both at the pay station. Head to one of the red-roofed pay stations marked long-term; the machines take tap, credit card, and Apple Pay. Expect to pay around $16 to $20 for 24 hours as of September 2026, and note that the long-term lot can fill up on weekends and holidays. The stall numbers get painted and repainted, so if yours is worn out, check the numbers on the spots beside you to figure out where you are parked.
No car? Take the TransLink 620 bus from Bridgeport Station on the Canada Line. It runs right to the terminal, and the bus stop is a short walk from the foot passenger entrance. Give yourself extra time for the connection, especially on weekends when bus frequency drops.
Check-in and boarding
Once you have your ticket, check the top: it tells you which berth you are departing from. Then just follow the signs. The terminal is extremely well signed, with clear markers for each berth and digital screens showing the next sailing time and destination. Staff are around if you need help, but you will not.
A couple of terminal tips from my walkthrough. Certain berths, like berth 3, have outdoor access points where you can step outside before boarding. It is a great way to get fresh ocean air and avoid the crowds if the terminal is packed. Berth 3 also has washrooms, but you will need to navigate a few flights of stairs to reach them, so keep mobility in mind. If you are hungry before boarding, the SNB Cafe is the main food option inside the terminal, with quick choices from chips and pop to ready-made sandwiches.
When it is time to board, there is no need to rush. Everybody with a ticket is getting on, and there is plenty of space for foot passengers. You will hand your physical ticket to a BC Ferries staff member at the gate, then head up the hallway to the vessel. It is the same hallway arriving passengers use to get off, so watch the flow once and you will have it figured out.
What the sailing is like
The crossing takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes, and there is far more seating than you would expect, spread across multiple decks. It feels like a mad rush when everyone boards at once, but unless the ferry is completely full, you will find a spot without any trouble.
For food, the Coastal Cafe is the main dining area. If you just want a drink, snack, or something quick, use the self-serve line on the left. If you want something hot or made fresh, order on the right: burgers, sandwiches, soup, breakfast plates, baked goods, and rotating daily specials. BC Ferries has also started serving alcohol on board, with a two-drink limit per person, and you have to order a full meal to be eligible. The Passages gift shop is worth a browse for souvenirs, including BC Ferries branded merch.
If you want a quieter experience, there are paid lounge options. The Seascape dining lounge is a sit-down space with unlimited coffee, tea, and soft drinks for an entry fee, plus full meals. The Sea West Lounge on deck 6 costs $14 and includes coffee, tea, and light snacks; the real value is the atmosphere, with no phone calls and hushed voices only. On a packed sailing it is worth every penny. Deck 6 also has workstations with their own power outlets, which are great for getting work done or charging your gear, plus the Arbutus coffee bar for specialty coffee and a dedicated children’s play area.
Outside, there are multiple decks for walking around and taking in the view. Deck 7, the sun deck, is the highest point on the ship and has the best views, though it gets windy since you are fully exposed. On a sunny day this is where you will want to spend the whole trip. There is a dedicated pet area with water bowls if you brought a dog. Note that smoking and vaping are not allowed anywhere on the vessel, including the outdoor decks.
The route itself is the highlight. The sailing threads through the southern Gulf Islands, passing Salt Spring, Galiano, Pender, Mayne, and others, with forested bluffs and small communities along the shore. Active Pass, the narrow channel between Galiano and Mayne with its sharp turns and swirling currents, is a standout moment. Keep your eyes open for orcas, humpbacks, porpoises, sea lions, and bald eagles along the treelined shores. On a clear day it feels more like a coastal nature cruise than a ferry ride.
Arriving at Swartz Bay and getting into Victoria
As you approach Swartz Bay, the captain will announce that drivers should return to their vehicles and foot passengers should start heading toward the exit. Like boarding, there is no need to rush. Just follow the flow of people toward the clearly marked foot passenger exit.
Once off the ship, keep to the right if you are catching a bus. BC Transit routes 70 (Downtown Express) and 72 run from the terminal to downtown Victoria, dropping you at Government and Superior Streets near the Royal BC Museum and the legislature. The 70 is the express and makes fewer stops; budget roughly an hour for the ride. The cash fare is $2.50, and if you are making a return trip or riding more buses that day, the $5 DayPASS is the better deal since BC Transit does not do transfers. Taxis are usually lined up for arriving passengers, and if someone is picking you up, continue straight ahead toward the main parking lot. If you spot the lineup of passengers heading back toward Vancouver on your way out, that is the return queue, handy to note for your trip home.
FAQ
Do walk-on passengers need a reservation?
No. Foot passengers do not need a reservation on the Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay route, and there is almost always room. You can book online in advance for peace of mind, but you will still need to see a ticket agent at the terminal to collect your ticket, so it does not save you much time.
How early should I arrive?
Aim to be at the terminal 30 to 45 minutes before departure as a walk-on. That gives you time to park, buy your ticket at a kiosk, and walk to your berth without rushing. If you booked online and need to see an agent, or if you are travelling on a long weekend, give yourself a full hour.
How much is the walk-on fare?
Around $21 for an adult one way as of September 2026. Kids 5 to 11 are about half that, and under 5 ride free. BC seniors travel free Monday to Thursday, excluding statutory holidays. Fuel surcharges can nudge the total slightly, so check bcferries.com before you go.
Can you get to the terminal without a car?
Yes. On the Vancouver side, the TransLink 620 bus runs from Bridgeport Station (Canada Line) directly to Tsawwassen terminal. On the Victoria side, BC Transit routes 70 and 72 connect Swartz Bay terminal to downtown Victoria. The whole trip is very doable car-free.
What is there to do onboard?
Plenty. The Coastal Cafe serves hot meals and quick snacks, the Passages gift shop has souvenirs, and there are paid lounges (Seascape dining lounge, $14 Sea West Lounge) if you want quiet or unlimited coffee. Deck 6 has workstations with power outlets, a coffee bar, and a kids play area. Outside, deck 7 has the best views of the Gulf Islands, and there is a pet area if you brought a dog.
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