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Book foot passenger travel in advance

Book your foot passenger travel in advance for more travel certainty, a faster check-in process at the terminal and safer travel by reducing contact between customers and employees.

You can book foot passenger travel in advance on the following routes:

  • Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Southern Gulf Islands*
  • Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Victoria (Swartz Bay)
  • Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Nanaimo (Duke Point)
  • Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) – Nanaimo (Departure Bay)
  • Powell River (Westview) – Comox (Little River)
  • Port Hardy (Bear Cove) – Prince Rupert
  • Port Hardy (Bear Cove) – Bella Coola
  • Central Coast Connector Service – Bella Bella (McLoughlin Bay), Ocean Falls, Bella Coola and Shearwater

* Southern Gulf Islands include Galiano Island (Sturdies Bay), Mayne Island (Village Bay), Pender Island (Otter Bay), Salt Spring (Long Harbour), Saturna (Lyall Harbour)
 

 You must redeem your booking to get a boarding pass at a self-serve kiosk or with a ticket agent before proceeding to the waiting room at these terminals:
 
  • Vancouver (Tsawwassen)
  • Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay)
  • Victoria (Swartz Bay)
  • Nanaimo (Departure Bay)
  • Nanaimo (Duke Point)
  • Powell River (Westview) redeem with ticket agent only
  • Comox (Little River) redeem with ticket agent only


Note: There is no additional cost to book a foot passenger fare in advance. Fares are non-refundable.


Customers can safely redeem fully-paid foot passenger bookings for adults and children for the current sailing using the kiosks, allowing for limited contact between customers and employees (including customers booking in advance on the Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands route). Some foot passenger fares are only redeemable by the Ticket Agent and customers will receive these instructions.

Foot passenger booking FAQs

How to book and check in at the terminal
Which routes can you book in advance as a foot passenger?

You can now book foot passenger travel in advance at bcferries.com or through the Customer Service Centre, on these routes:

  • Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Southern Gulf Islands*
  • Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Victoria (Swartz Bay)
  • Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Nanaimo (Duke Point)
  • Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) – Nanaimo (Departure Bay)
  • Powell River (Westview) – Comox (Little River)
  • Port Hardy (Bear Cove) – Prince Rupert
  • Port Hardy (Bear Cove) – Bella Coola
  • Central Coast Connector Service – Bella Bella (McLoughlin Bay), Ocean Falls, Bella Coola and Shearwater

* Southern Gulf Islands include Galiano Island (Sturdies Bay), Mayne Island (Village Bay), Pender Island (Otter Bay), Salt Spring (Long Harbour), Saturna (Lyall Harbour)

 
How do I redeem the booking at the terminal?

When you arrive at the terminal, you must redeem your booking at a self-serve kiosk or with a ticket agent before proceeding to the waiting room. To redeem at a self-serve kiosk, select “Redeem” and follow the instructions. You will need to enter your booking reference number to confirm your booking.

At the Powell River (Westview) and Comox (Little River) terminals, you can only redeem your foot passenger booking with a ticket agent. Both terminals have signage to guide you when you arrive.

Note: discounted fares such as Senior or Student are currently not redeemable at kiosks because identification or documentation is required for check-in.

 

How far in advance can I check in using the kiosk?

If you are travelling as a foot passenger and booked in advance, you can check in and redeem your booking for the next upcoming sailing only (between 60 to 30 minutes in advance of the scheduled departure).

Note: You will be unable to check in or redeem your booking earlier than the current sailing. If you miss your sailing, you can use your fare towards another sailing that day.

 

The kiosk shows the foot passenger fare I’m redeeming is not redeemable at the kiosk, what does that mean?

Most foot passenger bookings are redeemable through kiosks. For the small number of bookings that are unredeemable by kiosks, bookings for sailings other than the next upcoming sailing, or bookings with discounted fares such as senior or student—messaging will appear on the kiosk screen directing you to see a ticket agent to check in.

Note: Powell River (Westview) and Comox (Little River) terminals do not have self-serve kiosks and all bookings must be redeemed with a ticket agent.

Changing or cancelling a booking
Can I change or cancel my foot passenger booking in advance?

Yes, you can change your booking online or through the Customer Service Centre at no charge, up to two hours in advance of the scheduled departure. You are unable to change your booking within two hours of the scheduled departure.

If you miss the sailing you booked, you can use the cost of the fare towards another sailing on the same day. There are no refunds for cancellations.

 

I want to make changes to my booking. Can I do that at a kiosk?
You are unable to make changes to your booking at a kiosk, but you can add more passengers to your booking in a separate transaction. If you need further assistance, see a ticket agent at the terminal.
General questions
The website shows there are no foot passenger bookings available. Does this mean there is no more space on the ferry?

No, it does not mean there is no space available on the ferry. At first we will limit the amount of space available for foot passengers to book in advance. You can still arrive at the terminal and purchase a foot passenger fare without booking in advance.

 

Will you expand to include booking in advance for foot passengers on other routes?
At this time, this option is only available for the three routes between Vancouver and Vancouver Island, and between Powell River and Comox. This option is already available on the Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands and Northern routes. We will update customers if we expand to other routes.

 
Are the foot passenger prices changing?
No, the fares for foot passengers are not changing and there is no reservation fee to book in advance.

Carrying bikes, canoes & kayaks

Check in with a ticket agent at the foot passenger entrance. You will then board the ferry via the vehicle deck, where you will be able to securely stow your gear during the sailing. If your departure terminal does not have a ticket agent or foot passenger entrance, board the ferry at the direction of the crew. There is no fee for your bicycle.

Important: 
  • For your safety, please walk your bicycle when boarding and disembarking

Children travelling without adults

For safety reasons, children under 12 years can't travel alone unless they are going to and from school or school-sponsored events on designated commuter routes.

Important: 
  • Direct supervision isn't available for underage children travelling alone
  • They will need to show a valid student ID at the terminal

Transportation to and from the terminal

If you are getting dropped off or picked up from a terminal, we offer designated drop-off and pick-up areas.

Many of our terminals offer long-term paid parking if you wish to park-and-go. Find and view terminal amenities and parking information at your departure terminal

Bus and coach services are available to and from some terminals.

Lyft
Ride sharing service in Vancouver and Richmond, including Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) and Vancouver (Tsawwassen) terminals. Vehicles will use our regular pick-up and drop-off areas.

Uber
Ride sharing service in Vancouver and Richmond. Please note the current service area does not encompass the Vancouver (Tsawwassen) or Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) terminals at this time. 

 

Check-in and boarding information

Your first step on arriving at the terminal is to check in with a ticket agent or use our self-serve ticket machines, available at select terminals.

We accept the following payment options:

Cash and debit:
  • Cash
  • Debit Interac
  Credit cards:
  • American Express
  • Mastercard
  • Visa
  BC Ferries' card:
  • Experience™ Card


Self-serve payment stations accept debit, credit card and Experience Cards. They are available at the following terminals:


When boarding begins, the gate will open and your boarding pass will be collected as you board the ferry.
How we allocate space for our bookable routes
We provide travel certainty for customers who want to book in advance while keeping a percentage of space for customers who choose to travel without a booking.

Find out more about how we allocate space

Accessibility


If you have accessibility requirements, information on assisted boarding, reduced fares and more is available on our accessibility page.
 
Travelling with your pet on the ferry

Pets

Your small pets, including dogs, cats, birds and more, are welcome on our ferries and ride for free.

Find out more 
Travelling with baggage

Credit: Brian Jackson

Check-in baggage

Take advantage of our secure check-in baggage services - available for foot passengers on select routes.

Find out more 
Travelling with Dangerous Goods on BC Ferries

Dangerous goods

See what goods are classified as dangerous, and learn how to declare them before you travel.

Find out more 
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