BC Ferries Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (Victoria)
Ferry1 h 35 min
BC Ferries' Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay crossing takes 1 hour 35 minutes and suits a trip to Victoria with a car, and 12 sailings ran each way on Friday 16 October 2026. From a North Vancouver base, the trade-off is the drive south past Richmond to Tsawwassen in Delta.
Photo by Ronin on Unsplash and others, credited in the gallery
Services
| Service | Time | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay | 95 min | 12 sailings from Tsawwassen on Friday 16 October 20267:00 am to 10:00 pm from Tsawwassen on Friday 16 October 2026 | That day's sailings left Tsawwassen at 7:00, 9:00, 10:00 and 11:00 am, then 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, 9:00 and 10:00 pm. The Coastal Celebration and BC Ferries' two Spirit ships took turns on them. |
| Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen | 95 min | 12 sailings from Swartz Bay on Friday 16 October 20267:00 am to 9:00 pm from Swartz Bay on Friday 16 October 2026 | That day's sailings left Swartz Bay at 7:00, 8:00, 9:00 and 11:00 am, then 12:00, 1:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 pm, and the 9:00 pm ran full. |
Fares
- Adult one way (12 and over)Posted $21.00 at the terminal or prepaid in the fare guide effective 16 June 2026, taxes included, plus BC Ferries' 5% fuel surcharge.$22.05 (2026)
- Adult Saver one way (12 and over)Posted $15.00, paid in full when booking, plus the 5% fuel surcharge.$15.75 (2026)
- Child one way (5 to 11)Posted $10.50 plus the 5% fuel surcharge; under 5 travel free.$11.03 (2026)
- Car and driver one way at the terminalPosted $89.00 for a standard vehicle up to 20 ft plus $21.00 for the driver, with the 5% fuel surcharge on both.$115.50 (2026)
- Car and driver one way, SaverBC Ferries advertises Saver fares from $49 one way for a car and driver ($34.00 vehicle plus $15.00 driver posted); with the 5% fuel surcharge that is $51.45.$51.45 (2026)
- Reservation without prepayingHolds a space; you then pay the at-terminal fare on departure.$20 (2026)
- BicycleBikes ride free; the rider pays the passenger fare.Free
Weather and cancellations
BC Ferries posts delays and cancellations on its current conditions page for the route, on X at @BCFerries and on 1-888-223-3779.
Three ships rotated through 12 sailings each way on Friday 16 October 2026, and both terminals sent the first one at 7:00 am. The last boat left Tsawwassen at 10:00 pm and Swartz Bay at 9:00 pm, and the 9:00 pm from Swartz Bay ran full that night. Counting the 5% fuel surcharge BC Ferries adds at payment, a passenger pays $22.05 and a standard vehicle $93.45 at the terminal on the fares in effect from 16 June 2026, so a car and driver come to $115.50.
Saver fares paid at booking start at $51.45 one way for a car and driver once the surcharge goes in. A Saver passenger pays $15.75 with the surcharge. Paying at the terminal needs no booking at all, and a $20 reservation fee holds a space on a chosen sailing without prepaying.
Cyclists ride the bike lane along the Tsawwassen causeway and check in at vehicle booth 5, and racks stand at several berths. BC Ferries' current conditions page estimates the vehicle space left on each sailing, so check it before a Friday evening crossing. BC seniors travel free on the passenger fare from Monday to Thursday except on holidays.
Worth knowing
- Check the estimated vehicle space on BC Ferries' current conditions page before you leave for Tsawwassen; on 16 October 2026 the evening sailings loaded maximum vehicles.
- Book a Saver fare when your day is fixed, since with the fuel surcharge it starts at $35.70 for the car against $93.45 at the booth.
Quick answers about BC Ferries Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (Victoria)
How long is the ferry from Vancouver to Victoria?
BC Ferries schedules the Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay crossing at 1 hour 35 minutes. On Friday 16 October 2026, 12 sailings left Tsawwassen between 7:00 am and 10:00 pm.
How much is the ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay?
An adult pays $22.05 one way and a standard vehicle up to 20 feet $93.45 on the fares in effect from 16 June 2026, counting the 5% fuel surcharge BC Ferries adds at payment. Saver fares paid in advance start at $51.45 for a car and driver with the surcharge.
Do you need a reservation for the ferry to Victoria?
No. You can pay at the Tsawwassen terminal without a booking, and a $20 reservation fee or a prepaid fare holds a space on a chosen sailing.
Can you take a bike on the ferry from Tsawwassen?
Yes. Bikes ride free on BC Ferries with no reservation, and cyclists check in at vehicle booth 5 at Tsawwassen after riding the causeway bike lane.