Moving from Vancouver to Victoria: Complete Ferry Guide for Movers

Why the Vancouver to Victoria Move Is Different

Moving from Vancouver to Victoria is the most common long-distance move for Vancouverites. According to Two Small Men's 2025 Year in Review data, Greater Victoria is the #1 long-distance destination for our Vancouver crews — and it is one of the only moves in Canada that requires a ferry crossing.

The Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay route (Route 1) is BC Ferries' busiest service, carrying 2.1 million vehicles and 6.3 million passengers in fiscal 2024–25 alone (source: BC Ferries Performance Report). That volume means booking strategy, vehicle classification, and timing all matter more than most people realize.

This guide covers every detail — including the dangerous goods restrictions and vehicle fare calculations that other moving guides leave out.

Which Ferry Route to Take

There are two main BC Ferries routes from Metro Vancouver to Vancouver Island:

Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (Recommended for Victoria)

• Crossing time: 1 hour 35 minutes

• Drive to terminal: approximately 40 minutes from Downtown Vancouver (via Highway 99 and Highway 17)

• Drive from Swartz Bay to Downtown Victoria: approximately 35 minutes (via Highway 17)

• Total door-to-door: 3–4 hours including the ferry

• Best for: Victoria, Sidney, Saanich, Langford, Colwood, and the entire Capital Regional District

Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (Nanaimo)

• Crossing time: 1 hour 40 minutes

• Drive to terminal: approximately 25 minutes from Downtown Vancouver

• Drive from Nanaimo to Victoria: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes (via Highway 1 south)

• Total door-to-door: 4–5 hours

• Best for: Nanaimo, Parksville, or mid-Island destinations — not recommended for Victoria

For a Vancouver-to-Victoria move, the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay route is almost always the better choice. The total trip is an hour shorter, and Swartz Bay puts you 35 minutes from downtown Victoria versus a nearly two-hour highway drive from Nanaimo.

BC Ferries Fare Breakdown for Moving Vehicles (2026)

BC Ferries charges based on vehicle length and weight classification. Below are the exact fares from the official BC Ferries Fare Index (version 26-02, effective April 8, 2026), for the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay route, one way.

Standard Vehicles (under 5,500 kg registered GVW)

This category covers personal cars, SUVs, pickups, small trucks, and motorhomes that are under 5,500 kg gross vehicle weight.

• Vehicle up to 20 ft (6.1 m): $89.00 at terminal or prepaid

• Saver fare (select sailings): $34.00–$84.00 depending on sailing

• Each additional foot over 20 ft: $8.00 at terminal / $7.00 Saver

• Adult driver: $21.00 at terminal / $15.00 Saver

• Child passenger (5–11): $10.50 at terminal / $7.50 Saver

• Under 5: Free

• BC Seniors (65+, Mon–Thu): Free

Total for a car + 1 adult driver: $110.00 at terminal, or $49.00–$99.00 with a Saver fare.

Commercial Vehicles (over 5,500 kg registered GVW)

Larger rental trucks often exceed the 5,500 kg gross vehicle weight (GVW) threshold. When they do, BC Ferries charges a per-foot rate for the entire vehicle length instead of a flat rate plus extra-length surcharge:

• Per foot (up to 11 ft / 3.35 m wide): $8.00 at terminal / $5.35 Saver

• Per foot (11–13 ft / 3.35–3.96 m wide): $8.15 at terminal

• Adult driver: $21.00 at terminal / $15.00 Saver

What Your Moving Truck Will Actually Cost

Here is what you will pay based on the April 2026 Fare Index. Check your rental agreement for the vehicle's registered GVW to determine whether standard or commercial rates apply.

If your truck is under 5,500 kg GVW (standard rates):

• 15 ft truck: $89.00 vehicle + $21.00 driver = $110.00 one way

• 20 ft truck: $89.00 + $21.00 = $110.00

• 26 ft truck: $89.00 + (6 ft × $8.00) + $21.00 = $158.00

If your truck exceeds 5,500 kg GVW (commercial per-foot rates):

• 17 ft truck: (17 × $8.00) + $21.00 = $157.00 one way

• 20 ft truck: (20 × $8.00) + $21.00 = $181.00

• 26 ft truck: (26 × $8.00) + $21.00 = $229.00

Saver fares can cut these costs significantly. A 26 ft commercial truck on a Saver sailing: (26 × $5.35) + $15.00 = $154.10 — a $75 saving over the at-terminal rate.

Over-Height Vehicle Promotion: Save Up to 50% on Extra Length

BC Ferries offers an over-height Saver fare starting from $59 for a standard over-height vehicle + driver on the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay route. Vehicles over 7 ft (2.13 m) tall — which includes most box trucks, RVs, and moving trucks — qualify for this promotion on select less-busy sailings.

The promotion also reduces the per-foot surcharge for vehicles over 20 ft from $7.05 to $3.50 per foot — a 50% discount. Available on early morning, late evening, mid-week, and select weekend sailings. Must be booked online in advance.

Important: The over-height promotion is only for standard vehicles (under 5,500 kg GVW). It does not apply to commercial vehicles or buses.

Note on current fares: Until April 8, 2026, current fares are slightly lower. A standard vehicle + driver costs $95.00 at terminal ($75.00 vehicle + $20.00 driver). The new fares take effect April 8, 2026.

What You Can and Cannot Bring on the Ferry

This is the section most ferry guides skip — and the one that catches movers off guard. BC Ferries must comply with the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, and many common household items packed in a moving truck are classified as dangerous goods.

Items with Strict Limits

• Propane (BBQ tanks): One (1) cylinder up to 18.9L capacity, OR up to three (3) 1L cylinders. Must be closed and tagged before boarding. Cylinders must be upright and secured to the vehicle.

• Gasoline (jerry cans, lawn mower fuel): One (1) approved 25-litre container or jerrycan, properly secured in the vehicle. If towing a boat or ATVs, two additional 25L containers are allowed in the trailer only.

• Diesel fuel: Generally permitted in approved containers meeting safety requirements.

Items That Require Assessment (Case-by-Case)

• Aerosol cans (hairspray, cooking spray, WD-40, spray paint) — "may or may not be permitted"

• Paint, stain, varnish, lacquer, and related products — "may or may not be permitted"

• Adhesives — some are classified as dangerous goods

• Ammunition — depends on quantity, containment, and stowage

Items That Are Prohibited

• Fireworks — prohibited on BC Ferries

• Butane camping fuel (UN1011) — prohibited

• Damaged or defective EV batteries — prohibited

What You Must Do

• Declare all dangerous goods before booking — select the dangerous goods option when entering vehicle information online

• Arrive at least 45 minutes before sailing at Tsawwassen or Swartz Bay if carrying declared dangerous goods

• Hand baggage must not contain any dangerous goods at any time — this includes carry-on items you take upstairs during the crossing

• Failure to declare is an offence under Canadian law

Mover's tip: Before heading to the terminal, go through your moving load. Common items that need declaring include BBQ propane tanks, gas cans, aerosol cleaning products, and leftover paint cans from the garage. If in doubt, email BC Ferries at dg.bcf@bcferries.com with your travel dates, terminal names, and a list of items and quantities. See BC Ferries' full list of common dangerous goods.

Source: BC Ferries Dangerous Goods Policy.

Booking Strategy: Saver vs Prepaid vs Walk-Up

BC Ferries offers multiple fare types for the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay route. Understanding the differences can save you $60+ on a moving truck crossing.

• Saver: Book online, select sailings only. Lowest price ($49–$99 car + driver). Limited availability — sells out on popular sailings. Includes a free reservation.

• Prepaid: Book online, any sailing, pay in full ($110 car + driver from April 2026). Includes a guaranteed reservation.

• At Terminal: No advance booking, pay when you arrive ($110 car + driver from April 2026). No guaranteed spot — you board after reserved customers.

• Reservation Only: Pay $20 booking fee online to reserve your spot, then pay the at-terminal fare on departure.

Our recommendation for moving day:

• Book a Prepaid or Reservation fare at least 4–8 weeks in advance, especially for summer moves (June through September).

• Target a mid-week sailing (Tuesday–Thursday) for the best availability and shortest waits.

• Choose an early morning sailing (7:00–9:00 AM) so you arrive in Victoria with a full day to unload.

• Avoid Friday afternoon/evening and Sunday afternoon — these are the busiest sailings of the week.

• Long weekends (BC Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving) are the worst for ferry traffic. Book early and have a backup plan.

If your sailing sells out or you miss your reserved time, you will be loaded on a standby basis after all reserved customers. With a moving truck, that can mean a two-hour (or longer) wait for the next sailing. Check the current Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay schedule for available sailings on your moving date.

For more on seasonal moving patterns in Vancouver, see our guide to the best and worst times to move in Vancouver.

Planning Your Moving Day Timeline

Here is a realistic timeline for a Vancouver-to-Victoria moving day, assuming a standard 2–3 bedroom home:

• 7:00 AM: Movers arrive at your Vancouver home, begin loading

• 10:00–11:00 AM: Loading complete, depart for Tsawwassen terminal

• 11:00 AM: Arrive at Tsawwassen (BC Ferries recommends arriving 30–60 minutes before your sailing; 45 minutes if carrying declared dangerous goods)

• 12:00 PM: Board the noon sailing

• 1:35 PM: Arrive at Swartz Bay

• 2:15 PM: Arrive at your Victoria home, begin unloading

• 5:00–6:00 PM: Unloading complete

For larger homes (3+ bedrooms), loading may take until early afternoon. In that case, target a 3:00 or 5:00 PM sailing, with unloading continuing the next morning.

Upper deck loading: If your vehicle is over 7 ft (2.13 m) tall — which includes most rental box trucks and all professional moving trucks — it will be directed to an open upper vehicle deck. Per Transport Canada regulations, passengers must exit their vehicles on enclosed lower decks during the crossing, but on the open upper deck you may remain in your vehicle. Professional movers' trucks are fully enclosed and sealed; if you are driving a rental truck with a roll-up door, make sure it is locked for the crossing. Source: BC Ferries Driving Onboard.

DIY Rental Truck vs Professional Movers: Real Cost Comparison

Both options work for a Vancouver-to-Victoria move. Here is how the ferry costs compare based on the April 2026 Fare Index:

DIY (Rental Truck)

You rent a truck, drive it to the terminal, and take it on the ferry yourself.

• 15 ft truck (standard rate): ~$110 ferry one way

• 26 ft truck (likely commercial): $158–$229 ferry one way

• Truck rental: $80–$200+ one-way depending on provider and season

• Fuel (Vancouver to Victoria): $40–$60

• Your labour: Loading, driving, ferry, unloading — a full day minimum

Estimated DIY total for a 26 ft truck: $400–$550+ including ferry, rental, and fuel — plus your own time and physical effort.

Professional Movers

A professional moving company handles everything — loading, driving, the ferry crossing, and unloading at your Victoria home. The ferry cost is typically included in your moving quote, so you do not pay it separately.

You can take your personal vehicle on the ferry (just $110, or as low as $49 with a Saver fare) and meet the truck at your new home. Or fly to Victoria and skip the ferry entirely.

For a free quote on your Vancouver to Victoria move, get started here.

What to Know About Victoria Before You Arrive

Victoria is a smaller, quieter city than Vancouver — but the rental market is tight and some logistics are different.

• Rental market: Victoria rents are generally 10–15% lower than Vancouver for comparable units, but vacancy rates are among the lowest in Canada. Start your housing search early.

• Utilities: Victoria is served by BC Hydro (not FortisBC). Set up your account before you arrive. ICBC handles auto insurance provincewide, so your coverage transfers seamlessly.

• Traffic: Greater Victoria has no major bridge crossings to worry about for moving trucks. Traffic is lighter, parking is easier, and moves generally go faster than in Vancouver.

• Popular neighbourhoods: Fairfield, James Bay, and Fernwood are popular downtown-adjacent areas. Oak Bay is quiet and affluent. Langford and Colwood offer more affordable suburban options to the west.

• Year in Review: Victoria's top long-distance destination is Calgary, and 80.4% of Victoria moves stay local. 20% of moves are 1-bedroom apartments.

If you are moving out of a Vancouver condo, review our Vancouver condo moving rules guide to make sure you handle elevator booking and certificate of insurance before your moving crew arrives.

Your Vancouver to Victoria Moving Checklist

• Book your BC Ferries reservation 4–8 weeks in advance (earlier for summer moves)

• Check your moving load for dangerous goods — propane tanks, gas cans, aerosols, paint. Declare everything before booking.

• If hiring movers, confirm the ferry cost is included in your quote

• Plan loading to finish at least 2 hours before your target sailing time

• Pack a day bag with essentials for the crossing (snacks, laptop, phone charger, medications)

• Choose a mid-week move to avoid weekend ferry crowds

• Set up utilities at your Victoria home before arrival (BC Hydro, not FortisBC)

• Update your address with BC Services, ICBC, and Canada Post

• If driving your own car separately, book a separate Saver fare to save up to $61

Moving from Vancouver to Victoria is one of the most common long-distance moves in British Columbia — and one of the most logistically unique in Canada. With the right ferry booking, a clear understanding of vehicle fares, and a plan for dangerous goods, it is a smooth transition to island life. Get a free moving quote to see what your Vancouver to Victoria move will cost.

Data sources: BC Ferries Fare Index v26-02 (effective April 8, 2026); BC Ferries Dangerous Goods Policy; BC Ferries Over-Height Vehicle Promotion; BC Ferries Performance and Sustainability Report 2024–2025; Two Small Men Year in Review 2025.