Moving from Vancouver to Victoria: Complete Ferry Guide for Movers

Vancouver to Victoria: A Unique Move

Close yet worlds apart, Vancouver and Victoria are two of the busiest markets for Two Small Men with Big Hearts and the trip from the former to the latter is one of the most well-traveled relocation routes. Based on dats fromTwo Small Men's 2025 Year in Review data, Greater Victoria is the #1 long-distance destination for our Vancouver crews. Not to mention that it's also one of the only moves in Canada that requires a ferry crossing.

Every year, scores of vehicles and passengers take the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay route (Route 1), which is BC Ferries' busiest service. It carried 2.1 million vehicles and 6.3 million passengers in the 2024–25 fiscal year alone (source: BC Ferries Performance Report).

It's therefore incredibly important to have everything in order when trying to book passage on the ferry. We've put together tips and strategies to make sure you and your vehicle cross over with no stress.

A Tale of Two Routes

Between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island, there are two main ferry routes:

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

BC Ferries Fare Breakdown for Moving Vehicles (2026)

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

Your Moving Truck Will 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.

What You Can and Cannot Bring on the Ferry

There are few limitations as to what you can bring on a ferry but some items are prohibited according to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act.

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: Double check your moving load before heading to the ferry. Commonly moved items that need to be declared include BBQ propane tanks, gas cans, aerosol cleaning products, and leftover cans of paint. When 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

• 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:

• Make a reservation at least 4–8 weeks in advance, especially in the summer (June through September).

• If possible book mid-week (Tuesday–Thursday) for the best availability.

• Take the ferry early in the morning (7:00–9:00 AM) so you arrive in Victoria with a full day to unload.

• Avoid Friday afternoons and evenings as well as Sunday afternoon — these are the busiest of the week.

• Avoid Long weekends (BC Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving). Book your ferry early and have a backup plan.

Take your reserved times seriously! If you miss it, you'll be loaded on standby after everyone else gets on and this can mean a very long wait if you're trying to get on with a moving truck. 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

For a Vancouver-to-Victoria move, this would be a reasonable timeline estimate for a 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 and Professional Movers Cost Comparison

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

Included in our service is the ferry passage as well as the loading, driving, and unloading. We can coordinate with you if you want to bring your personal vehicle along on the ferry (just $110, or as low as $49 with a Saver fare).

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

What's Up With Victoria?

Things to keep in mind about this beautiful city:

• Rental market: Generally 10–15% lower than Vancouver but low vacancy rates as well. Prepare early.

• Utilities: Victoria is served by BC Hydro as opposed to FortisBC. Set up your account before you get there. For auto insurance, ICBC handles it province-wide, so your coverage will easily transfer.

• Traffic: There is no major bridge crossing to worry about. Traffic is lighter than Vancouver, as is parking. It makes moves go that much faster.

• 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.

Check out the Vancouver condo moving rules guide for tips on elevator booking.

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.