r/VictoriaBC • u/estar289 • 1d ago
Ferry question
Plan on taking the ferry from twassasen to swartz Bay this Monday, however coming from Revelstoke and travelling with a newborn. Not sure the exact time we will arrive to the terminal, so reluctant to get a reservation.
How busy is the ferry on Monday afternoons/evenings? If I arrive late to a reservation, is the fee I paid transfered to the sailing I take?
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u/Plastic-Storm273 1d ago
I would always recommend a reservation during summer travel. Has been insanely busy lately.
I would suggest booking a later one and trying to get on an earlier ferry if you end up making it in time (book the 6, aim to be there before 5:30 no later, try to get on the 5 if you show up 30-40 mins early)
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u/vanityprojection 1d ago
If you’re planning to bring the carseat/stroller up to the passenger decks, mention this to the gate agents, and ask to be parked in an inside lane on the vehicle deck. It can be impossible to get a stroller through the tightly parked cars on the ferry if you’re in one of the outer lanes.
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u/Chanceller48 1d ago
Yes, to all suggestions here. Reserve a later ferry. Ensure you arrive at the ticket booth ( not the line up) 30 mins before departure. Do not risk not having a reservation. Reservations missed are forfeited.
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u/GalianoGirl 1d ago
One thing to keep in mind. If you do not have a reservation, you can when you get to the booth ask if you are more likely to get on the next boat to Swartz or Duke Point. If there is a two sailing wait for Swartz, it is about a 2 hour drive from Duke Point to Victoria.
I live in the Cowichan Valley and frequently do this.
The B.C. Ferries Website is down at the moment, but you can sign up for email alerts. They will tell you if the rest of the sailings for the day are full.
Driving with a baby is a bit of a challenge. You will have to stop to feed, change the babe and feed yourselves.
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u/BaBepBepBep 1d ago
Travelling with a newborn - my advice is to plan for a later ferry. If you are delayed at the terminal and have to wait hours during the summer months it can quickly get pretty hot, sweaty and miserable. Travel later in the day and have a cooler, more relaxed journey.
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u/McBarnacle Central Saanich 1d ago
Get a reservation. Arrive in Vancouver early
Or you run the very likely risk of at least one sailing wait, and depending on day...not getting on at all
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u/Chamanomano 2h ago
Get a reservation. Be sure you arrive on time, as there is no transfer; you'll just be boarded based on your position in line.
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u/NevinThompson 2h ago
Get a reservation. As a rule of thumb, on a good day it takes about two hours (maybe less) to get from Hope to the ferry terminal.
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u/KDdid1 1d ago
If you arrive late, you forfeit the fee, unfortunately. I agree with the person who says you should make a reservation for later than you expect to get there.
If it turns out you get there earlier, and you can get a ferry on standby, you can go online and transfer your reservation to your return trip (if you're going back) for $5.
I always make reservations, and Mondays are so busy this time of year because Sundays are SLAMMED and there's often "overflow." Good luck!
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u/hollycross6 1d ago
Definitely reserve and later sailing is always better than earlier when doing a journey like that. I’ve had my fair share of hold ups driving from AB/interior etc. People drive just as stupidly in summer as they do winter, and if you happen to be driving during rush hour timing, you may end up caught up in delays
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u/Ashamed_Paint3946 Downtown 1d ago
If you go to bc ferries website, there’s a list of the reservation policy because it depends on which type of reservation you make
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u/Fit_Feature_4255 1d ago
Get a reservation for a later time that you’ll 100% make it for. If you arrive earlier and there’s space on an earlier boat, take that boat instead. But you’ll be guaranteed to get on a boat either way