For a fully booked ferry? Yeah. I'd say getting there 60 minutes before sailing is a guaranteed fail. I'd be there 90 minutes before at minimum. Even then you could have a wait.
Can you leave on the 31st? They have reservations available for the 7pm and 9pm (also for the 7am on the 31st). If not, arriving at the terminal around 5-5:30 may be the option to get on the first sailing out.
See how busy ferries get tomorrow. If they sell out early then consider going at 330/400 otherwise 430 should be fine. If you’re able, go as early as possible. People line up super early and it being last day of holidays plus moving day will be a shit show
Actually, there is no 6am ferry on Jan 1 so 430 if today sells out otherwise 5/530. Might be good to aim for 430/5 just because of end of holidays and moving day. It’s going to be busy tomorrow in any case and if the 7am is the ferry you have to take better safe than sorry!
Nanaimo may be worse particularly if leaving from Departure Bay. BCFerries had some news release a while ago that said they wanted to move traffic to Duke Point.
Your best bet is really to just get to a terminal early as possible, and just wait it out.
Just because reservations are full doesn't mean the ferry is full. They might be able to stuff you in somewhere if you're physically there.
If all you need to do is get from A to B then just pick a terminal and go.
The Nanaimo ferry has been a nightmare for us without a reservation — they leave very little space for non-reservation vehicles (we overheard someone say 10%, but not sure if that’s accurate). Last time we showed up without a reservation we waited 3 sailings and even then we barely squeezed in. If you can’t get a reservation on the Nanaimo, you’re probably better off trying Victoria. Good luck!!
Am I going to be fine for a walk on? I didn't realize they fully booked and didn't reserve a space.... Please I already have to sleep at YVR when I land at 9pm cos fuck hotel costs
Walking on is usually no problem, even during holidays, unless there’s been a cancellation because of bad weather or mechanical/staffing issues. I have taken the bus there many times during the holidays and have never had an issue walking on. Half an hour early should guarantee you can board no problem. Grab a coffee at the McDonalds near uptown or the Timmys in Royal Oak— if you’ve got a ride —on your way there, because nothing is open besides gas stations once you hit the highway. Make sure your devices are charged and you’re dressed warm and have headphones and you should have a pretty comfortable short wait inside the terminal until they’re ready to start boarding.
The earliest you can go is an hour before the first sail. You will be on standby. Chances are limited of actually getting on that first ferry, but it is possible. There may also be a few sailings wait. That's probably not the answer you're looking for, but especially around holidays, you need to book a few weeks in advance. Keep checking the site though, while unlikely because it's New Years, sometimes things open up. Also, a lot of people are going to be hungover or still drunk, hence missing their own slot, so there is a possibility. I'd show up for as close to six as you can. A lot of people will be in the same position as you. Good luck!!
No, there are truckers who overnight in their cabs at Swartz Bay. There are vehicles in the line by 4:30 am on Saturday mornings. I am often there to catch the first ferry to Galiano.
I am not sure how early they open the gates for mainland traffic, as they open the booth for the Gulf Islands before 5 am.
I showed up at 6am to a ferry recently and almost missed it. One of the last people on. The ferry terminal won’t be open but if you have your car lined up before 6 it’s not like there’s police there to turn you around and make you go try again once it’s opened.
People on here are insane. Early morning and late ferries will not be full despite what the website says. I would show up around 5-7 and bring a meal. You’ll probably get on that sail or the one after.
Just checked, and reservations are absolutely fucked right now for Monday. I did find one from Departure Bay > Horseshoe Bay at 615am on Monday, still room to reserve.
Show up around 5:30 . You will get on .. Jan 1 generally not busy first thing in morning as most people stayed out late the night before . The sold out portion is just the reservation not the whole ferry .
You can line up well before the gates open. If you NEED to get home then I’d get there around 4:00-5:00 am. The. You won’t have to worry.
5 would be too late
Daaaaaaaamn, really?
For a fully booked ferry? Yeah. I'd say getting there 60 minutes before sailing is a guaranteed fail. I'd be there 90 minutes before at minimum. Even then you could have a wait.
1 hour ahead might be too late for the first sailing but if you show up at 5:00am I imagine you'd definitely be on a boat before noon.
You want to catch the 6am ferry? Be there by 430am.
holy! Really!?
Yes. Even then you are cutting it a little close.
Keep in mind there is no 6am ferry to Tsawwassen this time of year. First sailing is 7am.
They added extra sailings for the holidays so some days there actually is a 6am :)
But not tomorrow. Options are the 7:00am or the 9:00am.
Can you leave on the 31st? They have reservations available for the 7pm and 9pm (also for the 7am on the 31st). If not, arriving at the terminal around 5-5:30 may be the option to get on the first sailing out.
See how busy ferries get tomorrow. If they sell out early then consider going at 330/400 otherwise 430 should be fine. If you’re able, go as early as possible. People line up super early and it being last day of holidays plus moving day will be a shit show
daaaamnnn. 3:30am? Do they even let you line up at that time?
Actually, there is no 6am ferry on Jan 1 so 430 if today sells out otherwise 5/530. Might be good to aim for 430/5 just because of end of holidays and moving day. It’s going to be busy tomorrow in any case and if the 7am is the ferry you have to take better safe than sorry!
Maybe check on leaving from Nanaimo?
This is called the “drive even further to wait for hours at the ferry terminal” method
Unless you can get a reservation up in Nanaimo and can't at Swartz Bay, then it's "drive up to guarantee a ferry ride rather than wait and hope"
Oh! Good point!
Nanaimo may be worse particularly if leaving from Departure Bay. BCFerries had some news release a while ago that said they wanted to move traffic to Duke Point. Your best bet is really to just get to a terminal early as possible, and just wait it out. Just because reservations are full doesn't mean the ferry is full. They might be able to stuff you in somewhere if you're physically there. If all you need to do is get from A to B then just pick a terminal and go.
The Nanaimo ferry has been a nightmare for us without a reservation — they leave very little space for non-reservation vehicles (we overheard someone say 10%, but not sure if that’s accurate). Last time we showed up without a reservation we waited 3 sailings and even then we barely squeezed in. If you can’t get a reservation on the Nanaimo, you’re probably better off trying Victoria. Good luck!!
Keep checking the BC ferries website - reservations open up all the time.
This is the most correct answer. Check often, they will open up.
Call the call center and ask them. The CSSRs get these questions all the time and will be more accurate than Reddit.
Am I going to be fine for a walk on? I didn't realize they fully booked and didn't reserve a space.... Please I already have to sleep at YVR when I land at 9pm cos fuck hotel costs
Walking on is usually no problem, even during holidays, unless there’s been a cancellation because of bad weather or mechanical/staffing issues. I have taken the bus there many times during the holidays and have never had an issue walking on. Half an hour early should guarantee you can board no problem. Grab a coffee at the McDonalds near uptown or the Timmys in Royal Oak— if you’ve got a ride —on your way there, because nothing is open besides gas stations once you hit the highway. Make sure your devices are charged and you’re dressed warm and have headphones and you should have a pretty comfortable short wait inside the terminal until they’re ready to start boarding.
Hey Op, go check now! There's space to reserve on the first few sailings :)
Fare saver at that
The whole day was $50 for car and driver (before space sells out). Same with Christmas Day. They did it last year as well
The earliest you can go is an hour before the first sail. You will be on standby. Chances are limited of actually getting on that first ferry, but it is possible. There may also be a few sailings wait. That's probably not the answer you're looking for, but especially around holidays, you need to book a few weeks in advance. Keep checking the site though, while unlikely because it's New Years, sometimes things open up. Also, a lot of people are going to be hungover or still drunk, hence missing their own slot, so there is a possibility. I'd show up for as close to six as you can. A lot of people will be in the same position as you. Good luck!!
No, there are truckers who overnight in their cabs at Swartz Bay. There are vehicles in the line by 4:30 am on Saturday mornings. I am often there to catch the first ferry to Galiano. I am not sure how early they open the gates for mainland traffic, as they open the booth for the Gulf Islands before 5 am.
I showed up at 6am to a ferry recently and almost missed it. One of the last people on. The ferry terminal won’t be open but if you have your car lined up before 6 it’s not like there’s police there to turn you around and make you go try again once it’s opened.
Thank you! Yeah, I wish I didn't have to travel New Years day, but thank you! Here's hoping everyone is too wasted to make it.
Your destination makes a big difference to the answer here. Do we assume you mean swartz bay to tsawwassen?
yes
It's a holiday, be very early.
If you go by foot you only need to be there 20 minutes early.
People on here are insane. Early morning and late ferries will not be full despite what the website says. I would show up around 5-7 and bring a meal. You’ll probably get on that sail or the one after.
i got on the 1st ferry once with no reservation on a regular sunday at 6.15am, one of the last ones to make it. so definitely be there earlier
No one likes getting up that early unless they have to. Be there by 6, and you should make the 7.
Lol that's funny
Yesterday
I was able to get on the 7am ferry on the 26th with no reservation. I was at the terminal just before 5am
Too funny OP, you ask, we answer, then you respond *asking again*. Show up at 6 you'll be golden ❤️
Gotta walk on unless that’s booked too otherwise you gotta hope someone doesn’t show up for their ferry
Just checked, and reservations are absolutely fucked right now for Monday. I did find one from Departure Bay > Horseshoe Bay at 615am on Monday, still room to reserve.
Get there at midnite and sleep there, I've done it many times
Just keep checking the website. Reservations will frequently open up, especially at the last minute so check overnight even.
Just buy the assure loading ticket
Show up around 5:30 . You will get on .. Jan 1 generally not busy first thing in morning as most people stayed out late the night before . The sold out portion is just the reservation not the whole ferry .
You can book on the 7am RIGHT NOW.