Ferry from Seattle to Vancouver
A complete guide for all possible ways to reach Vancouver by Ferry or Car
How to get to Vancouver from Seattle
The city of Vancouver can be reached by car from Seattle in 3 hours, as Vancouver isn't situated on Vancouver Island. To provide the best guidance on this particular route for our visitors, we need to know the following:Β
- Do you want to travel to Vancouver Island (Victoria) instead? Then this guide will help you here.
- Do you want to travel to Vancouver by taking two ferries (with or without a car) and visit Vancouver Island in between? Then this guide will help you here.
- Or do you seek a direct ferry from Seattle to Vancouver? This ferry doesn't exist since it can't compete with the BC 99 highway. It's just under 3 hours to reach Vancouver from Seattle by car. The train and the bus take about 4 hours.
Anacortes to Sidney (near Victoria) is on hold
Unfortunately, the connection between Anacortes to Sidney is canceled, this however wasn't the best option to travel to Vancouver Island, so the cancellation in that way makes sense.
To Vancouver Island with a car from the Seattle region
If you want to take your car with you to Vancouver Island there is only one good option you can take. You need to drive to Port Angeles and hop on the ferry to Victoria.
Black Ball Ferry Line operates the M.V. Coho passenger and vehicle ferry linking Victoria, BC on Vancouver Island with Port Angeles.
You can reach Port Angeles in just under 3 hours from Seattle downtown.Β
Port Angeles to Vancouver Island / Victoria
To the city of Vancouver from Vancouver Island
This is a route on which you must take stops in between to make it worthwhile, otherwise, it's simply better to drive to Vancouver from Seattle.
There are two ideal routes, every route starts with first getting to Victoria from Port Angeles or from Seattle (without a car). There used to be an alternative but the route from Anacortes to Sidney is on hold.
Step 1: With a car to Victoria from Seattle,
Step 1: Without a car to Victoria.
Without a car, it's of course most convenient to travel from the heart of Seattle to Vancouver Island / Victoria. If you arrive at Victoria you can stay there for a few days and then simply take the bus or shuttle to the next ferry leaving from Swartz Bay.
Victoria-Seattle
The Victoria / Seattle ferry is a ferry with lots of possible upgrades. They are expensive but sitting upstairs provides a better experience. The fare goes all the way from a Standard fare to a panorama fare or VIP fare. Personally we would go for the Economy Panoramic chairs and try to get a spot near the front. Vista Class we like the least.
Step 2: To the city of Vancouver from Vancouver Island
We have got extensive guides on these crossings alone:Β
To summarize those guides: the best two connections are simply the ones below and the choice depends if you stay in Victoria or if you are staying in Nanaimo. Prices and rates for these ferries are the same:Β
Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen
This ferry connection has eight daily sailings to bring you from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen (or the other way around). Both city centers (Victoria and Vancouver) can be reached about 30 minutes from the ferry terminals.
Nanaimo-Horseshoe Bay
From Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay, a connection that sails multiple times daily. The ferry ride takes about 2 hours ( a bit less), all things you need to know about this ferry.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park near Horseshoe Bay
Ferry talk: Share your questions and opinions
Ask, answer, and explore ferry routes with the community's expertise!
Victoria Island does not exist, please rename it as you probably mean: Vancouver Island.
Thanks we made an error here, we also had an e-mail from someone with the same comment. It's sometimes difficult with talking about Vancouver Island while Vancouver is not on it!