What Information Do I Need to Make a BC Ferries Reservation Online?

To book a BC Ferries sailing online, gather four things before you start: your route and travel date/time, the number of passengers, your vehicle type and size (if driving on), and any special requirements such as accessibility needs or travelling with pets. Having these ready lets you move through the reservation in one pass instead of backtracking to check details.

Route and Travel Details

The booking flow is built around a specific sailing, so decide these first:

• Departure and arrival terminals — the route you want, in the direction you want to travel.
• Travel date — the day you plan to sail.
• Departure time — the sailing you're aiming for. If your plans are loose, note a preferred time and a fallback, since popular sailings fill first.
• Return trip — if you're booking round-trip, have the return date and time ready too.

Write these down before you open the site. Switching routes or dates mid-booking usually means starting the search over.

Passengers and Vehicle

Passenger count

Know the total number of travellers, including children. Fare categories differ by age, so count everyone in the party rather than just the adults.

Vehicle details

If you're driving aboard, you'll need to describe what you're bringing:

• Standard passenger vehicle — the most common case; you'll confirm you're travelling with a car.
• Vehicle size and type — larger vehicles, vehicles with trailers, or oversized rigs may fall into different categories and affect what you can book.
• Total length — for anything beyond a standard car, have the overall length including any trailer or roof load handy.

If you're travelling as a foot passenger, you can skip the vehicle section entirely.

Special Requirements to Note

Flag anything that changes how you board or what you need on the day:

• Accessibility needs — if anyone in your party requires accessible boarding or assistance, note it so you can ask about it when booking or on arrival.
• Pets — travelling with an animal usually means specific rules about where they stay during the crossing; know this before you book.
• Group size — larger parties may need different handling than a standard booking, so check whether your group fits the normal flow.

What to Have Ready at the End

Before you finish, have your contact details and payment method ready. The reservation site will ask you to confirm the sailing, the party, and the vehicle, then take payment to lock in the booking. Keep the confirmation you receive — you'll want it at the terminal.

Quick Pre-Booking Checklist

Gathering these details first is the difference between a five-minute booking and a session of hunting for your licence plate length or your travelling companion's age. Once you have them, the online reservation is straightforward.