Connecting with BC Ferries & TransLink

Travelling around British Columbia often means using more than one transit system. Whether you’re going from Victoria to Vancouver, Nanaimo to the mainland, or exploring the Fraser Valley, you can combine BC Transit, BC Ferries, and TransLink services to reach your destination.

Here’s how to make your trip smooth and simple.

Victoria to Vancouver:

  1. Take Route 70, 71, or 72 from downtown Victoria to Swartz Bay.
  2. Board the ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen (tickets available online, by phone, or at the terminal). Reserve your spot online or by phone in advance.
  3. From Tsawwassen, take the 620 Bridgeport Station bus to Richmond.
  4. Transfer to the Canada Line SkyTrain to reach downtown Vancouver.

Vancouver to Victoria: Follow the same steps in reverse.

Nanaimo to Vancouver:

  1. Take the Route 20 Hammond Bay or 20A Dover from downtown Nanaimo or 25 Ferry Shuttle from Woodgrove Exchange to Departure Bay
  2. Board the ferry to Horseshoe Bay (tickets available online, by phone, or at the terminal). Reserve your spot online or by phone in advance).
  3. From Horseshoe Bay, take the 250 Vancouver or 257 Vancouver Express to downtown.

Vancouver to Nanaimo: Same steps in reverse.

Fraser Valley to Vancouver:

  • Take the 66 Fraser Valley Express from Downtown Chilliwack, Vedder at Luckakuck, Lickman Park & Ride, McCallum Park & Ride, or Highstreet Mall to Lougheed SkyTrain Station in Burnaby.
  • Connect to TransLink SkyTrain or bus service to reach your destination in Vancouver.
  • From Surrey or Langley, Route 21 Aldergrove/Abbotsford links to TransLink’s 503 bus, which runs along Fraser Highway to Surrey Central SkyTrain Station.
  • In Mission, TransLink service includes the West Coast Express (rush hours) and the 701 bus (limited off-peak trips).
  • Please note that you will need to purchase a ticket to board the SkyTrain or to connect to TransLink buses

Salt Spring Island:

  • To Victoria: Route 2 Ganges to Fulford Harbour → ferry to Swartz Bay → Route 70, 70X, 71, or 72 to downtown Victoria.
  • To Vancouver: Route 4 Downtown to Long Harbour → ferry to Tsawwassen → 620 Bridgeport bus → Canada Line SkyTrain to Vancouver.
  • To Duncan: Route 3 Downtown to Vesuvius Bay → ferry to Crofton → Route 6 Crofton–Chemainus to Duncan.

Pay for your ferry ticket with cash, debit, credit, or the BC Ferries Experience Card. Reserve your spot online or by phone in advance.

Vancouver to Sunshine Coast:

  • To Sunshine Coast: Take the 250 Horseshoe Bay or 257 Horseshoe Bay Express bus to Horseshoe Bay → Board ferry to Langdale
  • Upon arriving at Langdale board the Route 1 Sechelt Local or Route 90 Sechelt Express via Hwy 101 or Route 90 Sechelt Express via North Road. If you are going to Gibsons, do not board the Route 90 Sechelt Express via North Road, as this bus bypasses Gibsons.
  • Pay for your ferry ticket with cash, debit, credit, or the BC Ferries Experience Card. 

To Vancouver: Same steps in reverse.

Courtenay/Comox to Powell River & Texada Island:

  • From Courtenay, take Route 11 to Little River Terminal → Board ferry to Powell River → Route 2 Grief Point bus to town.
  • To continue to Texada Island, arrive in Powell River Wednesday night, then take Route 13 Texada Island bus Thursday morning at 6:20 a.m. from Powell River Town Centre Exchange or at 6:25 a.m. at the Westview Harbour Ferry Terminal. The Texada bus only runs on Thursdays.
  • Pay for your ferry ticket with cash, debit, credit, or the BC Ferries Experience Card. 
  • Reverse the steps to return.

Courtenay/Comox to Denman & Hornby Islands:

  • From the Downtown Courtenay Exchange, take Route 10 to Buckley Bay Terminal → ferry to Denman Island.
  • Pay for your ferry ticket with cash, debit, credit, or the BC Ferries Experience Card. 
  • For connections across Denman and Hornby, please visit the CVRD website.

Paying Your Fare

  • BC Transit: Pay with cash, tickets, or passes. Umo (app or reloadable card) is available in 31 systems and includes trip planning and real-time updates. To use the Umo app, download the Umo Mobility App from your app store and create an account.
  • TransLink (Metro Vancouver): Use Compass (card, ticket, or tap your credit card/mobile wallet) for SkyTrain, bus, SeaBus, and West Coast Express. For more information on how to use it, visit Translink’s Website.
  • Note: Umo and Compass are separate systems. You’ll need both if your trip combines BC Transit and TransLink.  The one exception of this is the red Compass Card for the Province of British Columbia’s BC Bus Pass fare program for low-income seniors and individuals receiving disability assistance, accepted on all BC Transit routes.

Travel Tips

BC Transit:

  • Plan ahead with Umo, Google Maps, or the Transit App.
  • Signal the driver to stop by pulling the cord or pressing the button.
  • Exit through the rear doors when possible.

BC Ferries:

  • Check sailing schedules and conditions at bcferries.com or call 1-888-223-3779.
  • Arrive early for boarding.
  • Follow crew and staff instructions.

TransLink:

  • Plan with TransLink’s trip planner or next bus tools.
  • Tap in and out at the SkyTrain station, Seabus Terminal, when boarding a bus or West Coast Express train with your Compass Card, ticket, or payment card.
  • Load value or buy passes online, by phone, or at Compass machines and retailers.

Customer Service

  • BC Transit: Call 250-382-6161 (Mon–Fri 6 a.m.–7 p.m., Sat 7 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun 8 a.m.–7 p.m.)
  • BC Ferries: Call 1-888-223-3779 (Mon–Fri 7 a.m.–10 p.m., Sat–Sun 7 a.m.–7 p.m.)
  • TransLink: Call 604-953-3333 (Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.)

Schedules may vary, so it’s always a good idea to check the latest updates on the respective transit websites: bctransit.com, bcferries.com and translink.ca or Google Maps or Transit App before your trip.