BC seniors aged 65 and older travel free as foot passengers on most BC Ferries routes from Monday to Thursday, excluding statutory holidays. On the northern routes the discount is 33 percent on any day of the week. A vehicle fare still applies if you are driving.
Who gets the senior discount
The province describes the discount as a 100 percent reduction on passenger fares, Monday to Thursday, on all routes except the northern ones. It applies to passenger fares only, so a car, motorcycle or any other vehicle is charged the usual fare. On the inland ferries run by the province, travel is free for both passengers and vehicles.
Free weekday travel depends on the day you sail. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and statutory holiday sailings are not covered on the main routes, so the choice of departure day matters. Premium services and special accommodations can carry extra charges even when the passenger fare is free.
What to bring
You must be 65 or older and show either a BC Gold CareCard or a valid BC Services Card at the terminal to receive the discount. Carry the card in your wallet or bag, not packed away in the car. Rules can change, so confirm the current requirements with BC Ferries before you travel.
How to use a senior fare
- Check the day of your sailing. On the main routes it needs to be a Monday to Thursday that is not a statutory holiday.
- Look at the sailing schedule for your route and pick a departure that suits you.
- If you are bringing a vehicle, book or pay the vehicle fare as usual. The senior discount covers your passenger fare only.
- On the day, arrive at the terminal with your BC Gold CareCard or BC Services Card and show it at the ticket counter or entry point.
If you are travelling without a car, a taxi or rideshare can take you to the terminal, and the taxi fare estimator gives a rough fare for the ride. Check the BC Ferries website for the latest policies and schedules before each trip.