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Fare discounts and increases coming as BC Ferries prepares for busy Summer 2026 with FIFA World Cup

Kenneth Chan
Kenneth Chan
|
Dec 1 2025, 11:52 pm
Fare discounts and increases coming as BC Ferries prepares for busy Summer 2026 with FIFA World Cup
Coastal Renaissance ship of BC Ferries. (AnnaC17/Shutterstock)

BC Ferries is rolling out expanded off-peak discounts and annual fare increases starting in Spring 2026, as the ferry company prepares for what is expected to be a record-setting summer travel season.

The fare rate changes, which take effect April 8, 2026, align with the pricing framework set by the independent BC Ferry Commissioner.

The updates are being shared months earlier than usual, as BC Ferries braces for a sharp rise in ridership driven in part by the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

With the FIFA World Cup Final Draw set for later this week — determining where the 48 competing nations will kick off the tournament across 16 host cities — BC Ferries will open reservations and release its full summer schedule, several weeks earlier than usual. Shortly after the draw, this weekend, FIFA will also announce all match times in each host city.

The ferry company will also move to its peak-season schedule on major routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island two weeks ahead of the traditional start.

“Demand for ferry travel continues to grow, and we have set new records for the last two summers,” said Brian Anderson, vice president of strategy and planning for BC Ferries, in a statement.

“The tournament is expected to add a further lift, and early planning will help customers secure the sailings and savings that work best for them.”

During the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, according to the ferry company’s annual report for the 2010/2011 fiscal year, BC Ferries saw a 4.5 per cent increase in foot passenger ridership in February 2010, the Olympic month — rising by about 53,000 passengers compared to February 2009. But this was offset by vehicle traffic volumes falling by 7.6 per cent or over 38,000 vehicles compared to the same month in 2009. It should be noted that this occurred during the low season for travel, and overall BC Ferries ridership fell in the late 2000s and early 2010s due to the 2008/2009 recession and a sudden spike in gas prices.

A big expansion of Saver fares

A key component of BC Ferries’ 2026 fare changes is a significant expansion of Saver fares — lower-priced options on sailings that typically have greater availability, such as midweek or early-morning trips. These discounted fares will now make up more than 30 per cent of all bookable space, with over 200,000 new discounted options added to the system.

BC Ferries says the shift will give more customers the ability to save by booking in advance while easing pressure on peak-time sailings.

As for the 2026 annual fare increase, rather than applying a uniform increase, BC Ferries is adjusting specific fare categories to meet the overall 3.2 per cent average annual fare increase permitted between 2024 and 2028, in accordance to a decision made by the independent BC Ferries Commissioner in 2023.

The ferry company says this targeted method helps optimize vessel capacity, spread costs equitably across the network and encourage more off-peak travel — reducing congestion and delays during the busiest periods.

  • Fare changes starting on April 8, 2026:
    • On major routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island:
      • Standard vehicle + adult fare (drive-up or prepaid): $110
      • Adult foot passenger: $21 (up $1)
      • Child foot passenger: $10.50 (up $0.50)
      • Saver fares unchanged at $15 for adults and $7.50 for children
    • On minor and northern routes, fare increases will range from:
      • $0.95 to $2.05 for standard vehicles
      • $0.40 to $0.60 for adult passengers

BC Ferries notes the combination of expanded Saver fares, relatively modest fare adjustments, and earlier access to summer bookings will help improve the customer experience while maintaining long-term financial sustainability as demand continues to climb.

“These steps help us manage demand in a way that supports reliability for everyone who depends on the system,” Anderson said.

The ferry company expects 2026 to mark another banner year for the ferry network, and advises customers to book early for the best selection of sailings and prices.

In the 2024 fiscal year, BC Ferries recorded a total of 9.6 million vehicles — a steady increase from 7.7 million in 2014. It also saw 22.6 million passengers in 2024, up from 19.7 million in 2014.

This includes 2.1 million vehicles and 6.3 million passengers on the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route, 1.2 million vehicles and 3.1 million passengers on the Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay route, 1.2 million vehicles and 2.7 million passengers on the Horseshoe Bay-Langdale route, and 930,000 vehicles and 2.1 million passengers on the Tsawwassen-Duke Point route.

These major routes account for 59 per cent of overall vehicle traffic and 63 per cent of overall passenger traffic on the entire BC Ferries network.

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