How early should I get to the ferry?

Between 10 and 90 minutes before departure, depending on the operator, whether you drive or walk on, and whether you booked. Booked vehicles have a check-in cutoff; miss it and you can lose your booking and wait as standby.

Does check-in close later if my ferry is running late?

No. Check-in cutoffs are counted from the scheduled departure time, not from when the ferry actually leaves. Arrive by the timetable time even when the ferry is reported late.

How early do walk-on passengers need to arrive?

BC Ferries: 30 minutes; Washington State Ferries: 15 minutes; Coho Ferry: 30 minutes; FRS Clipper: 60 minutes; Hullo: 20 minutes.

Which time zone are sailing times in?

Each operator lists a sailing in its departure terminal's local time. From November 2026 British Columbia no longer falls back in winter, so between November and March Victoria is one hour ahead of Port Angeles and Seattle.

How early to arrive for your ferry

Depending on the operator and route, be at the terminal 10 to 90 minutes before departure. Pick your crossing for its exact check-in times.

Arrival rules by operator

Each cutoff counts back from the scheduled departure and stays put when the ferry runs late. Arrive after it with a booking and you can be moved to standby.

Operator	Car, booked	Car, no booking	On foot or bike
BC Ferries	30 to 90 min	First come	10 to 30 min
Washington State Ferries	30 to 45 min	20 min	15 min
Coho Ferry	60 to 90 min	60 to 90 min	30 min
FRS Clipper	No vehicles	No vehicles	60 min
Hullo	No vehicles	No vehicles	20 min

Minutes before the scheduled departure. First come: without a booking, vehicles board in the order they arrive, on the next sailing with space. Open an operator for every route, notes and sources.

Questions riders ask

How early to arrive for your ferry

Depending on the operator and route, be at the terminal 10 to 90 minutes before departure. Pick your crossing for its exact check-in times.

Arrival rules by operator

Each cutoff counts back from the scheduled departure and stays put when the ferry runs late. Arrive after it with a booking and you can be moved to standby.

Operator	Car, booked	Car, no booking	On foot or bike
BC Ferries	30 to 90 min	First come	10 to 30 min
Washington State Ferries	30 to 45 min	20 min	15 min
Coho Ferry	60 to 90 min	60 to 90 min	30 min
FRS Clipper	No vehicles	No vehicles	60 min
Hullo	No vehicles	No vehicles	20 min

Minutes before the scheduled departure. First come: without a booking, vehicles board in the order they arrive, on the next sailing with space. Open an operator for every route, notes and sources.