Taking Your Car on a Canadian Ferry: Booking Size, EVs and What to Carry Upstairs

A roof box added after booking, a hybrid entered as a gasoline-only car, or medication buried in the trunk can turn a straightforward ferry crossing into a problem. Preparing the vehicle is about more than arriving with a reservation number.

Book the vehicle you will actually bring, and pack as though you cannot return to it during the crossing. The examples below cover BC Ferries and Marine Atlantic. They are not interchangeable rules for every Canadian ferry.

Measure the travel setup—not just the car

Make a short vehicle record before booking: actual height and length with the equipment that will travel, whether you are towing, and the vehicle’s propulsion type. If you switch cars or add a carrier afterward, compare the changed setup with the reservation before leaving home.

Marine Atlantic’s FAQ says to include roof equipment when measuring height. For its Automobile + Trailer categories, Low means 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) or lower; High means any part of the tow vehicle or trailer exceeds that height. An incorrect booked height can mean the vehicle does not fit its allocated space.

BC Ferries’ vehicle guidance uses a different size framework: vehicles over 7 ft (2.13 m) high or more than 20 ft (6.10 m) long are oversized. Roof cargo can change the category. Confirm the appropriate booking with the operator if your measured setup is at a boundary or difficult to classify.

Do not solve a booking mismatch by making a load unsafe. Removing a roof box also means finding a secure place for its contents without overloading the vehicle. A booking category is a space allocation, not approval of your roof load or towing setup.

Work backward from check-in—not departure

Marine Atlantic requires reserved passengers to be checked in at least 2 hours before sailing and asks passengers not to arrive more than 4 hours early. BC Ferries check-in and ticket cut-offs vary by terminal; check the instructions for your particular departure rather than using the Marine Atlantic timing.

Build your route plan around the correct check-in deadline, with road delays and any required charging or fuel stop before it. Save the booking details somewhere you can access without depending on a strong mobile signal. Check the operator’s current sailing notices before setting off.

EVs and hybrids: identify the vehicle and plan your own energy

Marine Atlantic includes hybrids in its EV identification process. At the terminal, these vehicles receive an EV window card and are directed to a designated lane. Loading position depends on the sailing’s overall plan, not simply who arrived first.

The operator lists 2 Level 2 chargers at each terminal, available subject to availability; ask at the terminal ticket counter for directions. Treat that as a possible top-up, not a guaranteed charging session. Neither a charger being listed nor joining an EV lane establishes that one will be free when you arrive.

Plan enough energy for the road journey after disembarking and a suitable charging alternative. Use the charging guidance for your own ferry operator and sailing rather than assuming a charge limit from another route applies. Check your own sailing’s current requirements if the vehicle has damage, a battery warning or another condition that may affect carriage.

Prepare one bag before joining the boarding queue

Marine Atlantic prohibits passenger access to vehicle decks during the crossing, including sleeping in vehicles. BC Ferries requires passengers to leave vehicles on enclosed lower decks and does not guarantee placement on an upper deck. Do not build your plan around being allowed to stay in the car.

Pack what each passenger will need for the crossing where it can be picked up easily. Our practical checklist:

• Medication and essential personal supplies; arrange any special storage or assistance with the operator beforehand.
• Warm layers, phones, charging leads and the items needed for children.
• Booking information, identification, boarding passes and vehicle keys.
• Any permitted food or other personal items you intend to use in the passenger areas.

Keep that bag out of the roof box and underneath-trunk storage. Test whether you can retrieve it without unpacking the entire vehicle. Check the operator’s separate pet and restricted-goods policies rather than treating a packed car as blanket permission to carry everything aboard.

Tell staff about accessibility needs before loading

Marine Atlantic asks passengers needing elevator proximity to tell the ticket agent at check-in. It instructs these drivers to use four-way flashers when boarding so crew can identify the need. The designated lane does not necessarily mean boarding first.

Use the procedure for the operator you are travelling with; do not assume the Marine Atlantic signal is universal. Explain the actual assistance needed rather than relying only on a permit displayed in the vehicle.

Leave and return to the vehicle when directed

Follow crew directions for parking and unloading. On Marine Atlantic, have your carry-on items ready, note the vehicle’s deck location and do not use a mobile device while loading or unloading. Ask staff if you are unsure where to go rather than walking between moving vehicles to investigate.

At arrival, wait for instructions before returning to the vehicle deck. Marine Atlantic directs drivers not to start engines until told to do so. If you notice vehicle damage, its FAQ asks you to notify a staff member before leaving Marine Atlantic property.

Operator guidance checked November 1, 2026. Recheck your reservation, terminal instructions and current sailing notices before travel; vehicle, accessibility, pet and cargo requirements vary by operator and route.