The world's longest free ferry ride sails across one of B.C.'s largest lakes

If riding the ferry is your favourite way of getting around, the Kootenay Lake Ferry will hold a special place in your heart. Offering scenic 35-minute trips between Kootenay Bay and Balfour, it’s the longest free ferry ride in the world, and definitely worth the road trip from Vancouver.

Passengers board one of two vessels (the M.V. Balfour or the Osprey 2000), with service available year-round.

Currently operating on its winter schedule, the breathtaking ferry ride has departures at the following times:

From Balfour Terminal:

6:30 a.m.
8:10 a.m.
9:50 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
1:10 p.m.
2:50 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
6:10 p.m.
7:50 p.m.
9:40 p.m.

From Kootenay Bay Terminal:

7:10 a.m.
9 a.m.
10:40 a.m.
12:20 p.m.
2 p.m.
3:40 p.m.
5:20 p.m.
7 p.m.
8:40 p.m.
10:20 p.m.

Its summer service commenced in mid-June and runs through Labour Day weekend, at which point the ferry will run even more frequently.

“When traffic is heavy, the ferries ignore the schedule and unload, reload, and depart as quickly as they can to keep your wait as short as possible.”

Operators suggest leaving one hour and 15 minutes before the next scheduled departure if you’re heading north from Creston.

If you arrive in between ferries and end up having to wait a bit, it’s not the worst thing! You’re surrounded by sandy beaches, restaurants, and scenic rest stops in both Kootenay Bay and Balfour.

Note that both vessels can accommodate RVS and vehicles of all sizes, though food services are only available aboard the Osprey 2000.

Sailing into a different time zone

While you won’t have to change your watch when Daylight Saving Time is in effect, passengers do technically cross from one time zone to another.

“The east shore of Kootenay Lake to Creston doesn’t ever change its time – it’s on Mountain Standard Time year-round. Mountain Standard Time is the same as Pacific Daylight Time,” says Kootenay Lake Ferry.

This is your only way to experience this beautiful lake by boat, so make sure you take advantage!

Happy sailing, Vancouver.

How to get there: Drive nine hours and five minutes from Vancouver to Kootenay Lakevia Crowsnest Highway/BC-3 E.

Recent Posts:
These cozy spots and scenic viewpoints in Vancouver are among the most romantic in the city
A historic B.C. village on Kootenay Lake has natural hot springs open year-round

Isabelle Vauclair

Staff Writer, Vancouver – Isabelle is a West Coast native with an appreciation for Vancouver’s natural landscape, patio scene, and community spaces. She loves to discover new hidden gems in her neighbourhood and share them with readers across the city.

Read articles