We’ve driven this route many times, in both directions. Families heading to Saanich and Langford. Retirees leaving Surrey for Sidney or Oak Bay. Students and young couples leaving Victoria for jobs on the mainland. The moves that go smoothly all have one thing in common: the plan starts from the ferry and works backwards.

This page explains how Surrey to Victoria moving works step by step. It covers what it costs and why, how long it takes, and the mistakes that cause most delays. It also covers moves in the other direction, for anyone who needs Victoria to Surrey movers.

Know your dates already? Call (778) 962-1619. We’ll check ferry timing for your date before we quote.

The Route: Surrey, Tsawwassen, Swartz Bay, Victoria

Here’s what the day looks like for a typical move from Surrey to central Victoria.

1. Surrey to Tsawwassen. About 35 to 50 minutes by truck, depending on where in Surrey you start and the traffic on Highway 99 and Highway 17.
2. Check-in and waiting. Commercial vehicles have their own check-in. We aim to arrive well before the cut-off time.
3. The crossing. Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay takes about 1 hour 35 minutes.
4. Swartz Bay to Victoria. Roughly 30 to 40 minutes down Highway 17, the Pat Bay Highway. Add time if you’re going out to Langford, Colwood or Sooke.

The driving and crossing add up to about three to four hours of travel. That’s before any loading or unloading, so the size of your home decides whether it all fits in one day.

Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay Ferry With a Moving Truck

Taking a moving truck on BC Ferries works differently from taking a car.

• Commercial booking. Moving trucks travel as commercial vehicles. Fares are based on the vehicle’s length and height, not a passenger car rate.
• Space is limited. Large trucks need room on the vehicle deck, and the space for tall vehicles is limited. Summer weekends, long weekends and the end of the month fill first.
• Dangerous goods rules. BC Ferries has strict rules on items like propane, gasoline and other fuels. These can’t simply be packed into the truck. Use them up or leave them behind.
• The return trip. The truck has to come back to the mainland, which means a second crossing. A fair quote shows this cost instead of hiding it.

Alternative Route Through Nanaimo

Sometimes the Tsawwassen to Duke Point (Nanaimo) or Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay crossings make more sense. This usually happens when the main Victoria route is busy, or when the destination is up-Island. From Nanaimo, it’s about a 1.5 to 2 hour drive south to Victoria. We’ll suggest it only if it actually saves you time. For moves further up the Island, see our Surrey to Nanaimo and Surrey to Vancouver Island pages.

What Our Surrey to Victoria Moving Includes

Our long distance movers Surrey to Victoria service covers the full trip, door to door.

• Pre-move planning. We confirm the inventory, the truck size, the crew and the ferry booking. We also check access at both homes: stairs, elevators, parking and long carries.
• Furniture protection. Every piece is padded and wrapped before it leaves the house. Mattresses go in bags. Floors and door frames are protected while we work.
• Loading for the road. Heavy items go low and tight against the front of the truck, so nothing shifts on the ramp or the open deck.
• The crossing. Your belongings stay locked in the truck the whole way. You don’t need to travel on the same sailing as us.
• Unloading and setup. We place furniture in the rooms you choose and reassemble anything we took apart.

Furniture Moving Surrey to Victoria

Older Victoria homes in James Bay, Fernwood and Oak Bay often have narrow front doors and steep, tight staircases. A sectional that came into a new Surrey townhouse easily may not fit into a 1920s character house.

That’s why we ask for measurements early. If a piece needs to come apart, we do it in Surrey and rebuild it in Victoria. The hardware gets bagged and labelled. You can read more on our furniture movers Surrey page.

Apartment Movers Surrey to Victoria

Condo and apartment moves need two building bookings, one at each end. That’s where most of the planning goes.

• In Surrey: book the elevator for loading. Many stratas only allow moves at set times.
• In Victoria: book the elevator for arrival. Then build a buffer around the ferry, because the truck can’t arrive before the sailing does.
• At both ends: ask whether the building wants a certificate of insurance from the mover, or a damage deposit.

We usually ask for a Victoria elevator window that starts at least an hour after the planned ferry arrival. It gives the truck time to clear the terminal and handle any traffic on Highway 17.

Surrey to Victoria Moving Cost: What Goes Into the Price

Every move is different, so we don’t publish a flat price. Here is what actually drives the Surrey to Victoria moving cost, so you can compare quotes fairly.

• Volume of your belongings. The more there is, the bigger the truck and the longer the loading and unloading.
• Crew time. On a ferry move, the crew is paid for the whole day, including the drive, the terminal wait and the crossing.
• Ferry fares. Commercial fares for the truck, for the crossing over and the return.
• Access at both ends. Stairs, long walks from the truck, elevator waits and street parking all add time.
• Packing. Whether you pack yourself or have us pack some or all of the home.
• Overnight moves. Larger homes sometimes load one day and deliver the next. That can add costs for the truck and crew.

A good Surrey to Victoria moving quote lists each of these items. If a quote doesn’t mention the ferry at all, ask about it before you book.

To get an accurate price, send us your item list through our moving quote Surrey page, or call us and walk through the home room by room.

Want a written estimate? Call (778) 962-1619. We’ll ask about your rooms, access and dates, then send a quote that includes the ferry.

Moving to Victoria: What to Know Before You Go

Moving to Victoria from Surrey brings a few changes people don’t always expect.

• Greater Victoria is several municipalities. Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, View Royal, Langford, Colwood and Sidney each have their own rules on parking, utilities and services. Check which one your new address belongs to.
• Street parking can be tight. In older neighbourhoods like James Bay and Fernwood, the street outside may be narrow or permit-only. Ask your new municipality whether a moving truck needs a street-use permit.
• Utilities are separate accounts. BC Hydro covers the whole province, so you can usually just transfer your account. Water, garbage and recycling depend on the municipality.
• The ferry becomes part of life. Once you live on the Island, every trip back to the mainland starts at a terminal. Many people moving over find it useful to learn the sailing schedule early.

For more on moves into the area, see our page for long distance movers Victoria.

Moving From Victoria to Surrey

The route works the same in reverse, but the planning is slightly different.

As Victoria to Surrey movers, we usually start with an empty truck coming over from the mainland. We load in Victoria, catch a Swartz Bay sailing, and unload in Surrey the same day for most apartment and small-home moves.

People moving this direction are often heading to Surrey for work, family or more space for the money. If you’re moving into a newer Surrey neighbourhood like Clayton or Grandview Heights, the access is usually straightforward. Many homes there have garages and driveways, but some townhouse complexes have tight internal roads. Tell us which one you’re moving into.

Our moving services Surrey page explains the full range of help we offer once you’re here.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Island Move

Plan Your Dates Around the Ferry

• Avoid long weekends and summer Fridays if you can.
• A mid-week, mid-month move is the easiest to book on both the ferry and in the buildings.
• If your lease or closing date is fixed, book the mover as soon as you know it.

Travel Separately From the Truck

You don’t need to ride on the same sailing as your belongings. Many clients take an earlier sailing so they’re at the new home with the keys when the truck arrives. Make sure you have the keys before the truck lands. A truck waiting outside a locked house costs crew time.

Keep Valuables and Essentials With You

Pack a bag that travels with you, not in the truck:

• Passports, IDs, house papers and medication
• Jewellery and small valuables
• Laptops and chargers
• Bedding and toiletries for the first night

Measure Before You Book

Measure your largest pieces: the sofa, bed frame, dresser and dining table. Then compare them with the door and stair widths at the new home. Send us those numbers along with your inventory.

Pack Fully Before Moving Day

On a ferry move, half-packed rooms cost more than on a local move, because they push the whole day back towards the sailing. Have everything boxed and taped before the crew arrives, apart from furniture and mattresses.

Common Mistakes on Surrey to Victoria Moves

Assuming You Can Just Drive On

Large moving trucks can’t count on walking onto any sailing, especially in summer. Without proper planning, the truck can wait hours at the terminal while your crew is still being paid.

Choosing a Quote That Leaves Out the Ferry

Some quotes only show an hourly rate. That number looks low until you add the crossing, the return trip and the crew’s waiting time. Ask every mover for a total that includes the ferry.

Booking the Wrong Elevator Time in Victoria

A 9 a.m. elevator booking in Victoria doesn’t work if the truck is on a sailing that lands at 11. Plan the arrival time from the ferry schedule first, then book the building.

Packing Things the Ferry Won’t Carry

Propane tanks, gasoline cans and similar items cause problems at the terminal. Sort these out before moving day.

Forgetting the Keys

It sounds obvious, but it happens. If your possession date is the same day as the move, confirm with your realtor or landlord exactly when the keys will be released.

Pro Tips From Long Distance Movers Who Run This Route

• Load the “first night” items last. Beds, a few kitchen boxes and bathroom supplies go in last, so they come off first in Victoria.
• Ask for the morning sailing. Early sailings are often easier to book for large vehicles, and they leave the whole afternoon for unloading.
• Give us both addresses’ quirks. Mention back lanes, shared driveways, steep slopes or low wires. Older Victoria streets often have all four.
• Photograph your cables before unplugging. It makes setting up the TV and computer much quicker in the new home.
• Think about the two-day option for big homes. For a three- or four-bedroom home, loading in Surrey one day and delivering the next morning often costs less stress than one very long day.
• Keep your phone on during the crossing. If anything changes at the terminal, we’ll call or text you straight away.

Why Choose Our Moving Company Surrey to Victoria

As a moving company Surrey to Victoria clients trust, we try to keep things simple and honest.

• Surrey-based crew and trucks. We start and end on the mainland, so we know the Highway 99 and Tsawwassen side well.
• Ferry-first planning. Your schedule is built around the sailing, not guessed at.
• Clear quotes. The ferry, the return trip and crew time are all shown.
• Furniture protection as standard. Pads, wrap and mattress bags on every Island move.

We are also long distance movers for routes across BC and into Alberta. If you’d like us to handle the packing too, see our full service movers Surrey page.

Conclusion: Planning Your Surrey to Victoria Move

The best Surrey to Victoria movers plan the day around the ferry, give you one clear price that includes the crossing, and protect your furniture for a trip that involves a ramp, a ship and two highways. Get your inventory and measurements ready, book early if your date falls in summer or at month-end, and keep your essentials with you.

If you’re moving between Surrey and Victoria in either direction, tell us your dates, your addresses and what’s moving. We’ll check the ferry options and give you a written estimate.

Talk to our team: call (778) 962-1619 or request a quote through Book A Move.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving From Surrey to Victoria

1. How long does a move from Surrey to Victoria take?

For a studio, one-bedroom or small two-bedroom, most moves are done in one long day. A typical day looks like this:

• Morning: loading in Surrey, usually two to four hours depending on volume and access.
• Midday: the drive to Tsawwassen, check-in and the 1 hour 35 minute crossing.
• Afternoon: the drive from Swartz Bay and unloading in Victoria.

For larger homes, we often load one day and deliver the next morning. It keeps the crew fresh and avoids racing the last sailing. We’ll tell you which option suits your move when we quote.

2. How much does it cost to move from Surrey to Victoria?

It depends mainly on how much you’re moving, how long loading and unloading take, and the ferry fares for the truck. Packing, stairs, long carries and overnight moves also affect the price.

We don’t give a flat price without seeing your inventory, because a guess usually turns out wrong. Send us your item list or walk us through your home on the phone, and we’ll give you a written quote with the ferry included.

3. Do I need to be on the same ferry as the moving truck?

No. Your belongings stay locked in the truck during the crossing, and the crew travels with it. Many clients prefer to take an earlier sailing so they’re at the new home first, with the keys ready.

If you’re bringing your own car, book your own ferry reservation separately, especially in summer. Your car and the moving truck are booked differently.

4. Can you move me from Victoria to Surrey as well?

Yes. We are Victoria to Surrey movers as well as Surrey to Victoria movers. The route and timing work the same in reverse. We bring the truck over, load in Victoria, catch a sailing from Swartz Bay and unload in Surrey.

If you’re also selling or ending a lease in Victoria, let us know the date the home needs to be empty. We’ll plan the loading time around that.

5. What should I do about items the ferry won’t allow?

BC Ferries has rules on dangerous goods. Propane tanks, gasoline, paint thinner and similar items shouldn’t be packed in the moving truck.

The simplest approach is to use them up, give them to a neighbour or take them to a proper drop-off site before moving day. For a barbecue, disconnect and leave the propane tank behind, and we’ll move the barbecue itself. If you’re unsure about a specific item, ask us when you send your inventory, and we’ll tell you before moving day.