This ferry takes you from downtown Vancouver to Vancouver Island in just 70 minutes

If you're planning a trip from Vancouver to Vancouver Island, you may be interested to hear about another travel option aside from BC Ferries or via plane.

A ferry that launched last summer not only offers a faster service, but a direct route between downtown Vancouver and the island.

If you've ever needed to get between B.C.'s big city and downtown Nanaimo, this may be the perfect option for you.

Hullo is a foot-passenger ferry service which connects the two cities with daily sailings.

Albeit a bit pricier than BC Ferries, the travel time on Hullo is just 70 minutes if you need to get between the mainland and the island quickly.

Hullo Ferries launched in August 2023 and currently offers six sailings per day between Monday and Thursday, and three sailings per day on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The fast-ferry service has also added extra evening and late-night sailings on their routes for the summer.

These sailings are for special events like concerts and sporting events in Vancouver as well as for Canada Day and BC Day.

As for ticket prices, there are three tiers you can choose from when travelling.

These options include:

• One-way Comfort ticket: $39.99, allows reserved seating on the main deck, complimentary Wi-Fi, USB charging port and shared AC charging port
• One-way Premium ticket: $49.99, comes with free seat selection on the upper deck, high-speed Wi-Fi, priority off-boarding and dedicated AC and USB/USBC charging port
• One-way Business ticket: $59.99, comes with free seat selection on the upper deck, high-speed Wi-Fi, priority off-boarding, dedicated AC and USB/USBC charging port and a complimentary snack and beverage

As for luggage, Hullo allows one carry-on-sized bag and personal item for free. If you need to bring extra luggage or sports gear with you, that will come at an extra cost.

Hullo also offers a shuttle bus service, connecting passengers between downtown Nanaimo and the ferry terminal.

The bus has a capacity of 20 passengers and will pick up and drop off guests at The Coast Bastion Hotel or the bus exchange at the corner of Port Dr. and Front St. several times a day. The shuttle works on a first-come, first-served basis.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.

These prices are confirmed at the time of publishing, but they can change at any time. Taxes and fees may not be included.