Know Before You Go: Travel in British Columbia and Washington State

There are 11 land border crossings between BC and Washington. Wait times can be significant on long weekends and in the summer, so it’s always a good idea to check ahead. See northbound and southbound wait times.

Canada Border Services Agency has current information for visitors to British Columbia about required travel documents, restricted goods, travelling with children and pets, and other resources. 

For information about entering or reentering the United States, visit the Washington State Department of Transportation website and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Measurement: Canada uses the metric system, the U.S. uses the imperial system. The following conversions may be useful:

• Kilometres/hr to miles/hr
• Kilometres to miles
• °C to °F

Currency:

Credit cards (mainly Visa and MasterCard) are accepted by most businesses, but it’s a good idea to carry some cash. ATMs in BC dispense Canadian dollars; ATMs in the Washington dispense US dollars.

You can convert your cash at a bank or currency exchange outlet.

Statutory Holidays: 

While the two countries share certain holidays, there are several BC holidays that differ from Washington holidays, which may impact businesses.

Age of Majority:

Legal adulthood starts at age 19 in BC, and at age 21 in Washington.

For your Canadian adventure, check DriveBC before heading out on the road to learn about the current conditions along your planned route, including webcams, closures, construction delays, or detours. In BC, you will see kilometres rather than miles, and in both countries cars travel on the right side of the road. Please visit Emergency Info BC for updated details on emergencies including evacuation orders and alerts. Note: Between October 1 and April 30, many BC highways require winter tires.

Beyond road tripping, you can travel by train on the Amtrak Cascades for a smooth three-and-a-half-hour rail trip from downtown to downtown, or catch a flight from Vancouver International Airport or Seattle–Tacoma International Airport.  

In Washington, where speed limits are posted in miles, visit the Washington State Department of Transportation website for real-time information on road work, closures, ferry delays, traffic, webcams for major highways and mountain passes, and more. Find more information about transportation to and within Washington.

Reservations are highly recommended when travelling with BC Ferries. If you have questions, contact 1-888-BC Ferry or www.bcferries.com/contact-us.

Washington State operates the largest ferry network in the United States, with a fleet of vessels serving Puget Sound and the greater Salish Sea. Visit the Washington State Ferries website for information on accessibility, reservations, tips for first-time riders, and more. During the busy summer months, advance vehicle reservations are highly recommended for certain routes, such as Anacortes / San Juan Islands and Port Townsend / Coupeville.

For ferry travel between countries, the Black Ball Ferry Line connects Port Angeles, WA, with Victoria, BC, while the Victoria Clipper offers passenger-only ferry service between Seattle and Victoria. Learn more about all of Washington’s ferry routes.

While weather conditions in the Pacific Northwest will be fairly consistent, it’s recommended that you check out what’s in store when crossing the border.

In British Columbia, weather is influenced by latitude, mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. Temperature, average precipitation, and hours of sunshine can vary over short distances, but in general, temperatures are warmer in the south and milder on the coast, and rainfall is heaviest in coastal communities. To learn more about seasonal weather, visit BC’s Climate & Weather page.

In Washington State, the west side of the Cascade Mountains tends to be cooler and wetter than the east side. Cities on the west side of the Olympic Peninsula see more rain, while the northeast side and San Juan Islands get more dry, sunny days. The state’s east side tends to see drier weather with hot summers and cold winters. Find more information on Washington’s Climate & Seasons page.

We all have a role to play in ensuring safe and responsible travel.

In British Columbia, there are protocols and expectations in place to keep you and BC communities safe. For more information, visit the How to Travel Safely & Responsibly page.

In Washington State, ensure your visit has a positive impact by planning ahead, recreating responsibly, and supporting local communities. Visit Washington’s Responsible Travel Hub for more information and resources.

The number to call in case of emergency in either country is 911.

Visitors to BC are encouraged to download and allow notifications from Alertable, an emergency notification app with customizable settings, to receive the latest local alerts, such as road closures and evacuation information, straight to your mobile device.

Visitors to Washington State should monitor their alerts page.