Kootenay Lake Ferry (2024)

FAQs

How much is the ferry to Kootenay Lake? ›

The ferries in our region are free, including the tourist attraction, the Kootenay Lake Ferry, which is the longest free ferry in the world. It's a 35-minute journey covering 8km, and operates year round.

The Kootenay Lake Ferry is the longest free ferry in the world, and very easily one of the most gorgeous routes.

The Kootenay Lake ferry runs across Kootenay Lake, 35 kilometres east of Nelson on Highway 3A, between Balfour (west side) and Kootenay Bay (east side), 70 kilometres from Creston on Highway 3A.

After the October 1963 opening of the Salmo–Creston highway over the Kootenay Pass, ferry fares were eliminated the following month. Built by Kootenay Ferry Builders at Nelson, the 80-vehicle, 250-passenger capacity MV Osprey 2000 was launched and entered service in 2000.

All times are Pacific Time (PST). Times in bold indicate peak ferry travel. Anticipate delays during this period.

Is there a direct bus between Nelson and Cranbrook? No, there is no direct bus from Nelson to Cranbrook. However, there are services departing from Nelson, BC - 512 Railway Street and arriving at Cranbrook Exch via Kootenay & 7 St N. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 3h 41m.

The world's shortest ferry line is the Ferry Lina in Töreboda, Sweden.

What is the largest ferry of all time? ›

The Stena Hollandica is the largest combined freight and passenger ferry in the world. It is the first of two Ropax ships built at the Nordic Yards shipyard in Wismar, Germany. The Hollandica was handed over to Stena Line in May 2010, while its sister ship, the Stena Britannica, was delivered in October 2010.

A scenic alternative, Highway 3A, takes you north from Creston along the eastern shore of Kootenay Lake. Allow plenty of time to meander along this winding road to enjoy the views across the lake to the mountains beyond.

Kootenay Lake is one of the largest lakes in British Columbia, and is perfect for sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, SUP (Stand Up Paddle), canoeing, leisurely boat rides and of course, fishing.

The lake sits at about 4 degrees C in the winter and does not freeze due to the damns that keep the water continually moving. The lake warms to around 20 degrees in the summer, making for a refreshing, clear water dip.

The total cost of the three ferries was close to $475 million, with the project plagued by cost overruns, construction delays and political interference. It was subsequently dubbed “the fast ferry fiasco.”

Friendly and free. Traveling along the lake from from Nelson we got on the ferry from Balfour to Crawford Bay. Beautiful, scenic & I believe it also saved some kilometers going east.

It is free!!! The most time it will take you is 60 minutes. The trip over is 20 minutes each way. When we pulled up the ferry was just leaving so we had to wait the 20 minutes to get there and the 20 minutes for it to get back and then the 20 ride for us.