BC Cycle Tourism Society

To and Fro: moving your bike around British Columbia

My bike and I are in and we’d like to be in .
We show what transit connections accept bikes. Check with the operator for prices, schedules, and reservations.
Same place twice. You’re already there, so enjoy the ride.

Good news: buses, ferries, rental cars and flights can carry you and your bike from Alert Bay to Powell River.

For scale
As the crow flies191 km
Biking whole way290 km ยท 17 h 34 m
By car290 km ยท 5 h 21 m

We found two ways to get you there, ferries doing the heavy lifting.

Note: Most carriers carry only a handful of bikes, and summer weekends fill up fast. Reserve where you can. Where you can't, go early or have a backup plan.
Option one · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Fill in the gap with a rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesPort McNeill โ€“ Sointula โ€“ Alert BayAlert Bay (Cormorant Island) โ†’Port McNeill14 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort McNeill โ†’Port Hardy33 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Port Hardy to YZT (Port Hardy), about 10 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Waivin Flags Taxi might help.
๐Ÿš™National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Comox โ€“ Port HardyYZT (Port Hardy) โ†’Comox Airport (YQQ)207 kmOne-way between Island branches โ€” no drop chargeBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšŽBC Transit11 Airport via Powell R. Ferry / DowntownComox Airport (YQQ) โ†’Little River (Comox)4.3 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
One loop serves both the Little River ferry terminal and Comox airport; about 5โ€“7 trips a day, and Sunday service is unconfirmed.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesWestview โ€“ Little River (Comox)Little River (Comox) โ†’Marine & Duncan (Powell River)30 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Marine & Duncan (Powell River).
Option two · four legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The long way round, but it works.
CarrierRideYour bike
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesPort McNeill โ€“ Sointula โ€“ Alert BayAlert Bay (Cormorant Island) โ†’Port McNeill14 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort McNeill โ†’Port Hardy33 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Port Hardy to YZT (Port Hardy), about 10 km.
โœˆ๏ธPacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver โ€“ Port HardyYZT (Port Hardy) โ†’Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)343 kmRides in the hold โ€” small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
โœˆ๏ธPacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver โ€“ Powell RiverVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) โ†’YPW (Powell River)119 kmRides in the hold โ€” small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at YPW (Powell River).
Route facts last checked August 2026. We check that every leg here carries bikes, but policies and seasons change. Check times and book with the operator. Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it.
Explore more

Heading back: Powell River to Alert Bay (best: ferry + bus + rental car)

Connections from Alert Bay: Port Hardy (best: ferry + bus) · Ocean Falls (best: ferry + bus) · Vancouver (best: ferry + bus + rental car) · New Hazelton (best: ferry + bus + train)

Connections from Powell River: Comox (best: ferry) · Port Moody (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain) · Oliver (best: bus + ferry) · Calgary, AB (best: bus + ferry)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Alert Bay and Powell River