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, trains, rental cars and flights can carry you and your bike from Bella Coola to Galiano Island.

For scale
As the crow flies458 km
Biking whole way752 km Β· 38 h 47 m
By car1,030 km Β· 13 h 33 m

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

πŸŽ’ Riding a coach? Most BC coach operators want your bike bagged or boxed. Our field note walks through packing it, including an inexpensive packable bike bag we like: How to bike-and-bus in BC ›
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 · six legs📅 seasonal
A little bit of everything.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesPort Hardy – Bella CoolaBella Coola β†’Bear Cove (Port Hardy)268 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
Doesn't sail every day, and not every sailing calls at every stop β€” check the BC Ferries schedule for your date.
🚲Travel the short hop from Bear Cove (Port Hardy) to YZT (Port Hardy), about 8 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Waivin Flags Taxi might help.
πŸš™BudgetOne-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimoor National Car & Truck Rental (One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimo) (counter a short ride away on the 20/20A Hammond Bay / Dover)YZT (Port Hardy) β†’Downtown Nanaimo298 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches β€” bookable onlineBike rides inside β€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1.5 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
⛴️HulloHullo (Nanaimo – Vancouver)Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) β†’CXH (Vancouver)61 kmBook online ahead β€” 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way β€” $25 in personNo e-bikes β€” no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
🚲Travel the short hop from CXH (Vancouver) to Vancouver Canada Place, about 0.8 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Black Top Cabs, Maclure'S Cabs might help.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place β†’Bridgeport (Richmond)Roll on, free β€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen FerryBridgeport (Richmond) β†’Tsawwassen (Delta)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes β€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
The 620 is year-round, roughly hourly, timed to sailings, with two bike-rack spots. On busy summer ferry days the seasonal 900 Bike Bus can carry an extra 10 bikes.
⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Southern Gulf IslandsTsawwassen (Delta) β†’Sturdies Bay (Galiano Island)36 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
Sailing times vary a lot by routing: some trips are about 50 minutes, others run 2 to 3 hours via Swartz Bay. Check the specific sailing before you book.
🚲You arrive at Sturdies Bay (Galiano Island).
Option two · seven legs📅 seasonal
A one-way rental fills in the missing piece.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesPort Hardy – Bella CoolaBella Coola β†’Bear Cove (Port Hardy)268 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
Doesn't sail every day, and not every sailing calls at every stop β€” check the BC Ferries schedule for your date.
🚲Travel the short hop from Bear Cove (Port Hardy) to YZT (Port Hardy), about 8 km.
πŸš™National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimo) (counter a short ride away on the 20/20A Hammond Bay / Dover)YZT (Port Hardy) β†’Downtown Nanaimo295 kmOne-way between Island branches β€” no drop chargeBike rides inside β€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Departure Bay (Nanaimo), about 1.3 km.
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) β†’Horseshoe Bay53 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressHorseshoe Bay β†’Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)17 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes β€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) β†’Bridgeport (Richmond)Roll on, free β€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen FerryBridgeport (Richmond) β†’Tsawwassen (Delta)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes β€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
The 620 is year-round, roughly hourly, timed to sailings, with two bike-rack spots. On busy summer ferry days the seasonal 900 Bike Bus can carry an extra 10 bikes.
⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Southern Gulf IslandsTsawwassen (Delta) β†’Sturdies Bay (Galiano Island)36 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
Sailing times vary a lot by routing: some trips are about 50 minutes, others run 2 to 3 hours via Swartz Bay. Check the specific sailing before you book.
🚲You arrive at Sturdies Bay (Galiano Island).
Option three · seven legs📅 seasonal
A lot of connections, but it gets you there.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesPort Hardy – Bella CoolaBella Coola β†’Bear Cove (Port Hardy)268 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
Doesn't sail every day, and not every sailing calls at every stop β€” check the BC Ferries schedule for your date.
🚲Travel the short hop from Bear Cove (Port Hardy) to YZT (Port Hardy), about 8 km.
πŸš™National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimo)YZT (Port Hardy) β†’Downtown Nanaimo295 kmOne-way between Island branches β€” no drop chargeBike rides inside β€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Departure Bay (Nanaimo), about 1.3 km.
🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) β†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 0.5 km.
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch β†’Duncan46 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressDuncan β†’Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria)54 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) to Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria), about 1.3 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Bluebird Cabs, Sidney Taxi might help.
🚎BC Transit70 Swartz Bay / Downtownor the 72 Swartz Bay / Downtown (via Saanichton)Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) β†’Swartz Bay (North Saanich)29 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
⛴️BC FerriesSwartz Bay – Southern Gulf IslandsSwartz Bay (North Saanich) β†’Sturdies Bay (Galiano Island)23 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Sturdies Bay (Galiano Island).
Option four · six legs📅 seasonal
A long haul, but it all connects.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesPort Hardy – Bella CoolaBella Coola β†’Bear Cove (Port Hardy)268 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
Doesn't sail every day, and not every sailing calls at every stop β€” check the BC Ferries schedule for your date.
🚲Travel the short hop from Bear Cove (Port Hardy) to YZT (Port Hardy), about 8 km.
πŸš™BudgetOne-way rental: Port Hardy – NanaimoYZT (Port Hardy) β†’Downtown Nanaimo298 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches β€” bookable onlineBike rides inside β€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1 km.
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch β†’Duncan46 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressDuncan β†’Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria)54 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit75 Saanichton / Royal Oak / DowntownLegislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) β†’Brentwood Bay20 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Brentwood Bay to Swartz Bay (North Saanich), about 13 km.
⛴️BC FerriesSwartz Bay – Southern Gulf IslandsSwartz Bay (North Saanich) β†’Sturdies Bay (Galiano Island)23 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Sturdies Bay (Galiano Island).
Show four moreShow fewer
Option five · six legs📅 seasonal
Same as Option one, but a coach bus instead of the SkyTrain.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesPort Hardy – Bella CoolaBella Coola β†’Bear Cove (Port Hardy)268 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
Doesn't sail every day, and not every sailing calls at every stop β€” check the BC Ferries schedule for your date.
🚲Travel the short hop from Bear Cove (Port Hardy) to YZT (Port Hardy), about 8 km.
πŸš™BudgetOne-way rental: Port Hardy – NanaimoYZT (Port Hardy) β†’Downtown Nanaimo298 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches β€” bookable onlineBike rides inside β€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1.5 km.
⛴️HulloHullo (Nanaimo – Vancouver)Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) β†’CXH (Vancouver)61 kmBook online ahead β€” 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way β€” $25 in personNo e-bikes β€” no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
🚲Travel the short hop from CXH (Vancouver) to Vancouver Canada Place, about 0.8 km.
🚌Quick Shuttle (Quick Coach Lines / TRAXX)Vancouver – Seattle (SeaTac)Vancouver Canada Place β†’Bridgeport (Richmond)10 kmBikes accepted β€” book as an add-on$42 USD each β€” about $57 CAD
Runs year-round; winter service drops to Friday–Monday only.
🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen FerryBridgeport (Richmond) β†’Tsawwassen (Delta)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes β€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
The 620 is year-round, roughly hourly, timed to sailings, with two bike-rack spots. On busy summer ferry days the seasonal 900 Bike Bus can carry an extra 10 bikes.
⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Southern Gulf IslandsTsawwassen (Delta) β†’Sturdies Bay (Galiano Island)36 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
Sailing times vary a lot by routing: some trips are about 50 minutes, others run 2 to 3 hours via Swartz Bay. Check the specific sailing before you book.
🚲You arrive at Sturdies Bay (Galiano Island).
Option six · seven legs📅 seasonal
Same as Option two, but a coach bus instead of the city bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesPort Hardy – Bella CoolaBella Coola β†’Bear Cove (Port Hardy)268 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
Doesn't sail every day, and not every sailing calls at every stop β€” check the BC Ferries schedule for your date.
🚲Travel the short hop from Bear Cove (Port Hardy) to YZT (Port Hardy), about 8 km.
πŸš™National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy – NanaimoYZT (Port Hardy) β†’Downtown Nanaimo295 kmOne-way between Island branches β€” no drop chargeBike rides inside β€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Departure Bay (Nanaimo), about 1.3 km.
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) β†’Horseshoe Bay53 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚌Squamish ConnectorSquamish – VancouverHorseshoe Bay β†’Vancouver Canada Place16 kmBook aheadMax 2 bikes per tripSome buses have an outside rack β€” otherwise carried in the luggage hold$15 each wayNo e-bikes
Bikes welcome May to September; check schedule outside that window.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place β†’Bridgeport (Richmond)Roll on, free β€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen FerryBridgeport (Richmond) β†’Tsawwassen (Delta)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes β€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
The 620 is year-round, roughly hourly, timed to sailings, with two bike-rack spots. On busy summer ferry days the seasonal 900 Bike Bus can carry an extra 10 bikes.
⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Southern Gulf IslandsTsawwassen (Delta) β†’Sturdies Bay (Galiano Island)36 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
Sailing times vary a lot by routing: some trips are about 50 minutes, others run 2 to 3 hours via Swartz Bay. Check the specific sailing before you book.
🚲You arrive at Sturdies Bay (Galiano Island).
Option seven · four legs✈ the splurge
One long leg does most of the travelling.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚲First, get from Central Bella Coola to QBC (Bella Coola), about 11 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
✈️Pacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver – Bella CoolaQBC (Bella Coola) β†’Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)429 kmRides in the hold β€” small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) β†’Bridgeport (Richmond)Roll on, free β€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen FerryBridgeport (Richmond) β†’Tsawwassen (Delta)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes β€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
The 620 is year-round, roughly hourly, timed to sailings, with two bike-rack spots. On busy summer ferry days the seasonal 900 Bike Bus can carry an extra 10 bikes.
⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Southern Gulf IslandsTsawwassen (Delta) β†’Sturdies Bay (Galiano Island)36 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
Sailing times vary a lot by routing: some trips are about 50 minutes, others run 2 to 3 hours via Swartz Bay. Check the specific sailing before you book.
🚲You arrive at Sturdies Bay (Galiano Island).
Not an option · five legs🚫 not possible with a bike📅 seasonal
Two ferries, a rental car, a coach bus, and a city bus.
🚫  This chain exists, but Island Link does not carry bikes, so it cannot work with yours. We show it so you can see where the connection breaks.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesPort Hardy – Bella CoolaBella Coola β†’Bear Cove (Port Hardy)268 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
Doesn't sail every day, and not every sailing calls at every stop β€” check the BC Ferries schedule for your date.
🚲Travel the short hop from Bear Cove (Port Hardy) to YZT (Port Hardy), about 8 km.
πŸš™BudgetOne-way rental: Port Hardy – NanaimoYZT (Port Hardy) β†’Downtown Nanaimo298 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches β€” bookable onlineBike rides inside β€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.6 km.
🚌Island LinkVictoria Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange β†’Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)92 kmDoes not carry bikes
🚎BC Transit70 Swartz Bay / Downtownor the 72 Swartz Bay / Downtown (via Saanichton)Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) β†’Swartz Bay (North Saanich)29 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
⛴️BC FerriesSwartz Bay – Southern Gulf IslandsSwartz Bay (North Saanich) β†’Sturdies Bay (Galiano Island)23 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Sturdies Bay (Galiano Island).
Route facts last checked October 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: Galiano Island to Bella Coola (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain)

Connections from Bella Coola: Ocean Falls (best: ferry) · Lillooet (best: ferry + train + bus) · Kamloops (best: ferry + train + bus) · Whitehorse, YT (best: plane)

Connections from Galiano Island: Duncan (Cowichan Valley) (best: ferry + bus) · Port Alberni (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain) · Sorrento (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain) · Whitehorse, YT (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Bella Coola and Galiano Island