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 Burns Lake to Parksville.
For scale
As the crow flies553 km
Biking whole wayWe can't compute the bike route from the ferry dock but it may be rideable: please consult other sources.
By car1,143 km · 13 h 52 m
We found 9 ways to get you there, ferries doing the heavy lifting.
🎒 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⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Four ways to travel, one destination.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚆VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert – Prince George – Jasper)Burns Lake →Jasper AB531 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in
Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).
🚆VIA RailThe Canadian (Vancouver – Kamloops North – Jasper)Jasper AB →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)541 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in
Two departures a week in season; bikes can be checked on and off at Vancouver and Jasper only.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkPacific Central Station (Vancouver) →Vancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Black Top Cabs, Maclure'S Cabs might help.
⛴️HulloHullo (Nanaimo – Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) →Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)61 kmBook online ahead — 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way — $25 in personNo e-bikes — no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
🚲Travel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 1 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
🚎BC Transit1 Nanaimo Rapid LineDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Bay B at Woodgrove Exch (Nanaimo)12 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit9 IntercityBay B at Woodgrove Exch (Nanaimo) →Island Hwy W at Wembley Centre (Parksville)24 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲You arrive at Island Hwy W at Wembley Centre (Parksville).
Option two · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Fill in the gap with a rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚆VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert – Prince George – Jasper)Burns Lake →Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St)391 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in
Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).
⛴️BC FerriesPort Hardy – Prince Rupert (Inside Passage)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) →Bear Cove (Port Hardy)445 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
Sails alternate days, roughly 3–4 sailings a week each way in summer.
🚲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.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimo)YZT (Port Hardy) →Downtown Nanaimo295 kmOne-way between Island branches — no drop chargeBike rides inside — 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) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit1 Nanaimo Rapid LineDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Bay B at Woodgrove Exch (Nanaimo)12 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit9 IntercityBay B at Woodgrove Exch (Nanaimo) →Island Hwy W at Wembley Centre (Parksville)24 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲You arrive at Island Hwy W at Wembley Centre (Parksville).
Option three · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Same as Option two, but a coach bus instead of the train.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌BC Bus North (Tahltan NST Busing Ltd.)Prince George – Prince Rupert (Hwy 16 West)Burns Lake →Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St)418 kmLuggage bay on the Prince Rupert routeOther routes: bagged or boxed — checked as luggage
Twice a week: Monday and Thursday westbound, Tuesday and Friday eastbound.
⛴️BC FerriesPort Hardy – Prince Rupert (Inside Passage)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) →Bear Cove (Port Hardy)445 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
Sails alternate days, roughly 3–4 sailings a week each way in summer.
🚲Travel the short hop from Bear Cove (Port Hardy) to YZT (Port Hardy), about 8 km.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimo)YZT (Port Hardy) →Downtown Nanaimo295 kmOne-way between Island branches — no drop chargeBike rides inside — 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) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit1 Nanaimo Rapid LineDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Bay B at Woodgrove Exch (Nanaimo)12 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit9 IntercityBay B at Woodgrove Exch (Nanaimo) →Island Hwy W at Wembley Centre (Parksville)24 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲You arrive at Island Hwy W at Wembley Centre (Parksville).
Option four · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Halfway across the province, no car required.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚆VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert – Prince George – Jasper)Burns Lake →Downtown Exch Bay B (Prince George)200 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in
Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).
🚌EbusKamloops – Prince GeorgeDowntown Exch Bay B (Prince George) →Kamloops456 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs Wed/Fri/Sun toward Prince George and Mon/Thu/Sat toward Kamloops; no service on Tuesdays.
🚌EbusVancouver – Kamloopsor Ebus (Vancouver – Calgary (Hwy 1)) or Rider Express (Vancouver – Calgary)Kamloops →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)301 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkPacific Central Station (Vancouver) →Vancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
⛴️HulloHullo (Nanaimo – Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) →Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)61 kmBook online ahead — 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way — $25 in personNo e-bikes — no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
🚲Travel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 1 km.
🚎BC Transit1 Nanaimo Rapid LineDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Bay B at Woodgrove Exch (Nanaimo)12 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit9 IntercityBay B at Woodgrove Exch (Nanaimo) →Island Hwy W at Wembley Centre (Parksville)24 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲You arrive at Island Hwy W at Wembley Centre (Parksville).
Show five moreShow fewer
Option five · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Same as Option four, but a coach bus instead of the train.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌BC Bus North (Tahltan NST Busing Ltd.)Prince George – Prince Rupert (Hwy 16 West)Burns Lake →Downtown Exch Bay B (Prince George)201 kmLuggage bay on the Prince Rupert routeOther routes: bagged or boxed — checked as luggage
Twice a week: Monday and Thursday westbound, Tuesday and Friday eastbound.
🚌EbusKamloops – Prince GeorgeDowntown Exch Bay B (Prince George) →Kamloops456 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs Wed/Fri/Sun toward Prince George and Mon/Thu/Sat toward Kamloops; no service on Tuesdays.
🚌EbusVancouver – Kamloopsor Ebus (Vancouver – Calgary (Hwy 1)) or Rider Express (Vancouver – Calgary)Kamloops →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)301 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkPacific Central Station (Vancouver) →Vancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
⛴️HulloHullo (Nanaimo – Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) →Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)61 kmBook online ahead — 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way — $25 in personNo e-bikes — no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
🚲Travel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 1 km.
🚎BC Transit1 Nanaimo Rapid LineDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Bay B at Woodgrove Exch (Nanaimo)12 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit9 IntercityBay B at Woodgrove Exch (Nanaimo) →Island Hwy W at Wembley Centre (Parksville)24 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲You arrive at Island Hwy W at Wembley Centre (Parksville).
Option six · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A long haul, but it all connects.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚆VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert – Prince George – Jasper)Burns Lake →Downtown Exch Bay B (Prince George)200 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in
Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).
🚌EbusKamloops – Prince GeorgeDowntown Exch Bay B (Prince George) →Kamloops456 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs Wed/Fri/Sun toward Prince George and Mon/Thu/Sat toward Kamloops; no service on Tuesdays.
🚌Rider ExpressVancouver – Calgary (Hwy 1)Kamloops →Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)301 kmRides in the hold — bagged, wrapped, or boxed$50 per bike — non-refundable
🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressDowntown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie) →Horseshoe Bay19 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayHorseshoe Bay →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit1 Nanaimo Rapid LineDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Bay B at Woodgrove Exch (Nanaimo)12 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit9 IntercityBay B at Woodgrove Exch (Nanaimo) →Island Hwy W at Wembley Centre (Parksville)24 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲You arrive at Island Hwy W at Wembley Centre (Parksville).
Option seven · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Same as Option six, but a coach bus instead of the train.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌BC Bus North (Tahltan NST Busing Ltd.)Prince George – Prince Rupert (Hwy 16 West)Burns Lake →Downtown Exch Bay B (Prince George)201 kmLuggage bay on the Prince Rupert routeOther routes: bagged or boxed — checked as luggage
Twice a week: Monday and Thursday westbound, Tuesday and Friday eastbound.
🚌EbusKamloops – Prince GeorgeDowntown Exch Bay B (Prince George) →Kamloops456 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs Wed/Fri/Sun toward Prince George and Mon/Thu/Sat toward Kamloops; no service on Tuesdays.
🚌Rider ExpressVancouver – Calgary (Hwy 1)Kamloops →Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)301 kmRides in the hold — bagged, wrapped, or boxed$50 per bike — non-refundable
🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressDowntown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie) →Horseshoe Bay19 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayHorseshoe Bay →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit1 Nanaimo Rapid LineDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Bay B at Woodgrove Exch (Nanaimo)12 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit9 IntercityBay B at Woodgrove Exch (Nanaimo) →Island Hwy W at Wembley Centre (Parksville)24 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲You arrive at Island Hwy W at Wembley Centre (Parksville).
Option eight · eight legs📅 seasonal⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A proper expedition.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚆VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert – Prince George – Jasper)Burns Lake →Jasper AB531 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in
Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).
🚆VIA RailThe Canadian (Vancouver – Kamloops North – Jasper)Jasper AB →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)541 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in
Two departures a week in season; bikes can be checked on and off at Vancouver and Jasper only.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkPacific Central Station (Vancouver) →Vancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚌Squamish ConnectorSquamish – VancouverVancouver Canada Place →Horseshoe Bay16 kmBook aheadMax 2 bikes per tripSome buses have an outside rack — otherwise carried in the luggage hold$15 each wayNo e-bikes
Bikes welcome May to September; check schedule outside that window.
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayHorseshoe Bay →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit1 Nanaimo Rapid LineDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Bay B at Woodgrove Exch (Nanaimo)12 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit9 IntercityBay B at Woodgrove Exch (Nanaimo) →Island Hwy W at Wembley Centre (Parksville)24 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲You arrive at Island Hwy W at Wembley Centre (Parksville).
Option 9 · seven legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Nothing direct, but it strings together.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚆VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert – Prince George – Jasper)Burns Lake →Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St)391 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in
Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).
⛴️BC FerriesPort Hardy – Prince Rupert (Inside Passage)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) →Bear Cove (Port Hardy)445 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
Sails alternate days, roughly 3–4 sailings a week each way in summer.
🚲Travel the short hop from Bear Cove (Port Hardy) to YZT (Port Hardy), about 8 km.
✈️Pacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver – Port HardyYZT (Port Hardy) →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)343 kmRides in the hold — small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) →Vancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
🛩️Harbour AirVancouver Harbour – Nanaimo HarbourCXH (Vancouver) →Nanaimo Harbour60 kmFront wheel must come off$20 handling fee — bike weight counts toward your baggage allowanceNot on the Twin Otter — other floatplanes are fine; confirm when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from Nanaimo Harbour to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.6 km.
🚎BC Transit1 Nanaimo Rapid LineDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Bay B at Woodgrove Exch (Nanaimo)12 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit9 IntercityBay B at Woodgrove Exch (Nanaimo) →Island Hwy W at Wembley Centre (Parksville)24 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲You arrive at Island Hwy W at Wembley Centre (Parksville).
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: Parksville to Burns Lake (best: bus + rental car + ferry)
Connections from Burns Lake: Houston (best: train) · Gibsons (best: train + bus + ferry) · Chilliwack (best: train + bus) · Fernie (best: train + bus)
Connections from Parksville: Nanaimo (best: bus) · Ucluelet (best: bus + carpool) · Merritt (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain) · Calgary, AB (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain)
Check out BC Bike Stops in Burns Lake and Parksville