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 Campbell River to Thetis Island.
For scale
As the crow flies162 km
Biking whole way208 km · 12 h 38 m
By car201 km · 2 h 36 m
We found two 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
Fill in the gap with a rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚲First, get from Central Campbell River to YBL (Campbell River), about 8.3 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Bee-Line Taxi might help.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Campbell River – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Campbell River – Nanaimo)YBL (Campbell River) →Downtown Nanaimo127 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. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
🚎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
🚲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 →Duncan46 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 Transit36 Ladysmith-Duncan ExpressDuncan →Coronation Mall (Ladysmith)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
🚎BC Transit34 Ladysmith-ChemainusCoronation Mall (Ladysmith) →Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan)8.1 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
🚲Travel the short hop from Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan) to Chemainus, about 1.3 km.
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutChemainus →Preedy Harbour (Thetis Island)7.7 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Preedy Harbour (Thetis Island).
Not an option · five legs🚫 not possible with a bike⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A coach bus, three city buses, and a ferry.
🚫 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
🚲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 →Duncan46 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 Transit36 Ladysmith-Duncan ExpressDuncan →Coronation Mall (Ladysmith)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
🚎BC Transit34 Ladysmith-ChemainusCoronation Mall (Ladysmith) →Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan)8.1 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
🚲Travel the short hop from Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan) to Chemainus, about 1.3 km.
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutChemainus →Preedy Harbour (Thetis Island)7.7 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Preedy Harbour (Thetis Island).
Not an option · six legs🚫 not possible with a bike⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Six legs, end to end.
🚫 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
🚌Island LinkVictoria Express Busor West Coast Trail Express (Juan de Fuca Trail route) (seasonal)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)92 kmDoes not carry bikes
🚲Travel the short hop from Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) to Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria), about 1.3 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Bluebird Cabs, Sidney Taxi might help.
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressLegislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) →Duncan54 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 Transit36 Ladysmith-Duncan ExpressDuncan →Coronation Mall (Ladysmith)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
🚎BC Transit34 Ladysmith-ChemainusCoronation Mall (Ladysmith) →Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan)8.1 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
🚲Travel the short hop from Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan) to Chemainus, about 1.3 km.
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutChemainus →Preedy Harbour (Thetis Island)7.7 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Preedy Harbour (Thetis Island).
Not an option · six legs🚫 not possible with a bike⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Another way: six legs, end to end.
🚫 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
🚌Island LinkVictoria Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)92 kmDoes not carry bikes
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan-Victoria ExpressDouglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) →Duncan46 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 Transit36 Ladysmith-Duncan ExpressDuncan →Coronation Mall (Ladysmith)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
🚎BC Transit34 Ladysmith-ChemainusCoronation Mall (Ladysmith) →Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan)8.1 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
🚲Travel the short hop from Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan) to Chemainus, about 1.3 km.
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutChemainus →Preedy Harbour (Thetis Island)7.7 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Preedy Harbour (Thetis Island).
Show two moreShow fewer
Not an option · seven legs🚫 not possible with a bike⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Seven legs, end to end.
🚫 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
🚌Island LinkVictoria Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)92 kmDoes not carry bikes
🚲Travel the short hop from Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) to Douglas & Finlayson - Mayfair (Victoria), about 1.9 km.
🚎BC Transit99 SVX Shawnigan Lake - Victoria ExpressDouglas & Finlayson - Mayfair (Victoria) →Deloume Park & Ride (Mill Bay)28 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 Transit8 Mill Bay via Telegraph Rd/Duncan via Shawnigan Lkor the 9 Mill Bay via Shawnigan Lk/Duncan via Telegraph RdDeloume Park & Ride (Mill Bay) →Duncan17 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 Transit36 Ladysmith-Duncan ExpressDuncan →Coronation Mall (Ladysmith)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
🚎BC Transit34 Ladysmith-ChemainusCoronation Mall (Ladysmith) →Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan)8.1 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
🚲Travel the short hop from Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan) to Chemainus, about 1.3 km.
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutChemainus →Preedy Harbour (Thetis Island)7.7 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Preedy Harbour (Thetis Island).
Option six · six legs✈ the splurge📅 seasonal⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The long way round, but it works.
CarrierRideYour bike
🛩️Harbour AirVancouver Harbour – Campbell River (new, seasonal from Jul 2026)Campbell River Harbour →CXH (Vancouver)176 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
New route, seasonal from July 2026.
🛩️Harbour AirVancouver Harbour – Victoria HarbourCXH (Vancouver) →Victoria Belleville Terminal98 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 Victoria Belleville Terminal to Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria), about 0.7 km.
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressLegislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) →Duncan54 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 Transit36 Ladysmith-Duncan ExpressDuncan →Coronation Mall (Ladysmith)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
🚎BC Transit34 Ladysmith-ChemainusCoronation Mall (Ladysmith) →Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan)8.1 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
🚲Travel the short hop from Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan) to Chemainus, about 1.3 km.
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutChemainus →Preedy Harbour (Thetis Island)7.7 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Preedy Harbour (Thetis Island).
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: Thetis Island to Campbell River (best: ferry + bus + rental car)
Connections from Campbell River: Lund (best: just ride) · Delta (best: rental car + ferry + SkyTrain) · West Kelowna (best: rental car + ferry + SkyTrain) · Calgary, AB (best: rental car + ferry + bus)
Connections from Thetis Island: Lake Cowichan (best: ferry + bus) · Langford (best: ferry + bus) · Port Alberni (best: ferry + bus + rental car) · Seattle, WA (best: ferry + bus)
Check out BC Bike Stops in Campbell River