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: ferries, trains, water taxis, rental cars and flights can carry you and your bike from Cortes Island to Port Alberni.

For scale
As the crow flies93 km
Biking whole way171 km ยท 12 h 39 m
By car191 km ยท 3 h 22 m

We found five ways to get you there.

๐ŸŽ’ 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 · three legs📅 seasonal
The long way round, but it works.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐Ÿ›ฅ๏ธQaya Way West TransportationCampbell River โ€“ Savary Islandor Discovery Launch Water Taxi (Campbell River โ€“ Cortes Island) (doesn't run every day)Manson's Landing (Cortes Island) โ†’Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River)19 kmPolicy not on file โ€” check with the operator
Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River) to Campbell River, about 0.7 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Bee-Line Taxi might help.
๐Ÿš™BudgetOne-way rental: Campbell River โ€“ Nanaimoor National Car & Truck Rental (One-way rental: Campbell River โ€“ Nanaimo) (counter a short ride away on the 20/20A Hammond Bay / Dover)Campbell River โ†’Downtown Nanaimo134 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches โ€” bookable onlineBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐Ÿš™BudgetOne-way rental: Port Alberni โ€“ NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo โ†’Port Alberni64 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches โ€” bookable onlineBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Port Alberni to Port Alberni, about 0.8 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Alberni District United Cabs Association, United Cabs'S #5 might help.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.
Option two · three legs📅 seasonal📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
Same as Option one, but a carpool instead of the rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐Ÿ›ฅ๏ธQaya Way West TransportationCampbell River โ€“ Savary Islandor Discovery Launch Water Taxi (Campbell River โ€“ Cortes Island) (doesn't run every day)Manson's Landing (Cortes Island) โ†’Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River)19 kmPolicy not on file โ€” check with the operator
Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River) to Campbell River, about 0.7 km.
๐Ÿš™BudgetOne-way rental: Campbell River โ€“ Nanaimoor National Car & Truck Rental (One-way rental: Campbell River โ€“ Nanaimo) (counter a short ride away on the 20/20A Hammond Bay / Dover)Campbell River โ†’Downtown Nanaimo134 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches โ€” bookable onlineBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.6 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
๐Ÿš—PoparideHwy 4 rideshare (Nanaimo - Port Alberni - Ucluelet - Tofino)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Port Alberni64 kmOnly some rides take bikes โ€” look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable โ€” check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.
Option three · four legs
One long leg does most of the travelling.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšฒFirst, get from Central Cortes Island to Whaletown (Cortes Island), about 7.4 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesHeriot Bay (Quadra) โ€“ Whaletown (Cortes)Whaletown (Cortes Island) โ†’Heriot Bay (Quadra Island)11 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Heriot Bay (Quadra Island) to Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island), about 6.8 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesCampbell River โ€“ Quathiaski Cove (Quadra)Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island) โ†’Campbell River2.9 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Campbell River to Campbell River, about 0.3 km.
๐Ÿš™BudgetOne-way rental: Campbell River โ€“ NanaimoCampbell River โ†’Downtown Nanaimo134 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches โ€” bookable onlineBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐Ÿš™BudgetOne-way rental: Port Alberni โ€“ NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo โ†’Port Alberni64 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches โ€” bookable onlineBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Port Alberni to Port Alberni, about 0.8 km.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.
Option four · four legs📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
Same as Option three, but a carpool instead of the rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšฒFirst, get from Central Cortes Island to Whaletown (Cortes Island), about 7.4 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesHeriot Bay (Quadra) โ€“ Whaletown (Cortes)Whaletown (Cortes Island) โ†’Heriot Bay (Quadra Island)11 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Heriot Bay (Quadra Island) to Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island), about 6.8 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesCampbell River โ€“ Quathiaski Cove (Quadra)Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island) โ†’Campbell River2.9 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Campbell River to Campbell River, about 0.3 km.
๐Ÿš™BudgetOne-way rental: Campbell River โ€“ NanaimoCampbell River โ†’Downtown Nanaimo134 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches โ€” bookable onlineBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.6 km.
๐Ÿš—PoparideHwy 4 rideshare (Nanaimo - Port Alberni - Ucluelet - Tofino)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Port Alberni64 kmOnly some rides take bikes โ€” look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable โ€” check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.
Show six moreShow fewer
Not an option · three legs🚫 not possible with a bike📅 seasonal
Water taxi to Coast Marina, coach bus to Nanaimo, then a coach bus into Port Alberni.
🚫  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
๐Ÿ›ฅ๏ธQaya Way West TransportationCampbell River โ€“ Savary Islandor Discovery Launch Water Taxi (Campbell River โ€“ Cortes Island) (doesn't run every day)Manson's Landing (Cortes Island) โ†’Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River)19 kmPolicy not on file โ€” check with the operator
Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River) to Campbell River, about 0.4 km.
๐ŸšŒIsland LinkIsland Express BusCampbell River โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange138 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐ŸšŒIsland LinkTofino Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Port Alberni64 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.
Not an option · four legs🚫 not possible with a bike
Two ferries and two coach buses.
🚫  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
๐ŸšฒFirst, get from Central Cortes Island to Whaletown (Cortes Island), about 7.4 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesHeriot Bay (Quadra) โ€“ Whaletown (Cortes)Whaletown (Cortes Island) โ†’Heriot Bay (Quadra Island)11 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Heriot Bay (Quadra Island) to Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island), about 6.8 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesCampbell River โ€“ Quathiaski Cove (Quadra)Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island) โ†’Campbell River2.9 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŒIsland LinkIsland Express BusCampbell River โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange138 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐ŸšŒIsland LinkTofino Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Port Alberni64 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.
Not an option · three legs🚫 not possible with a bike📅 seasonal
Water taxi to Coast Marina, coach bus to Nanaimo, then a rental car into Port Alberni.
🚫  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
๐Ÿ›ฅ๏ธQaya Way West TransportationCampbell River โ€“ Savary IslandManson's Landing (Cortes Island) โ†’Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River)19 kmPolicy not on file โ€” check with the operator
Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River) to Campbell River, about 0.4 km.
๐ŸšŒIsland LinkIsland Express BusCampbell River โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange138 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Downtown Nanaimo, about 0.6 km.
๐Ÿš™BudgetOne-way rental: Port Alberni โ€“ NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo โ†’Port Alberni64 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches โ€” bookable onlineBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Port Alberni to Port Alberni, about 0.8 km.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.
Not an option · three legs🚫 not possible with a bike📅 seasonal📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
Water taxi to Coast Marina, coach bus to Nanaimo, then a carpool into Port Alberni.
🚫  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
๐Ÿ›ฅ๏ธQaya Way West TransportationCampbell River โ€“ Savary IslandManson's Landing (Cortes Island) โ†’Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River)19 kmPolicy not on file โ€” check with the operator
Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River) to Campbell River, about 0.4 km.
๐ŸšŒIsland LinkIsland Express BusCampbell River โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange138 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐Ÿš—PoparideHwy 4 rideshare (Nanaimo - Port Alberni - Ucluelet - Tofino)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Port Alberni64 kmOnly some rides take bikes โ€” look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable โ€” check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.
Not an option · three legs🚫 not possible with a bike📅 seasonal
Water taxi to Coast Marina, rental car to Nanaimo, then a coach bus into Port Alberni.
🚫  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
๐Ÿ›ฅ๏ธQaya Way West TransportationCampbell River โ€“ Savary IslandManson's Landing (Cortes Island) โ†’Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River)19 kmPolicy not on file โ€” check with the operator
Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River) to Campbell River, about 0.7 km.
๐Ÿš™BudgetOne-way rental: Campbell River โ€“ NanaimoCampbell River โ†’Downtown Nanaimo134 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches โ€” bookable onlineBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.6 km.
๐ŸšŒIsland LinkTofino Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Port Alberni64 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.
Option 10 · five legs✈ the splurge📅 seasonal
Fly most of the way, then let transit finish the trip.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐Ÿ›ฅ๏ธQaya Way West TransportationCampbell River โ€“ Savary IslandManson's Landing (Cortes Island) โ†’Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River)19 kmPolicy not on file โ€” check with the operator
Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River) to YBL (Campbell River), about 8.7 km.
โœˆ๏ธPacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver โ€“ Campbell RiverYBL (Campbell River) โ†’Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)173 kmRides in the hold โ€” small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) โ†’Vancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒTravel 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.
๐Ÿ›ฉ๏ธHarbour AirVancouver Harbour โ€“ Nanaimo HarbourCXH (Vancouver) โ†’Nanaimo Harbour60 kmFront wheel must come off$20 handling fee โ€” bike weight counts toward your baggage allowanceNot on the Twin Otter โ€” other floatplanes are fine; confirm when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Nanaimo Harbour to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.2 km.
๐Ÿš™BudgetOne-way rental: Port Alberni โ€“ NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo โ†’Port Alberni64 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches โ€” bookable onlineBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Port Alberni to Port Alberni, about 0.8 km.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.
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: Port Alberni to Cortes Island (best: rental car)

Connections from Cortes Island: Texada Island (best: bus + ferry) · Richmond (best: rental car + ferry + SkyTrain) · Princeton (best: rental car + ferry + SkyTrain) · Calgary, AB (best: rental car + ferry + SkyTrain)

Connections from Port Alberni: Hornby Island (best: rental car + carpool + bus) · Saturna Island (best: rental car + ferry + SkyTrain) · West Kelowna (best: rental car + ferry + SkyTrain) · Calgary, AB (best: rental car + ferry + SkyTrain)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Port Alberni