Cortes Island to Williams Lake with a bike

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, water taxis, rental cars and flights can carry you and your bike from Cortes Island to Williams Lake.

For scale

As the crow flies304 km

Biking whole way728 km · 52 h 23 m

By car929 km · 12 h 47 m

We found eight ways to get you there.

🎒 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⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

A ferry and a water taxi make a fun combination.

CarrierRideYour bike

🛥️Qaya Way West TransportationCampbell River – Savary Islandor Discovery Launch Water Taxi (Campbell River – Cortes Island) (doesn't run every day)Manson's Landing (Cortes Island) →Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River)19 kmPolicy not on file — check with the operator

Qaya Way West Transportation: Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.

Discovery Launch Water Taxi: Scheduled Fridays and Sundays in summer (also calls at Savary, Hernando and Lund); otherwise by charter.

🚲Travel 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.

🚙BudgetOne-way rental: Campbell River – NanaimoCampbell River →Downtown Nanaimo134 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches — bookable onlineBike rides inside — 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) →CXH (Vancouver)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 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 →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

🚌EbusVancouver – Kamloopsor Ebus (Vancouver – Calgary (Hwy 1)) or Rider Express (Vancouver – Calgary (Hwy 1))Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) →Kamloops301 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike

Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.

🚌EbusKamloops – Prince GeorgeKamloops →Williams Lake253 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.

🚲You arrive at Williams Lake.

Option two · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

The same trip, but with Discovery Launch Water Taxi for the water taxi leg.

CarrierRideYour bike

🛥️Discovery Launch Water TaxiCampbell River – Cortes IslandCortes Island landing →Fishermans Wharf (Campbell River)19 kmPolicy not on file — check with the operator

Scheduled Fridays and Sundays in summer (also calls at Savary, Hernando and Lund); otherwise by charter.

🚲Travel the short hop from Fishermans Wharf (Campbell River) to Campbell River, about 0.7 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1.5 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from CXH (Vancouver) to Vancouver Canada Place, about 0.8 km.

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place →Surrey CentralRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

🚲Travel the short hop from Surrey Central to Surrey (Guildford Rec Centre), about 3.4 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Aldergrove-Langley Taxi Ltd., Green Cab might help.

🚌EbusVancouver – Calgary (Hwy 1)or Rider Express (Vancouver – Calgary (Hwy 1))Surrey (Guildford Rec Centre) →Kamloops280 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike

Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.

🚌EbusKamloops – Prince GeorgeKamloops →Williams Lake253 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.

🚲You arrive at Williams Lake.

Option three · seven legs📅 seasonal⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

A one-way rental fills in the missing piece.

CarrierRideYour bike

🛥️Qaya Way West TransportationCampbell River – Savary IslandManson's Landing (Cortes Island) →Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River)19 kmPolicy not on file — check with the operator

Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.

🚲Travel the short hop from Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River) to YBL (Campbell River), about 8.7 km.

🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Campbell River – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Campbell River – Nanaimo) (counter a short ride away on the 20/20A Hammond Bay / Dover)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.

⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) →Horseshoe Bay53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressHorseshoe Bay →Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)17 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.

🚌EbusKamloops – Prince GeorgeKamloops →Williams Lake253 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.

🚲You arrive at Williams Lake.

Option four · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

Beautiful BC from a coach window.

CarrierRideYour bike

🚲First, get from Central Cortes Island to Whaletown (Cortes Island), about 7.4 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.

⛴️BC FerriesHeriot Bay (Quadra) – Whaletown (Cortes)Whaletown (Cortes Island) →Heriot Bay (Quadra Island)11 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚲Travel the short hop from Heriot Bay (Quadra Island) to Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island), about 6.8 km.

⛴️BC FerriesCampbell River – Quathiaski Cove (Quadra)Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island) →Campbell River2.9 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚲Travel the short hop from Campbell River to Campbell River, about 0.3 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1.5 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from CXH (Vancouver) to Vancouver Canada Place, about 0.8 km.

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.

🚌EbusKamloops – Prince GeorgeKamloops →Williams Lake253 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.

🚲You arrive at Williams Lake.

Show six moreShow fewer

Option five · 9 legs📅 seasonal⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

A long haul, but it all connects.

CarrierRideYour bike

🛥️Qaya Way West TransportationCampbell River – Savary IslandManson's Landing (Cortes Island) →Savary Island Government Dock21 kmPolicy not on file — check with the operator

Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.

🛥️Lund Water TaxiLund – Savary IslandSavary Island Government Dock →Lund Harbour4.1 kmPolicy not on file — check with the operator

Year-round walk-on service, near-hourly in July and August; reservations required. E-bikes not carried (barge by arrangement).

🚎BC Transit14 LundLund Harbour →Town Centre Mall Bay A (Powell River)23 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

Runs Monday, Tuesday and Friday most of the year, six days a week from mid-May to Labour Day; some stretches are on-request. Front bike rack; e-bikes under 25 kg allowed.

🚲Travel the short hop from Town Centre Mall Bay A (Powell River) to Powell River, about 1.1 km.

🚌Sunshine Coast ConnectorLangdale – Powell RiverPowell River →Langdale (Gibsons)106 kmReserve bike spot — rack space is limited$20 bike · $40 e-bikeNo box needed — rack on the bus

Includes the Earls Cove–Saltery Bay ferry leg.

⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – LangdaleLangdale (Gibsons) →Horseshoe Bay16 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressHorseshoe Bay →Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)17 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.

🚌EbusKamloops – Prince GeorgeKamloops →Williams Lake253 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.

🚲You arrive at Williams Lake.

Option six · eight legs📅 seasonal⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

Pack patience, it connects.

CarrierRideYour bike

Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.

🚲Travel the short hop from Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River) to Campbell River, about 0.7 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.6 km.

🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)3.3 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 FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) →Horseshoe Bay53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressHorseshoe Bay →Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)17 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) →Surrey CentralRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

🚲Travel the short hop from Surrey Central to Surrey (Guildford Rec Centre), about 3.4 km.

Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.

🚌EbusKamloops – Prince GeorgeKamloops →Williams Lake253 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.

🚲You arrive at Williams Lake.

Option seven · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

Another way: pack patience, it connects.

CarrierRideYour bike

🚲First, get from Central Cortes Island to Whaletown (Cortes Island), about 7.4 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.

⛴️BC FerriesHeriot Bay (Quadra) – Whaletown (Cortes)Whaletown (Cortes Island) →Heriot Bay (Quadra Island)11 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚲Travel the short hop from Heriot Bay (Quadra Island) to Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island), about 6.8 km.

⛴️BC FerriesCampbell River – Quathiaski Cove (Quadra)Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island) →Campbell River2.9 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚲Travel the short hop from Campbell River to YBL (Campbell River), about 8.3 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Departure Bay (Nanaimo), about 1.3 km.

⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) →Horseshoe Bay53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressHorseshoe Bay →Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)17 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.

🚌EbusKamloops – Prince GeorgeKamloops →Williams Lake253 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.

🚲You arrive at Williams Lake.

Option eight · three legs✈ the splurge📅 seasonal

Water taxi to Coast Marina, plane to Richmond, then a plane into Williams Lake.

CarrierRideYour bike

Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.

🚲Travel the short hop from Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River) to YBL (Campbell River), about 8.7 km.

✈️Pacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver – Campbell RiverYBL (Campbell River) →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)173 kmRides in the hold — small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes

✈️Pacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver – Williams LakeVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) →YWL (Williams Lake)342 kmRides in the hold — small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes

🚲At the far end, Central Williams Lake is about 8.4 km from YWL (Williams Lake). Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.

Not an option · six legs🚫 not possible with a bike📅 seasonal⚠ 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

Qaya Way West Transportation: Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.

Discovery Launch Water Taxi: Scheduled Fridays and Sundays in summer (also calls at Savary, Hernando and Lund); otherwise by charter.

🚲Travel the short hop from Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River) to Campbell River, about 0.4 km.

🚌Island LinkIsland Express BusCampbell River →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange138 kmDoes not carry bikes

🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from CXH (Vancouver) to Vancouver Canada Place, about 0.8 km.

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.

🚌EbusKamloops – Prince GeorgeKamloops →Williams Lake253 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.

🚲You arrive at Williams Lake.

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

🛥️Discovery Launch Water TaxiCampbell River – Cortes IslandCortes Island landing →Fishermans Wharf (Campbell River)19 kmPolicy not on file — check with the operator

Scheduled Fridays and Sundays in summer (also calls at Savary, Hernando and Lund); otherwise by charter.

🚲Travel the short hop from Fishermans Wharf (Campbell River) to Campbell River, about 0.3 km.