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 and flights can carry you and your bike from Duncan (Cowichan Valley) to Nelson.
For scale
As the crow flies473 km
Biking whole way745 km · 50 h 18 m
By car791 km · 10 h 06 m
We found eight ways to get you there.
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 · four legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Halfway across the province, no car required.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan →Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1.4 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 →New WestminsterRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverNew Westminster →Nelson495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚲You arrive at Nelson.
Option two · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Mountain Man Mike's will get you there.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan →Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.5 km.
🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)3.3 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
⛴️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 →Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)19 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverDowntown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie) →Nelson511 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚲You arrive at Nelson.
Option three · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The coach takes care of the long stretch.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressHwy 1 & Boys Rd (North Cowichan) →Legislature Terminal (Victoria)46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Legislature Terminal (Victoria) to Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria), about 1.3 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Bluebird Cabs, Sidney Taxi might help.
🚌Wilson's Transportation (BC Connector)BC Ferries Connector — Vancouver / VictoriaDouglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) →Tsawwassen (Delta)70 kmRides in the hold — bagged or boxed$42 per bike — 50 lb maxReserve bike spot — recommended
⛴️ Downtown to downtown via the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay ferry crossing.
🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen Ferryor the 900 Bike Bus (seasonal)Tsawwassen (Delta) →Bridgeport (Richmond)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — 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.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkBridgeport (Richmond) →New WestminsterRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverNew Westminster →Nelson495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚲You arrive at Nelson.
Option four · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A few connections, but each one moves you closer.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressHwy 1 & Boys Rd (North Cowichan) →Legislature Terminal (Victoria)46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Legislature Terminal (Victoria) to Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria), about 1.3 km.
🚎BC Transit70 Swartz Bay / Downtownor the 72 Swartz Bay / Downtown (via Saanichton)Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) →Swartz Bay (Victoria)29 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Swartz BaySwartz Bay (Victoria) →Tsawwassen (Delta)41 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen Ferryor the 900 Bike Bus (seasonal)Tsawwassen (Delta) →Bridgeport (Richmond)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — 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.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkBridgeport (Richmond) →New WestminsterRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverNew Westminster →Nelson495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚲You arrive at Nelson.
Show four moreShow fewer
Option five · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Another way: a few connections, but each one moves you closer.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan →Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1.4 km.
⛴️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.
⛴️SeaBusTransLinkVancouver Canada Place →Lonsdale Quay (North Vancouver)3.5 kmRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
Bikes ride inside the cabin; during weekday rush hours there's room for six bikes a sailing.
🚎TransLinkR2 Marine Dr RapidBusLonsdale Quay (North Vancouver) →Park Royal (West Vancouver)4.5 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressPark Royal (West Vancouver) →Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)7.5 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverDowntown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie) →Nelson511 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚲You arrive at Nelson.
Option six · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Option four, plus a city bus at the start.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDrinkwater Rd at Cowichan Commons (North Cowichan) →Duncan3.4 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan-Victoria ExpressDuncan →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit70 Swartz Bay / Downtownor the 72 Swartz Bay / Downtown (via Saanichton)Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) →Swartz Bay (Victoria)29 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Swartz BaySwartz Bay (Victoria) →Tsawwassen (Delta)41 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen Ferryor the 900 Bike Bus (seasonal)Tsawwassen (Delta) →Bridgeport (Richmond)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — 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.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkBridgeport (Richmond) →New WestminsterRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverNew Westminster →Nelson495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚲You arrive at Nelson.
Option seven · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Same as Option three, but a coach bus instead of the city bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressHwy 1 & Boys Rd (North Cowichan) →Legislature Terminal (Victoria)46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Legislature Terminal (Victoria) to Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria), about 1.3 km.
🚌Wilson's Transportation (BC Connector)BC Ferries Connector — Vancouver / VictoriaDouglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) →Downtown Vancouver101 kmRides in the hold — bagged or boxed$42 per bike — 50 lb maxReserve bike spot — recommended
⛴️ Downtown to downtown via the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay ferry crossing.
🚌Whistler ShuttleVancouver – Whistleror YVR Skylynx (Vancouver – Whistler)Downtown Vancouver →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)11 kmBook ahead — bikes carried with advance noticeBike fee
Door-to-door shuttle; the downtown Vancouver pickup is suspended for summer 2026.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) →New WestminsterRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverNew Westminster →Nelson495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚲You arrive at Nelson.
Option eight · five legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Two city buses, two flights, and a SkyTrain.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressHwy 1 & Boys Rd (North Cowichan) →Legislature Terminal (Victoria)46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Legislature Terminal (Victoria) to Victoria Harbour, about 0.7 km.
🛩️Harbour AirVancouver Harbour – Victoria HarbourVictoria Harbour →CXH (Vancouver)98 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 CXH (Vancouver) to Vancouver Canada Place, about 0.8 km.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
✈️Air CanadaVancouver (YVR) – Castlegar (YCG)Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) →Castlegar402 kmBox or sturdy bag requiredBook ahead for your bikeAbout $50 per directionNo e-bikes
🚲Travel the short hop from Castlegar to Hwy 3A at Ootischenia Rd (Castlegar), about 2.8 km.
🚎BC Transit99 Kootenay ConnectorHwy 3A at Ootischenia Rd (Castlegar) →Nelson31 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲You arrive at Nelson.
Route facts last checked July 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: Nelson to Duncan (Cowichan Valley) (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry)
Connections from Duncan (Cowichan Valley): Galiano Island (best: bus + ferry) · Abbotsford (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain) · Kamloops (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain) · Prince Rupert (best: bus + rental car + ferry)
Connections from Nelson: Castlegar (best: bus) · Langley (best: bus) · Gabriola Island (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry) · Prince Rupert (best: bus + ferry + rental car)
Check out BC Bike Stops in Duncan (Cowichan Valley) and Nelson