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 Galiano Island to Nelson.
For scale
As the crow flies443 km
Biking whole way702 km · 47 h 58 m
By car683 km · 8 h 21 m
We found two ways to get you there, ferries doing the heavy lifting.
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 FerriesTsawwassen – Southern Gulf IslandsSturdies Bay (Galiano Island) →Tsawwassen (Delta)36 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
Sailing times vary a lot by routing: some trips are about 50 minutes, others run 2 to 3 hours via Swartz Bay. Check the specific sailing before you book.
🚎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 two · four legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The scenic splurge: hop a flight.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesSwartz Bay – Southern Gulf IslandsSturdies Bay (Galiano Island) →Swartz Bay (Victoria)23 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Swartz Bay (Victoria) to YYJ (Victoria), about 4.7 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Bluebird Cabs, Sidney Taxi might help.
✈️Pacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver – VictoriaYYJ (Victoria) →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)63 kmRides in the hold — small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
✈️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 Galiano Island (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry)
Connections from Galiano Island: Duncan (Cowichan Valley) (best: ferry + bus) · Gibsons (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain) · West Kelowna (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain) · New Hazelton (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain)
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 Galiano Island and Nelson