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: buses, ferries, trains, rental cars and flights can carry you and your bike from Galiano Island to Prince Rupert.

For scale
As the crow flies773 km
Biking whole wayWe can't compute the bike route from the ferry dock but it may be rideable: please consult other sources.
By car1,525 km ยท 17 h 30 m

We found five ways to get you there, ferries doing the heavy lifting.

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 · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Fill in the gap with a rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesSwartz Bay โ€“ Southern Gulf IslandsSturdies Bay (Galiano Island) โ†’Swartz Bay (North Saanich)23 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 Swartz Bay / Downtownor the 72 Swartz Bay / Downtown (via Saanichton)Swartz Bay (North Saanich) โ†’Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)29 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
๐ŸšฒTravel 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.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressLegislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) โ†’Duncan54 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan โ†’Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.5 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDowntown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Departure Bay (Nanaimo)3.3 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.3 km.
๐Ÿš™National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy โ€“ Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Port Hardy โ€“ Nanaimo)Downtown Nanaimo โ†’YZT (Port Hardy)295 kmOne-way between Island branches โ€” no drop chargeBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Bear Cove (Port Hardy), about 8 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Waivin Flags Taxi might help.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesPort Hardy โ€“ Prince Rupert (Inside Passage)Bear Cove (Port Hardy) โ†’Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St)445 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
Sails alternate days, roughly 3โ€“4 sailings a week each way in summer.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St).
Option two · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The same idea as Option one, on different routes.
CarrierRideYour bike
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesSwartz Bay โ€“ Southern Gulf IslandsSturdies Bay (Galiano Island) โ†’Swartz Bay (North Saanich)23 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 Swartz Bay / Downtownor the 72 Swartz Bay / Downtown (via Saanichton)Swartz Bay (North Saanich) โ†’Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)29 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit66 CVX Cowichan-Victoria ExpressDouglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) โ†’Duncan46 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan โ†’Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.5 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDowntown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Departure Bay (Nanaimo)3.3 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.3 km.
๐Ÿš™National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy โ€“ Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Port Hardy โ€“ Nanaimo)Downtown Nanaimo โ†’YZT (Port Hardy)295 kmOne-way between Island branches โ€” no drop chargeBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Bear Cove (Port Hardy), about 8 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesPort Hardy โ€“ Prince Rupert (Inside Passage)Bear Cove (Port Hardy) โ†’Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St)445 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
Sails alternate days, roughly 3โ€“4 sailings a week each way in summer.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St).
Option three · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Ride The Canadian through the mountains.
CarrierRideYour bike
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesTsawwassen โ€“ Southern Gulf IslandsSturdies Bay (Galiano Island) โ†’Tsawwassen (Delta)36 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” 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.
๐ŸšŽTransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen FerryTsawwassen (Delta) โ†’Bridgeport (Richmond)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ€” 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.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkBridgeport (Richmond) โ†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐Ÿš†VIA RailThe Canadian (Vancouver โ€“ Kamloops North โ€“ Jasper)Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) โ†’Jasper AB541 kmChecked baggage โ€” staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK โ€” battery disconnected at check-in
Two departures a week in season; bikes can be checked on and off at Vancouver and Jasper only.
๐Ÿš†VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert โ€“ Prince George โ€“ Jasper)Jasper AB โ†’Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St)922 kmChecked baggage โ€” staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK โ€” battery disconnected at check-in
Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St).
Option four · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A transport smorgasbord: ferries, city bus, SkyTrain, and rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesTsawwassen โ€“ Southern Gulf IslandsSturdies Bay (Galiano Island) โ†’Tsawwassen (Delta)36 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” 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.
๐ŸšŽTransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen FerryTsawwassen (Delta) โ†’Bridgeport (Richmond)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ€” 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.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkBridgeport (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.
โ›ด๏ธHulloHullo (Nanaimo โ€“ Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) โ†’Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)61 kmBook online ahead โ€” 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way โ€” $25 in personNo e-bikes โ€” no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.5 km.
๐Ÿš™BudgetOne-way rental: Port Hardy โ€“ Nanaimoor National Car & Truck Rental (One-way rental: Port Hardy โ€“ Nanaimo) (counter a short ride away on the 20/20A Hammond Bay / Dover)Downtown Nanaimo โ†’YZT (Port Hardy)298 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 YZT (Port Hardy) to Bear Cove (Port Hardy), about 8 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesPort Hardy โ€“ Prince Rupert (Inside Passage)Bear Cove (Port Hardy) โ†’Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St)445 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
Sails alternate days, roughly 3โ€“4 sailings a week each way in summer.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St).
Show two moreShow fewer
Not an option · five legs🚫 not possible with a bike⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Two ferries, a city bus, a coach bus, and a rental car, riding the Inside Passage.
🚫  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
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesSwartz Bay โ€“ Southern Gulf IslandsSturdies Bay (Galiano Island) โ†’Swartz Bay (North Saanich)23 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 Swartz Bay / Downtownor the 72 Swartz Bay / Downtown (via Saanichton)Swartz Bay (North Saanich) โ†’Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)29 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
๐ŸšŒIsland LinkVictoria Express BusDouglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange92 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Downtown Nanaimo, about 0.6 km.
๐Ÿš™BudgetOne-way rental: Port Hardy โ€“ NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo โ†’YZT (Port Hardy)298 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 YZT (Port Hardy) to Bear Cove (Port Hardy), about 8 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesPort Hardy โ€“ Prince Rupert (Inside Passage)Bear Cove (Port Hardy) โ†’Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St)445 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
Sails alternate days, roughly 3โ€“4 sailings a week each way in summer.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St).
Option six · three legs✈ the splurge
Ferry to Swartz Bay, plane to Richmond, then a plane into Prince Rupert.
CarrierRideYour bike
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesSwartz Bay โ€“ Southern Gulf IslandsSturdies Bay (Galiano Island) โ†’Swartz Bay (North Saanich)23 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Swartz Bay (North Saanich) to YYJ (Victoria), about 4.7 km.
โœˆ๏ธPacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver โ€“ VictoriaYYJ (Victoria) โ†’Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)63 kmRides in the hold โ€” small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
โœˆ๏ธAir CanadaVancouver (YVR) โ€“ Prince Rupert (YPR)Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) โ†’YPR (Prince Rupert)756 kmBox or sturdy bag requiredBook ahead for your bikeAbout $50 per directionNo e-bikes
๐ŸšฒAt the far end, Central Prince Rupert is about 8.2 km from YPR (Prince Rupert). Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Skeena Taxi might help.
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.
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Heading back: Prince Rupert to Galiano Island (best: train + SkyTrain + bus)

Connections from Galiano Island: Duncan (Cowichan Valley) (best: ferry + bus) · Maple Ridge (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain) · Armstrong (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain) · New Hazelton (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain)

Connections from Prince Rupert: Terrace (best: train) · Parksville (best: ferry + rental car + bus) · Abbotsford (best: train + bus) · Fernie (best: train + bus)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Galiano Island and Prince Rupert