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 Hornby Island to Burns Lake.

For scale
As the crow flies530 km
Biking whole wayWe can't compute the bike route from the ferry dock but it may be rideable: please consult other sources.
By car1,297 km ยท 16 h 01 m

We found three 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
A one-way rental fills in the missing piece.
CarrierRideYour bike
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) โ€“ HornbyShingle Spit (Hornby Island) โ†’Gravelly Bay (Denman Island)2 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Gravelly Bay (Denman Island) to Denman Island West, about 9.4 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestDenman Island West โ†’Buckley Bay2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayBuckley Bay โ†’Courtenay20 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 Transit11 Airport via Powell R. Ferry / DowntownCourtenay โ†’Comox Airport (YQQ)8.3 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
One loop serves both the Little River ferry terminal and Comox airport; about 5โ€“7 trips a day, and Sunday service is unconfirmed.
๐Ÿš™National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Comox โ€“ Port HardyComox Airport (YQQ) โ†’YZT (Port Hardy)207 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.
๐Ÿš†VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert โ€“ Prince George โ€“ Jasper)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) โ†’Burns Lake391 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 Burns Lake.
Option two · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Same as Option one, but a coach bus instead of the train.
CarrierRideYour bike
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) โ€“ HornbyShingle Spit (Hornby Island) โ†’Gravelly Bay (Denman Island)2 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Gravelly Bay (Denman Island) to Denman Island West, about 9.4 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestDenman Island West โ†’Buckley Bay2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayBuckley Bay โ†’Courtenay20 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 Transit11 Airport via Powell R. Ferry / DowntownCourtenay โ†’Comox Airport (YQQ)8.3 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
One loop serves both the Little River ferry terminal and Comox airport; about 5โ€“7 trips a day, and Sunday service is unconfirmed.
๐Ÿš™National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Comox โ€“ Port HardyComox Airport (YQQ) โ†’YZT (Port Hardy)207 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.
๐ŸšŒBC Bus North (Tahltan NST Busing Ltd.)Prince George โ€“ Prince Rupert (Hwy 16 West)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) โ†’Burns Lake418 kmLuggage bay on the Prince Rupert routeOther routes: bagged or boxed โ€” checked as luggage
Twice a week: Monday and Thursday westbound, Tuesday and Friday eastbound.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Burns Lake.
Not an option · seven legs🚫 not possible with a bike⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Seven 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
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) โ€“ HornbyShingle Spit (Hornby Island) โ†’Gravelly Bay (Denman Island)2 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Gravelly Bay (Denman Island) to Denman Island West, about 9.4 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestDenman Island West โ†’Buckley Bay2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayBuckley Bay โ†’Courtenay20 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 LinkIsland Express BusCourtenay โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange97 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Downtown Nanaimo, about 0.6 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
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.
๐Ÿš†VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert โ€“ Prince George โ€“ Jasper)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) โ†’Burns Lake391 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 Burns Lake.
Not an option · seven legs🚫 not possible with a bike⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Another way: seven 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
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) โ€“ HornbyShingle Spit (Hornby Island) โ†’Gravelly Bay (Denman Island)2 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Gravelly Bay (Denman Island) to Denman Island West, about 9.4 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestDenman Island West โ†’Buckley Bay2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayBuckley Bay โ†’Courtenay20 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 LinkIsland Express BusCourtenay โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange97 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.
๐ŸšŒBC Bus North (Tahltan NST Busing Ltd.)Prince George โ€“ Prince Rupert (Hwy 16 West)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) โ†’Burns Lake418 kmLuggage bay on the Prince Rupert routeOther routes: bagged or boxed โ€” checked as luggage
Twice a week: Monday and Thursday westbound, Tuesday and Friday eastbound.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Burns Lake.
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Not an option · eight legs🚫 not possible with a bike⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Eight 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
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) โ€“ HornbyShingle Spit (Hornby Island) โ†’Gravelly Bay (Denman Island)2 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Gravelly Bay (Denman Island) to Denman Island West, about 9.4 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestDenman Island West โ†’Buckley Bay2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayBuckley Bay โ†’Courtenay20 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 LinkIsland Express BusCourtenay โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange97 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1 km.
โ›ด๏ธHulloHullo (Nanaimo โ€“ Vancouver)Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) โ†’CXH (Vancouver)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 CXH (Vancouver) to Vancouver Canada Place, about 0.8 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Black Top Cabs, Maclure'S Cabs might help.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place 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†’Burns Lake531 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 Burns Lake.
Option six · eight legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The long way round, but it works.
CarrierRideYour bike
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) โ€“ HornbyShingle Spit (Hornby Island) โ†’Gravelly Bay (Denman Island)2 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Gravelly Bay (Denman Island) to Denman Island West, about 9.4 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestDenman Island West โ†’Buckley Bay2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayBuckley Bay โ†’Courtenay20 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 Transit11 Airport via Powell R. Ferry / DowntownCourtenay โ†’Comox Airport (YQQ)8.3 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
One loop serves both the Little River ferry terminal and Comox airport; about 5โ€“7 trips a day, and Sunday service is unconfirmed.
โœˆ๏ธPacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver โ€“ ComoxComox Airport (YQQ) โ†’Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)136 kmRides in the hold โ€” small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
โœˆ๏ธPacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver โ€“ Port HardyVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) โ†’YZT (Port Hardy)343 kmRides in the hold โ€” small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
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.
๐Ÿš†VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert โ€“ Prince George โ€“ Jasper)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) โ†’Burns Lake391 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 Burns Lake.
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: Burns Lake to Hornby Island (best: train + ferry + rental car)

Connections from Hornby Island: Port Alberni (best: ferry + bus + carpool) · Gabriola Island (best: ferry + bus + carpool) · Tofino (best: ferry + bus + carpool) · Port Hardy (best: ferry + bus + rental car)

Connections from Burns Lake: Houston (best: train) · Gibsons (best: train + bus + ferry) · Chilliwack (best: train + bus) · Fernie (best: train + bus)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Hornby Island and Burns Lake