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, rental cars and flights can carry you and your bike from Hornby Island to Duncan (Cowichan Valley).
For scale
As the crow flies110 km
Biking whole way166 km · 10 h 19 m
By car153 km · 2 h 14 m
We found four 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 · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
Make some friends in a carpool.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) – HornbyShingle Spit (Hornby Island) →Gravelly Bay (Denman Island)2 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Gravelly Bay (Denman Island) to Denman Island West, about 9.4 km.
⛴️BC FerriesBuckley Bay – Denman WestDenman Island West →Buckley Bay2.5 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayBuckley Bay →Courtenay20 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
Only two trips on Sundays.
🚗PoparideIsland Hwy rideshare (Nanaimo - Courtenay)Courtenay →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange97 kmOnly some rides take bikes — look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable — check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 0.5 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch →Duncan46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲You arrive at Duncan.
Option two · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Fill in the gap with a rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) – HornbyShingle Spit (Hornby Island) →Gravelly Bay (Denman Island)2 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Gravelly Bay (Denman Island) to Denman Island West, about 9.4 km.
⛴️BC FerriesBuckley Bay – Denman WestDenman Island West →Buckley Bay2.5 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayBuckley Bay →Courtenay20 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
Only two trips on Sundays.
🚎BC Transit11 Airport via Powell R. Ferry / DowntownCourtenay →Comox Airport (YQQ)8.3 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
One loop serves both the Little River ferry terminal and Comox airport; about 5–7 trips a day, and Sunday service is unconfirmed.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Comox – NanaimoComox Airport (YQQ) →Downtown Nanaimo88 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 Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 0.5 km.
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch →Duncan46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲You arrive at Duncan.
Option three · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
Same as Option one, but a carpool instead of the city bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) – HornbyShingle Spit (Hornby Island) →Gravelly Bay (Denman Island)2 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Gravelly Bay (Denman Island) to Denman Island West, about 9.4 km.
⛴️BC FerriesBuckley Bay – Denman WestDenman Island West →Buckley Bay2.5 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayBuckley Bay →Courtenay20 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
Only two trips on Sundays.
🚗PoparideIsland Hwy rideshare (Nanaimo - Courtenay)Courtenay →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange97 kmOnly some rides take bikes — look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable — check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
🚗PoparideHwy 1 rideshare (Victoria - Duncan - Nanaimo)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange →DuncanOnly some rides take bikes — look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable — check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
🚲You arrive at Duncan.
Not an option · five legs🚫 not possible with a bike⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Two ferries, two city buses, and a coach bus.
🚫 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
⛴️BC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) – HornbyShingle Spit (Hornby Island) →Gravelly Bay (Denman Island)2 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Gravelly Bay (Denman Island) to Denman Island West, about 9.4 km.
⛴️BC FerriesBuckley Bay – Denman WestDenman Island West →Buckley Bay2.5 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayBuckley Bay →Courtenay20 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
Only two trips on Sundays.
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 0.5 km.
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch →Duncan46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲You arrive at Duncan.
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Not an option · six legs🚫 not possible with a bike⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Six legs, end to end.
🚫 This chain exists, but Island Link and West Coast Trail Express does not carry bikes, so it cannot work with yours. We show it so you can see where the connection breaks.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) – HornbyShingle Spit (Hornby Island) →Gravelly Bay (Denman Island)2 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Gravelly Bay (Denman Island) to Denman Island West, about 9.4 km.
⛴️BC FerriesBuckley Bay – Denman WestDenman Island West →Buckley Bay2.5 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayBuckley Bay →Courtenay20 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
Only two trips on Sundays.
🚌West Coast Trail ExpressJuan de Fuca Trail routeor West Coast Trail Express (West Coast Trail route) or Island Link (Victoria Express Bus)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)157 kmDoes not carry bikes
Runs May 1 to September 30.
🚲Travel the short hop from Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) to Legislature Terminal (Victoria), about 1.3 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Bluebird Cabs, Sidney Taxi might help.
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressLegislature Terminal (Victoria) →Hwy 1 & Boys Rd (North Cowichan)46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲You arrive at Hwy 1 & Boys Rd (North Cowichan).
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 and West Coast Trail Express does not carry bikes, so it cannot work with yours. We show it so you can see where the connection breaks.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) – HornbyShingle Spit (Hornby Island) →Gravelly Bay (Denman Island)2 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Gravelly Bay (Denman Island) to Denman Island West, about 9.4 km.
⛴️BC FerriesBuckley Bay – Denman WestDenman Island West →Buckley Bay2.5 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayBuckley Bay →Courtenay20 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
Only two trips on Sundays.
🚌West Coast Trail ExpressJuan de Fuca Trail routeor Island Link (Victoria Express Bus)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)157 kmDoes not carry bikes
Runs May 1 to September 30.
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan-Victoria ExpressDouglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) →Duncan46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲You arrive at Duncan.
Option seven · seven legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Fly most of the way, then let transit finish the trip.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) – HornbyShingle Spit (Hornby Island) →Gravelly Bay (Denman Island)2 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Gravelly Bay (Denman Island) to Denman Island West, about 9.4 km.
⛴️BC FerriesBuckley Bay – Denman WestDenman Island West →Buckley Bay2.5 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayBuckley Bay →Courtenay20 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
Only two trips on Sundays.
🚲Travel the short hop from Courtenay to Anfield Centre (Courtenay), about 2.9 km.
🚎BC Transit1 Comox Mall / Anfield Centre via N.I.C.Anfield Centre (Courtenay) →Comox Mall Bay B4 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Comox Mall Bay B to Comox Harbour, about 0.4 km.
🛩️Harbour AirVancouver Harbour – ComoxComox Harbour →CXH (Vancouver)138 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
🛩️Harbour AirVancouver Harbour – Victoria HarbourCXH (Vancouver) →Victoria Harbour98 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 Victoria Harbour to Legislature Terminal (Victoria), about 0.7 km.
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressLegislature Terminal (Victoria) →Hwy 1 & Boys Rd (North Cowichan)46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲You arrive at Hwy 1 & Boys Rd (North Cowichan).
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: Duncan (Cowichan Valley) to Hornby Island (best: bus + carpool + ferry)
Connections from Hornby Island: Port Alberni (best: ferry + bus + carpool) · Campbell River (best: ferry + bus + rental car) · Tofino (best: ferry + bus + carpool) · Port Hardy (best: ferry + bus + rental car)
Connections from Duncan (Cowichan Valley): Galiano Island (best: bus + ferry) · Abbotsford (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain) · Kelowna (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain) · Prince Rupert (best: bus + rental car + ferry)
Check out BC Bike Stops in Hornby Island and Duncan (Cowichan Valley)