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 and flights can carry you and your bike from Nanaimo to Sparwood.

For scale
As the crow flies657 km
Biking whole wayWe can't compute the bike route from the ferry dock but it may be rideable: please consult other sources.
By car1,050 km ยท 12 h 38 m

We found 11 ways to get you there.

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 · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Halfway across the province, no car required.
CarrierRideYour bike
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SkyTrainTransLinkWaterfront (Vancouver) โ†’Main Street-Science World (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Main Street-Science World (Vancouver) to Pacific Central Station (Vancouver), about 0.2 km.
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)or Rider Express (Vancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1))Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) โ†’Golden568 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit36 Golden โ€“ Cranbrook Connector (Health Connections)Golden โ†’Cranbrook223 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
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Tuesday and Thursday only.
๐ŸšŽBC TransitElkford โ€“ Cranbrook (Health Connections)Cranbrook โ†’Sparwood78 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
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Wednesday and Friday only.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Sparwood.
Option two · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A little bit of everything.
CarrierRideYour bike
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesHorseshoe Bay โ€“ Departure BayDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) โ†’Horseshoe Bay53 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽTransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressHorseshoe Bay โ†’Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)17 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) โ†’Main Street-Science World (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Main Street-Science World (Vancouver) to Pacific Central Station (Vancouver), about 0.2 km.
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)or Rider Express (Vancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1))Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) โ†’Golden568 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit36 Golden โ€“ Cranbrook Connector (Health Connections)Golden โ†’Cranbrook223 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
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Tuesday and Thursday only.
๐ŸšŽBC TransitElkford โ€“ Cranbrook (Health Connections)Cranbrook โ†’Sparwood78 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
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Wednesday and Friday only.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Sparwood.
Option three · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The same idea as Option two, on different routes.
CarrierRideYour bike
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesTsawwassen โ€“ Duke PointDuke Point (Nanaimo) โ†’Tsawwassen (Delta)58 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
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†’Main Street-Science World (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Main Street-Science World (Vancouver) to Pacific Central Station (Vancouver), about 0.2 km.
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)or Rider Express (Vancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1))Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) โ†’Golden568 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit36 Golden โ€“ Cranbrook Connector (Health Connections)Golden โ†’Cranbrook223 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
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Tuesday and Thursday only.
๐ŸšŽBC TransitElkford โ€“ Cranbrook (Health Connections)Cranbrook โ†’Sparwood78 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
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Wednesday and Friday only.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Sparwood.
Option four · four legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Grab a window seat, the scenery's included.
CarrierRideYour bike
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.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkWaterfront (Vancouver) โ†’New WestminsterRoll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšŒMountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ€“ VancouverNew Westminster โ†’1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ€” fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
๐ŸšŒMountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ€“ Calgaryor Mountain Man Mike's (Kaslo โ€“ Cranbrook โ€“ Calgary (weekly)) (doesn't run every day)1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson) โ†’Sparwood240 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ€” fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Mountain Man Mike's: Runs once a week, continuing east into Alberta.
Mountain Man Mike's: The only ground service between Cranbrook and Calgary; weekly, eastbound Monday and westbound Tuesday.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Sparwood.
Show seven moreShow fewer
Option five · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A lot of connections, but it gets you there.
CarrierRideYour bike
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesTsawwassen โ€“ Duke PointDuke Point (Nanaimo) โ†’Tsawwassen (Delta)58 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
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.
๐ŸšŽTransLink351 White Rock Centre / Bridgeport StationBridgeport (Richmond) โ†’White Rock Centre30 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
Express to the Canada Line at Bridgeport, seven days a week, with two bike-rack spots.
๐ŸšŽTransLink321 White Rock / Newton / Surrey Central StationWhite Rock Centre โ†’Surrey Central18 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
Daily service up King George Boulevard to Surrey Central SkyTrain, with two bike-rack spots.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Surrey Central to Surrey (Guildford Rec Centre), about 3.4 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Aldergrove-Langley Taxi Ltd., Green Cab might help.
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)or Rider Express (Vancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1))Surrey (Guildford Rec Centre) โ†’Golden545 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit36 Golden โ€“ Cranbrook Connector (Health Connections)Golden โ†’Cranbrook223 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
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Tuesday and Thursday only.
๐ŸšŽBC TransitElkford โ€“ Cranbrook (Health Connections)Cranbrook โ†’Sparwood78 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
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Wednesday and Friday only.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Sparwood.
Option six · four legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The same trip, but with Ebus for the coach bus leg.
CarrierRideYour bike
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.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkWaterfront (Vancouver) โ†’Main Street-Science World (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Main Street-Science World (Vancouver) to Pacific Central Station (Vancouver), about 0.2 km.
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) โ†’Calgary AB784 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.
๐ŸšŒMountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ€“ Cranbrook โ€“ Calgary (weekly)Calgary AB โ†’Sparwood275 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ€” fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
The only ground service between Cranbrook and Calgary; weekly, eastbound Monday and westbound Tuesday.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Sparwood.
Option seven · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A ferry, a city bus, a SkyTrain, and two coach buses.
CarrierRideYour bike
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesHorseshoe Bay โ€“ Departure BayDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) โ†’Horseshoe Bay53 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽTransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressHorseshoe Bay โ†’Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)17 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) โ†’New WestminsterRoll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšŒMountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ€“ VancouverNew Westminster โ†’1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ€” fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
๐ŸšŒMountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ€“ Calgaryor Mountain Man Mike's (Kaslo โ€“ Cranbrook โ€“ Calgary (weekly)) (doesn't run every day)1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson) โ†’Sparwood240 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ€” fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Mountain Man Mike's: Runs once a week, continuing east into Alberta.
Mountain Man Mike's: The only ground service between Cranbrook and Calgary; weekly, eastbound Monday and westbound Tuesday.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Sparwood.
Option eight · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The same idea as Option seven, on different routes.
CarrierRideYour bike
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesTsawwassen โ€“ Duke PointDuke Point (Nanaimo) โ†’Tsawwassen (Delta)58 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
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†’New WestminsterRoll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšŒMountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ€“ VancouverNew Westminster โ†’1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ€” fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
๐ŸšŒMountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ€“ Calgaryor Mountain Man Mike's (Kaslo โ€“ Cranbrook โ€“ Calgary (weekly)) (doesn't run every day)1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson) โ†’Sparwood240 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ€” fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Mountain Man Mike's: Runs once a week, continuing east into Alberta.
Mountain Man Mike's: The only ground service between Cranbrook and Calgary; weekly, eastbound Monday and westbound Tuesday.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Sparwood.
Option 9 · six legs📅 seasonal⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Same as Option two, but a coach bus instead of the city bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesHorseshoe Bay โ€“ Departure BayDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) โ†’Horseshoe Bay53 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŒSquamish ConnectorSquamish โ€“ VancouverHorseshoe Bay โ†’Vancouver Canada Place16 kmBook aheadMax 2 bikes per tripSome buses have an outside rack โ€” otherwise carried in the luggage hold$15 each wayNo e-bikes
Bikes welcome May to September; check schedule outside that window.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkWaterfront (Vancouver) โ†’Main Street-Science World (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Main Street-Science World (Vancouver) to Pacific Central Station (Vancouver), about 0.2 km.
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)or Rider Express (Vancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1))Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) โ†’Golden568 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit36 Golden โ€“ Cranbrook Connector (Health Connections)Golden โ†’Cranbrook223 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
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Tuesday and Thursday only.
๐ŸšŽBC TransitElkford โ€“ Cranbrook (Health Connections)Cranbrook โ†’Sparwood78 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
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Wednesday and Friday only.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Sparwood.
Option 10 · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Same as Option one, but a coach bus instead of the city bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
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.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkWaterfront (Vancouver) โ†’Main Street-Science World (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Main Street-Science World (Vancouver) to Pacific Central Station (Vancouver), about 0.2 km.
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)or Rider Express (Vancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1))Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) โ†’Golden568 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit36 Golden โ€“ Cranbrook Connector (Health Connections)Golden โ†’Cranbrook223 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
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Tuesday and Thursday only.
๐ŸšŒMountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ€“ Calgaryor Mountain Man Mike's (Kaslo โ€“ Cranbrook โ€“ Calgary (weekly)) (doesn't run every day)Cranbrook โ†’Sparwood78 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ€” fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Mountain Man Mike's: Runs once a week, continuing east into Alberta.
Mountain Man Mike's: The only ground service between Cranbrook and Calgary; weekly, eastbound Monday and westbound Tuesday.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Sparwood.
Option 11 · three legs✈ the splurge📞 on demand — book ahead with the operator
Plane to Richmond, plane to Cranbrook, then a coach bus into Sparwood.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšฒFirst, get from Central Nanaimo to YCD (Nanaimo), about 13 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
โœˆ๏ธPacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver โ€“ NanaimoYCD (Nanaimo) โ†’Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)52 kmRides in the hold โ€” small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
โœˆ๏ธAir CanadaVancouver (YVR) โ€“ Cranbrook (YXC)Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) โ†’YXC (Cranbrook)539 kmBox or sturdy bag requiredBook ahead for your bikeAbout $50 per directionNo e-bikes
๐ŸšŒTunnel49Elk Valley โ€“ Cranbrook AirportYXC (Cranbrook) โ†’Sparwood82 kmRides in the hold โ€” boxed, bagged, or wrappedBike fee โ€” $50 + GST per bike bag on the Calgary shuttle; Cranbrook might be extra
On-demand airport shuttle, year-round, 8 AM to 10 PM, two-person minimum. Bikes go if packed; mention it when you book, and there might be an extra fee.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Sparwood.
Route facts last checked October 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: Sparwood to Nanaimo (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry)

Connections from Nanaimo: Chemainus (best: bus) · Maple Ridge (best: ferry + SkyTrain + bus) · Clearwater (best: ferry + SkyTrain + bus) · Whitehorse, YT (best: ferry + SkyTrain + plane)

Connections from Sparwood: Cranbrook (best: bus) · Clearwater (best: bus) · Bowen Island (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry) · Whitehorse, YT (best: bus + plane)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Nanaimo and Sparwood