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, trains and flights can carry you and your bike from Nelson to Richmond.

For scale
As the crow flies425 km
Biking whole way662 km ยท 46 h 30 m
By car670 km ยท 7 h 21 m

We found two 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 · two legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Mountain Man Mike's will get you there.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒMountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ€“ Vancouver1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson) โ†’New Westminster495 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.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkNew Westminster โ†’Richmond-BrighouseRoll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Richmond-Brighouse.
Option two · three legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The scenic splurge: hop a flight.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŽBC Transit99 Kootenay Connector1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson) โ†’Hwy 3A at Ootischenia Rd (Brilliant)31 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 Hwy 3A at Ootischenia Rd (Brilliant) to Castlegar, about 2.8 km.
โœˆ๏ธAir CanadaVancouver (YVR) โ€“ Castlegar (YCG)Castlegar โ†’Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)402 kmBox or sturdy bag requiredBook ahead for your bikeAbout $50 per directionNo e-bikes
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) โ†’Richmond-BrighouseRoll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Richmond-Brighouse.
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 Something wrong or out of date?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.
Explore more

Heading back: Richmond to Nelson (best: SkyTrain + bus)

Connections from Nelson: Castlegar (best: bus) · Abbotsford (best: bus) · Gabriola Island (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry) · Haida Gwaii (best: bus + train + ferry)

Connections from Richmond: Galiano Island (best: bus + ferry) · Powell River (best: SkyTrain + bus + ferry) · Williams Lake (best: SkyTrain + bus) · Haida Gwaii (best: SkyTrain + train + ferry)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Nelson and Richmond