BC Cycle Tourism Society
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 can carry you and your bike from North Cowichan (Chemainus & Crofton) to Nanaimo.

For scale
As the crow flies32 km
Biking whole way38 km · 2 h 19 m
By car35 km · 28 m

We found two ways to get you there.

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
One long leg does most of the travelling.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚲First, get from North Cowichan (Chemainus & Crofton) to Joan & Queen - Saltspring Ferry (North Cowichan), about 8 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
🚎BC Transit6 Crofton-ChemainusJoan & Queen - Saltspring Ferry (North Cowichan) →Duncan11 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan →Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲You arrive at Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch.
Option two · three legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Option one, plus a city bus at the start.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit34 Ladysmith-ChemainusPine & Daniel (North Cowichan) →Coronation Mall (Ladysmith)8.1 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit36 Ladysmith-Duncan ExpressCoronation Mall (Ladysmith) →Duncan24 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan →Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲You arrive at Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch.
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 Something wrong or out of date?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: Nanaimo to North Cowichan (Chemainus & Crofton) (best: bus)

Connections from North Cowichan (Chemainus & Crofton): Galiano Island (best: bus + ferry) · Surrey (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain) · Seattle, WA (best: bus + ferry) · Prince Rupert (best: bus + rental car + ferry)

Connections from Nanaimo: Parksville (best: bus) · Sooke (best: bus) · Kelowna (best: ferry + SkyTrain + bus) · Calgary, AB (best: ferry + SkyTrain + bus)

Check out BC Bike Stops in North Cowichan (Chemainus & Crofton) and Nanaimo