North Cowichan (Chemainus & Crofton) to Nelson with a bike

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 North Cowichan (Chemainus & Crofton) to Nelson.

For scale

As the crow flies471 km

Biking whole way741 km · 50 h 02 m

By car813 km · 10 h 23 m

We found eight 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 · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

Beautiful BC from a coach window.

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

🚲Travel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1.4 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.

⛴️HulloHullo (Nanaimo – Vancouver)Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) →CXH (Vancouver)61 kmBook online ahead — 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way — $25 in personNo e-bikes — no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max

🚲Travel 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.

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place →New WestminsterRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverNew Westminster →Nelson495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent

Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.

🚲You arrive at Nelson.

Option two · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

Pedal the first stretch, then let the coach buses take over.

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

🚲Travel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.5 km.

🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)3.3 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) →Horseshoe Bay53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressHorseshoe Bay →Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)19 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverDowntown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie) →Nelson511 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent

Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.

🚲You arrive at Nelson.

Option three · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

Mountain Man Mike's will get you there.

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 Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressDuncan →Legislature Terminal (Victoria)54 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚲Travel the short hop from Legislature Terminal (Victoria) to Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria), about 1.3 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Bluebird Cabs, Sidney Taxi might help.

🚌Wilson's Transportation (BC Connector)BC Ferries Connector — Vancouver / VictoriaDouglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) →Tsawwassen (Delta)70 kmRides in the hold — bagged or boxed$42 per bike — 50 lb maxReserve bike spot — recommended

⛴️ Downtown to downtown via the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay ferry crossing.

🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen Ferryor the 900 Bike Bus (seasonal)Tsawwassen (Delta) →Bridgeport (Richmond)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — 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.

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkBridgeport (Richmond) →New WestminsterRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverNew Westminster →Nelson495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent

Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.

🚲You arrive at Nelson.

Option four · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

Every leg of this works, there are just a lot of them.

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 Transit66 CVX Cowichan-Victoria ExpressDuncan →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚎BC Transit70 Swartz Bay / Downtownor the 72 Swartz Bay / Downtown (via Saanichton)Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) →Swartz Bay (Victoria)29 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Swartz BaySwartz Bay (Victoria) →Tsawwassen (Delta)41 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

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.

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkBridgeport (Richmond) →New WestminsterRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverNew Westminster →Nelson495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent

Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.

🚲You arrive at Nelson.

Show four moreShow fewer

Option five · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

The same idea as Option four, on different routes.

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 Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressDuncan →Legislature Terminal (Victoria)54 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚲Travel the short hop from Legislature Terminal (Victoria) to Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria), about 1.3 km.

⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Swartz BaySwartz Bay (Victoria) →Tsawwassen (Delta)41 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

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.

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkBridgeport (Richmond) →New WestminsterRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverNew Westminster →Nelson495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent

Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.

🚲You arrive at Nelson.

Option six · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

The same idea as Option three, on different routes.

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 Transit66 CVX Cowichan-Victoria ExpressDuncan →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

⛴️ Downtown to downtown via the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay ferry crossing.

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.

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkBridgeport (Richmond) →New WestminsterRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverNew Westminster →Nelson495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent

Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.

🚲You arrive at Nelson.

Option seven · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

A proper expedition.

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

🚲Travel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1.4 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from CXH (Vancouver) to Vancouver Canada Place, about 0.8 km.

⛴️SeaBusTransLinkVancouver Canada Place →Lonsdale Quay (North Vancouver)3.5 kmRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

Bikes ride inside the cabin; during weekday rush hours there's room for six bikes a sailing.

🚎TransLinkR2 Marine Dr RapidBusLonsdale Quay (North Vancouver) →Park Royal (West Vancouver)4.5 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressPark Royal (West Vancouver) →Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)7.5 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverDowntown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie) →Nelson511 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent

Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.

🚲You arrive at Nelson.

Option eight · six legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

A lot of connections, but it gets you there.

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 Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressDuncan →Legislature Terminal (Victoria)54 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚲Travel the short hop from Legislature Terminal (Victoria) to Victoria Harbour, about 0.7 km.

🛩️Harbour AirVancouver Harbour – Victoria HarbourVictoria Harbour →CXH (Vancouver)98 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 CXH (Vancouver) to Vancouver Canada Place, about 0.8 km.

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

✈️Air CanadaVancouver (YVR) – Castlegar (YCG)Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) →Castlegar402 kmBox or sturdy bag requiredBook ahead for your bikeAbout $50 per directionNo e-bikes

🚲Travel the short hop from Castlegar to Hwy 3A at Ootischenia Rd (Castlegar), about 2.8 km.

🚎BC Transit99 Kootenay ConnectorHwy 3A at Ootischenia Rd (Castlegar) →Nelson31 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚲You arrive at Nelson.

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: Nelson to North Cowichan (Chemainus & Crofton) (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry)

Connections from North Cowichan (Chemainus & Crofton): Galiano Island (best: bus + ferry) · New Westminster (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain) · Hope (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain) · Prince Rupert (best: bus + rental car + ferry)

Connections from Nelson: Castlegar (best: bus) · Langley (best: bus) · Gabriola Island (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry) · Prince Rupert (best: bus + ferry + rental car)

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