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 Pemberton to Gabriola Island.

For scale
As the crow flies148 km
Biking whole wayWe can't compute the bike route from the ferry dock but it may be rideable: please consult other sources.
By car278 km ยท 5 h 19 m

We found six ways to get you there, ferries doing the heavy lifting.

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📅 seasonal
A transport smorgasbord: city bus, coach bus, SkyTrain, and ferries.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŽBC Transit99 Pemberton CommuterFrontier at Aster (NB) (Pemberton) โ†’Gateway Loop / Village (Whistler)26 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
๐ŸšŒEpic RidesVancouver โ€“ Whistleror YVR Skylynx (Vancouver โ€“ Whistler) (seasonal) or Whistler Shuttle (Vancouver โ€“ Whistler)Gateway Loop / Village (Whistler) โ†’Downtown Vancouver (Burrard Station)93 kmBikes ride free โ€” outside rack, or boxed under the busBox to avoid scratches โ€” outside-rack bikes ride at your own risk
Epic Rides: The only direct, non-stop run between Vancouver and Whistler. Bikes ride free and can go boxed or unboxed, spring through fall only (no bikes November to April).
YVR Skylynx: Summer service April 18 to November 21; Squamish is a reservation-only stop.
Whistler Shuttle: Door-to-door shuttle; the downtown Vancouver pickup is suspended for summer 2026.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkDowntown Vancouver (Burrard Station) โ†’Vancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Black Top Cabs, Maclure'S Cabs might help.
โ›ด๏ธHulloHullo (Nanaimo โ€“ Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) โ†’Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)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 Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Nanaimo Harbour, about 0.9 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesNanaimo Harbour โ€“ Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour โ†’Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
Option two · seven legs📅 seasonal
Every leg of this works, there are just a lot of them.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŽBC Transit99 Pemberton CommuterFrontier at Aster (NB) (Pemberton) โ†’Gateway Loop / Village (Whistler)26 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
๐ŸšŒEpic RidesVancouver โ€“ Whistleror Whistler Shuttle (Vancouver โ€“ Whistler)Gateway Loop / Village (Whistler) โ†’Downtown Vancouver (Burrard Station)93 kmBikes ride free โ€” outside rack, or boxed under the busBox to avoid scratches โ€” outside-rack bikes ride at your own risk
Epic Rides: The only direct, non-stop run between Vancouver and Whistler. Bikes ride free and can go boxed or unboxed, spring through fall only (no bikes November to April).
Whistler Shuttle: Door-to-door shuttle; the downtown Vancouver pickup is suspended for summer 2026.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkDowntown Vancouver (Burrard Station) โ†’Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšŽTransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) โ†’Horseshoe Bay17 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesHorseshoe Bay โ€“ Departure BayHorseshoe Bay โ†’Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 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 Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Nanaimo Harbour, about 0.6 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesNanaimo Harbour โ€“ Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour โ†’Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
Option three · seven legs📅 seasonal
The same trip, but with YVR Skylynx for the coach bus leg.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŽBC Transit99 Pemberton CommuterFrontier at Aster (NB) (Pemberton) โ†’Gateway Loop / Village (Whistler)26 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
๐ŸšŒYVR SkylynxVancouver โ€“ WhistlerGateway Loop / Village (Whistler) โ†’Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)106 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged, wrapped, or boxedFirst bike freeReserve ahead โ€” Squamish is reservation-only
Summer service April 18 to November 21; Squamish is a reservation-only stop.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) โ†’Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšŽTransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) โ†’Horseshoe Bay17 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesHorseshoe Bay โ€“ Departure BayHorseshoe Bay โ†’Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 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 Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Nanaimo Harbour, about 0.6 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesNanaimo Harbour โ€“ Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour โ†’Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
Option four · five legs📅 seasonal
Same as Option one, but a coach bus instead of the SkyTrain.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŽBC Transit99 Pemberton CommuterFrontier at Aster (NB) (Pemberton) โ†’Gateway Loop / Village (Whistler)26 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
๐ŸšŒYVR SkylynxVancouver โ€“ WhistlerGateway Loop / Village (Whistler) โ†’Adventure Centre (Squamish)48 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged, wrapped, or boxedFirst bike freeReserve ahead โ€” Squamish is reservation-only
Summer service April 18 to November 21; Squamish is a reservation-only stop.
๐ŸšŒSquamish ConnectorSquamish โ€“ VancouverAdventure Centre (Squamish) โ†’Vancouver Canada Place63 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.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
โ›ด๏ธHulloHullo (Nanaimo โ€“ Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) โ†’Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)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 Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Nanaimo Harbour, about 0.9 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesNanaimo Harbour โ€“ Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour โ†’Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
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Option five · five legs📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
Same as Option one, but a carpool instead of the coach bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŽBC Transit99 Pemberton CommuterFrontier at Aster (NB) (Pemberton) โ†’Gateway Loop / Village (Whistler)26 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
๐Ÿš—PoparideSea-to-Sky rideshare (Vancouver - Squamish - Whistler)Gateway Loop / Village (Whistler) โ†’Vancouver96 kmOnly some rides take bikes โ€” look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable โ€” check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Vancouver to Broadway-City Hall (Vancouver), about 0.2 km.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkBroadway-City Hall (Vancouver) โ†’Vancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
โ›ด๏ธHulloHullo (Nanaimo โ€“ Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) โ†’Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)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 Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Nanaimo Harbour, about 0.9 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesNanaimo Harbour โ€“ Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour โ†’Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
Option six · four legs✈ the splurge
Fly most of the way, then let transit finish the trip.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŽBC Transit99 Pemberton CommuterFrontier at Aster (NB) (Pemberton) โ†’Meadow Park Sports Centre (Whistler)22 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 Meadow Park Sports Centre (Whistler) to Green Lake (Whistler), about 0.8 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Resort Cabs, Whistler Taxi might help.
๐Ÿ›ฉ๏ธHarbour AirVancouver Harbour โ€“ WhistlerGreen Lake (Whistler) โ†’CXH (Vancouver)96 kmFront wheel must come off$20 handling fee โ€” bike weight counts toward your baggage allowanceNot on the Twin Otter โ€” other floatplanes are fine; confirm when booking
๐Ÿ›ฉ๏ธHarbour AirVancouver Harbour โ€“ Nanaimo HarbourCXH (Vancouver) โ†’Nanaimo Harbour60 kmFront wheel must come off$20 handling fee โ€” bike weight counts toward your baggage allowanceNot on the Twin Otter โ€” other floatplanes are fine; confirm when booking
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesNanaimo Harbour โ€“ Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour โ†’Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
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: Gabriola Island to Pemberton (best: ferry + SkyTrain + bus)

Connections from Pemberton: Squamish (best: bus) · Mayne Island (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry) · Enderby (best: bus + SkyTrain) · Whitehorse, YT (best: bus + plane)

Connections from Gabriola Island: Chemainus (best: ferry + bus) · Victoria (best: ferry + bus) · Vernon (best: ferry + SkyTrain + bus) · Whitehorse, YT (best: ferry + SkyTrain + plane)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Pemberton and Gabriola Island