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 Penelakut Island to Vernon.

For scale
As the crow flies347 km
Biking whole way524 km Β· 36 h 32 m
By car603 km Β· 8 h 17 m

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

πŸŽ’ 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 · seven legs
Beautiful BC from a coach window.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutPenelakut Island β†’Chemainus8.4 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚎BC Transit6 Crofton-ChemainusChemainus β†’Duncan20 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan β†’Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲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) β†’CXH (Vancouver)61 kmBook online ahead β€” 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way β€” $25 in personNo e-bikes β€” 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 β†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)Roll on, free β€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚌EbusVancouver – KelownaPacific Central Station (Vancouver) β†’Kelowna (Orchard Park Mall)331 kmRides in the hold β€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
🚌EbusKamloops – Kelowna (via Salmon Arm)or Ebus (Kelowna/Salmon Arm – Golden)Kelowna (Orchard Park Mall) β†’Downtown Exchange (Vernon)46 kmRides in the hold β€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
🚲You arrive at Downtown Exchange (Vernon).
Option two · seven legs
The same idea as Option one, on different routes.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutPenelakut Island β†’Chemainus8.4 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚎BC Transit6 Crofton-ChemainusChemainus β†’Duncan20 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan β†’Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1.4 km.
⛴️HulloHullo (Nanaimo – Vancouver)Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) β†’CXH (Vancouver)61 kmBook online ahead β€” 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way β€” $25 in personNo e-bikes β€” no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
🚲Travel the short hop from CXH (Vancouver) to Vancouver Canada Place, about 0.8 km.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place β†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)Roll on, free β€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚌EbusVancouver – KamloopsPacific Central Station (Vancouver) β†’Kamloops301 kmRides in the hold β€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
🚌EbusKamloops – Kelowna (via Salmon Arm)Kamloops β†’Downtown Exchange (Vernon)142 kmRides in the hold β€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
🚲You arrive at Downtown Exchange (Vernon).
Option three · seven legs
Another way: the same idea as Option one, on different routes.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutPenelakut Island β†’Chemainus8.4 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚎BC Transit6 Crofton-ChemainusChemainus β†’Duncan20 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan β†’Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1.4 km.
⛴️HulloHullo (Nanaimo – Vancouver)Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) β†’CXH (Vancouver)61 kmBook online ahead β€” 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way β€” $25 in personNo e-bikes β€” no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
🚲Travel the short hop from CXH (Vancouver) to Vancouver Canada Place, about 0.8 km.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place β†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)Roll on, free β€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚌EbusVancouver – Calgary (Hwy 1)Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) β†’Hudson Ave NE & 6 St NE (Salmon Arm)393 kmRides in the hold β€” 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.
🚌EbusKelowna/Salmon Arm – GoldenHudson Ave NE & 6 St NE (Salmon Arm) β†’Downtown Exchange (Vernon)52 kmRides in the hold β€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
🚲You arrive at Downtown Exchange (Vernon).
Option four · seven legs
Another way: the same idea as Option one, on different routes.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutPenelakut Island β†’Chemainus8.4 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚎BC Transit6 Crofton-ChemainusChemainus β†’Duncan20 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan β†’Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1.4 km.
⛴️HulloHullo (Nanaimo – Vancouver)Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) β†’CXH (Vancouver)61 kmBook online ahead β€” 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way β€” $25 in personNo e-bikes β€” no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
🚲Travel the short hop from CXH (Vancouver) to Vancouver Canada Place, about 0.8 km.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place β†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)Roll on, free β€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚌EbusVancouver – Calgary (Hwy 1)or Rider Express (Vancouver – Calgary (Hwy 1))Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) β†’Chase352 kmRides in the hold β€” 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.
🚌EbusKamloops – Kelowna (via Salmon Arm)Chase β†’Downtown Exchange (Vernon)93 kmRides in the hold β€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
🚲You arrive at Downtown Exchange (Vernon).
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Option five · eight legs
A transport smorgasbord: ferries, city buses, SkyTrain, and coach bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutPenelakut Island β†’Chemainus8.4 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚎BC Transit6 Crofton-ChemainusChemainus β†’Duncan20 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan β†’Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1.4 km.
⛴️HulloHullo (Nanaimo – Vancouver)Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) β†’CXH (Vancouver)61 kmBook online ahead β€” 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way β€” $25 in personNo e-bikes β€” no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
🚲Travel the short hop from CXH (Vancouver) to Vancouver Canada Place, about 0.8 km.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place β†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)Roll on, free β€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚌EbusVancouver – KelownaPacific Central Station (Vancouver) β†’Kelowna (Orchard Park Mall)331 kmRides in the hold β€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
🚎BC Transit97 OkanaganKelowna (Orchard Park Mall) β†’UBCO Exchange (Kelowna)9.3 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit90 UBCO/VernonUBCO Exchange (Kelowna) β†’Downtown Exchange (Vernon)38 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲You arrive at Downtown Exchange (Vernon).
Option six · seven legs
A proper expedition.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutPenelakut Island β†’Chemainus8.4 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚎BC Transit6 Crofton-ChemainusChemainus β†’Duncan20 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressDuncan β†’Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria)54 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (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 β€” Vancouver / VictoriaDouglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) β†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)103 kmRides in the hold β€” bagged or boxed$42 per bike β€” 50 lb maxReserve bike spot β€” recommended
⛴️ Downtown to downtown via the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay ferry crossing.
🚌EbusVancouver – KelownaPacific Central Station (Vancouver) β†’Kelowna (Orchard Park Mall)331 kmRides in the hold β€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
🚎BC Transit97 OkanaganKelowna (Orchard Park Mall) β†’UBCO Exchange (Kelowna)9.3 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit90 UBCO/VernonUBCO Exchange (Kelowna) β†’Downtown Exchange (Vernon)38 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲You arrive at Downtown Exchange (Vernon).
Option seven · 10 legs
The coach takes care of the long stretch.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutPenelakut Island β†’Chemainus8.4 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚎BC Transit6 Crofton-ChemainusChemainus β†’Duncan20 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan β†’Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲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 β†’Departure Bay (Nanaimo)3.3 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) β†’Horseshoe Bay53 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressHorseshoe Bay β†’Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)17 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes β€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) β†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)Roll on, free β€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚌EbusVancouver – KelownaPacific Central Station (Vancouver) β†’Kelowna (Orchard Park Mall)331 kmRides in the hold β€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
🚎BC Transit97 OkanaganKelowna (Orchard Park Mall) β†’UBCO Exchange (Kelowna)9.3 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit90 UBCO/VernonUBCO Exchange (Kelowna) β†’Downtown Exchange (Vernon)38 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲You arrive at Downtown Exchange (Vernon).
Option eight · eight legs✈ the splurge
A few connections, but each one moves you closer.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutPenelakut Island β†’Chemainus8.4 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚎BC Transit6 Crofton-ChemainusChemainus β†’Duncan20 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressDuncan β†’Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria)54 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) to Victoria Belleville Terminal, about 0.7 km.
πŸ›©οΈHarbour AirVancouver Harbour – Victoria HarbourVictoria Belleville Terminal β†’CXH (Vancouver)98 kmFront wheel must come off$20 handling fee β€” bike weight counts toward your baggage allowanceNot on the Twin Otter β€” 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 β†’Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)Roll on, free β€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
✈️Air CanadaVancouver (YVR) – Kelowna (YLW)Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) β†’Kelowna Airport288 kmBox or sturdy bag requiredBook ahead for your bikeAbout $50 per directionNo e-bikes
🚎BC Transit23 Lake CountryKelowna Airport β†’UBCO Exchange (Kelowna)2.2 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit90 UBCO/VernonUBCO Exchange (Kelowna) β†’Downtown Exchange (Vernon)38 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲You arrive at Downtown Exchange (Vernon).
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: Vernon to Penelakut Island (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry)

Connections from Penelakut Island: Pender Island (best: ferry + bus) · New Westminster (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain) · Qualicum Beach (best: ferry + bus) · Port Hardy (best: ferry + bus + rental car)

Connections from Vernon: Enderby (best: bus) · Chilliwack (best: bus) · Salt Spring Island (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry) · Whitehorse, YT (best: bus + plane)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Vernon