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, rental cars and flights can carry you and your bike from Penticton to Alert Bay.
For scale
As the crow flies538 km
Biking whole wayWe can't compute the bike route from the ferry dock but it may be rideable: please consult other sources.
By car847 km · 11 h 26 m
We found 9 ways to get you there, ferries doing the heavy lifting.
🎒 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⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Grab a window seat, the scenery's included.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit70 Kelowna / PentictonDuncan & Main (Plaza) (Penticton) →West Kelowna40 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚌EbusVancouver – KelownaWest Kelowna →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)319 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkPacific Central Station (Vancouver) →Vancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚲Travel 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.
⛴️HulloHullo (Nanaimo – Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) →Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)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 Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.5 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
🚙BudgetOne-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimoor National Car & Truck Rental (One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimo) (counter a short ride away on the 20/20A Hammond Bay / Dover)Downtown Nanaimo →YZT (Port Hardy)298 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches — bookable onlineBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Port Hardy, about 10 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Waivin Flags Taxi might help.
🚎BC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort Hardy →Port McNeill33 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
⛴️BC FerriesPort McNeill – Sointula – Alert BayPort McNeill →Alert Bay (Cormorant Island)14 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Alert Bay (Cormorant Island).
Option two · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Same as Option one, but a city bus instead of the SkyTrain.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit40 Osoyoos / PentictonDuncan & Main (Plaza) (Penticton) →Main & 89th St (Osoyoos)52 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverMain & 89th St (Osoyoos) →Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)334 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressDowntown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie) →Horseshoe Bay19 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayHorseshoe Bay →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.3 km.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimo) (counter a short ride away on the 20/20A Hammond Bay / Dover)Downtown Nanaimo →YZT (Port Hardy)295 kmOne-way between Island branches — no drop chargeBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Port Hardy, about 10 km.
🚎BC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort Hardy →Port McNeill33 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
⛴️BC FerriesPort McNeill – Sointula – Alert BayPort McNeill →Alert Bay (Cormorant Island)14 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Alert Bay (Cormorant Island).
Option three · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A little bit of everything.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit40 Osoyoos / PentictonDuncan & Main (Plaza) (Penticton) →Main & 89th St (Osoyoos)52 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverMain & 89th St (Osoyoos) →New Westminster318 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkNew Westminster →Vancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
⛴️HulloHullo (Nanaimo – Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) →Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)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 Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 1 km.
🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)3.3 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.3 km.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimo)Downtown Nanaimo →YZT (Port Hardy)295 kmOne-way between Island branches — no drop chargeBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Port Hardy, about 10 km.
🚎BC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort Hardy →Port McNeill33 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
⛴️BC FerriesPort McNeill – Sointula – Alert BayPort McNeill →Alert Bay (Cormorant Island)14 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Alert Bay (Cormorant Island).
Option four · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Another way: same as Option one, but a city bus instead of the SkyTrain.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit50 Penticton / PrincetonCherry Lane Shopping Centre (Penticton) →Princeton91 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverPrinceton →Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)245 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressDowntown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie) →Horseshoe Bay19 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayHorseshoe Bay →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.3 km.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimo) (counter a short ride away on the 20/20A Hammond Bay / Dover)Downtown Nanaimo →YZT (Port Hardy)295 kmOne-way between Island branches — no drop chargeBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Port Hardy, about 10 km.
🚎BC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort Hardy →Port McNeill33 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
⛴️BC FerriesPort McNeill – Sointula – Alert BayPort McNeill →Alert Bay (Cormorant Island)14 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Alert Bay (Cormorant Island).
Show five moreShow fewer
Option five · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The same idea as Option three, on different routes.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit50 Penticton / PrincetonCherry Lane Shopping Centre (Penticton) →Princeton91 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverPrinceton →New Westminster229 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkNew Westminster →Vancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
⛴️HulloHullo (Nanaimo – Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) →Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)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 Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 1 km.
🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)3.3 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.3 km.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimo)Downtown Nanaimo →YZT (Port Hardy)295 kmOne-way between Island branches — no drop chargeBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Port Hardy, about 10 km.
🚎BC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort Hardy →Port McNeill33 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
⛴️BC FerriesPort McNeill – Sointula – Alert BayPort McNeill →Alert Bay (Cormorant Island)14 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Alert Bay (Cormorant Island).
Option six · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Fill in the gap with a rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit70 Kelowna / PentictonDuncan & Main (Plaza) (Penticton) →West Kelowna40 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚌EbusVancouver – KelownaWest Kelowna →Merritt89 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
🚌Rider ExpressVancouver – Calgary (Hwy 1)Merritt →Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)231 kmRides in the hold — bagged, wrapped, or boxed$50 per bike — non-refundable
🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressDowntown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie) →Horseshoe Bay19 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayHorseshoe Bay →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.3 km.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy – NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo →YZT (Port Hardy)295 kmOne-way between Island branches — no drop chargeBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Port Hardy, about 10 km.
🚎BC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort Hardy →Port McNeill33 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
⛴️BC FerriesPort McNeill – Sointula – Alert BayPort McNeill →Alert Bay (Cormorant Island)14 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Alert Bay (Cormorant Island).
Option seven · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The same idea as Option six, on different routes.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit70 Kelowna / PentictonDuncan & Main (Plaza) (Penticton) →Kelowna (Orchard Park Mall)52 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚌EbusKamloops – Kelowna (via Salmon Arm)Kelowna (Orchard Park Mall) →Chase140 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
🚌Rider ExpressVancouver – Calgary (Hwy 1)Chase →Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)350 kmRides in the hold — bagged, wrapped, or boxed$50 per bike — non-refundable
🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressDowntown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie) →Horseshoe Bay19 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayHorseshoe Bay →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.3 km.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy – NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo →YZT (Port Hardy)295 kmOne-way between Island branches — no drop chargeBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Port Hardy, about 10 km.
🚎BC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort Hardy →Port McNeill33 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
⛴️BC FerriesPort McNeill – Sointula – Alert BayPort McNeill →Alert Bay (Cormorant Island)14 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Alert Bay (Cormorant Island).
Option eight · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Another way: the same idea as Option six, on different routes.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit70 Kelowna / PentictonDuncan & Main (Plaza) (Penticton) →Kelowna (Orchard Park Mall)52 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚌EbusKelowna/Salmon Arm – GoldenKelowna (Orchard Park Mall) →Hudson Ave NE & 6 St NE (Salmon Arm)99 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
🚌Rider ExpressVancouver – Calgary (Hwy 1)Hudson Ave NE & 6 St NE (Salmon Arm) →Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)391 kmRides in the hold — bagged, wrapped, or boxed$50 per bike — non-refundable
🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressDowntown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie) →Horseshoe Bay19 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayHorseshoe Bay →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.3 km.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy – NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo →YZT (Port Hardy)295 kmOne-way between Island branches — no drop chargeBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Port Hardy, about 10 km.
🚎BC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort Hardy →Port McNeill33 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
⛴️BC FerriesPort McNeill – Sointula – Alert BayPort McNeill →Alert Bay (Cormorant Island)14 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Alert Bay (Cormorant Island).
Option 9 · four legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Two flights, a city bus, and a ferry.
CarrierRideYour bike
✈️Pacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver – PentictonYYF (Penticton) →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)262 kmRides in the hold — small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
✈️Pacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver – Port HardyVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) →YZT (Port Hardy)343 kmRides in the hold — small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
🚲Travel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Port Hardy, about 10 km.
🚎BC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort Hardy →Port McNeill33 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
⛴️BC FerriesPort McNeill – Sointula – Alert BayPort McNeill →Alert Bay (Cormorant Island)14 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Alert Bay (Cormorant Island).
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: Alert Bay to Penticton (best: ferry + bus + rental car)
Connections from Penticton: Oliver (best: bus) · Creston (best: bus) · Brentwood Bay (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry) · Haida Gwaii (best: bus + train + ferry)
Connections from Alert Bay: Port Hardy (best: ferry + bus) · Ocean Falls (best: ferry + bus) · Duncan (Cowichan Valley) (best: ferry + bus + rental car) · New Hazelton (best: ferry + bus + train)