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 Port Alberni to Salt Spring Island.
For scale
As the crow flies112 km
Biking whole way227 km · 10 h 46 m
By car158 km · 2 h 25 m
We found 9 ways to get you there, ferries doing the heavy lifting.
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 · four legs
Fill in the gap with a rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚲Travel the short hop from Port Alberni to Port Alberni, about 0.8 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Alberni District United Cabs Association, United Cabs'S #5 might help.
🚙BudgetOne-way rental: Port Alberni – NanaimoPort Alberni →Downtown Nanaimo64 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 Downtown Nanaimo to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch →Duncan46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit6 Crofton-ChemainusDuncan →Joan & Queen - Saltspring Ferry (North Cowichan)11 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Joan & Queen - Saltspring Ferry (North Cowichan) to Crofton, about 0.5 km.
⛴️BC FerriesVesuvius – CroftonCrofton →Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island)5.9 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲At the far end, Central Salt Spring Island is about 15 km from Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island). Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Silver Shadow Taxi Ltd. might help.
Option two · four legs📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
Same as Option one, but a carpool instead of the rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚗PoparideHwy 4 rideshare (Nanaimo - Port Alberni - Ucluelet - Tofino)Port Alberni →Downtown Nanaimo ExchangeOnly some rides take bikes — look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable — check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 0.5 km.
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch →Duncan46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit6 Crofton-ChemainusDuncan →Joan & Queen - Saltspring Ferry (North Cowichan)11 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Joan & Queen - Saltspring Ferry (North Cowichan) to Crofton, about 0.5 km.
⛴️BC FerriesVesuvius – CroftonCrofton →Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island)5.9 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲At the far end, Central Salt Spring Island is about 15 km from Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island). Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
Option three · five legs
A rental car, three city buses, and a ferry.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚲Travel the short hop from Port Alberni to Port Alberni, about 0.8 km.
🚙BudgetOne-way rental: Port Alberni – NanaimoPort Alberni →Downtown Nanaimo64 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 Downtown Nanaimo to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1 km.
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch →Duncan46 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.
🚎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 FerriesFulford Harbour – Swartz Bayor BC Ferries (Swartz Bay – Southern Gulf Islands)Swartz Bay (Victoria) →Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island)9.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island).
Option four · five legs📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
Same as Option three, but a carpool instead of the rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚗PoparideHwy 4 rideshare (Nanaimo - Port Alberni - Ucluelet - Tofino)Port Alberni →Downtown Nanaimo ExchangeOnly some rides take bikes — look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable — check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 0.5 km.
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch →Duncan46 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 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 FerriesFulford Harbour – Swartz Bayor BC Ferries (Swartz Bay – Southern Gulf Islands)Swartz Bay (Victoria) →Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island)9.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island).
Show seven moreShow fewer
Option five · five legs
A transport smorgasbord: rental car, ferries, SkyTrain, and city bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚲Travel the short hop from Port Alberni to Port Alberni, about 0.8 km.
🚙BudgetOne-way rental: Port Alberni – NanaimoPort Alberni →Downtown Nanaimo64 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 Downtown Nanaimo to Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1.5 km.
⛴️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 →Bridgeport (Richmond)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen Ferryor the 900 Bike Bus (seasonal)Bridgeport (Richmond) →Tsawwassen (Delta)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.
⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Southern Gulf IslandsTsawwassen (Delta) →Long Harbour (Salt Spring Island)67 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
Sailing times vary a lot by routing: some trips are about 50 minutes, others run 2 to 3 hours via Swartz Bay. Check the specific sailing before you book.
🚲At the far end, Central Salt Spring Island is about 9.2 km from Long Harbour (Salt Spring Island). Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
Option six · five legs📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
Same as Option five, but a carpool instead of the rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚗PoparideHwy 4 rideshare (Nanaimo - Port Alberni - Ucluelet - Tofino)Port Alberni →Downtown Nanaimo ExchangeOnly some rides take bikes — look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable — check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1 km.
⛴️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.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place →Bridgeport (Richmond)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen Ferryor the 900 Bike Bus (seasonal)Bridgeport (Richmond) →Tsawwassen (Delta)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.
⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Southern Gulf IslandsTsawwassen (Delta) →Long Harbour (Salt Spring Island)67 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
Sailing times vary a lot by routing: some trips are about 50 minutes, others run 2 to 3 hours via Swartz Bay. Check the specific sailing before you book.
🚲At the far end, Central Salt Spring Island is about 9.2 km from Long Harbour (Salt Spring Island). Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
Option seven · five legs
The same idea as Option three, on different routes.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚲Travel the short hop from Port Alberni to Port Alberni, about 0.8 km.
🚙BudgetOne-way rental: Port Alberni – NanaimoPort Alberni →Downtown Nanaimo64 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 Downtown Nanaimo to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1 km.
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch →Duncan46 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 FerriesFulford Harbour – Swartz BaySwartz Bay (Victoria) →Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island)9.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island).
Option eight · five legs📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
Another way: same as Option three, but a carpool instead of the rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚗PoparideHwy 4 rideshare (Nanaimo - Port Alberni - Ucluelet - Tofino)Port Alberni →Downtown Nanaimo ExchangeOnly some rides take bikes — look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable — check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 0.5 km.
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch →Duncan46 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 FerriesFulford Harbour – Swartz BaySwartz Bay (Victoria) →Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island)9.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island).
Not an option · four legs🚫 not possible with a bike
A coach bus, two city buses, and a ferry.
🚫 This chain exists, but Island Link does not carry bikes, so it cannot work with yours. We show it so you can see where the connection breaks.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 0.5 km.
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch →Duncan46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit6 Crofton-ChemainusDuncan →Joan & Queen - Saltspring Ferry (North Cowichan)11 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Joan & Queen - Saltspring Ferry (North Cowichan) to Crofton, about 0.5 km.
⛴️BC FerriesVesuvius – CroftonCrofton →Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island)5.9 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲At the far end, Central Salt Spring Island is about 15 km from Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island). Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
Not an option · four legs🚫 not possible with a bike
Two coach buses, a city bus, and a ferry.
🚫 This chain exists, but Island Link and West Coast Trail Express does not carry bikes, so it cannot work with yours. We show it so you can see where the connection breaks.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌West Coast Trail ExpressJuan de Fuca Trail routeor West Coast Trail Express (West Coast Trail route) or Island Link (Victoria Express Bus)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)157 kmDoes not carry bikes
Runs May 1 to September 30.
🚎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 FerriesFulford Harbour – Swartz BaySwartz Bay (Victoria) →Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island)9.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island).
Option 11 · five legs✈ the splurge
Fly most of the way, then let transit finish the trip.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚲Travel the short hop from Port Alberni to Port Alberni, about 0.8 km.
🚙BudgetOne-way rental: Port Alberni – NanaimoPort Alberni →Downtown Nanaimo64 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 Downtown Nanaimo to Nanaimo Harbour, about 1.2 km.
🛩️Harbour AirVancouver Harbour – Nanaimo HarbourNanaimo Harbour →CXH (Vancouver)60 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
🛩️Harbour AirVancouver Harbour – Victoria HarbourCXH (Vancouver) →Victoria Harbour98 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 Victoria Harbour to Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria), about 0.7 km.
🚎BC Transit70 Swartz Bay / DowntownDouglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) →Swartz Bay (Victoria)29 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
⛴️BC FerriesFulford Harbour – Swartz BaySwartz Bay (Victoria) →Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island)9.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island).
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: Salt Spring Island to Port Alberni (best: ferry + bus + rental car)
Connections from Port Alberni: Hornby Island (best: rental car + carpool + bus) · North Vancouver (best: rental car + bus + ferry) · Bella Coola (best: rental car + ferry) · Calgary, AB (best: rental car + ferry + SkyTrain)
Connections from Salt Spring Island: Langford (best: ferry + bus) · Parksville (best: ferry + bus) · Kamloops (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain) · New Hazelton (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain)
Check out BC Bike Stops in Port Alberni and Salt Spring Island