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.

Transit connects Port Renfrew and Port Alberni, but every chain we know includes a leg that will not take your bike. We show the chains anyway so you can see exactly where it breaks.

For scale
As the crow flies81 km
Biking whole way149 km ยท 13 h 01 m
By car220 km ยท 2 h 54 m
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 ›
Not an option · two legs🚫 not possible with a bike📅 seasonal
Two coach buses, changing in Nanaimo.
🚫  This chain exists, but West Coast Trail Express and 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
๐ŸšŒWest Coast Trail ExpressJuan de Fuca Trail routeor West Coast Trail Express (West Coast Trail route) (seasonal)Port Renfrew โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange76 kmDoes not carry bikes
Runs May 1 to September 30.
๐ŸšŒIsland LinkTofino Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Port Alberni64 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.
Not an option · two legs🚫 not possible with a bike📅 seasonal
Coach bus to Nanaimo, then a rental car into Port Alberni.
🚫  This chain exists, but 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
๐ŸšŒWest Coast Trail ExpressJuan de Fuca Trail routeor West Coast Trail Express (West Coast Trail route) (seasonal)Port Renfrew โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange76 kmDoes not carry bikes
Runs May 1 to September 30.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Downtown Nanaimo, about 0.6 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
๐Ÿš™BudgetOne-way rental: Port Alberni โ€“ NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo โ†’Port Alberni64 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches โ€” bookable onlineBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel 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.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.

Two workarounds riders use: rent a bike at the far end instead of bringing yours, or ship your bike ahead to a shop or your accommodation.

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.
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Heading back: Port Alberni to Port Renfrew (best: bus)

Connections from Port Renfrew: Lake Cowichan (best: bus) · Comox (best: bus) · West Kelowna (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain) · Calgary, AB (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain)

Connections from Port Alberni: Hornby Island (best: rental car + carpool + bus) · Saturna Island (best: rental car + ferry + SkyTrain) · West Kelowna (best: rental car + ferry + SkyTrain) · Calgary, AB (best: rental car + ferry + SkyTrain)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Port Renfrew and Port Alberni