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 Vancouver, 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 flies122 km
Biking whole way205 km ยท 11 h 51 m
By car212 km ยท 4 h 12 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
Coach bus to Nanaimo, then a ferry into Vancouver.
🚫  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 Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
โ›ด๏ธHulloHullo (Nanaimo โ€“ Vancouver)Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) โ†’CXH (Vancouver)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
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at CXH (Vancouver).
Not an option · four legs🚫 not possible with a bike📅 seasonal
A coach bus, two city buses, and a ferry.
🚫  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.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDowntown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Departure Bay (Nanaimo)3.3 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
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesHorseshoe Bay โ€“ Departure BayDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) โ†’Horseshoe Bay53 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽTransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressHorseshoe Bay โ†’Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)19 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie).

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.
Explore more

Heading back: Vancouver to Port Renfrew (best: ferry + 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 Vancouver: Gibsons (best: bus + ferry) · Powell River (best: bus + ferry) · Port McNeill (best: ferry + bus + rental car) · Haida Gwaii (best: train + ferry)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Port Renfrew and Vancouver