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 Prince Rupert to Nelson.
For scale
As the crow flies1,040 km
Biking whole wayno route found
By car1,768 km · 19 h 15 m
We found 9 ways to get you there.
🎒 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 · four legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Ride The Canadian through the mountains.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚆VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert – Prince George – Jasper)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) →Jasper AB922 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in
Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).
🚆VIA RailThe Canadian (Vancouver – Kamloops North – Jasper)Jasper AB →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)541 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in
Two departures a week in season; bikes can be checked on and off at Vancouver and Jasper only.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkPacific Central Station (Vancouver) →New WestminsterRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverNew Westminster →1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚲You arrive at 1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson).
Option two · four legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Beautiful BC from a coach window.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚆VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert – Prince George – Jasper)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) →Downtown Exch Bay B (Prince George)591 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in
Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).
🚌EbusKamloops – Prince GeorgeDowntown Exch Bay B (Prince George) →Kamloops456 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs Wed/Fri/Sun toward Prince George and Mon/Thu/Sat toward Kamloops; no service on Tuesdays.
🚌EbusVancouver – Kamloopsor Ebus (Vancouver – Calgary (Hwy 1)) or Rider Express (Vancouver – Calgary) or Rider Express (Vancouver – Calgary (Hwy 1))Kamloops →Hope164 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverHope →1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)374 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚲You arrive at 1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson).
Option three · four legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Same as Option two, but a coach bus instead of the train.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌BC Bus North (Tahltan NST Busing Ltd.)Prince George – Prince Rupert (Hwy 16 West)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) →Downtown Exch Bay B (Prince George)619 kmLuggage bay on the Prince Rupert routeOther routes: bagged or boxed — checked as luggage
Twice a week: Monday and Thursday westbound, Tuesday and Friday eastbound.
🚌EbusKamloops – Prince GeorgeDowntown Exch Bay B (Prince George) →Kamloops456 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs Wed/Fri/Sun toward Prince George and Mon/Thu/Sat toward Kamloops; no service on Tuesdays.
🚌EbusVancouver – Kamloopsor Ebus (Vancouver – Calgary (Hwy 1)) or Rider Express (Vancouver – Calgary) or Rider Express (Vancouver – Calgary (Hwy 1))Kamloops →Hope164 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverHope →1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)374 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚲You arrive at 1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson).
Option four · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A one-way rental fills in the missing piece.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesPort Hardy – Prince Rupert (Inside Passage)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) →Bear Cove (Port Hardy)445 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
Sails alternate days, roughly 3–4 sailings a week each way in summer.
🚲Travel the short hop from Bear Cove (Port Hardy) to YZT (Port Hardy), about 8 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Waivin Flags Taxi might help.
🚙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)YZT (Port Hardy) →Downtown Nanaimo295 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 Downtown Nanaimo to Departure Bay (Nanaimo), about 1.3 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) →Horseshoe Bay53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressHorseshoe Bay →Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)19 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverDowntown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie) →1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)511 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚲You arrive at 1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson).
Show seven moreShow fewer
Option five · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Same as Option four, but a SkyTrain instead of the city bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesPort Hardy – Prince Rupert (Inside Passage)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) →Bear Cove (Port Hardy)445 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
Sails alternate days, roughly 3–4 sailings a week each way in summer.
🚲Travel the short hop from Bear Cove (Port Hardy) to YZT (Port Hardy), about 8 km.
🚙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)YZT (Port Hardy) →Downtown Nanaimo298 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 →New WestminsterRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverNew Westminster →1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚲You arrive at 1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson).
Option six · four legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The same idea as Option two, on different routes.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚆VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert – Prince George – Jasper)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) →Downtown Exch Bay B (Prince George)591 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in
Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).
🚌EbusKamloops – Prince GeorgeDowntown Exch Bay B (Prince George) →Kamloops456 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs Wed/Fri/Sun toward Prince George and Mon/Thu/Sat toward Kamloops; no service on Tuesdays.
🚌EbusVancouver – Calgary (Hwy 1)Kamloops →Calgary AB480 kmRides in the hold — 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.
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – Cranbrook – Calgary (weekly)Calgary AB →1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)515 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
The only ground service between Cranbrook and Calgary; weekly, eastbound Monday and westbound Tuesday.
🚲You arrive at 1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson).
Option seven · four legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Same as Option one, but a coach bus instead of the SkyTrain.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚆VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert – Prince George – Jasper)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) →Jasper AB922 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in
Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).
🚆VIA RailThe Canadian (Vancouver – Kamloops North – Jasper)Jasper AB →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)541 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in
Two departures a week in season; bikes can be checked on and off at Vancouver and Jasper only.
🚌EbusVancouver – Kelownaor Ebus (Vancouver – Kamloops) or Rider Express (Vancouver – Calgary)Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) →Abbotsford65 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverAbbotsford →1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)445 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚲You arrive at 1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson).
Option eight · four legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Another way: same as Option one, but a coach bus instead of the SkyTrain.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚆VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert – Prince George – Jasper)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) →Jasper AB922 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in
Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).
🚆VIA RailThe Canadian (Vancouver – Kamloops North – Jasper)Jasper AB →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)541 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in
Two departures a week in season; bikes can be checked on and off at Vancouver and Jasper only.
🚌EbusVancouver – Calgary (Hwy 1)Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) →Chilliwack94 kmRides in the hold — 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.
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverChilliwack →1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)418 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚲You arrive at 1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson).
Not an option · four legs🚫 not possible with a bike⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A train and three coach buses.
🚫 This chain exists, but Silver City Stagelines does not carry bikes, so it cannot work with yours. We show it so you can see where the connection breaks.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚆VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert – Prince George – Jasper)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) →Downtown Exch Bay B (Prince George)591 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in
Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).
🚌EbusKamloops – Prince GeorgeDowntown Exch Bay B (Prince George) →Kamloops456 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs Wed/Fri/Sun toward Prince George and Mon/Thu/Sat toward Kamloops; no service on Tuesdays.
🚌EbusKamloops – Kelowna (via Salmon Arm)Kamloops →Kelowna (Orchard Park Mall)188 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
🚌Silver City StagelinesTrail – Kelowna (Hwy 3/33)Kelowna (Orchard Park Mall) →1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)244 kmDoes not carry bikes
🚲You arrive at 1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson).
Not an option · four legs🚫 not possible with a bike⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A coach-bus relay: four buses, three changes.
🚫 This chain exists, but Silver City Stagelines does not carry bikes, so it cannot work with yours. We show it so you can see where the connection breaks.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌BC Bus North (Tahltan NST Busing Ltd.)Prince George – Prince Rupert (Hwy 16 West)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) →Downtown Exch Bay B (Prince George)619 kmLuggage bay on the Prince Rupert routeOther routes: bagged or boxed — checked as luggage
Twice a week: Monday and Thursday westbound, Tuesday and Friday eastbound.
🚌EbusKamloops – Prince GeorgeDowntown Exch Bay B (Prince George) →Kamloops456 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs Wed/Fri/Sun toward Prince George and Mon/Thu/Sat toward Kamloops; no service on Tuesdays.
🚌EbusKamloops – Kelowna (via Salmon Arm)Kamloops →Kelowna (Orchard Park Mall)188 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
🚌Silver City StagelinesTrail – Kelowna (Hwy 3/33)Kelowna (Orchard Park Mall) →1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)244 kmDoes not carry bikes
🚲You arrive at 1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson).
Option 11 · three legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Plane to Richmond, plane to Castlegar, then a city bus into 1680 Hwy 3A/6.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚲First, get from Central Prince Rupert to YPR (Prince Rupert), about 8.2 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Skeena Taxi might help.
✈️Air CanadaVancouver (YVR) – Prince Rupert (YPR)YPR (Prince Rupert) →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)756 kmBox or sturdy bag requiredBook ahead for your bikeAbout $50 per directionNo e-bikes
✈️Air CanadaVancouver (YVR) – Castlegar (YCG)Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) →Castlegar402 kmBox or sturdy bag requiredBook ahead for your bikeAbout $50 per directionNo e-bikes
🚲Travel the short hop from Castlegar to Hwy 3A at Ootischenia Rd (Brilliant), about 2.8 km.
🚎BC Transit99 Kootenay ConnectorHwy 3A at Ootischenia Rd (Brilliant) →1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)31 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
🚲You arrive at 1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson).
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: Nelson to Prince Rupert (best: bus + train)
Connections from Prince Rupert: Terrace (best: train) · Parksville (best: ferry + rental car + bus) · Merritt (best: train + bus) · Fernie (best: train + bus)
Connections from Nelson: Castlegar (best: bus) · Abbotsford (best: bus) · Duncan (Cowichan Valley) (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry) · Haida Gwaii (best: bus + train + ferry)
Check out BC Bike Stops in Prince Rupert and Nelson