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 Rossland to Alert Bay.
For scale
As the crow flies676 km
Biking whole wayWe can't compute the bike route from the ferry dock but it may be rideable: please consult other sources.
By car1,074 km · 13 h 50 m
We found four 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 · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A little bit of everything.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit45 TeckColumbia Ave at Spokane St (Rossland) →Cedar Ave at Spokane St (Trail)7.1 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
🚎BC Transit98 Columbia ConnectorCedar Ave at Spokane St (Trail) →Castlegar Airport24 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 Castlegar Airport to Castlegar, about 3.4 km.
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverCastlegar →Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)478 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. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo 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)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. 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 · 9 legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Grab a window seat, the scenery's included.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit45 TeckColumbia Ave at Spokane St (Rossland) →Cedar Ave at Spokane St (Trail)7.1 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
🚎BC Transit98 Columbia ConnectorCedar Ave at Spokane St (Trail) →Castlegar Airport24 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 Castlegar Airport to Castlegar, about 3.4 km.
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverCastlegar →New Westminster462 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. 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 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 three · six legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The scenic splurge: hop a flight.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit45 TeckColumbia Ave at Spokane St (Rossland) →Cedar Ave at Spokane St (Trail)7.1 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
🚎BC Transit98 Columbia ConnectorCedar Ave at Spokane St (Trail) →Castlegar Airport24 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 Castlegar Airport to Castlegar, about 3.4 km.
✈️Air CanadaVancouver (YVR) – Castlegar (YCG)Castlegar →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)402 kmBox or sturdy bag requiredBook ahead for your bikeAbout $50 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).
Option four · 9 legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Nothing direct, but it strings together.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit45 TeckColumbia Ave at Spokane St (Rossland) →Cedar Ave at Spokane St (Trail)7.1 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
🚎BC Transit98 Columbia ConnectorCedar Ave at Spokane St (Trail) →Castlegar Airport24 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 Castlegar Airport to Castlegar, about 3.4 km.
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverCastlegar →New Westminster462 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 →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚆VIA RailThe Canadian (Vancouver – Kamloops North – Jasper)Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) →Jasper AB541 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.
🚆VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert – Prince George – Jasper)Jasper AB →Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St)922 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).
⛴️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 Port Hardy, about 3 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 Rossland (best: ferry + bus + rental car)
Connections from Rossland: Salmo (best: bus) · Sparwood (best: bus) · White Rock (best: bus + SkyTrain) · Prince George (best: bus)
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)