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.

Good news: buses, ferries, rental cars and flights can carry you and your bike from Saanich to Denman Island.

For scale
As the crow flies160 km
Biking whole way257 km ยท 12 h 32 m
By car197 km ยท 2 h 28 m

We found five ways to get you there, ferries doing the heavy lifting.

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 ›
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 · five legs📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
A carpool saves the day.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŽBC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressHwy 1 & Tillicum (Saanich) โ†’Duncan49 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
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan โ†’Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.5 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
๐Ÿš—PoparideIsland Hwy rideshare (Nanaimo - Courtenay)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Courtenay97 kmOnly some rides take bikes โ€” look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable โ€” check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay โ†’Buckley Bay20 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 FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestBuckley Bay โ†’Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Denman Island West.
Option two · five legs📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
The same idea as Option one, on different routes.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Douglas St at Kelvin Rd (Saanich) to Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria), about 2.5 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit66 CVX Cowichan-Victoria ExpressDouglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) โ†’Duncan46 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
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan โ†’Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.5 km.
๐Ÿš—PoparideIsland Hwy rideshare (Nanaimo - Courtenay)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Courtenay97 kmOnly some rides take bikes โ€” look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable โ€” check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay โ†’Buckley Bay20 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 FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestBuckley Bay โ†’Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Denman Island West.
Option three · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
Option one, plus a city bus at the start.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Douglas St at Kelvin Rd (Saanich) to Douglas & Finlayson - Mayfair (Victoria), about 4.4 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit99 SVX Shawnigan Lake - Victoria ExpressDouglas & Finlayson - Mayfair (Victoria) โ†’Deloume Park & Ride (Mill Bay)28 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
๐ŸšŽBC Transit8 Mill Bay via Telegraph Rd/Duncan via Shawnigan Lkor the 9 Mill Bay via Shawnigan Lk/Duncan via Telegraph RdDeloume Park & Ride (Mill Bay) โ†’Duncan17 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
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan โ†’Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.5 km.
๐Ÿš—PoparideIsland Hwy rideshare (Nanaimo - Courtenay)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Courtenay97 kmOnly some rides take bikes โ€” look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable โ€” check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay โ†’Buckley Bay20 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 FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestBuckley Bay โ†’Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Denman Island West.
Option four · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Fill in the gap with a rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŽBC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressHwy 1 & Tillicum (Saanich) โ†’Duncan49 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
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan โ†’Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.5 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDowntown 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.3 km.
๐Ÿš™National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Comox โ€“ NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo โ†’Comox Airport (YQQ)88 kmOne-way between Island branches โ€” no drop chargeBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšŽBC Transit11 Airport via Powell R. Ferry / DowntownComox Airport (YQQ) โ†’Courtenay8.3 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
One loop serves both the Little River ferry terminal and Comox airport; about 5โ€“7 trips a day, and Sunday service is unconfirmed.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay โ†’Buckley Bay20 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 FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestBuckley Bay โ†’Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Denman Island West.
Show four moreShow fewer
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 does not carry bikes, so it cannot work with yours. We show it so you can see where the connection breaks.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Douglas St at Kelvin Rd (Saanich) to Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria), about 2.5 km.
๐ŸšŒIsland LinkVictoria Express Busor West Coast Trail Express (Juan de Fuca Trail route) (seasonal) or West Coast Trail Express (West Coast Trail route) (seasonal)Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange92 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐ŸšŒIsland LinkIsland Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Courtenay97 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay โ†’Buckley Bay20 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 FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestBuckley Bay โ†’Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Denman Island West.
Not an option · five legs🚫 not possible with a bike
Three city buses, a coach bus, 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
๐ŸšŽBC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressHwy 1 & Tillicum (Saanich) โ†’Duncan49 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
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan โ†’Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.5 km.
๐ŸšŒIsland LinkIsland Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Courtenay97 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay โ†’Buckley Bay20 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 FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestBuckley Bay โ†’Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Denman Island West.
Not an option · five legs🚫 not possible with a bike
Another way: three city buses, a coach bus, 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Douglas St at Kelvin Rd (Saanich) to Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria), about 2.5 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit66 CVX Cowichan-Victoria ExpressDouglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) โ†’Duncan46 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
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan โ†’Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.5 km.
๐ŸšŒIsland LinkIsland Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Courtenay97 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay โ†’Buckley Bay20 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 FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestBuckley Bay โ†’Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Denman Island West.
Option eight · five legs✈ the splurge
Fly most of the way, then let transit finish the trip.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Douglas St at Kelvin Rd (Saanich) to Victoria Belleville Terminal, about 3.2 km.
๐Ÿ›ฉ๏ธHarbour AirVancouver Harbour โ€“ Victoria HarbourVictoria Belleville Terminal โ†’CXH (Vancouver)98 kmFront wheel must come off$20 handling fee โ€” bike weight counts toward your baggage allowanceNot on the Twin Otter โ€” other floatplanes are fine; confirm when booking
๐Ÿ›ฉ๏ธHarbour AirVancouver Harbour โ€“ ComoxCXH (Vancouver) โ†’Comox Harbour138 kmFront wheel must come off$20 handling fee โ€” bike weight counts toward your baggage allowanceNot on the Twin Otter โ€” other floatplanes are fine; confirm when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Comox Harbour to Comox Mall Bay B, about 0.4 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit1 Comox Mall / Anfield Centre via N.I.C.Comox Mall Bay B โ†’Anfield Centre (Courtenay)4 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Anfield Centre (Courtenay) to Courtenay, about 2.9 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay โ†’Buckley Bay20 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 FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestBuckley Bay โ†’Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Denman Island West.
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: Denman Island to Saanich (best: ferry + bus + carpool)

Connections from Saanich: Salt Spring Island (best: bus + ferry) · Seattle, WA (best: ferry) · Port Hardy (best: bus + rental car) · Prince Rupert (best: bus + rental car + ferry)

Connections from Denman Island: Texada Island (best: ferry + bus) · Tofino (best: ferry + bus + carpool) · New Westminster (best: ferry + bus + carpool) · Prince Rupert (best: ferry + bus + rental car)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Saanich and Denman Island