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 and flights can carry you and your bike from Salt Spring Island to Nakusp.
For scale
As the crow flies439 km
Biking whole way704 km · 46 h 35 m
By car720 km · 9 h 09 m
We found five 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 · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A transport smorgasbord: ferry, city buses, SkyTrain, and coach bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚲First, get from Central Salt Spring Island to Long Harbour (Salt Spring Island), about 9.2 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Silver Shadow Taxi Ltd. might help.
⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Southern Gulf IslandsLong Harbour (Salt Spring Island) →Tsawwassen (Delta)67 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
Sailing times vary a lot by routing: some trips are about 50 minutes, others run 2 to 3 hours via Swartz Bay. Check the specific sailing before you book.
🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen Ferryor the 900 Bike Bus (seasonal)Tsawwassen (Delta) →Bridgeport (Richmond)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK
620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen Ferry: The 620 is year-round, roughly hourly, timed to sailings, with two bike-rack spots. On busy summer ferry days the seasonal 900 Bike Bus can carry an extra 10 bikes.
900 Bike Bus: Seasonal: June 12 to September 7, Fridays, weekends and holidays; hourly, timed to ferry sailings. Carries 10 bikes.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkBridgeport (Richmond) →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.
🚎BC Transit74 Nakusp-Nelson1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson) →6th Ave NW at 2nd St NW (Nakusp)101 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
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Tuesday and Thursday only.
🚲You arrive at 6th Ave NW at 2nd St NW (Nakusp).
Option two · four legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Halfway across the province, no car required.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesFulford Harbour – Swartz BayFulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island) →Swartz Bay (North Saanich)9.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚌Wilson's Transportation (BC Connector)BC Ferries Connector — Vancouver / VictoriaSwartz Bay (North Saanich) →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)74 kmRides in the hold — bagged or boxed$42 per bike — 50 lb maxReserve bike spot — recommended
⛴️ Downtown to downtown via the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay ferry crossing.
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverPacific Central Station (Vancouver) →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.
🚎BC Transit74 Nakusp-Nelson1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson) →6th Ave NW at 2nd St NW (Nakusp)101 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
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Tuesday and Thursday only.
🚲You arrive at 6th Ave NW at 2nd St NW (Nakusp).
Option three · four legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The same idea as Option two, on different routes.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚲First, get from Central Salt Spring Island to Long Harbour (Salt Spring Island), about 9.2 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Southern Gulf IslandsLong Harbour (Salt Spring Island) →Tsawwassen (Delta)67 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
Sailing times vary a lot by routing: some trips are about 50 minutes, others run 2 to 3 hours via Swartz Bay. Check the specific sailing before you book.
🚌Wilson's Transportation (BC Connector)BC Ferries Connector — Vancouver / VictoriaTsawwassen (Delta) →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)33 kmRides in the hold — bagged or boxed$42 per bike — 50 lb maxReserve bike spot — recommended
⛴️ Downtown to downtown via the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay ferry crossing.
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverPacific Central Station (Vancouver) →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.
🚎BC Transit74 Nakusp-Nelson1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson) →6th Ave NW at 2nd St NW (Nakusp)101 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
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Tuesday and Thursday only.
🚲You arrive at 6th Ave NW at 2nd St NW (Nakusp).
Option four · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Option one, plus a ferry at the start.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesFulford Harbour – Swartz BayFulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island) →Swartz Bay (North Saanich)9.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Swartz BaySwartz Bay (North Saanich) →Tsawwassen (Delta)41 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen Ferryor the 900 Bike Bus (seasonal)Tsawwassen (Delta) →Bridgeport (Richmond)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK
620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen Ferry: The 620 is year-round, roughly hourly, timed to sailings, with two bike-rack spots. On busy summer ferry days the seasonal 900 Bike Bus can carry an extra 10 bikes.
900 Bike Bus: Seasonal: June 12 to September 7, Fridays, weekends and holidays; hourly, timed to ferry sailings. Carries 10 bikes.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkBridgeport (Richmond) →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.
🚎BC Transit74 Nakusp-Nelson1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson) →6th Ave NW at 2nd St NW (Nakusp)101 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
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Tuesday and Thursday only.
🚲You arrive at 6th Ave NW at 2nd St NW (Nakusp).
Option five · five legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
One long leg does most of the travelling.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚲First, get from Central Salt Spring Island to Ganges (Salt Spring Island), about 9.9 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
🛩️Harbour AirVancouver Harbour – Salt Spring (Ganges)Ganges (Salt Spring Island) →CXH (Vancouver)56 kmFront wheel must come off$20 handling fee — bike weight counts toward your baggage allowanceNot on the Twin Otter — other floatplanes are fine; confirm when booking
🚲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 →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
✈️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
🚎BC Transit74 Nakusp-Nelson1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson) →6th Ave NW at 2nd St NW (Nakusp)101 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
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Tuesday and Thursday only.
🚲You arrive at 6th Ave NW at 2nd St NW (Nakusp).
Route facts last checked October 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: Nakusp to Salt Spring Island (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry)
Connections from Salt Spring Island: Langford (best: ferry + bus) · Chilliwack (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain) · Port Hardy (best: ferry + bus + rental car) · Whitehorse, YT (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain)
Connections from Nakusp: New Denver (best: bus) · Sparwood (best: bus) · Bowen Island (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry) · Whitehorse, YT (best: bus + SkyTrain + plane)
Check out BC Bike Stops in Salt Spring Island and Nakusp