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 Seattle, WA to Nanaimo.
For scale
As the crow flies210 km
Biking whole wayno route found
By carno route found
We found 13 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 · two legs
The coach takes care of the long stretch.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌FlixBus (operated by MTRWestern)Vancouver – Seattle via Bellingham & Everettor Quick Shuttle (Vancouver – Seattle (SeaTac)) (seasonal)Seattle Downtown WA →Vancouver Canada Place206 kmRack on the bus — space not guaranteedAbout $19–37Book bike as add-onNo e-bikes, tandems or trailers
Runs year-round; winter service drops to Friday–Monday only.
🚲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
🚲You arrive at Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way).
Option two · three legs
Ferry to Belleville, city bus to Duncan, then a city bus into Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️Victoria ClipperVictoria Clipper (Victoria - Seattle)Seattle Downtown WA →Victoria Belleville Terminal119 kmReserve ahead by phone — space very limited, first booked first served$30 USD each way — about $41 CADRides on the open deck — bags and accessories off; waiver at check-in
Daily year-round, with extra sailings in summer. Bike space is very limited; reserve by phone when you book. Passport required.
🚲Travel the short hop from Victoria Belleville Terminal to Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria), about 0.7 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Bluebird Cabs, Sidney Taxi might help.
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressLegislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) →Duncan54 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 Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan →Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 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 Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch.
Option three · three legs
Train to Vancouver, SkyTrain to Vancouver Canada Place, then a ferry into Nanaimo.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚆Amtrak CascadesVancouver – Seattle (Cascades)Seattle Downtown WA →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)194 kmRoll on the bike carReserve bike spotBike fee
Two daily round trips from Pacific Central; reserve bike space when you book. Passport required.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkPacific Central Station (Vancouver) →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.
⛴️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
🚲You arrive at Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way).
Option four · four legs
SkyTrain helps connect the dots.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚆Amtrak CascadesVancouver – Seattle (Cascades)Seattle Downtown WA →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)194 kmRoll on the bike carReserve bike spotBike fee
Two daily round trips from Pacific Central; reserve bike space when you book. Passport required.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkPacific Central Station (Vancouver) →Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) →Horseshoe Bay17 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
🚲You arrive at Departure Bay (Nanaimo).
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Option five · four legs
The same idea as Option four, on different routes.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚆Amtrak CascadesVancouver – Seattle (Cascades)Seattle Downtown WA →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)194 kmRoll on the bike carReserve bike spotBike fee
Two daily round trips from Pacific Central; reserve bike space when you book. Passport required.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkPacific Central Station (Vancouver) →Bridgeport (Richmond)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen FerryBridgeport (Richmond) →Tsawwassen (Delta)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK
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.
⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Duke PointTsawwassen (Delta) →Duke Point (Nanaimo)58 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Duke Point (Nanaimo).
Option six · four legs
Same as Option four, but a coach bus instead of the train.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌FlixBus (operated by MTRWestern)Vancouver – Seattle via Bellingham & EverettSeattle Downtown WA →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)204 kmRack on the bus — space not guaranteedAbout $19–37Book bike as add-onNo e-bikes, tandems or trailers
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkPacific Central Station (Vancouver) →Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) →Horseshoe Bay17 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
🚲You arrive at Departure Bay (Nanaimo).
Option seven · four legs
Another way: same as Option four, but a coach bus instead of the train.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌FlixBus (operated by MTRWestern)Vancouver – Seattle via Bellingham & EverettSeattle Downtown WA →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)204 kmRack on the bus — space not guaranteedAbout $19–37Book bike as add-onNo e-bikes, tandems or trailers
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkPacific Central Station (Vancouver) →Bridgeport (Richmond)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen FerryBridgeport (Richmond) →Tsawwassen (Delta)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK
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.
⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Duke PointTsawwassen (Delta) →Duke Point (Nanaimo)58 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Duke Point (Nanaimo).
Option eight · three legs📅 seasonal
Two connections, then you're on your way.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌Quick Shuttle (Quick Coach Lines / TRAXX)Vancouver – Seattle (SeaTac)Seattle Downtown WA →Bridgeport (Richmond)198 kmBikes accepted — book as an add-on$42 USD each — about $57 CAD
Runs year-round; winter service drops to Friday–Monday only.
🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen FerryBridgeport (Richmond) →Tsawwassen (Delta)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK
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.
⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Duke PointTsawwassen (Delta) →Duke Point (Nanaimo)58 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Duke Point (Nanaimo).
Option 9 · four legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Option two, plus a city bus at the finish.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️Victoria ClipperVictoria Clipper (Victoria - Seattle)Seattle Downtown WA →Victoria Belleville Terminal119 kmReserve ahead by phone — space very limited, first booked first served$30 USD each way — about $41 CADRides on the open deck — bags and accessories off; waiver at check-in
Daily year-round, with extra sailings in summer. Bike space is very limited; reserve by phone when you book. Passport required.
🚲Travel the short hop from Victoria Belleville Terminal to Douglas & Finlayson - Mayfair (Victoria), about 2.6 km.
🚎BC Transit99 SVX Shawnigan Lake - Victoria ExpressDouglas & Finlayson - Mayfair (Victoria) →Deloume Park & Ride (Mill Bay)34 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 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) →Duncan17 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 Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan →Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 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 Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch.
Option 10 · four legs📅 seasonal
Another way: same as Option four, but a coach bus instead of the train.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌Quick Shuttle (Quick Coach Lines / TRAXX)Vancouver – Seattle (SeaTac)Seattle Downtown WA →Bridgeport (Richmond)198 kmBikes accepted — book as an add-on$42 USD each — about $57 CAD
Runs year-round; winter service drops to Friday–Monday only.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkBridgeport (Richmond) →Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) →Horseshoe Bay17 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
🚲You arrive at Departure Bay (Nanaimo).
Option 11 · five legs
Grab a window seat, the scenery's included.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌FlixBus (operated by MTRWestern)Vancouver – Seattle via Bellingham & EverettSeattle Downtown WA →Vancouver Canada Place206 kmRack on the bus — space not guaranteedAbout $19–37Book bike as add-onNo e-bikes, tandems or trailers
⛴️SeaBusTransLinkVancouver Canada Place →Lonsdale Quay (North Vancouver)3.5 kmRoll on, free — bikes ride inside the cabin6 bikes per sailing at rush hour — weekdays 7–9:30 am and 3–6:30 pm; no limit other timesE-bikes OK — no charging on boardNo trailers — 185 cm max bike length
Bikes ride inside the cabin; during weekday rush hours there's room for six bikes a sailing.
🚎TransLinkR2 Marine Dr RapidBusLonsdale Quay (North Vancouver) →Park Royal (West Vancouver)4.5 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressPark Royal (West Vancouver) →Horseshoe Bay11 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
🚲You arrive at Departure Bay (Nanaimo).
Option 12 · three legs📅 seasonal
Option one, plus a coach bus at the start.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌FlixBus (operated by MTRWestern)Vancouver – Seattle via Bellingham & EverettSeattle Downtown WA →Vancouver Canada Place206 kmRack on the bus — space not guaranteedAbout $19–37Book bike as add-onNo e-bikes, tandems or trailers
🚌Squamish ConnectorSquamish – VancouverVancouver Canada Place →Horseshoe Bay16 kmBook aheadMax 2 bikes per tripSome buses have an outside rack — otherwise carried in the luggage hold$15 each wayNo e-bikes
Bikes welcome May to September; check schedule outside that window.
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayHorseshoe Bay →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Departure Bay (Nanaimo).
Option 13 · two legs✈ the splurge📅 seasonal
Two flights, connecting in Vancouver.
CarrierRideYour bike
🛩️Harbour AirVancouver Harbour - Seattle (Lake Union) (seasonal)Seattle Lake Union WA →CXH (Vancouver)193 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
Seasonal, mid-April to mid-October, twice daily. Passport required.
🛩️Harbour AirVancouver Harbour – Nanaimo HarbourCXH (Vancouver) →Nanaimo Harbour60 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
🚲You arrive at Nanaimo Harbour.
Not an option · two legs🚫 not possible with a bike
Ferry to Belleville, then a coach bus into Nanaimo.
🚫 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
⛴️Victoria ClipperVictoria Clipper (Victoria - Seattle)Seattle Downtown WA →Victoria Belleville Terminal119 kmReserve ahead by phone — space very limited, first booked first served$30 USD each way — about $41 CADRides on the open deck — bags and accessories off; waiver at check-in
Daily year-round, with extra sailings in summer. Bike space is very limited; reserve by phone when you book. Passport required.
🚲Travel the short hop from Victoria Belleville Terminal to Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria), about 0.7 km.
🚌Island LinkVictoria Express BusDouglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange92 kmDoes not carry bikes
🚲You arrive at Downtown Nanaimo Exchange.
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: Nanaimo to Seattle, WA (best: ferry + bus)
Connections from Seattle, WA: Victoria (best: ferry) · Squamish (best: bus) · Slocan (best: train + bus) · Whitehorse, YT (best: train + SkyTrain + plane)
Connections from Nanaimo: Chemainus (best: bus) · Maple Ridge (best: ferry + SkyTrain + bus) · Sicamous (best: ferry + SkyTrain + bus) · Whitehorse, YT (best: ferry + SkyTrain + plane)
Check out BC Bike Stops in Nanaimo