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, trains and flights can carry you and your bike from Seattle, WA to Nelson.
For scale
As the crow flies426 km
Biking whole wayno route found
By carno route found
We found four 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⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The coach takes care of the long stretch.
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.
🚌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.
🚲You arrive at 1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson).
Option two · two legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Same as Option one, 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
🚌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.
🚲You arrive at 1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson).
Option three · three legs📅 seasonal⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
SkyTrain helps connect the dots.
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) →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 four · three legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Fly most of the way, then let transit finish the trip.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚲First, get from Seattle, WA to Seattle SeaTac Airport WA, about 17 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
✈️Alaska AirlinesVancouver (YVR) – Seattle (SEA)Seattle SeaTac Airport WA →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)204 kmRides in the hold — boxed, bagged, or wrappedBike feeNo 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 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: Nelson to Seattle, WA (best: bus + train)
Connections from Seattle, WA: Victoria (best: ferry) · Parksville (best: bus + ferry) · Slocan (best: train + bus) · Whitehorse, YT (best: train + SkyTrain + plane)
Connections from Nelson: Castlegar (best: bus) · Harrison Hot Springs (best: bus) · Duncan (Cowichan Valley) (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry) · Whitehorse, YT (best: bus + SkyTrain + plane)
Check out BC Bike Stops in Nelson