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, trains and flights can carry you and your bike from Seton Portage to Gabriola Island.

For scale
As the crow flies204 km
Biking whole wayWe can't compute the bike route from the ferry dock but it may be rideable: please consult other sources.
By car351 km ยท 7 h 33 m

We found four 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 · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The long way round, but it works.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒTsal'alh Seton TrainLillooet โ€“ Shalalth โ€“ Seton PortageSeton Portage โ†’Lillooet (Buy Low / Reynolds Hotel)26 kmBikes ride along โ€” $2.50 each wayCheck before you go โ€” schedule changes and closures are posted on Facebook; call (250) 259-8300
Daily shuttle bus: leaves Lillooet at 9:00 am and 3:40 pm, heads back from Seton Portage at 10:30 am and 4:55 pm. Check the Facebook page or call before you go, since slides can close the road.
๐ŸšŽBC TransitLillooet โ€“ Kamloops (Health Connections)or the Lillooet โ€“ Lytton โ€“ Kamloops (Health Connections) (doesn't run every day)Lillooet (Buy Low / Reynolds Hotel) โ†’Kamloops116 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
Lillooet โ€“ Kamloops: Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Tuesday only.
Lillooet โ€“ Lytton โ€“ Kamloops: Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Thursday only.
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ Kamloopsor Ebus (Vancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)) or Rider Express (Vancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1))Kamloops โ†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)301 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkPacific Central Station (Vancouver) โ†’Vancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒTravel 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.
โ›ด๏ธHulloHullo (Nanaimo โ€“ Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) โ†’Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)61 kmBook online ahead โ€” 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way โ€” $25 in personNo e-bikes โ€” no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Nanaimo Harbour, about 0.9 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesNanaimo Harbour โ€“ Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour โ†’Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
Option two · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A transport smorgasbord: coach buses, city buses, SkyTrain, and ferries.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒTsal'alh Seton TrainLillooet โ€“ Shalalth โ€“ Seton PortageSeton Portage โ†’Lillooet (Buy Low / Reynolds Hotel)26 kmBikes ride along โ€” $2.50 each wayCheck before you go โ€” schedule changes and closures are posted on Facebook; call (250) 259-8300
Daily shuttle bus: leaves Lillooet at 9:00 am and 3:40 pm, heads back from Seton Portage at 10:30 am and 4:55 pm. Check the Facebook page or call before you go, since slides can close the road.
๐ŸšŽBC TransitLillooet โ€“ Kamloops (Health Connections)Lillooet (Buy Low / Reynolds Hotel) โ†’Kamloops116 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
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Tuesday only.
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ Kamloopsor Rider Express (Vancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1))Kamloops โ†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)301 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkPacific Central Station (Vancouver) โ†’Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšŽTransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) โ†’Horseshoe Bay17 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesHorseshoe Bay โ€“ Departure BayHorseshoe Bay โ†’Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 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 Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Nanaimo Harbour, about 0.6 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesNanaimo Harbour โ€“ Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour โ†’Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
Option three · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The same idea as Option two, on different routes.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒTsal'alh Seton TrainLillooet โ€“ Shalalth โ€“ Seton PortageSeton Portage โ†’Lillooet (Buy Low / Reynolds Hotel)26 kmBikes ride along โ€” $2.50 each wayCheck before you go โ€” schedule changes and closures are posted on Facebook; call (250) 259-8300
Daily shuttle bus: leaves Lillooet at 9:00 am and 3:40 pm, heads back from Seton Portage at 10:30 am and 4:55 pm. Check the Facebook page or call before you go, since slides can close the road.
๐ŸšŽBC TransitLillooet โ€“ Lytton โ€“ Kamloops (Health Connections)Lillooet (Buy Low / Reynolds Hotel) โ†’Kamloops200 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
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Thursday only.
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ Kamloopsor Ebus (Vancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1))Kamloops โ†’Surrey (Guildford Rec Centre)277 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Surrey (Guildford Rec Centre) to Surrey Central, about 3.4 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Aldergrove-Langley Taxi Ltd., Green Cab might help.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkSurrey Central โ†’Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšŽTransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) โ†’Horseshoe Bay17 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesHorseshoe Bay โ€“ Departure BayHorseshoe Bay โ†’Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit25 Ferry Shuttleor the 20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 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 Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Nanaimo Harbour, about 0.6 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesNanaimo Harbour โ€“ Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour โ†’Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
Option four · seven legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The splurge: hop a flight.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒTsal'alh Seton TrainLillooet โ€“ Shalalth โ€“ Seton PortageSeton Portage โ†’Lillooet (Buy Low / Reynolds Hotel)26 kmBikes ride along โ€” $2.50 each wayCheck before you go โ€” schedule changes and closures are posted on Facebook; call (250) 259-8300
Daily shuttle bus: leaves Lillooet at 9:00 am and 3:40 pm, heads back from Seton Portage at 10:30 am and 4:55 pm. Check the Facebook page or call before you go, since slides can close the road.
๐ŸšŽBC TransitLillooet โ€“ Kamloops (Health Connections)Lillooet (Buy Low / Reynolds Hotel) โ†’Kamloops116 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
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Tuesday only.
๐ŸšŒEbusKamloops โ€“ Kelowna (via Salmon Arm)Kamloops โ†’Kelowna Airport177 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
โœˆ๏ธAir CanadaVancouver (YVR) โ€“ Kelowna (YLW)Kelowna Airport โ†’Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)288 kmBox or sturdy bag requiredBook ahead for your bikeAbout $50 per directionNo e-bikes
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) โ†’Vancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
๐Ÿ›ฉ๏ธHarbour AirVancouver Harbour โ€“ Nanaimo HarbourCXH (Vancouver) โ†’Nanaimo Harbour60 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
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesNanaimo Harbour โ€“ Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour โ†’Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
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: Gabriola Island to Seton Portage (best: ferry + SkyTrain + bus)

Connections from Seton Portage: Clinton (best: bus) · Clearwater (best: bus) · Castlegar (best: bus) · Whitehorse, YT (best: bus + plane)

Connections from Gabriola Island: Chemainus (best: ferry + bus) · Maple Ridge (best: ferry + SkyTrain + bus) · Williams Lake (best: ferry + SkyTrain + bus) · Whitehorse, YT (best: ferry + SkyTrain + plane)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Gabriola Island