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, rental cars and flights can carry you and your bike from Sointula to Sooke.
For scale
As the crow flies344 km
Biking whole way566 km · 31 h 17 m
By car475 km · 5 h 44 m
We found three ways to get you there, ferries doing the heavy lifting.
🎒 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 · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Fill in the gap with a rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesPort McNeill – Sointula – Alert BaySointula (Malcolm Island) →Port McNeill6.2 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort McNeill →Port Hardy33 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
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
🚲Travel the short hop from Port Hardy to YZT (Port Hardy), about 10 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Waivin Flags Taxi might help.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimo)YZT (Port Hardy) →Downtown Nanaimo295 kmOne-way between Island branches — no drop chargeBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Departure Bay (Nanaimo), about 1.3 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 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
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 0.5 km.
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch →Duncan46 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 Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressDuncan →Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria)54 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
🚲Travel the short hop from Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) to Douglas & Finlayson - Mayfair (Victoria), about 3.2 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Bluebird Cabs, Sidney Taxi might help.
🚎BC Transit61 Sooke / Langford / Downtownor the 65 Sooke / Downtown via Westhills (doesn't run every day)Douglas & Finlayson - Mayfair (Victoria) →Sooke Rd at Brownsey Blvd30 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 Sooke Rd at Brownsey Blvd.
Option two · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The same idea as Option one, on different routes.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesPort McNeill – Sointula – Alert BaySointula (Malcolm Island) →Port McNeill6.2 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort McNeill →Port Hardy33 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
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
🚲Travel the short hop from Port Hardy to YZT (Port Hardy), about 10 km.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimo)YZT (Port Hardy) →Downtown Nanaimo295 kmOne-way between Island branches — no drop chargeBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Departure Bay (Nanaimo), about 1.3 km.
🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 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
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 0.5 km.
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch →Duncan46 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 Transit66 CVX Cowichan-Victoria ExpressDuncan →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)46 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
🚲Travel the short hop from Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) to Douglas & Finlayson - Mayfair (Victoria), about 1.9 km.
🚎BC Transit61 Sooke / Langford / DowntownDouglas & Finlayson - Mayfair (Victoria) →Sooke Rd at Brownsey Blvd30 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 Sooke Rd at Brownsey Blvd.
Not an option · six legs🚫 not possible with a bike⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Six legs, end to end.
🚫 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
⛴️BC FerriesPort McNeill – Sointula – Alert BaySointula (Malcolm Island) →Port McNeill6.2 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort McNeill →Port Hardy33 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
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
🚲Travel the short hop from Port Hardy to YZT (Port Hardy), about 10 km.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimo)YZT (Port Hardy) →Downtown Nanaimo295 kmOne-way between Island branches — no drop chargeBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Departure Bay (Nanaimo), about 1.3 km.
🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 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
🚌Island LinkVictoria Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)92 kmDoes not carry bikes
🚲Travel the short hop from Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) to Douglas & Finlayson - Mayfair (Victoria), about 1.9 km.
🚎BC Transit61 Sooke / Langford / Downtownor the 65 Sooke / Downtown via Westhills (doesn't run every day)Douglas & Finlayson - Mayfair (Victoria) →Sooke Rd at Brownsey Blvd30 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 Sooke Rd at Brownsey Blvd.
Not an option · four legs🚫 not possible with a bike📅 seasonal⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A ferry, a city bus, a rental car, and a coach bus.
🚫 This chain exists, but West Coast Trail Express does not carry bikes, so it cannot work with yours. We show it so you can see where the connection breaks.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesPort McNeill – Sointula – Alert BaySointula (Malcolm Island) →Port McNeill6.2 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort McNeill →Port Hardy33 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
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
🚲Travel the short hop from Port Hardy to YZT (Port Hardy), about 10 km.
🚙BudgetOne-way rental: Port Hardy – NanaimoYZT (Port Hardy) →Downtown Nanaimo298 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches — bookable onlineBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.6 km.
🚌West Coast Trail ExpressJuan de Fuca Trail routeor West Coast Trail Express (West Coast Trail route) (seasonal)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange →Sooke130 kmDoes not carry bikes
Runs May 1 to September 30.
🚲You arrive at Sooke.
Option five · six legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Fly most of the way, then let transit finish the trip.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesPort McNeill – Sointula – Alert BaySointula (Malcolm Island) →Port McNeill6.2 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort McNeill →Port Hardy33 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
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
🚲Travel the short hop from Port Hardy to YZT (Port Hardy), about 10 km.
✈️Pacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver – Port HardyYZT (Port Hardy) →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)343 kmRides in the hold — small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) →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. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Black Top Cabs, Maclure'S Cabs might help.
🛩️Harbour AirVancouver Harbour – Victoria HarbourCXH (Vancouver) →Victoria Belleville Terminal98 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 Victoria Belleville Terminal to Douglas & Finlayson - Mayfair (Victoria), about 2.6 km.
🚎BC Transit61 Sooke / Langford / DowntownDouglas & Finlayson - Mayfair (Victoria) →Sooke Rd at Brownsey Blvd30 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 Sooke Rd at Brownsey Blvd.
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: Sooke to Sointula (best: bus + rental car + ferry)
Connections from Sointula: Port Hardy (best: ferry + bus) · Powell River (best: ferry + bus + rental car) · Duncan (Cowichan Valley) (best: ferry + bus + rental car) · New Hazelton (best: ferry + bus + train)
Connections from Sooke: Brentwood Bay (best: bus) · West Vancouver (best: bus + ferry) · Kelowna (best: bus + ferry + train) · New Hazelton (best: bus + ferry + train)