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 Sparwood to Ladysmith.
For scale
As the crow flies652 km
Biking whole wayWe can't compute the bike route from the ferry dock but it may be rideable: please consult other sources.
By car1,071 km ยท 13 h 03 m
We found 9 ways to get you there.
๐ 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: coach buses, SkyTrain, ferry, and city bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ Calgaryor Mountain Man Mike's (Kaslo โ Cranbrook โ Calgary (weekly)) (doesn't run every day)Sparwood โ1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)240 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Mountain Man Mike's: Runs once a week, continuing east into Alberta.
Mountain Man Mike's: The only ground service between Cranbrook and Calgary; weekly, eastbound Monday and westbound Tuesday.
๐Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ Vancouver1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson) โNew Westminster495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
๐SkyTrainTransLinkNew Westminster โWaterfront (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ฒTravel 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.
โด๏ธHulloHullo (Nanaimo โ Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) โHullo 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
๐ฒTravel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1.4 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
๐BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch โ1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith)20 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
๐ฒYou arrive at 1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith).
Option two · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Beautiful BC from a coach window.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐BC TransitElkford โ Cranbrook (Health Connections)Sparwood โCranbrook78 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 Wednesday and Friday only.
๐BC Transit36 Golden โ Cranbrook Connector (Health Connections)Cranbrook โGolden223 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 and Thursday only.
๐EbusVancouver โ Calgary (Hwy 1)or Rider Express (Vancouver โ Calgary (Hwy 1))Golden โPacific Central Station (Vancouver)568 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.
๐ฒTravel the short hop from Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) to Main Street-Science World (Vancouver), about 0.2 km.
๐SkyTrainTransLinkMain Street-Science World (Vancouver) โWaterfront (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ฒTravel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
โด๏ธHulloHullo (Nanaimo โ Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) โHullo 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
๐ฒTravel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1.4 km.
๐BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch โ1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith)20 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
๐ฒYou arrive at 1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith).
Option three · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The same trip, but with Ebus for the coach bus leg.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ Cranbrook โ Calgary (weekly)Sparwood โCalgary AB275 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
The only ground service between Cranbrook and Calgary; weekly, eastbound Monday and westbound Tuesday.
๐EbusVancouver โ Calgary (Hwy 1)or Rider Express (Vancouver โ Calgary (Hwy 1))Calgary AB โPacific Central Station (Vancouver)784 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.
๐ฒTravel the short hop from Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) to Main Street-Science World (Vancouver), about 0.2 km.
๐SkyTrainTransLinkMain Street-Science World (Vancouver) โWaterfront (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ฒTravel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
โด๏ธHulloHullo (Nanaimo โ Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) โHullo 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
๐ฒTravel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1.4 km.
๐BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch โ1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith)20 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
๐ฒYou arrive at 1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith).
Option four · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Mountain Man Mike's will get you there.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ Calgaryor Mountain Man Mike's (Kaslo โ Cranbrook โ Calgary (weekly)) (doesn't run every day)Sparwood โ1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)240 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Mountain Man Mike's: Runs once a week, continuing east into Alberta.
Mountain Man Mike's: The only ground service between Cranbrook and Calgary; weekly, eastbound Monday and westbound Tuesday.
๐Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ Vancouver1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson) โNew Westminster495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
๐SkyTrainTransLinkNew Westminster โStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) โHorseshoe Bay17 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ first come, first servedE-bikes OK
โด๏ธBC FerriesHorseshoe Bay โ Departure BayHorseshoe Bay โDeparture Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free โ no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ no charging on board
๐BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) โDowntown 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
๐ฒTravel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 0.5 km.
๐BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch โ1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith)20 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
๐ฒYou arrive at 1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith).
Show five moreShow fewer
Option five · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Nothing direct, but it strings together.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐BC TransitElkford โ Cranbrook (Health Connections)Sparwood โCranbrook78 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 Wednesday and Friday only.
๐BC Transit36 Golden โ Cranbrook Connector (Health Connections)Cranbrook โGolden223 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 and Thursday only.
๐EbusVancouver โ Calgary (Hwy 1)or Rider Express (Vancouver โ Calgary (Hwy 1))Golden โPacific Central Station (Vancouver)568 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.
๐ฒTravel the short hop from Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) to Main Street-Science World (Vancouver), about 0.2 km.
๐SkyTrainTransLinkMain Street-Science World (Vancouver) โStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) โHorseshoe Bay17 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ first come, first servedE-bikes OK
โด๏ธBC FerriesHorseshoe Bay โ Departure BayHorseshoe Bay โDeparture Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free โ no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ no charging on board
๐BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) โDowntown 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
๐ฒTravel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 0.5 km.
๐BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch โ1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith)20 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
๐ฒYou arrive at 1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith).
Option six · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Another way: the same trip, but with Ebus for the coach bus leg.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ Cranbrook โ Calgary (weekly)Sparwood โCalgary AB275 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
The only ground service between Cranbrook and Calgary; weekly, eastbound Monday and westbound Tuesday.
๐EbusVancouver โ Calgary (Hwy 1)or Rider Express (Vancouver โ Calgary (Hwy 1))Calgary AB โPacific Central Station (Vancouver)784 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.
๐ฒTravel the short hop from Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) to Main Street-Science World (Vancouver), about 0.2 km.
๐SkyTrainTransLinkMain Street-Science World (Vancouver) โStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) โHorseshoe Bay17 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ first come, first servedE-bikes OK
โด๏ธBC FerriesHorseshoe Bay โ Departure BayHorseshoe Bay โDeparture Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free โ no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ no charging on board
๐BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) โDowntown 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
๐ฒTravel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 0.5 km.
๐BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch โ1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith)20 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
๐ฒYou arrive at 1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith).
Option seven · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Same as Option two, but a coach bus instead of the city bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ CalgarySparwood โCranbrook78 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week, continuing east into Alberta.
๐BC Transit36 Golden โ Cranbrook Connector (Health Connections)Cranbrook โGolden223 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 and Thursday only.
๐EbusVancouver โ Calgary (Hwy 1)or Rider Express (Vancouver โ Calgary (Hwy 1))Golden โPacific Central Station (Vancouver)568 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.
๐ฒTravel the short hop from Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) to Main Street-Science World (Vancouver), about 0.2 km.
๐SkyTrainTransLinkMain Street-Science World (Vancouver) โWaterfront (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ฒTravel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
โด๏ธHulloHullo (Nanaimo โ Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) โHullo 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
๐ฒTravel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1.4 km.
๐BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch โ1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith)20 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
๐ฒYou arrive at 1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith).
Option eight · six legs📅 seasonal⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Option one, plus a city bus at the start.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐BC Transit41 Fernie / Sparwood / Elkfordor the Elkford โ Cranbrook (Health Connections) (doesn't run every day)Lodge Pole Village (Sparwood) โ9th Ave at 19th St (Fernie)32 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 Wednesday and Friday only.
๐Tunnel49Fernie โ Calgary Airport9th Ave at 19th St (Fernie) โCalgary AB185 kmRides in the hold โ boxed, bagged, or wrappedBike fee โ $50 + GST per bike bag on the Calgary shuttle; Cranbrook might be extra
A winter ski shuttle: Wednesdays and Saturdays, mid-December to late March. Other times need a six-passenger custom booking. Bike bags $50 plus GST.
๐EbusVancouver โ Calgary (Hwy 1)or Rider Express (Vancouver โ Calgary (Hwy 1))Calgary AB โPacific Central Station (Vancouver)784 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.
๐ฒTravel the short hop from Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) to Main Street-Science World (Vancouver), about 0.2 km.
๐SkyTrainTransLinkMain Street-Science World (Vancouver) โWaterfront (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ฒTravel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
โด๏ธHulloHullo (Nanaimo โ Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) โHullo 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
๐ฒTravel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1.4 km.
๐BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch โ1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith)20 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
๐ฒYou arrive at 1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith).
Option 9 · five legs✈ the splurge📞 on demand — book ahead with the operator
A coach bus, two flights, a SkyTrain, and a city bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐Tunnel49Elk Valley โ Cranbrook AirportSparwood โYXC (Cranbrook)82 kmRides in the hold โ boxed, bagged, or wrappedBike fee โ $50 + GST per bike bag on the Calgary shuttle; Cranbrook might be extra
On-demand airport shuttle, year-round, 8 AM to 10 PM, two-person minimum. Bikes go if packed; mention it when you book, and there might be an extra fee.
โ๏ธAir CanadaVancouver (YVR) โ Cranbrook (YXC)YXC (Cranbrook) โVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)539 kmBox or sturdy bag requiredBook ahead for your bikeAbout $50 per directionNo e-bikes
๐SkyTrainTransLinkYVR-Airport (Richmond) โWaterfront (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ฒTravel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
๐ฉ๏ธHarbour AirVancouver Harbour โ Nanaimo HarbourCXH (Vancouver) โNanaimo 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
๐ฒTravel the short hop from Nanaimo Harbour to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1.1 km.
๐BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch โ1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith)20 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
๐ฒYou arrive at 1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith).
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: Ladysmith to Sparwood (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain)
Connections from Sparwood: Cranbrook (best: bus) · Clearwater (best: bus) · Bowen Island (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry) · Whitehorse, YT (best: bus + plane)
Connections from Ladysmith: Salt Spring Island (best: bus + ferry) · Courtenay (Comox Valley) (best: bus + carpool) · Armstrong (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain) · Whitehorse, YT (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain)