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, rental cars and flights can carry you and your bike from Squamish to Bella Coola.

For scale
As the crow flies387 km
Biking whole way758 km ยท 40 h 01 m
By car902 km ยท 11 h 55 m

We found seven ways to get you there.

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 · four legs📅 seasonal
Fill in the gap with a rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒSquamish ConnectorSquamish โ€“ VancouverLondon Drugs / Garibaldi (Squamish) โ†’Horseshoe Bay43 kmBook aheadMax 2 bikes per tripSome buses have an outside rack โ€” otherwise carried in the luggage hold$15 each wayNo e-bikes
Bikes welcome May to September; check schedule outside that window.
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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.3 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
๐Ÿš™National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy โ€“ Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Port Hardy โ€“ Nanaimo) (counter a short ride away on the 20/20A Hammond Bay / Dover)Downtown Nanaimo โ†’YZT (Port Hardy)295 kmOne-way between Island branches โ€” no drop chargeBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Bear Cove (Port Hardy), about 8 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Waivin Flags Taxi might help.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesPort Hardy โ€“ Bella CoolaBear Cove (Port Hardy) โ†’Bella Coola268 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
Doesn't sail every day, and not every sailing calls at every stop โ€” check the BC Ferries schedule for your date.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Bella Coola.
Option two · four legs📅 seasonal
A coach bus, two ferries, and a rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒSquamish ConnectorSquamish โ€“ VancouverLondon Drugs / Garibaldi (Squamish) โ†’Vancouver Canada Place59 kmBook aheadMax 2 bikes per tripSome buses have an outside rack โ€” otherwise carried in the luggage hold$15 each wayNo e-bikes
Bikes welcome May to September; check schedule outside that window.
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 Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.5 km.
๐Ÿš™BudgetOne-way rental: Port Hardy โ€“ Nanaimoor National Car & Truck Rental (One-way rental: Port Hardy โ€“ Nanaimo) (counter a short ride away on the 20/20A Hammond Bay / Dover)Downtown Nanaimo โ†’YZT (Port Hardy)298 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches โ€” bookable onlineBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Bear Cove (Port Hardy), about 8 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesPort Hardy โ€“ Bella CoolaBear Cove (Port Hardy) โ†’Bella Coola268 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
Doesn't sail every day, and not every sailing calls at every stop โ€” check the BC Ferries schedule for your date.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Bella Coola.
Option three · five legs📅 seasonal
A little bit of everything.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒYVR SkylynxVancouver โ€“ WhistlerAdventure Centre (Squamish) โ†’Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)58 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged, wrapped, or boxedFirst bike freeReserve ahead โ€” Squamish is reservation-only
Summer service April 18 to November 21; Squamish is a reservation-only stop.
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.
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 Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.5 km.
๐Ÿš™BudgetOne-way rental: Port Hardy โ€“ Nanaimoor National Car & Truck Rental (One-way rental: Port Hardy โ€“ Nanaimo) (counter a short ride away on the 20/20A Hammond Bay / Dover)Downtown Nanaimo โ†’YZT (Port Hardy)298 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches โ€” bookable onlineBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Bear Cove (Port Hardy), about 8 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesPort Hardy โ€“ Bella CoolaBear Cove (Port Hardy) โ†’Bella Coola268 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
Doesn't sail every day, and not every sailing calls at every stop โ€” check the BC Ferries schedule for your date.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Bella Coola.
Option four · five legs📅 seasonal📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
Make some friends in a carpool.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐Ÿš—PoparideSea-to-Sky rideshare (Vancouver - Squamish - Whistler)London Drugs / Garibaldi (Squamish) โ†’Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)53 kmOnly some rides take bikes โ€” look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable โ€” check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
๐ŸšŽTransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressDowntown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie) โ†’Horseshoe Bay19 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.3 km.
๐Ÿš™National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy โ€“ Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Port Hardy โ€“ Nanaimo) (counter a short ride away on the 20/20A Hammond Bay / Dover)Downtown Nanaimo โ†’YZT (Port Hardy)295 kmOne-way between Island branches โ€” no drop chargeBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Bear Cove (Port Hardy), about 8 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesPort Hardy โ€“ Bella CoolaBear Cove (Port Hardy) โ†’Bella Coola268 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
Doesn't sail every day, and not every sailing calls at every stop โ€” check the BC Ferries schedule for your date.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Bella Coola.
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Option five · two legs✈ the splurge📅 seasonal
Coach bus to Richmond, then a plane into Bella Coola.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒYVR SkylynxVancouver โ€“ WhistlerAdventure Centre (Squamish) โ†’Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)58 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged, wrapped, or boxedFirst bike freeReserve ahead โ€” Squamish is reservation-only
Summer service April 18 to November 21; Squamish is a reservation-only stop.
โœˆ๏ธPacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver โ€“ Bella CoolaVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) โ†’QBC (Bella Coola)429 kmRides in the hold โ€” small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
๐ŸšฒAt the far end, Central Bella Coola is about 11 km from QBC (Bella Coola). Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
Option six · three legs✈ the splurge📅 seasonal
Coach bus to Vancouver Canada Place, SkyTrain to Richmond, then a plane into Bella Coola.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒSquamish ConnectorSquamish โ€“ VancouverLondon Drugs / Garibaldi (Squamish) โ†’Vancouver Canada Place59 kmBook aheadMax 2 bikes per tripSome buses have an outside rack โ€” otherwise carried in the luggage hold$15 each wayNo e-bikes
Bikes welcome May to September; check schedule outside that window.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place โ†’Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)Roll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
โœˆ๏ธPacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver โ€“ Bella CoolaVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) โ†’QBC (Bella Coola)429 kmRides in the hold โ€” small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
๐ŸšฒAt the far end, Central Bella Coola is about 11 km from QBC (Bella Coola). Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
Option seven · three legs✈ the splurge📅 seasonal⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Option five, plus a ferry at the finish.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒYVR SkylynxVancouver โ€“ WhistlerAdventure Centre (Squamish) โ†’Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)58 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged, wrapped, or boxedFirst bike freeReserve ahead โ€” Squamish is reservation-only
Summer service April 18 to November 21; Squamish is a reservation-only stop.
โœˆ๏ธPacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver โ€“ Bella BellaVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) โ†’ZEL (Bella Bella)480 kmRides in the hold โ€” small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from ZEL (Bella Bella) to McLoughlin Bay (Bella Bella), about 0.9 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesCentral Coast ConnectorMcLoughlin Bay (Bella Bella) โ†’Bella Coola103 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
About one run a week: Wednesday out from Bella Coola, Thursday or Friday back from Shearwater.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Bella Coola.
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: Bella Coola to Squamish (best: ferry + rental car + bus)

Connections from Squamish: Bowen Island (best: bus + ferry) · Duncan (Cowichan Valley) (best: bus + ferry) · Armstrong (best: bus + SkyTrain) · Haida Gwaii (best: bus + ferry + rental car)

Connections from Bella Coola: Ocean Falls (best: ferry) · Tofino (best: ferry + rental car + carpool) · Port Renfrew (best: ferry + rental car + bus) · Calgary, AB (best: ferry + rental car + bus)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Squamish and Bella Coola