Tofino to Burns Lake with a bike

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 Tofino to Burns Lake.

For scale

As the crow flies565 km

Biking whole wayWe can't compute the bike route from the ferry dock but it may be rideable: please consult other sources.

By car1,400 km · 17 h 01 m

We found four 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 · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app

The long way round, but it works.

CarrierRideYour bike

🚗PoparideHwy 4 rideshare (Nanaimo - Port Alberni - Ucluelet - Tofino)Tofino (1st Street) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange143 kmOnly some rides take bikes — look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable — check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times

Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).

🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.

⛴️HulloHullo (Nanaimo – Vancouver)Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) →CXH (Vancouver)61 kmBook online ahead — 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way — $25 in personNo e-bikes — no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max

🚲Travel the short hop from CXH (Vancouver) to Vancouver Canada Place, about 0.8 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Black Top Cabs, Maclure'S Cabs might help.

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

🚆VIA RailThe Canadian (Vancouver – Kamloops North – Jasper)Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) →Jasper AB541 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in

Two departures a week in season; bikes can be checked on and off at Vancouver and Jasper only.

🚆VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert – Prince George – Jasper)Jasper AB →Burns Lake531 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in

Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).

🚲You arrive at Burns Lake.

Option two · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app

Beautiful BC from a coach window.

CarrierRideYour bike

Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).

🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from CXH (Vancouver) to Vancouver Canada Place, about 0.8 km.

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

🚌EbusVancouver – Kamloopsor Ebus (Vancouver – Calgary (Hwy 1)) or Rider Express (Vancouver – Calgary)Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) →Kamloops301 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike

🚌EbusKamloops – Prince GeorgeKamloops →Downtown Exch Bay B (Prince George)456 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike

Runs Wed/Fri/Sun toward Prince George and Mon/Thu/Sat toward Kamloops; no service on Tuesdays.

🚆VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert – Prince George – Jasper)Downtown Exch Bay B (Prince George) →Burns Lake200 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in

Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).

🚲You arrive at Burns Lake.

Option three · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app

Same as Option two, but a coach bus instead of the train.

CarrierRideYour bike

Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).

🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from CXH (Vancouver) to Vancouver Canada Place, about 0.8 km.

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

🚌EbusKamloops – Prince GeorgeKamloops →Downtown Exch Bay B (Prince George)456 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike

Runs Wed/Fri/Sun toward Prince George and Mon/Thu/Sat toward Kamloops; no service on Tuesdays.

🚌BC Bus North (Tahltan NST Busing Ltd.)Prince George – Prince Rupert (Hwy 16 West)Downtown Exch Bay B (Prince George) →Burns Lake201 kmLuggage bay on the Prince Rupert routeOther routes: bagged or boxed — checked as luggage

Twice a week: Monday and Thursday westbound, Tuesday and Friday eastbound.

🚲You arrive at Burns Lake.

Not an option · five legs🚫 not possible with a bike⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

A coach bus, a ferry, a SkyTrain, and two trains.

🚫 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

🚌Island LinkTofino Express BusTofino (1st Street) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange162 kmDoes not carry bikes

🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from CXH (Vancouver) to Vancouver Canada Place, about 0.8 km.

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

Two departures a week in season; bikes can be checked on and off at Vancouver and Jasper only.

Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).

🚲You arrive at Burns Lake.

Show four moreShow fewer

Not an option · four legs🚫 not possible with a bike⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

A coach bus, a rental car, a ferry, and a train, riding the Inside Passage.

🚫 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

🚌Island LinkTofino Express BusTofino (1st Street) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange162 kmDoes not carry bikes

🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Downtown Nanaimo, about 0.6 km.

🚙BudgetOne-way rental: Port Hardy – NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo →YZT (Port Hardy)298 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 YZT (Port Hardy) to Bear Cove (Port Hardy), about 8 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Waivin Flags Taxi might help.

⛴️BC FerriesPort Hardy – Prince Rupert (Inside Passage)Bear Cove (Port Hardy) →Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St)445 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

Sails alternate days, roughly 3–4 sailings a week each way in summer.

🚆VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert – Prince George – Jasper)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) →Burns Lake391 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in

Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).

🚲You arrive at Burns Lake.

Not an option · four legs🚫 not possible with a bike⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

Two coach buses, a rental car, and a ferry, riding the Inside Passage.

🚫 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

🚌Island LinkTofino Express BusTofino (1st Street) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange162 kmDoes not carry bikes

🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Downtown Nanaimo, about 0.6 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Bear Cove (Port Hardy), about 8 km.

Sails alternate days, roughly 3–4 sailings a week each way in summer.

🚌BC Bus North (Tahltan NST Busing Ltd.)Prince George – Prince Rupert (Hwy 16 West)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) →Burns Lake418 kmLuggage bay on the Prince Rupert routeOther routes: bagged or boxed — checked as luggage

Twice a week: Monday and Thursday westbound, Tuesday and Friday eastbound.

🚲You arrive at Burns Lake.

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

🚌Island LinkTofino Express BusTofino (1st Street) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange162 kmDoes not carry bikes

🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way), about 1 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from CXH (Vancouver) to Vancouver Canada Place, about 0.8 km.

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

🚌EbusVancouver – Kamloopsor Rider Express (Vancouver – Calgary)Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) →Kamloops301 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike

🚌EbusKamloops – Prince GeorgeKamloops →Downtown Exch Bay B (Prince George)456 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike

Runs Wed/Fri/Sun toward Prince George and Mon/Thu/Sat toward Kamloops; no service on Tuesdays.

Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).

🚲You arrive at Burns Lake.

Option eight · four legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

Pedal the first stretch, then let the ferries take over.

CarrierRideYour bike

🚲First, get from Central Tofino to YAZ (Tofino), about 12 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.

✈️Pacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver – TofinoYAZ (Tofino) →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)190 kmRides in the hold — small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes

✈️Pacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver – Port HardyVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) →YZT (Port Hardy)343 kmRides in the hold — small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes

🚲Travel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Bear Cove (Port Hardy), about 8 km.

Sails alternate days, roughly 3–4 sailings a week each way in summer.

Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).

🚲You arrive at Burns Lake.

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: Burns Lake to Tofino (best: train + SkyTrain + ferry)

Connections from Tofino: Ucluelet (best: bus) · Pender Island (best: carpool + ferry + SkyTrain) · Kamloops (best: carpool + ferry + SkyTrain) · Calgary, AB (best: carpool + ferry + SkyTrain)

Connections from Burns Lake: Houston (best: train) · Gibsons (best: train + bus + ferry) · Chilliwack (best: train + bus) · Fernie (best: train + bus)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Tofino and Burns Lake

To and Fro: moving your bike around British Columbia