Trail to Lake Cowichan 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 Trail to Lake Cowichan.

For scale

As the crow flies464 km

Biking whole way680 km · 47 h 51 m

By car781 km · 10 h 06 m

We found six ways to get you there.

🎒 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

Halfway across the province, no car required.

CarrierRideYour bike

🚎BC Transit98 Columbia ConnectorCedar Ave at Spokane St (Trail) →Castlegar Airport24 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚲Travel the short hop from Castlegar Airport to Castlegar, about 3.4 km.

🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverCastlegar →New Westminster462 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent

Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkNew Westminster →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.

⛴️HulloHullo (Nanaimo – Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) →Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)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 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.

🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch →Duncan46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚎BC Transit7 Cowichan LakeDuncan →South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan)27 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚲You arrive at South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan).

Option two · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

Grab a window seat, the scenery's included.

CarrierRideYour bike

🚎BC Transit98 Columbia ConnectorCedar Ave at Spokane St (Trail) →Castlegar Airport24 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚲Travel the short hop from Castlegar Airport to Castlegar, about 3.4 km.

🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverCastlegar →Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)478 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent

Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.

🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressDowntown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie) →Horseshoe Bay19 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK

⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayHorseshoe Bay →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚲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 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚎BC Transit7 Cowichan LakeDuncan →South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan)27 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚲You arrive at South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan).

Option three · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

A ferry in the middle ties it all together.

CarrierRideYour bike

🚎BC Transit98 Columbia ConnectorCedar Ave at Spokane St (Trail) →Castlegar Airport24 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚲Travel the short hop from Castlegar Airport to Castlegar, about 3.4 km.

🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverCastlegar →New Westminster462 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent

Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkNew Westminster →Bridgeport (Richmond)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen FerryBridgeport (Richmond) →Tsawwassen (Delta)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK

The 620 is year-round, roughly hourly, timed to sailings, with two bike-rack spots. On busy summer ferry days the seasonal 900 Bike Bus can carry an extra 10 bikes.

⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Swartz BayTsawwassen (Delta) →Swartz Bay (North Saanich)41 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚎BC Transit70 Swartz Bay / Downtownor the 72 Swartz Bay / Downtown (via Saanichton)Swartz Bay (North Saanich) →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)29 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚲Travel the short hop from Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) to Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria), about 1.3 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Bluebird Cabs, Sidney Taxi might help.

🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressLegislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) →Duncan54 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚎BC Transit7 Cowichan LakeDuncan →South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan)27 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚲You arrive at South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan).

Option four · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

Nothing direct, but it strings together.

CarrierRideYour bike

🚎BC Transit98 Columbia ConnectorCedar Ave at Spokane St (Trail) →Castlegar Airport24 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚲Travel the short hop from Castlegar Airport to Castlegar, about 3.4 km.

🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverCastlegar →New Westminster462 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent

Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkNew Westminster →Bridgeport (Richmond)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen FerryBridgeport (Richmond) →Tsawwassen (Delta)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK

The 620 is year-round, roughly hourly, timed to sailings, with two bike-rack spots. On busy summer ferry days the seasonal 900 Bike Bus can carry an extra 10 bikes.

🚌Wilson's Transportation (BC Connector)BC Ferries Connector — Vancouver / VictoriaTsawwassen (Delta) →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)70 kmRides in the hold — bagged or boxed$42 per bike — 50 lb maxReserve bike spot — recommended

⛴️ Downtown to downtown via the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay ferry crossing.

🚲Travel the short hop from Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) to Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria), about 1.3 km.

🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressLegislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) →Duncan54 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚎BC Transit7 Cowichan LakeDuncan →South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan)27 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚲You arrive at South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan).

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Option five · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

The same idea as Option three, on different routes.

CarrierRideYour bike

🚎BC Transit98 Columbia ConnectorCedar Ave at Spokane St (Trail) →Castlegar Airport24 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚲Travel the short hop from Castlegar Airport to Castlegar, about 3.4 km.

🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverCastlegar →New Westminster462 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent

Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkNew Westminster →Bridgeport (Richmond)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen FerryBridgeport (Richmond) →Tsawwassen (Delta)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK

The 620 is year-round, roughly hourly, timed to sailings, with two bike-rack spots. On busy summer ferry days the seasonal 900 Bike Bus can carry an extra 10 bikes.

⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Swartz BayTsawwassen (Delta) →Swartz Bay (North Saanich)41 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan-Victoria ExpressDouglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) →Duncan46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚎BC Transit7 Cowichan LakeDuncan →South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan)27 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚲You arrive at South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan).

Not an option · six legs🚫 not possible with a bike

Six legs, end to end.

🚫 This chain exists, but Silver City Stagelines does not carry bikes, so it cannot work with yours. We show it so you can see where the connection breaks.

CarrierRideYour bike

🚌Silver City StagelinesTrail – Kelowna (Hwy 3/33)Trail (A&W 1136 Bay Ave) →Kelowna (Orchard Park Mall)297 kmDoes not carry bikes

🚌EbusVancouver – KelownaKelowna (Orchard Park Mall) →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)331 kmRides in the hold — bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkPacific Central Station (Vancouver) →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.

🚲Travel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1.4 km.

🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch →Duncan46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚎BC Transit7 Cowichan LakeDuncan →South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan)27 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚲You arrive at South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan).

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

Another way: six legs, end to end.

🚫 This chain exists, but Silver City Stagelines does not carry bikes, so it cannot work with yours. We show it so you can see where the connection breaks.

CarrierRideYour bike

🚌Silver City StagelinesTrail – Kelowna (Hwy 3/33)Trail (A&W 1136 Bay Ave) →Grand Forks151 kmDoes not carry bikes

🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverGrand Forks →New Westminster395 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent

Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkNew Westminster →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.

🚲Travel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1.4 km.

🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch →Duncan46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚎BC Transit7 Cowichan LakeDuncan →South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan)27 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚲You arrive at South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan).

Option eight · five legs✈ the splurge

Two flights, a SkyTrain, and two city buses.

CarrierRideYour bike

🚲First, get from Central Trail to YZZ (Trail), about 8.7 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Creston Cabs might help.

✈️Pacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver – TrailYZZ (Trail) →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)408 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.

🛩️Harbour AirVancouver Harbour – Victoria HarbourCXH (Vancouver) →Victoria Harbour98 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 Harbour to Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria), about 0.7 km.

🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressLegislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) →Duncan54 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚎BC Transit7 Cowichan LakeDuncan →South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan)27 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚲You arrive at South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan).

Route facts last checked July 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: Lake Cowichan to Trail (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain)

Connections from Trail: Salmo (best: bus) · Harrison Hot Springs (best: bus) · Pender Island (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry) · Prince Rupert (best: bus + SkyTrain + train)

Connections from Lake Cowichan: Thetis Island (best: bus + ferry) · West Vancouver (best: bus + ferry) · Princeton (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain) · Calgary, AB (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Trail and Lake Cowichan

To and Fro: moving your bike around British Columbia