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 and flights can carry you and your bike from Vancouver to Nelson.
For scale
As the crow flies422 km
Biking whole way682 km · 46 h 53 m
By car659 km · 7 h 12 m
We found two 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 · one leg⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Mountain Man Mike's will get you there.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverDowntown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie) →1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)511 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚲You arrive at 1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson).
Option two · two legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Pedal the first stretch, then let the flights take over.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚲First, get from Vancouver to Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond), about 9 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Garden City Cabs, Kimber Cabs might help.
✈️Air CanadaVancouver (YVR) – Castlegar (YCG)Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) →Castlegar402 kmBox or sturdy bag requiredBook ahead for your bikeAbout $50 per directionNo e-bikes
🚲Travel the short hop from Castlegar to Hwy 3A at Ootischenia Rd (Brilliant), about 2.8 km.
🚎BC Transit99 Kootenay ConnectorHwy 3A at Ootischenia Rd (Brilliant) →1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)31 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 1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson).
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 Something wrong or out of date?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: Nelson to Vancouver (best: bus)
Connections from Vancouver: Gibsons (best: bus + ferry) · Powell River (best: bus + ferry) · Enderby (best: bus) · Haida Gwaii (best: train + ferry)
Connections from Nelson: Castlegar (best: bus) · Abbotsford (best: bus) · Gabriola Island (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry) · Haida Gwaii (best: bus + train + ferry)