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 and flights can carry you and your bike from Vanderhoof to Bowen Island.

For scale
As the crow flies518 km
Biking whole wayWe can't compute the bike route from the ferry dock but it may be rideable: please consult other sources.
By car906 km ยท 10 h 13 m

We found 9 ways to get you there, ferries doing the heavy lifting.

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 · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Halfway across the province, no car required.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŽBC Transit161 Prince George / Burns LakeBurrard Vanderhoof Co-op โ†’Downtown Exch Bay B (Prince George)83 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
๐ŸšŒEbusKamloops โ€“ Prince GeorgeDowntown Exch Bay B (Prince George) โ†’Kamloops456 kmRides in the hold โ€” 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.
๐ŸšŒRider ExpressVancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)Kamloops โ†’Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)301 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged, wrapped, or boxed$50 per bike โ€” non-refundable
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€“ Snug Cove (Bowen)Horseshoe Bay โ†’Snug Cove (Bowen Island)3.7 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Snug Cove (Bowen Island).
Option two · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Same as Option one, but a train instead of the city bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐Ÿš†VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert โ€“ Prince George โ€“ Jasper)Burrard Vanderhoof Co-op โ†’Downtown Exch Bay B (Prince George)83 kmChecked baggage โ€” staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK โ€” battery disconnected at check-in
Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).
๐ŸšŒEbusKamloops โ€“ Prince GeorgeDowntown Exch Bay B (Prince George) โ†’Kamloops456 kmRides in the hold โ€” 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.
๐ŸšŒRider ExpressVancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)Kamloops โ†’Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)301 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged, wrapped, or boxed$50 per bike โ€” non-refundable
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€“ Snug Cove (Bowen)Horseshoe Bay โ†’Snug Cove (Bowen Island)3.7 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Snug Cove (Bowen Island).
Option three · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Same as Option one, but a coach bus instead of the city bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒBC Bus North (Tahltan NST Busing Ltd.)Prince George โ€“ Prince Rupert (Hwy 16 West)Burrard Vanderhoof Co-op โ†’Downtown Exch Bay B (Prince George)83 kmLuggage bay on the Prince Rupert routeOther routes: bagged or boxed โ€” checked as luggage
Twice a week: Monday and Thursday westbound, Tuesday and Friday eastbound.
๐ŸšŒEbusKamloops โ€“ Prince GeorgeDowntown Exch Bay B (Prince George) โ†’Kamloops456 kmRides in the hold โ€” 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.
๐ŸšŒRider ExpressVancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)Kamloops โ†’Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)301 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged, wrapped, or boxed$50 per bike โ€” non-refundable
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€“ Snug Cove (Bowen)Horseshoe Bay โ†’Snug Cove (Bowen Island)3.7 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Snug Cove (Bowen Island).
Option four · five legs📅 seasonal⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Ride The Canadian through the mountains.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐Ÿš†VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert โ€“ Prince George โ€“ Jasper)Burrard Vanderhoof Co-op โ†’Jasper AB414 kmChecked baggage โ€” staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK โ€” battery disconnected at check-in
Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).
๐Ÿš†VIA RailThe Canadian (Vancouver โ€“ Kamloops North โ€“ Jasper)Jasper AB โ†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)541 kmChecked baggage โ€” staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK โ€” battery disconnected at check-in
Two departures a week in season; bikes can be checked on and off at Vancouver and Jasper only.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkPacific Central Station (Vancouver) โ†’Vancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšŒSquamish ConnectorSquamish โ€“ VancouverVancouver Canada Place โ†’Horseshoe Bay16 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€“ Snug Cove (Bowen)Horseshoe Bay โ†’Snug Cove (Bowen Island)3.7 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Snug Cove (Bowen Island).
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Option five · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A transport smorgasbord: trains, SkyTrain, SeaBus, city buses, and ferry.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐Ÿš†VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert โ€“ Prince George โ€“ Jasper)Burrard Vanderhoof Co-op โ†’Jasper AB414 kmChecked baggage โ€” staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK โ€” battery disconnected at check-in
Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).
๐Ÿš†VIA RailThe Canadian (Vancouver โ€“ Kamloops North โ€“ Jasper)Jasper AB โ†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)541 kmChecked baggage โ€” staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK โ€” battery disconnected at check-in
Two departures a week in season; bikes can be checked on and off at Vancouver and Jasper only.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkPacific Central Station (Vancouver) โ†’Vancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
โ›ด๏ธSeaBusTransLinkVancouver Canada Place โ†’Lonsdale Quay (North Vancouver)3.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” bikes ride inside the cabin6 bikes per sailing at rush hour โ€” weekdays 7โ€“9:30 am and 3โ€“6:30 pm; no limit other timesE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on boardNo trailers โ€” 185 cm max bike length
Bikes ride inside the cabin; during weekday rush hours there's room for six bikes a sailing.
๐ŸšŽTransLinkR2 Marine Dr RapidBusLonsdale Quay (North Vancouver) โ†’Park Royal (West Vancouver)4.5 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
๐ŸšŽTransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressPark Royal (West Vancouver) โ†’Horseshoe Bay11 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesHorseshoe Bay โ€“ Snug Cove (Bowen)Horseshoe Bay โ†’Snug Cove (Bowen Island)3.7 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Snug Cove (Bowen Island).
Option six · six legs📅 seasonal⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Nothing direct, but it strings together.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŽBC Transit161 Prince George / Burns LakeBurrard Vanderhoof Co-op โ†’Downtown Exch Bay B (Prince George)83 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
๐ŸšŒEbusKamloops โ€“ Prince GeorgeDowntown Exch Bay B (Prince George) โ†’Kamloops456 kmRides in the hold โ€” 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.
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ Kamloopsor Ebus (Vancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)) or Rider Express (Vancouver โ€“ Calgary)Kamloops โ†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)301 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkPacific Central Station (Vancouver) โ†’Vancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšŒSquamish ConnectorSquamish โ€“ VancouverVancouver Canada Place โ†’Horseshoe Bay16 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€“ Snug Cove (Bowen)Horseshoe Bay โ†’Snug Cove (Bowen Island)3.7 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Snug Cove (Bowen Island).
Option seven · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A proper expedition.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŽBC Transit161 Prince George / Burns LakeBurrard Vanderhoof Co-op โ†’Downtown Exch Bay B (Prince George)83 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
๐ŸšŒEbusKamloops โ€“ Prince GeorgeDowntown Exch Bay B (Prince George) โ†’Kamloops456 kmRides in the hold โ€” 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.
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ Kamloopsor Ebus (Vancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)) or Rider Express (Vancouver โ€“ Calgary)Kamloops โ†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)301 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkPacific Central Station (Vancouver) โ†’Vancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
โ›ด๏ธSeaBusTransLinkVancouver Canada Place โ†’Lonsdale Quay (North Vancouver)3.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” bikes ride inside the cabin6 bikes per sailing at rush hour โ€” weekdays 7โ€“9:30 am and 3โ€“6:30 pm; no limit other timesE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on boardNo trailers โ€” 185 cm max bike length
Bikes ride inside the cabin; during weekday rush hours there's room for six bikes a sailing.
๐ŸšŽTransLinkR2 Marine Dr RapidBusLonsdale Quay (North Vancouver) โ†’Park Royal (West Vancouver)4.5 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
๐ŸšŽTransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressPark Royal (West Vancouver) โ†’Horseshoe Bay11 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesHorseshoe Bay โ€“ Snug Cove (Bowen)Horseshoe Bay โ†’Snug Cove (Bowen Island)3.7 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Snug Cove (Bowen Island).
Option eight · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Another way: nothing direct, but it strings together.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐Ÿš†VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert โ€“ Prince George โ€“ Jasper)Burrard Vanderhoof Co-op โ†’Jasper AB414 kmChecked baggage โ€” staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK โ€” battery disconnected at check-in
Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).
๐Ÿš†VIA RailThe Canadian (Vancouver โ€“ Kamloops North โ€“ Jasper)Jasper AB โ†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)541 kmChecked baggage โ€” staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK โ€” battery disconnected at check-in
Two departures a week in season; bikes can be checked on and off at Vancouver and Jasper only.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkPacific Central Station (Vancouver) โ†’New WestminsterRoll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšŒMountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ€“ VancouverNew Westminster โ†’Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)16 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.
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€“ Snug Cove (Bowen)Horseshoe Bay โ†’Snug Cove (Bowen Island)3.7 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Snug Cove (Bowen Island).
Option 9 · eight legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Another way: a proper expedition.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐Ÿš†VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert โ€“ Prince George โ€“ Jasper)Burrard Vanderhoof Co-op โ†’Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St)508 kmChecked baggage โ€” staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK โ€” battery disconnected at check-in
Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesPort Hardy โ€“ Prince Rupert (Inside Passage)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) โ†’Bear Cove (Port Hardy)445 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
Sails alternate days, roughly 3โ€“4 sailings a week each way in summer.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Bear Cove (Port Hardy) to YZT (Port Hardy), about 8 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Waivin Flags Taxi might help.
โœˆ๏ธPacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver โ€“ Port HardyYZT (Port Hardy) โ†’Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)343 kmRides in the hold โ€” small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
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. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Black Top Cabs, Maclure'S Cabs might help.
๐Ÿ›ฉ๏ธHarbour AirVancouver Harbour โ€“ Nanaimo HarbourCXH (Vancouver) โ†’Nanaimo 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Nanaimo Harbour to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.6 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDowntown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Departure Bay (Nanaimo)3.3 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
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesHorseshoe Bay โ€“ Departure BayDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) โ†’Horseshoe Bay53 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesHorseshoe Bay โ€“ Snug Cove (Bowen)Horseshoe Bay โ†’Snug Cove (Bowen Island)3.7 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Snug Cove (Bowen Island).
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: Bowen Island to Vanderhoof (best: ferry + bus)

Connections from Vanderhoof: Prince George (best: bus) · Salmon Arm (best: bus) · Chilliwack (best: bus) · Fernie (best: bus)

Connections from Bowen Island: Sechelt (best: ferry + bus) · Victoria (best: ferry + bus) · Salmon Arm (best: ferry + bus) · Haida Gwaii (best: ferry + rental car)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Vanderhoof and Bowen Island