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 Vanderhoof to Hornby Island.

For scale
As the crow flies503 km
Biking whole wayWe can't compute the bike route from the ferry dock but it may be rideable: please consult other sources.
By car1,076 km ยท 13 h 36 m

We found three 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 · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A one-way rental fills in the missing piece.
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.
๐Ÿš™National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Comox โ€“ Port HardyYZT (Port Hardy) โ†’Comox Airport (YQQ)207 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
๐ŸšŽBC Transit11 Airport via Powell R. Ferry / DowntownComox Airport (YQQ) โ†’Courtenay8.3 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
One loop serves both the Little River ferry terminal and Comox airport; about 5โ€“7 trips a day, and Sunday service is unconfirmed.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay โ†’Buckley Bay20 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 FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestBuckley Bay โ†’Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Denman Island West to Gravelly Bay (Denman Island), about 9.4 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) โ€“ HornbyGravelly Bay (Denman Island) โ†’Shingle Spit (Hornby Island)2 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Shingle Spit (Hornby Island).
Option two · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Same as Option one, but a coach bus instead of the train.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒBC Bus North (Tahltan NST Busing Ltd.)Prince George โ€“ Prince Rupert (Hwy 16 West)Burrard Vanderhoof Co-op โ†’Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St)536 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.
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.
๐Ÿš™National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Comox โ€“ Port HardyYZT (Port Hardy) โ†’Comox Airport (YQQ)207 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
๐ŸšŽBC Transit11 Airport via Powell R. Ferry / DowntownComox Airport (YQQ) โ†’Courtenay8.3 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
One loop serves both the Little River ferry terminal and Comox airport; about 5โ€“7 trips a day, and Sunday service is unconfirmed.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay โ†’Buckley Bay20 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 FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestBuckley Bay โ†’Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Denman Island West to Gravelly Bay (Denman Island), about 9.4 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) โ€“ HornbyGravelly Bay (Denman Island) โ†’Shingle Spit (Hornby Island)2 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Shingle Spit (Hornby Island).
Not an option · eight legs🚫 not possible with a bike⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Eight 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
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
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 Exchange, about 1 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
๐ŸšŒIsland LinkIsland Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Courtenay97 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay โ†’Buckley Bay20 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 FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestBuckley Bay โ†’Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Denman Island West to Gravelly Bay (Denman Island), about 9.4 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) โ€“ HornbyGravelly Bay (Denman Island) โ†’Shingle Spit (Hornby Island)2 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Shingle Spit (Hornby Island).
Option four · eight legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The long way round, but it works.
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.
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
โœˆ๏ธPacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver โ€“ ComoxVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) โ†’Comox Airport (YQQ)136 kmRides in the hold โ€” small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
๐ŸšŽBC Transit11 Airport via Powell R. Ferry / DowntownComox Airport (YQQ) โ†’Courtenay8.3 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
One loop serves both the Little River ferry terminal and Comox airport; about 5โ€“7 trips a day, and Sunday service is unconfirmed.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay โ†’Buckley Bay20 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 FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestBuckley Bay โ†’Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Denman Island West to Gravelly Bay (Denman Island), about 9.4 km.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) โ€“ HornbyGravelly Bay (Denman Island) โ†’Shingle Spit (Hornby Island)2 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Shingle Spit (Hornby 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: Hornby Island to Vanderhoof (best: ferry + bus + rental car)

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

Connections from Hornby Island: Port Alberni (best: ferry + bus + carpool) · Gabriola Island (best: ferry + bus + carpool) · Tofino (best: ferry + bus + carpool) · Port Hardy (best: ferry + bus + rental car)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Vanderhoof and Hornby Island