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 West Kelowna to Port Alberni.

For scale
As the crow flies379 km
Biking whole way564 km ยท 37 h 33 m
By car556 km ยท 7 h 10 m

We found eight ways to get you there.

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 · four legs
Grab a window seat, the scenery's included.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ KelownaWest Kelowna โ†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)319 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
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, about 1.5 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
๐Ÿš™BudgetOne-way rental: Port Alberni โ€“ NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo โ†’Port Alberni64 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches โ€” bookable onlineBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Port Alberni to Port Alberni, about 0.8 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Alberni District United Cabs Association, United Cabs'S #5 might help.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.
Option two · four legs📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
Same as Option one, but a carpool instead of the rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ KelownaWest Kelowna โ†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)319 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
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.
๐Ÿš—PoparideHwy 4 rideshare (Nanaimo - Port Alberni - Ucluelet - Tofino)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Port Alberni64 kmOnly some rides take bikes โ€” look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable โ€” check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.
Option three · six legs
The long way round, but it works.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ KelownaWest Kelowna โ†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)319 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
๐Ÿš†Amtrak CascadesVancouver โ€“ Seattle (Cascades)Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) โ†’Seattle Downtown WA194 kmRoll on the bike carReserve bike spotBike fee
Two daily round trips from Pacific Central; reserve bike space when you book. Passport required.
โ›ด๏ธVictoria ClipperVictoria Clipper (Victoria - Seattle)Seattle Downtown WA โ†’Victoria Belleville Terminal119 kmReserve ahead by phone โ€” space very limited, first booked first served$30 USD each way โ€” about $41 CADRides on the open deck โ€” bags and accessories off; waiver at check-in
Daily year-round, with extra sailings in summer. Bike space is very limited; reserve by phone when you book. Passport required.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Victoria Belleville Terminal to Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria), about 0.7 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Bluebird Cabs, Sidney Taxi might help.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressLegislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) โ†’Duncan54 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
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan โ†’Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1 km.
๐Ÿš™BudgetOne-way rental: Port Alberni โ€“ NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo โ†’Port Alberni64 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches โ€” bookable onlineBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Port Alberni to Port Alberni, about 0.8 km.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.
Option four · six legs📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
Same as Option three, but a carpool instead of the rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ KelownaWest Kelowna โ†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)319 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
๐Ÿš†Amtrak CascadesVancouver โ€“ Seattle (Cascades)Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) โ†’Seattle Downtown WA194 kmRoll on the bike carReserve bike spotBike fee
Two daily round trips from Pacific Central; reserve bike space when you book. Passport required.
โ›ด๏ธVictoria ClipperVictoria Clipper (Victoria - Seattle)Seattle Downtown WA โ†’Victoria Belleville Terminal119 kmReserve ahead by phone โ€” space very limited, first booked first served$30 USD each way โ€” about $41 CADRides on the open deck โ€” bags and accessories off; waiver at check-in
Daily year-round, with extra sailings in summer. Bike space is very limited; reserve by phone when you book. Passport required.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Victoria Belleville Terminal to Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria), about 0.7 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressLegislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) โ†’Duncan54 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
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan โ†’Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.5 km.
๐Ÿš—PoparideHwy 4 rideshare (Nanaimo - Port Alberni - Ucluelet - Tofino)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Port Alberni64 kmOnly some rides take bikes โ€” look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable โ€” check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.
Show six moreShow fewer
Option five · six legs
Fill in the gap with a rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ KelownaWest Kelowna โ†’Merritt89 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
๐ŸšŒRider ExpressVancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)Merritt โ†’Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)231 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€“ Departure BayHorseshoe Bay โ†’Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Downtown Nanaimo, about 0.6 km.
๐Ÿš™BudgetOne-way rental: Port Alberni โ€“ NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo โ†’Port Alberni64 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches โ€” bookable onlineBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Port Alberni to Port Alberni, about 0.8 km.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.
Option six · six legs📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
Same as Option five, but a carpool instead of the rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ KelownaWest Kelowna โ†’Merritt89 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
๐ŸšŒRider ExpressVancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)Merritt โ†’Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)231 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€“ Departure BayHorseshoe Bay โ†’Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 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
๐Ÿš—PoparideHwy 4 rideshare (Nanaimo - Port Alberni - Ucluelet - Tofino)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Port Alberni64 kmOnly some rides take bikes โ€” look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable โ€” check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.
Option seven · six legs📅 seasonal
A long haul, but it all connects.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ KelownaWest Kelowna โ†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)319 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€“ Departure BayHorseshoe Bay โ†’Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Downtown Nanaimo, about 0.6 km.
๐Ÿš™BudgetOne-way rental: Port Alberni โ€“ NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo โ†’Port Alberni64 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches โ€” bookable onlineBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Port Alberni to Port Alberni, about 0.8 km.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.
Not an option · four legs🚫 not possible with a bike
Two coach buses, a SkyTrain, and a ferry.
🚫  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
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ KelownaWest Kelowna โ†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)319 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
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.
๐ŸšŒIsland LinkTofino Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Port Alberni64 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.
Not an option · six legs🚫 not possible with a bike
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
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ KelownaWest Kelowna โ†’Merritt89 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
๐ŸšŒRider ExpressVancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)Merritt โ†’Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)231 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€“ Departure BayHorseshoe Bay โ†’Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 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
๐ŸšŒIsland LinkTofino Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Port Alberni64 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.
Option 10 · five legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A city bus, two flights, a SkyTrain, and a rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 Kelowna / PentictonWest Kelowna โ†’Duncan & Main (Plaza) (Penticton)40 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Duncan & Main (Plaza) (Penticton) to YYF (Penticton), about 2.6 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Klassic Taxi, Penticton Eco Taxi might help.
โœˆ๏ธPacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver โ€“ PentictonYYF (Penticton) โ†’Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)262 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.
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, about 1.2 km.
๐Ÿš™BudgetOne-way rental: Port Alberni โ€“ NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo โ†’Port Alberni64 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches โ€” bookable onlineBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Port Alberni to Port Alberni, about 0.8 km.
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Port Alberni.
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.
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Heading back: Port Alberni to West Kelowna (best: rental car + ferry + SkyTrain)

Connections from West Kelowna: Penticton (best: bus) · Whistler (best: bus + SkyTrain) · Nanaimo (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry) · Haida Gwaii (best: bus + train + ferry)

Connections from Port Alberni: Hornby Island (best: rental car + carpool + bus) · Delta (best: rental car + ferry + SkyTrain) · Penticton (best: rental car + ferry + SkyTrain) · Calgary, AB (best: rental car + ferry + SkyTrain)

Check out BC Bike Stops in West Kelowna and Port Alberni