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 Whistler to Alert Bay.
For scale
As the crow flies287 km
Biking whole way538 km · 32 h
By car601 km · 9 h
We found seven ways to get you there, ferries doing the heavy lifting.
🎒 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📅 seasonal⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A transport smorgasbord: coach bus, SkyTrain, ferries, city buses, and rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌YVR SkylynxVancouver – Whistleror Whistler Shuttle (Vancouver – Whistler)Gateway Loop / Village (Whistler) →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)106 kmRides in the hold — bagged, wrapped, or boxedFirst bike freeReserve ahead — Squamish is reservation-only
Summer service April 18 to November 21; Squamish is a reservation-only stop.
🚝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. 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 Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 1 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)3.3 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
🚲Travel the short hop from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.3 km.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimo)Downtown Nanaimo →YZT (Port Hardy)295 kmOne-way between Island branches — no drop chargeBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Port Hardy, about 10 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Waivin Flags Taxi might help.
🚎BC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort Hardy →Port McNeill33 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
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
⛴️BC FerriesPort McNeill – Sointula – Alert BayPort McNeill →Alert Bay (Cormorant Island)14 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Alert Bay (Cormorant Island).
Option two · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The long way round, but it works.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌Whistler ShuttleVancouver – WhistlerWhistler Village →Downtown Vancouver94 kmBook ahead — bikes carried with advance noticeBike fee
Door-to-door shuttle; the downtown Vancouver pickup is suspended for summer 2026.
🚌Wilson's Transportation (BC Connector)BC Ferries Connector — Vancouver / VictoriaDowntown Vancouver →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)101 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. 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 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
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan →Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 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
🚲Travel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.5 km.
🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)3.3 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
🚲Travel the short hop from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.3 km.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimo)Downtown Nanaimo →YZT (Port Hardy)295 kmOne-way between Island branches — no drop chargeBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Port Hardy, about 10 km.
🚎BC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort Hardy →Port McNeill33 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
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
⛴️BC FerriesPort McNeill – Sointula – Alert BayPort McNeill →Alert Bay (Cormorant Island)14 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Alert Bay (Cormorant Island).
Option three · six legs📅 seasonal⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
One long leg does most of the travelling.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌YVR SkylynxVancouver – WhistlerGateway Loop / Village (Whistler) →Adventure Centre (Squamish)48 kmRides in the hold — bagged, wrapped, or boxedFirst bike freeReserve ahead — Squamish is reservation-only
Summer service April 18 to November 21; Squamish is a reservation-only stop.
🚌Squamish ConnectorSquamish – VancouverAdventure Centre (Squamish) →Horseshoe Bay46 kmBook aheadMax 2 bikes per tripSome buses have an outside rack — otherwise carried in the luggage hold$15 each wayNo e-bikes
Bikes welcome May to September; check schedule outside that window.
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayHorseshoe Bay →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.3 km.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimo) (counter a short ride away on the 20/20A Hammond Bay / Dover)Downtown Nanaimo →YZT (Port Hardy)295 kmOne-way between Island branches — no drop chargeBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Port Hardy, about 10 km.
🚎BC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort Hardy →Port McNeill33 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
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
⛴️BC FerriesPort McNeill – Sointula – Alert BayPort McNeill →Alert Bay (Cormorant Island)14 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Alert Bay (Cormorant Island).
Option four · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
Pack patience, it connects.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚗PoparideSea-to-Sky rideshare (Vancouver - Squamish - Whistler)Gateway Loop / Village (Whistler) →Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)96 kmOnly some rides take bikes — look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable — check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
🚎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
🚲Travel the short hop from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.3 km.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy – NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo →YZT (Port Hardy)295 kmOne-way between Island branches — no drop chargeBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Port Hardy, about 10 km.
🚎BC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort Hardy →Port McNeill33 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
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
⛴️BC FerriesPort McNeill – Sointula – Alert BayPort McNeill →Alert Bay (Cormorant Island)14 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Alert Bay (Cormorant Island).
Show three moreShow fewer
Option five · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Every leg of this works, there are just a lot of them.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌Whistler ShuttleVancouver – WhistlerWhistler Village →Downtown Vancouver94 kmBook ahead — bikes carried with advance noticeBike fee
Door-to-door shuttle; the downtown Vancouver pickup is suspended for summer 2026.
🚌Wilson's Transportation (BC Connector)BC Ferries Connector — Vancouver / VictoriaDowntown Vancouver →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)101 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.
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan-Victoria ExpressDouglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) →Duncan46 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
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan →Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 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
🚲Travel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1 km.
🚙BudgetOne-way rental: Port Hardy – NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo →YZT (Port Hardy)298 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches — bookable onlineBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Port Hardy, about 10 km.
🚎BC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort Hardy →Port McNeill33 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
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
⛴️BC FerriesPort McNeill – Sointula – Alert BayPort McNeill →Alert Bay (Cormorant Island)14 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Alert Bay (Cormorant Island).
Option six · seven legs📅 seasonal⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A few connections, but each one moves you closer.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌Whistler ShuttleVancouver – WhistlerWhistler Village →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)105 kmBook ahead — bikes carried with advance noticeBike fee
Door-to-door shuttle; the downtown Vancouver pickup is suspended for summer 2026.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) →Vancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚌Squamish ConnectorSquamish – VancouverVancouver Canada Place →Horseshoe Bay16 kmBook aheadMax 2 bikes per tripSome buses have an outside rack — otherwise carried in the luggage hold$15 each wayNo e-bikes
Bikes welcome May to September; check schedule outside that window.
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayHorseshoe Bay →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.3 km.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimo) (counter a short ride away on the 20/20A Hammond Bay / Dover)Downtown Nanaimo →YZT (Port Hardy)295 kmOne-way between Island branches — no drop chargeBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Port Hardy, about 10 km.
🚎BC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort Hardy →Port McNeill33 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
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
⛴️BC FerriesPort McNeill – Sointula – Alert BayPort McNeill →Alert Bay (Cormorant Island)14 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Alert Bay (Cormorant Island).
Option seven · five legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Two flights, a SkyTrain, a city bus, and a ferry.
CarrierRideYour bike
🛩️Harbour AirVancouver Harbour – WhistlerGreen Lake (Whistler) →CXH (Vancouver)96 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 CXH (Vancouver) to Vancouver Canada Place, about 0.8 km.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
✈️Pacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver – Port HardyVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) →YZT (Port Hardy)343 kmRides in the hold — small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
🚲Travel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Port Hardy, about 10 km.
🚎BC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort Hardy →Port McNeill33 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
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
⛴️BC FerriesPort McNeill – Sointula – Alert BayPort McNeill →Alert Bay (Cormorant Island)14 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Alert Bay (Cormorant 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: Alert Bay to Whistler (best: ferry + bus + rental car)
Connections from Whistler: Squamish (best: bus) · Pender Island (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry) · Armstrong (best: bus + SkyTrain) · Haida Gwaii (best: bus + SkyTrain + train)
Connections from Alert Bay: Port Hardy (best: ferry + bus) · Ocean Falls (best: ferry + bus) · Duncan (Cowichan Valley) (best: ferry + bus + rental car) · New Hazelton (best: ferry + bus + train)