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How to get from Nanaimo to Bowen Island by bus and ferry?

By bus and ferry

To get from Nanaimo to Bowen Island in Southwest British Columbia, you’ll need to take one bus line and 2 ferry lines: take the 20 bus from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange station to Departure Bay Ferry station. Next, you’ll have to switch to the WEST VANCOUVER - NANAIMO (HORSESHOE BAY-DEPARTURE BAY) ferry and finally take the BOWEN ISLAND - VANCOUVER (SNUG COVE-HORSESHOE BAY) ferry from Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) Ferry Terminal station to Bowen Island (Snug Cove) Ferry Terminal station. The total trip duration for this route is approximately 2 hr 54 min. The ride fare is CA$2.50.

174minCA$2.50
Bus - 20
20
Ferry - WEST VANCOUVER - NANAIMO (HORSESHOE BAY-DEPARTURE BAY)
WEST VANCOUVER - NANAIMO (HORSESHOE BAY-DEPARTURE BAY)
Ferry - BOWEN ISLAND - VANCOUVER (SNUG COVE-HORSESHOE BAY)
BOWEN ISLAND - VANCOUVER (SNUG COVE-HORSESHOE BAY)
Walk to Bowen Island
Leaves from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange

Step by Step

  • 1
    Start from bus station
    Start from bus station
    Nanaimo
  • 2
    Bus - 2020
    Wait for bus
    20
    Dover to Woodgrove
  • 3
    Ride to bus station
    Ride to bus station
    Departure Bay Ferry
    ID 109880
    9 min
  • 4
    Walk to ferry station
    Walk to ferry station
    Departure Bay (Nanaimo) Ferry Terminal
    330 m • 5 min
  • 5
    Ferry - WEST VANCOUVER - NANAIMO (HORSESHOE BAY-DEPARTURE BAY)WEST VANCOUVER - NANAIMO (HORSESHOE BAY-DEPARTURE BAY)
    Wait for ferry
    WEST VANCOUVER - NANAIMO (HORSESHOE BAY-DEPARTURE BAY)
    Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver)
  • 6
    Ride to ferry station
    Ride to ferry station
    Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) Ferry Terminal
    100 min
  • 7
    Ferry - BOWEN ISLAND - VANCOUVER (SNUG COVE-HORSESHOE BAY)BOWEN ISLAND - VANCOUVER (SNUG COVE-HORSESHOE BAY)
    Wait for ferry
    BOWEN ISLAND - VANCOUVER (SNUG COVE-HORSESHOE BAY)
    Bowen Island (Snug Cove)
  • 8
    Ride to ferry station
    Ride to ferry station
    Bowen Island (Snug Cove) Ferry Terminal
    20 min
  • 9
    Walk to Bowen Island
    Walk to
    Bowen Island
    160 m • 3 min
*Duration based on 8am traffic
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Public transit directions from Nanaimo to Bowen Island

The distance between Nanaimo, Southwest British Columbia and Bowen Island, Southwest British Columbia is approximately 66.73 km, which can typically be travelled in 174 min. Moovit will show you the directions from Nanaimo to Bowen Island by bus and ferry, so no matter how you choose to travel in Southwest British Columbia – you will always have plenty of easy options.

Public transit stations close to Nanaimo

Nanaimo is located at Nanaimo, Southwest British Columbia and the nearest public transit station is Front at Esplanade.

Bus stations close to Nanaimo:

  • Front at Esplanade
  • Front at Gabriola Ferry Term
  • Front St. at Museum Way

Ferry stations close to Nanaimo:

  • Nanaimo Harbour Ferry Terminal
  • Departure Bay (Nanaimo) Ferry Terminal

Public transit stations close to Bowen Island, Southwest British Columbia

Bowen Island is located at Bowen Island, Southwest British Columbia and the nearest public transit station is Bowen Island Trunk Rd @ Snug Cove.

Bus stations close to Bowen Island:

  • Bowen Island Trunk Rd @ Snug Cove
  • Lenora Rd @ Melmore Rd (Flag)
  • Artisan Square (Flag)

Ferry stations close to Bowen Island:

  • Bowen Island (Snug Cove) Ferry Terminal
  • Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) Ferry Terminal

Questions & Answers

  • What is the fastest way to get from Nanaimo to Bowen Island?

    The fastest way takes 174 minutes, using Bus line 20, Bus line WEST VANCOUVER - NANAIMO (HORSESHOE BAY-DEPARTURE BAY), Bus line BOWEN ISLAND - VANCOUVER (SNUG COVE-HORSESHOE BAY).

  • Is there a direct bus between Nanaimo and Bowen Island in Southwest British Columbia?

    No, you’ll have to take one bus line and 2 ferry lines in total. The total travelling time is 2 hr 54 min.

  • Which bus line goes from Nanaimo to Bowen Island in Southwest British Columbia?

    The 20 bus line goes from Dover to Woodgrove station near Nanaimo to Departure Bay Ferry station. From there you’ll have to take 2 ferry lines till Bowen Island station near Bowen Island in Southwest British Columbia

  • How long does it take to travel from Nanaimo to Bowen Island in Southwest British Columbia by bus and ferry?

    The total travel time between Nanaimo and Bowen Island in Southwest British Columbia by bus and ferry is about 2 hr 54 min.

  • Where do I get on the bus near Nanaimo to get to Bowen Island in Southwest British Columbia?

    Get on the 20 bus from the Dover to Woodgrove stop near Nanaimo in Southwest British Columbia.

  • Where do I get off the bus when travelling between Nanaimo and Bowen Island in Southwest British Columbia?

    Get off the bus at the Bowen Island station, which is closest to Bowen Island in Southwest British Columbia.

  • How much is the bus fare from Nanaimo to Bowen Island?

    The ride from Nanaimo to Bowen Island costs CA$2.50.

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