Explore Europe: Travelling by train and bicycle
If you don’t want to be without your bike on holiday or want flexible travel plans, many European railway companies allow you to take your bike on the train. Read on to find out what regulations apply to taking bicycles on trains in selected European countries.
Summary
- The rules for transporting bicycles on trains vary between railway companies.
- For most long-distance trains, you will need a bicycle ticket as well as a reservation for a space.
- No reservation is required for local services. However, bicycles are often not permitted during peak hours.
- As an alternative, you can send your bicycle ahead using the railway’s luggage service or a shipping company.
- Folding bicycles can usually be taken on board as hand luggage free of charge when folded.
Regulations for transporting bicycles on trains
Regulations for transporting bicycles on trains vary depending on the railway company. For example, on the Eurostar or the ÖBB Nightjet, bicycles can only be transported on selected routes.
Since June 2023, the following has applied throughout the EU: Rail passengers are generally entitled to take their bicycles with them on trains. However, railway companies may restrict bicycle transport for capacity or safety reasons. If transporting a bicycle is refused without good reason despite holding a valid ticket, passengers are entitled to a refund, compensation or alternative transport.
Transporting bicycles on Deutsche Bahn long-distance trains
Bicycles are permitted on Intercity (IC), Eurocity (EC) and selected ICE connections on Deutsche Bahn long-distance trains.
A valid bicycle ticket and a reservation for a space in a designated carriage are required. As a rule, each passenger may take one bicycle with them.
If bicycle transport is permitted on the train, you can purchase the bicycle ticket directly when booking your ticket online or at a sales point (not at DB ticket machines).
Taking your bicycle on local transport
Bicycles are permitted on DB local trains, including the Interregio-Express, Regional-Express, Regionalbahn and some S-Bahn services.
No reservation is required.
However, special times may apply for transporting bicycles, which vary depending on the fare network. Bicycles are often prohibited during peak hours.
How can I send a bicycle by train?
If you don’t want to take your bike with you, you can use Deutsche Bahn’s luggage service to send it within Germany and to Austria.
The bicycle must be suitably packed for transport.
Sending your bicycle with a shipping company
You can also hire a shipping company to send your bicycle to your holiday destination in advance. Remove the front wheel, saddle and pedals for packing.
Wrap the parts in bubble wrap or place them in a bag to prevent the bicycle from being damaged during transport.
Tips for a relaxed train journey with your bicycle
- Book your bicycle ticket well in advance, as spaces are limited.
- Avoid peak times. This will make it easier to find a space for your bike on the train.
- Try to book direct connections so that you don’t have to keep loading and unloading your bike.
- Depending on their size, folding bikes can be taken on board as hand luggage free of charge.
- Find out if there are lifts at the station – with Deutsche Bahn AG, you can do this using the Bahn app.
- Allow plenty of time for changing trains.
- If you are travelling with an e-bike, make sure the battery is charged. Batteries cannot usually be charged during the train journey.
Travelling through Europe by train and bicycle: tickets, prices and regulations
Bicycle transport with SNCB
During off-peak hours (outside rush hour, at weekends and on public holidays), the cost of transporting a bicycle on SNCB is €3 for a single journey. During peak hours (weekdays between 06:01 and 08:59 or 16:01 and 17:59), the cost is €5 per journey.
Folding bikes can be transported free of charge.
Tickets can be purchased online, from ticket offices or from ticket machines.
Ask the train attendant on the platform where the bicycle compartment is located and whether there are enough spaces available.
Groups travelling together are not permitted to take bicycles on board.
Please note
- SNCB trains only have a limited number of bicycle spaces
- If all spaces are occupied, you will have to wait for the next train.
- If trains are overcrowded, the conductor may refuse to allow bicycles on board due to lack of space.
- Avoid travelling by train during rush hour.
- Bicycles are not permitted on trains departing from the following stations: Brussels Central, Brussels-Chapelle and Brussels-Congrès.
DSB: Travelling by train with a bicycle
Prices and regulations for transporting bicycles vary depending on the train class.
Cargo bikes, trailers and similar items are not permitted on trains.
Bicycles can be taken on regional trains free of charge outside peak hours. This means weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., as well as weekends.
Otherwise, you will need to purchase a bicycle ticket.
For InterCity and InterCityLyn trains, you must book a bicycle ticket and a parking space in addition to your own ticket.
Bicycle tickets can be purchased from DSB ticket machines at all stations, via the DSB app, from ticket counters and from 7-Eleven shops.
You can transport your bicycle free of charge on S-Bahn trains.
DB: Travelling by train and bicycle
Transporting bicycles on long-distance trains
To take your bicycle on long-distance trains (ICE, IC and EC), you must purchase an additional bicycle ticket and reserve a space. Prices start from €7.99, depending on the route.
Reservations are mandatory as the number of spaces is limited.
Please note that only standard single-seater bicycles and e-bikes with a maximum speed of 25 km/h can be taken on the train. Detailed information on the types of bicycles accepted can be found on the DB website.
Folding bicycles or children’s bicycles with a wheel diameter of up to 16 inches (approx. 41 centimetres) can be stored on the train free of charge as luggage.
Transporting bicycles on local transport
Bicycles can be transported on local transport (IRE, RE and S-Bahn) without reservation.
Prices and regulations vary depending on the federal state and fare association. In many regions, it is advisable to purchase a bicycle day ticket.
As the number of spaces is limited, rail travel during rush hour and peak times should be avoided if possible. During these times, bicycles may not be permitted on board.
If you are travelling in a group of more than five people with bicycles, it is recommended that you register with the railway company in advance for capacity reasons.
Transporting bicycles on SNCF trains
Long-distance
Some TGVs and Intercity trains have spaces for bicycles that must be reserved. The cost is €10.
If there are no spaces left on the train, you can only take your bike with you if it is dismantled (folded up or with the wheels removed) and put in a carrying bag with maximum dimensions of 130 x 90 x 50 cm.
The positive side effect of this is that you will not incur any additional costs for transporting your bicycle.
Local transport (TER)
Depending on availability, you can take your bicycle with you free of charge on local transport (TER). You must use the designated racks or storage areas.
In some regions, e.g. Brittany, there are exceptions (e.g. during the summer months, from May to September), and you will need an additional bicycle ticket.
Tandems, cargo bikes and similar are generally not permitted.
You can find a list of individual regions here: sncf-voyageurs.com
Due to commuter traffic, bicycle transport in the Paris region is only free of charge at certain times:
- Monday to Friday: before 6:30 am, between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm, and after 7:30 pm;
- Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
- Folding bikes can be taken on board free of charge at any time.
Here are some tips for travelling with bicycles in Paris.
Bicycle transport on the Eurostar
Only a limited number of bicycles can be taken on the Eurostar (formerly the Thalys). If you wish to take your bicycle on board, you will have to pay an additional fee. You must arrive at the platform 30 minutes before departure.
In order to be accepted for transport, both wheels must be removed and packed together with the frame in a suitable container (maximum dimensions: 135 x 85 x 30 cm). Packed bicycles that exceed these dimensions will not be accepted.
Folding bikes that do not exceed the maximum dimensions of 75 x 53 x 30 cm when folded are considered hand luggage.
Different regulations apply to journeys between Paris and London.
For more information, visit eurostar.com.
Trenitalia: Regulations for transporting bicycles
International long-distance travel
You can take your bicycle with you on some international long-distance trains, either in a designated compartment or on bicycle racks.
The fee for transporting a bicycle is €12.
Visit trenitalia.com for more information on purchasing a bicycle ticket for international routes.
National trains (Frecce trains)
On national high-speed trains (Frecce trains), each passenger is allowed to take one folded or dismantled bicycle in a transport bag. The maximum permitted size is 80 x 110 x 40 cm.
Bicycle transport on regional and Intercity trains
Whole bicycles can only be transported on regional trains if the trains are marked with a corresponding pictogram.
Depending on the region, an additional bicycle ticket must be purchased at a cost of €3.50.
Transporting folding bikes or dismantled bikes in a transport bag is free of charge.
Free bicycle transport with CFL
You can transport your bicycle free of charge on trains within Luxembourg. The number of spaces for bicycles varies depending on the train class.
You can recognise the bicycle compartment by its green access doors.
Fees may apply for international routes.
Please check the conditions of carriage and fares with CFL customer service before you start your journey.
Netherlands: Travelling by train with your bicycle
You can take your bicycle with you outside peak hours, provided you have a valid train ticket and an off-peak bicycle ticket (€8.50).
Although advance registration is not required, it is recommended due to the limited number of spaces available on the train.
When is bicycle transport permitted?
- Monday to Friday: 00:00–06:30, 09:00–16:00 and 18:30 onwards
- all day at weekends and on public holidays.
- Bicycles may only be taken on board in designated areas and if there is sufficient space.
- Bicycles are also permitted on EuroCity Direct and EuroCity domestic trains, but not during July and August.
For more information, visit www.ns.nl
Here are some tips for cycling in Amsterdam.
Bicycle transport on ÖBB trains
You can take your bicycle with you on most long-distance and local ÖBB trains.
If you are travelling within Austria, you will need an additional bicycle ticket.
The cost depends on when and where the ticket is purchased. The earlier you buy it, the cheaper it is. Purchasing tickets online at shop.oebbtickets.at or via the ÖBB app is cheaper than buying them from a ticket machine, ticket office or on the train.
For international routes, a distance-based price applies.
Folded folding bikes can be carried free of charge and without reservation as hand luggage, provided they comply with the permitted dimensions.
Further information is available at oebb.at
PKP Intercity: Travelling by train with your bicycle
Bicycles can only be transported on certain trains. Therefore, please check before you start your journey whether your chosen train offers this option.
You will also need to purchase a bicycle ticket. This costs 9.10 zloty (around £2.10).
If you have not purchased a bicycle ticket from the ticket machine, please inform the conductor that you are travelling with a bicycle before boarding the train.
You can also purchase the additional ticket on the train. An additional fee of 20 zloty (around 4.80 euros) will be charged for this. If you do not inform the conductor before departure that you are taking your bicycle with you, an additional fee of 52 zloty (around 12.40 euros) will be charged on top of the regular bicycle ticket.
On TLK and IC trains, bicycles must be stored in the designated compartments. These are usually located in the first or last carriage.
On Express Intercity (EIC) and Express Intercity Premium (EIP) trains, bicycles must be stored in the designated areas of second class.
You may take a folding bicycle on board free of charge as hand luggage.
Travelling with your bicycle on SBB
With a chargeable SBB bicycle ticket, you can take your bicycle with you on most trains and post buses in Switzerland. Connections that do not allow bicycles are marked with a crossed-out bicycle symbol in the online timetable. A bicycle day ticket is also available for €15.
For international trains such as the EuroCity (EC), InterCityExpress (ICE), Railjet (RJX) and InterCity between Zurich HB and Singen/Stuttgart, a bike reservation is required for the Swiss section of the journey throughout the year.
Between 21 March and 31 October, a space reservation is also required on selected InterCity (IC) trains. This applies to the IC 5 from St Gallen to Lausanne, the IC 51 from Basel to Biel, and trains travelling through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, among others. The relevant connections are marked in the timetable with the note ‘Bicycle reservation compulsory‘.
Post buses can only transport a limited number of bicycles. On some routes, especially in the summer months, advance reservations are therefore necessary.
Special bicycles, such as tandems or cargo bikes, can only be taken on SBB trains in the RE, S and R categories.
On Zurich S-Bahn trains, bicycles are permitted from Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., as well as all day at weekends.
Further details: sbb.ch
Transporting bicycles on Czech Railways
You may only transport your bicycle on the train if the train is marked with the appropriate bicycle symbol and there is sufficient space available.
Czech Railways classifies bicycles as special luggage, so an additional ticket is required.
Tandem bicycles cannot be transported as special luggage.
The cost of transporting and storing bicycles in the luggage van depends on the distance travelled.
Child trailers are transported free of charge. However, they must be detached from the bicycle during the journey.
Transporting bicycles in the luggage van
When travelling on a train that is marked with a suitcase, you must check your bicycle in the luggage van.
Advantage: the railway staff will help you load your bicycle and supervise it during the journey. When you get off or change trains, you can collect your bicycle from the train staff.
Reservation: seat and bicycle space
For a hassle-free journey, you can usually reserve a space for your bicycle and a seat in 2nd class 60 days in advance (trains with a bicycle or suitcase symbol).
Bicycle transport in border regions
For journeys in border regions, there are usually inexpensive regional offers, such as the Elbe-Labe Ticket
More information at: Vezu kolo | České dráhy
National Rail: Different regulations for transporting bicycles
Folded folding bikes can be transported free of charge on almost all operators.
Otherwise, the regulations for transporting bicycles vary greatly depending on the railway company and route.
Here you will find an overview of the regulations for transporting bicycles of the respective transport companies.
The free PlusBike tool (PDF)
It provides information on the following topics:
- Bicycle parking at stations,
- Bicycle hire,
- Regulations for transporting bicycles on the respective train,
- Overview and regulations for reserving space for bicycles.
More information: Train Travel with Bicycles | National Rail
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