How do I reserve a space for my bike?
Taking your bike on a train can be great way to see the country or start or finish your daily commute. The rules for taking bikes on board differ for each Carrier and Train Operating Company (TOC), so it's best to check before booking your trip.
National Rail (UK)
Taking a bike on the train is free in the UK. Depending on which Train Operating Company (TOC) you’re travelling with, you might need to reserve a space for your bike.
Click here to view our guide that contains useful information about travelling with a bike, with details of how to contact us to reserve a bike space if needed.
Deutsche Bahn (Germany)
Deutsche Bahn has various options for travelling with bikes on their services. If you wish to travel with a bike, please check with them directly before booking your journey.
DSB (Denmark)
Folding Bikes – Can be take on board as long as the fit in the luggage racks and do not block other passengers.
Assembled bikes - can be taken on DSB trains with a reservation, please contact them directly to arrange this.
Eurostar (France/ Belgium/ UK)
Folded bikes can be taken on Eurostar trains as long they are no longer than 85cm when fully folded. They must be placed in a protective case that covers the whole bike before going through check-in.
For fully assembled bikes or folded bikes that do not meet the criteria above, please contact Eurostar directly to book you bike into their luggage service.
iryo (Spain)
- Each passenger can take one bike or electric scooter as long as they are disconnected, disassembled and stored in a properly closed bag.
- In both cases the dimensions must not exceed the following measures 70 cm x 55 cm x 35 cm.
- One bike per car will be admitted.
- The transport of the bike and the scooters will be free of charge
Italo (Italy)
You can take a folded bike on Italo trains free of charge, if it is stored in a bike bag and it’s no larger than 120cm x 90cm. The folded bike will count towards your luggage allowance (2 pieces of luggage and one piece of hand luggage per person).
Assembled bikes cannot be transported on Italo trains.
NS (Netherlands)
Folding Bikes – Can be taken on board as long as they fit in the luggage racks and do not block other passengers.
Fully assembled and disassembled bikes - you can purchase a Fietskaart Dal ticket to bring your bike if the following conditions are met:
- You are travelling or checking in during off peak times or at the weekend or during the months of July and August.
- You remove any baggage from you bike, i.e. panniers.
Fietskaart Dal tickets can be purchased at the station or directly with NS.
OBB (Austria)
You can take bikes on most local and long distance trains within Austria as long as you have a valid bike ticket. The costs of bike tickets depend on the place of purchase. If you purchase the bike ticket in a ticket shop of OBB, this will usually be cheaper. If you buy the bike ticket via OBB customer support (+43 (0)5 1717), this will be slightly more expensive. However, prices can change anytime.
For international routes the price is dependent on the route itself. There can be multiple discount systems in place regarding bicycles, for example for journeys to Hungary with regional trains.
Alternatively, you can purchase a weekly or monthly ticket for you bike
To purchase a bike ticket and reserve a bike space, please contact OBB directly.
Ouibus
Unfortunately, bikes cannot be stored in the hold compartments of OUIBUS buses. This includes both assembled and folded bikes.
Ouigo (France/Spain)
Extra luggage allowance can be added at time of booking for a €5 fee. This will allow you take a folded or disassembled bike if they meet the following criteria-
- The bike is is stored in a cover
- The dimensions do not exceed 130cm x 90cm
- The weight does not exceed 30 kg.
If you don't buy extra luggage in advance, then paying on the day at the station will cost €20.
Renfe (Spain)
Bikes are admitted on all AVE, Long Distance and Avant trains for journeys in Spain under the following conditions:
- The bicycle is folded or dismantled and stored in a bike box or house. The dimensions must not to exceed 120cm x 90cm x 40cm (length-height-width).
- The pedals must be removed, and the handlebar turned to 90°.
- They must be stored in the luggage areas found at the end of each carriage.
On Medium Distance, Suburban and Metric Gauge trains, folded bicycles do not need to be transported inside a carrying case. They may be stored in the luggage areas at the end of each carriage.
Assembled bikes are permitted on some Renfe trains, however you may require a specific reservations, please contact Renfe to check before booking.
Renfe/SNCF (Spain and France)
You can take a disassembled or folded bike on Renfe - SNCF trains free of charge and without booking, if it’s stored in bike bag with dimensions no larger than 30cm.
Assembled bikes cannot be transported.
SBB (Switzerland)
You can take bikes on most SBB trains within Switzerland as long as you have a valid bike ticket.
Between March and October bike reservations are mandatory, you can make reservations and purchase tickets at the station or directly with SBB.
SNCB (Belgium)
Folding Bikes – Can be taken on board as long as they fit in the luggage racks and do not block other passengers.
Assembled bikes – Can be taken on board if you purchase a Bike Ticket, this can be purchased at the station or directly with SNCB.
SNCF (France)
Dismantled/ Folded Bikes
If your bike is dismantled or folded and stored in a bike bag, it can be taken on board and stored as luggage for free and without a reservation as long as the dimensions are less than 130x90cm.
Assembled/ Non-folding Bikes
You can bring your disassembled bike free of charge on most TER trains, depending on space availability.
However, note that access may be prohibited by the conductor due to capacity or security reasons, especially during peak times.
TGV or Intercités with mandatory reservation
Some TGV and Intercités trains with compulsory reservation have a bike space (places are limited).
In this case, if the train has an assembled bike space, when searching on Trainline you will see an optional bicycle space option for £8.99.
The purchase of this option is essential to be able to transport an assembled bike on board these trains. It cannot be added afterwards.
TGV Lyria (Switzerland and France)
You can take a disassembled bike on TGV Lyria trains free of charge and without booking, if the wheels are removed and it’s stored in a bike bag with dimensions less than 130cm x 90cm.
Assembled bikes cannot be transported on TGV Lyria trains.
Thello (France and Italy)
You can take a folded bike on Thello trains free of charge, if it is stored in a bike bag and it’s no larger than 80cm x 110cm x 40cm. The folded bike will count towards your luggage allowance of 2 pieces of luggage, measuring less than 160 cm (height + length + width) including hand luggage per person.
Assembled bikes cannot be transported.
Trenitalia (Italy)
Domestic trains – Folded bikes can be taken on domestic trains, if it’s stored in a bike bag and it fits in the luggage compartment.
Regional trains - Folded bikes can be taken on regional trains in second class, if it’s stored in a bike bag and it fits in the luggage compartment.
If you wish to travel with an assembled bike, please check with Trenitalia before booking your journey.
International trains – Some services can accommodate bikes, these should be booked in advance and you may require a ticket to travel. If you wish to travel with an assembled bike, please check with Trenitalia before booking you your journey.
What if I made a reservation but was prevented from boarding the train with my bike on the day?If you made a reservation for your bike for a journey outside of the UK but were prevented from boarding the train with your bike by station or train company staff, you might be entitled to reimbursement. To submit a request, complete this form.
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