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.

You can contact the Train Operator direct or we can arrange this for you.

• If you’ve already got a booking and you’d like to add a bike space, you can do so by phone on 0333 202 2222 (or 0044 333 202 2222 if you’re calling from outside the UK), chat or email. For data protection, we can only talk to the lead booker.
• If you’re making a new booking and you’re planning to bring a bike with you, call us on 0871 244 1545 (Calls cost 13p a minute plus your phone company’s access charge. Calls from outside the UK may cost more.

For business account holders, call us Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 18:00 on 0870 3333 555 (Calls cost 2p per minute plus your phone company’s access charges. Calls from outside the UK may cost more.)

For answers to other questions you might have, read our blog – 6 things you need to know about taking your bike by train in the UK.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

You can take bikes on most local and long distance trains within Austria as long as you have a valid bike ticket. Bike tickets cost 10% of the price of a full price second class ticket (A minimum fare of €2 applies. For international routes you can purchase a Bike International Ticket for €12.

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.

Unfortunately, bikes cannot be stored in the hold compartments of OUIBUS buses. This includes both assembled and folded bikes.

If you purchase a baggage option, you can take a folded or disassembled bike on Ouigo trains if they meet the following criteria-

• The bike is is stored in a cover
• The dimensions do not exceed 120cm x 90cm
• The weight does not exceed 30 kg.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 120cm x 90cm.  

Assembled/ Non-folding Bikes

If you're travelling on TER regional trains, you can take a fully assembled bike free of charge and without booking in advance, simply hang it up in the designated space. 

For all other SNCF trains the rules differ depending on the type of train and time of day, bike spaces may need to be booked in advance and may require a ticket to travel. If you wish to travel with an assembled bike, please check with SNCF before booking your journey.

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 120cm x 90cm.

Assembled bikes cannot be transported on TGV Lyria trains.

You can take a disassembled bike on Thalys trains free of charge and without booking, if the both wheels are removed, and it’s stored in a non-rigid bike bag with dimensions less than 135cm x 85cm x 30cm. If you are travelling with a bike you should make yourself know to staff on the platform 30 mins before departure.

Folding bikes are treated as standard luggage, as part of your luggage allowance. They must not exceed 75cm x 53cm x 20cm when folded.

Assembled bikes cannot be transported.

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.

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.