www.haaqi.com

I cycled the world (2004-2012), now living in Granada, Spain.
This August a group of us cycling up into France, Germany, other countries.
We want to take the train from Granada.
What does anyone know about bicycle on trains in Europe?
Thanks!
Hutch

dabac

I've tried Spain, France, Germany, they are usually OK with bikes on trains. I Think Denmark is OK too.
Sometimes even have designated carriages for them.
Sometimes there are limits, like "not on city commuters", "only X bikes in each end of the carriage", "not during rush hours", "not to/from all stations" etc etc.
Ask before you buy your tickets.
It's really bad in Sweden. Basically not allowed on the long-haul trains.
It's kinda-sorta possible to beat the system by taking the wheels off and wrap it all up as a cumbersome bundle instead. You're more likely to be allowed on board with "bulky luggage" than with a bike.

www.haaqi.com

Thanks. Hutch

Semipedersen

In Swizerland it is no problem. It costs about 19 Euro for a day ticket for your bike. However, if your bike is in a bag (even a huge bag) it is free. Not sure about the prices in Germany. You should be able to take your bike on most trains. You might have to reserve a spot for your bike on long distance trains.

www.haaqi.com

Thanks. H.

chasxy

In Belgium, they charge about 5 Euros to transport your bike on the train, but it's only on specified cars.

angerdan

You have to separate between high speed trains and commuter/local trains.In fermany and france only a few high speed trains are capable of carrying bicycles. Also there's currently no high speed train crossing german/french border with bicycle transportation.
uk.voyages-sncf.com/en/train-tickets/travelling-with-your-bike

French/Swiss TGV Lyria and german ICE4 trains do transport unfolded, fully assembled bicycles.
tgv-lyria.com/en/travelling/on-board-support/luggage

German railways offer to search only for trains with fully assembled bicycle transportation (regular bicycle carrying).
reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/e

angerdan

Would you like to tell about your experiences and help others?

Caretaker

Here in the Republic of Ireland they have recently dropped the €8 charge for bikes on trains and they now go free but there is officially a limit of two bikes per train which isn't always enforced but I've had a couple of officious train drivers make an issue of it. On the train from Killarney, a popular scenic town in County Kerry bikes are only carried at the drivers discretion and we had to leave them behind on one occasion to be forwarded on to Dublin the following day for collection.

On the local Dublin commuter DART train you are allowed bring your bike on free outside of the morning and evening rush hours.

CliffordK

I was fine one one train in Italy, then was kicked off another train for bringing my bike onboard. They said it needed to be checked as baggage, but wouldn't check it as baggage, so I was was kicked off the last train of the night (that stopped at the small town). I never got my refund, and had a late night ride back towards home, as far as I could make it that night, slept somewhere, then finished the ride the next day.

I had taken the wheels off at the time, and compacted it down quite a bit, but no wrap. I suppose a large duffel or garbage bag, and I probably would have been just fine. The Italians seemed to take everything the train, but apparently no bikes. And the train wasn't even that full. Not like the Christmas trains heading south

But, that was 30 years ago... WHEW!!! I assume times have changed. Still, some kind of a bike wrap might be a good idea. But, talk to the station, or try to get the current regulations in advance.

Oh, the Italians in the train ticket booths always were a bit impatient too.

angerdan

In germany, on many routes regional trains as well as local trams bicycles are free (after 9am).
Details can depend in different regions.

Inter-city trains mostly transports bicycles, but only when registered&paid in advance.
https://www.bahn.de/hilfe/view/pk/en/fahrrad.shtml

With highspeed trains, only the newest ICE in 4th generation offers space for a few bicycles (when registered&paid in advance).

Deutsche Bahn AG itself offers bicycle renting in many cities, sometimes even ebikes.
https://www.callabike-interaktiv.de/en

avole

The SNCF website tells you which trains allow bikes. TGVs usually don’t, but intercities mostly do.

angerdan

There are a few Intercities connecting cities in france:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercités

And TGV Lyria connections are to find here:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TGV_Lyria

www.haaqi.com

I now have much experience transporting Mr. Fetes on trains in Europe.
It´s not like the old days, as I´ve been doing this for more than 20 years. The trains, once operated by the government, better. Now, they are privately owned and profit driven, more seats, more money (God). Thus, less space for bicycles, on EC trains you have to hang them by the front wheel.
There are a few REGGIO wagons, two levels, that offer space to wheel a bicycle in and park it as loaded.
I like riding the rails, as commercial air transportation no longer desirable because of the hassble.
But, best of all... JUST TRAVEL BY BICYCLE! Save the planet!
F.A. HUTCHISON
www.cyclingpeace.orgski

rschaap83

Netherlands its 6,50 euro a day but not in rush hour

angerdan

In german regional trains of DB AG (IRE, RE, RB, S-Bahn), price depends on the state.
In some it's free (Baden-Württemberg), others charge 5,50€ (Bavaria).
bahn.de/p/view/service/fahrrad/rad-nahverkehr.shtml

rschaap83

well priced overall

Winfried

I solved the problem by riding a Brompton.

No charge, no fuss, no problem.

snoworder

In Germany, you can easily bring a bike on all types of trains except fast ones called ICE, prices vary.

angerdan

Inter-city trains mostly transports bicycles, but only when registered&paid in advance.
bahn.de/hilfe/view/pk/en/fahrrad.shtml

With highspeed trains, the newest ICE in 4th generation offers space for bicycles (when registered&paid in advance).

Xzuite

tstanev84

Its 1 (one) euro fee in Bulgaria, but still trains are pretty old and its hard to get in and out if have bigger racks

angerdan

Which trains does carry bicycles in Bulgaria?

tstanev84

All trains can carry bikes, but u have to place it in the rear of the last car where it doesnt block the traffic

angerdan

Means Expresen Vlak, Barz Vlak and Patnicheski ?