Pictogram of a bicycle compartment on an ODEG train

Train and bike: 19 railway journeys with a bicycle [2025]

Traveling by train with a bicycle is an ideal way to combine convenience and adventure. Modern trains in many regions are adapted to accommodate cyclists, offering specially designated spaces for bikes. These dedicated areas not only make boarding and traveling easier but also ensure the safety and stability of bicycles during the journey. However, the key to a smooth experience is proper planning - ensuring that there's enough capacity for bicycles, especially on routes popular with both commuters and tourists. The integration of bike-friendly facilities is essential for making train travel even more accessible and enjoyable.

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The adaptation of long-distance trains for transporting bicycles takes many different forms. Bicycle compartments vary in size, feature different mounting systems, and, of course, offer a varying number of bicycle spaces. Traveling by train across Europe with bicycles, each journey feels like a new adventure. Here are some of the most interesting examples of how trains are adapted for bike transport.

Interesting examples of bicycle transport in Europe:

Train Vélo Loire - SNCF, France
Mallnitz-Böckstein shuttle - ÖBB, Austria
From Berlin to Amsterdam - DB, Germany
From Basel to Lugano - SBB, Switzerland
Santa Claus Express - VR, Finland
Along Lake Geneva - SBB, Switzerland
From Berlin to Nuremberg - DB, Germany
EuroCity 217 - DB, Germany
Nightjet 420 - ÖBB, Austria
From Lyon to Dijon - SNCF, France
EuroCity 110/111 - ČD, Czechia
Express InterCity Premium - PKP Intercity, Poland
From Gdańsk to Olsztyn - PKP Intercity, Poland
From Gdańsk to Hel - Polregio, Poland
From Berlin to Dresden - ČD, Czechia
Railjet - ÖBB, Austria
From Munich to Venezia - ÖBB, Austria
Berlin-Gdynia-Express - PKP Intercity, Poland
From Gdańsk to Szczecin - PKP Intercity, Poland

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All photos by Simon Thread, Cycling Thread.

Train Vélo Loire - SNCF, France

Train Vélo Loire is the best solution for cyclists we've encountered. Running from Orléans to Le Croisic during the summer season, it provides free transport for up to 83 bicycles per train without requiring reservations. The Bombardier OMNEO Regio 2N trains are double-deck electric multiple units with spacious carriages that make boarding and securing bikes easy. A dedicated bike steward takes care of the bicycles, placing them in a designated compartment, while passengers are seated in the upper-level compartment.

We took this train while returning from the Loire à Vélo route.

A bicycle wagon on a train between Böckstein and Mallnitz

Mallnitz-Böckstein shuttle - ÖBB, Austria

A special train operated by Austrian Railways (ÖBB) serves the short journey under the main ridge of the Alps during a cycling trip along the Alpe-Adria Cycle Route. Running between the stations of Mallnitz and Böckstein, it connects Salzburger Land with Carinthia. One of the carriages is entirely dedicated to bicycle transport, featuring easy-to-use mounting racks for a hassle-free experience.

Check out our report from the Alpe-Adria Cycle Route.

Train for cyclists from Berlin to Amsterdam

From Berlin to Amsterdam - DB, Germany

The Intercity trains between Berlin and Amsterdam have dedicated bicycle compartments that typically accommodate 16 bicycles, secured on comfortable, horizontal racks. These compartments are designed with a split layout, providing space for both bicycles and their owners. This second area often becomes a place for friendly encounters and sharing experiences from cycling routes. DB plans to replace the current rolling stock on this route with modern ICE L trains from Talgo. Where will the comfortable, older carriages go?

We took these carriages after a cycling trip in Friesland.

Bicycles in the Intercity train in Switzerland

From Basel to Lugano - SBB, Switzerland

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) InterCity trains serve routes such as Basel to Lugano, making them an excellent choice for a cycling trip across Switzerland. The Stadler Smile train (SBB RABe 501), nicknamed Giruno ("Buzzard"), features 8 bicycle spaces spread across two compartments in different parts of the train. The interior design combines sleek glass and aluminum elements, creating a modern and spacious atmosphere. It is important to remember to reserve a bicycle space in advance.

We took this train during our journey along the North-South Route.

Bicycles in the Santa Claus Express in Finland

Santa Claus Express - VR, Finland

The Santa Claus Express is an overnight train operated by VR that connects Helsinki with Rovaniemi and beyond, offering a scenic and comfortable journey through Finland. The train consists of double-deck sleeping carriages manufactured by Transtech, known for their modern design and smooth ride. For cyclists, it features a spacious and well-designed compartment with room for up to 8 bicycles. A standout feature is the innovative movable bike racks, which make securing bikes easy while ensuring stability during the trip.

The Santa Claus Express took us to the Central Lapland Gravel Loop (coming soon) 👇

Bicycles in the Intercity train along Lake Geneva

Along Lake Geneva - SBB, Switzerland

We took the IC 2000 train of the Swiss SBB along Lake Geneva in Switzerland. In the double-deck train, we found a spacious area for bicycles with unique diagonal bike racks. The IC 2000 train is manufactured by Schindler Waggon and later modernized by Bombardier. The large windows of the upper deck offered stunning views of the lake and the surrounding vineyards of Lavaux, making the journey as enjoyable as the ride itself.

We took this train after our journey along the Lakes Route.

From Berlin to Nuremberg - DB, Germany

The fourth-generation ICE trains, manufactured by Siemens and branded as ICE 4, offer a comfortable and improved bicycle transport experience. Each train has space for up to 8 bicycles, which must be reserved in advance. An advantage is the wide entrance doors, making it easier to board with a loaded bike. The designated bike area provides secure storage and convenient access during the journey. Four bicycles are mounted horizontally, while four are secured vertically on the sides near the compartment entrances. These features make the ICE 4 a practical choice for cyclists traveling long distances across Germany.

This is how we traveled on the Tauber-Altmühl Radweg.

EuroCity 217 - DB, Germany

On the EuroCity train EC 217 running between Munich and Graz, we found a large and comfortable bicycle compartment. Most of the bike spaces were equipped with convenient horizontal hooks for securing bicycles, and the entire area was carpeted for added comfort. Unfortunately, the train is not adapted to low platforms like the one in Radstadt.

We took this train on our way to the Ennsradweg (coming soon) 👇

Bikes in a couchette on the Nightjet train — Bicycles in a couchette on the Nightjet train

Nightjet 420 - ÖBB, Austria

We came across an interesting and rarely used solution on the Nightjet overnight train operated by Austria’s ÖBB from Innsbruck to Düsseldorf. One of the seating compartments was removed and replaced with a dedicated cyclists' compartment featuring vertical hooks for bike storage. This is one of the few examples where overnight trains allow bicycle transport, making it a unique and cyclist-friendly option for long-distance travel.

We took this train on our way back from a cycling trip in South Tyrol (coming soon) 👇

From Lyon to Dijon - SNCF, France

From Lyon to Dijon, we traveled on our way back from a trip through Burgundy. We took a TER train operated by the French SNCF, where bicycle transport is free of charge. In the last carriage, there was space for two hanging bikes and a large luggage area, which was also used by cyclists. Though the carriages were not the newest, the conditions for cyclists were very good.

A report from our journey through Burgundy is coming soon (coming soon) 👇

EuroCity 110/111 - ČD, Czechia

I took the EuroCity train EC 110/111, which runs between Prague and Warsaw, from Chałupki to Katowice on my way back from a trip along the Iron Cycling Route and the Czech "10". I particularly remember the stylish and colorful bicycle compartment, which had space for five bikes - unfortunately, all hanging.

A report on the Iron Cycling Route and the Czech "10" is coming soon (coming soon) 👇

Express InterCity Premium - PKP Intercity, Poland

One of the most bizarre bicycle compartments we've seen. A bike hung in the designated bike space on Express InterCity Premium trains in Poland (so-called Pendolino) effectively blocks both passenger movement and the catering cart’s passage. On the other hand, it remains the fastest available way to transport a bicycle in Poland, and during peak season, it’s worth booking a spot early. Each Express InterCity Premium train has four bicycle spaces.

On an Express InterCity Premium train you can reach the EuroVelo 10 route along the Baltic Sea (coming soon) 👇

Once a mail carriage, now a bicycle carriage in Poland

From Gdańsk to Olsztyn - PKP Intercity, Poland

From Gdańsk we took the TLK Branicki train to the Elbląg Canal Route, which included a carriage with as many as 24 bicycle spaces. This carriage also featured passenger compartments with a view of the bike storage area. Such a large bicycle carriage was created by converting a former postal wagon into a bike transport wagon.

PKP Intercity owns 14 of these carriages, but all have now been withdrawn from service and are awaiting a full renovation.

From Gdańsk to Hel - Polregio, Poland

The railway line from Gdynia to the Hel Peninsula and the town of Hel is one of the most popular train routes in Poland during the summer season. Trains running on this route in peak season pull a carriage that can transport up to 28 bicycles, divided into two sections of 14 each. When boarding, it’s important to pay attention to where your bike is placed in the compartment, as the wagon’s design makes it impossible to exit with a bike at intermediate stations.

In this carriage you can reach the R10 route, a connector of the EuroVelo 10 route (coming soon) 👇

Two bikes in a České Dráhy long-distance train

From Berlin to Dresden - ČD, Czechia

Small space for two bikes in a České Dráhy (ČD) carriage marked the beginning of our month-long journey across Europe with Interrail tickets. On the Hamburg–Prague train, we were heading to the first stage of our trip - the Elbe Valley in Saxony. In practice, the Czech approach to organizing a "bike compartment" was limited to painting a yellow line on the floor. There were no hooks, mounts, or straps - not even anything to secure the bikes ourselves.

Report from the Elbe Region in Saxony – coming soon (coming soon) 👇

Bicycles in a ÖBB Railjet train in Austria

Railjet - ÖBB, Austria

The Railjet brand, created and operated by Austrian Railways (ÖBB), is considered one of the best in Europe. Naturally, Railjet’s comfortably designed carriages also accommodate bicycles. Traveling from Austria toward Italy’s South Tyrol, we found a compartment with space for four bikes. The area was additionally marked with a yellow line on the floor, but the carriage definitely lacked maneuvering space. Unfortunately, the bikes had to be hung on high-mounted hooks, making loading them quite a challenge.

Bicycle on an ÖBB train from Munich to Venice

From Munich to Venezia - ÖBB, Austria

Here's another unpleasant experience from our travels. In the ÖBB carriages running on the Munich–Venice route, there are two bike spaces, but they are located at opposite ends of the carriage. This is a terrible solution when traveling as a pair or with a child - during boarding or disembarking, the stronger person has no way to assist the weaker one, who is left to manage alone or rely on the help of other passengers. A truly poor idea!

Bicycles in the Berlin-Gdansk train — Bicycles in the Berlin-Gdynia-Express train in Poland

Berlin-Gdynia-Express - PKP Intercity, Poland

This type of compartment with bike spaces can be found on trains serving the Gdynia-Berlin and Warsaw-Berlin routes. These trains run several times a day between Poland and Germany. Each train has spacer for eight bicycles, all hanging on the hooks. The Gdynia-Berlin connection, in particular, is a popular choice for German cyclists returning from the Polish section of EuroVelo 10 route.

This train is a great way to get on the EuroVelo 10 route (coming soon) 👇

Bicycle in a combo carriage on a PKP Intercity train

From Gdańsk to Szczecin - PKP Intercity, Poland

Another example of a train with bike spaces comes from Poland and can be found on many railway lines across the country. It’s a new addition to Polish railways - one of several dozen "combo" carriages designed for specific passenger groups, including people with disabilities, mothers with children, and even cyclists. Everything would be perfect if not for the hooks, which are mounted exceptionally high and all at the same level, making it difficult to hang a bike.

Such a train transports cycling tourists - for example - to the Szczecin Lagoon Cycle Route.