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Bring your bike along for the trip.

Information

Simply bring your bicycle along for the trip: with a valid bike ticket, you can load your bicycle or your bike trailers (unloaded) onto most SBB trains and private railways yourself. The same applies for most postbuses. If your bike can be folded up and stored in a suitable carry case, you can even take it along free of charge as hand luggage.

Please note that the transport capacities for self-service loading of bicycles may be restricted during periods of peak traffic volume. Be sure to take this into account when planning your trip.

How it works

Important to know.

  • Those trains on which self-service loading of bicycles is not allowed are marked with the pictogram .
  • Trains and postbuses for which bike reservations are compulsory are marked with the bike reservation symbol  or a reference number.
  • Self-service loading of bicycles is subject to available space. Please follow the train crew`s instructions at all times.
  • At weekends and public holidays when the weather is nice, you should expect the trains to Ticino, Valais, Berner Oberland, Seeland, the Jura, Grisons or Lake Constance to be especially full between 7 and 9 a.m. During such peak periods, space on the trains may be limited.
  • Passengers are allowed to take only one bike each.
  • Accompanied bikes count as "chargeable hand luggage" and are therefore the sole responsibility of the person who loads them. In cases of damages, SBB shall be liable only if it is at fault.
  • It is strictly forbidden to ride bikes on platforms. Please push your bike when on the platform.
  • Crossing the tracks is prohibited with or without a bike.

Useful tips.

The right train.

  • In the online timetable, you can do an advanced timetable search and restrict the results to trains offering self-serving loading of bicycles.
  • Select the ideal train connection based on the forecasts of train capacity, which are available in the SBB online or mobile timetable. You can then choose a train that is less crowded (e.g. special additional trains) for making the journey with your bike.

The right carriage.

  • The blue train information board shows you whereabouts on the train the bicycle compartment will be located so that you can go to the right part of the platform before the train arrives.
  • The bike symbol on the doors will also guide you to the right compartment.

Restrictions.

  • On the Zurich S-Bahn trains, you can load your bicycle yourself any time of day on Saturday and Sunday. From Monday through Friday, however, accompanied bikes are only allowed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Special bikes such as tandems for three or more persons, vehicles with a combustion engine, three-wheeled recumbent bikes, four-wheeled bikes, the Segway Human Transporter etc. cannot be transported.

Reservation

  • Trains and postbuses for which bike reservations are compulsory are marked in the timetable with the bike reservation symbol or a reference number.
  • From 21 March through 31 October, passengers wishing to take their bikes with them on Intercity tilting trains (train category ICN) must pay a CHF 5 reservation fee.
  • For postbuses, we recommend making a reservation by phone. The numbers can be found in the corresponding timetable fields.
  • Reservations are also compulsory for groups of six or more travelling with bikes on the postbus network.
  • You can make a reservation to take your bike on a train at any staffed station up to five minutes before departure.

Self-service loading of bicycles on ICN trains.

Since the number of spaces for bicycles is limited, it is necessary to reserve a space for your bike on all InterCity tilting trains (ICN) during the cycling season from 21 March through 31 October.

If you are planning a journey on one of the InterCity tilting trains from St. Gallen via Zurich, Biel/Bienne and Lausanne to Geneva, from Basel via Biel/Bienne to Geneva or from Basel/Zurich via Gotthard to Lugano, please note the following:

  • In order to guarantee a space for your bicycle on ICN trains, reservations are mandatory.
  • The above-mentioned ICN trains are marked in the official timetable with the bike reservation symbol or with a reference number.
  • In the online timetable, the trains are marked with a special symbol.
  • The reservation costs CHF 5 and can be obtained at all serviced train stations up to 15 minutes prior to the train’s departure.
  • You can also reserve a space for your bicycle up to three workdays prior to the start of your journey by calling the Rail Service 0900 300 300 (CHF 1.19/min. from the Swiss fixed-line network).
  • Refunds cannot be issued.
  • Please attach the reservation slip to the bicycle so that it is clearly visible. Keep the little tear-off slip with you as a record of purchase.
  • If you are unable to show proof of reservation, we will require a surcharge of CHF 10 on top of the cost of a reservation. In such a case, however, we will be unable to guarantee a space for your bicycle as you might have to forfeit the space to travellers with an advance reservation.

Luggage van.

How to load your bicycle.

  • Single bikes are best loaded through the passenger door of the luggage van.
  • If you have several bikes, it is best to enter the luggage van through the passenger door and then open the loading door from the inside by lowering or lifting the safety catch. The loading door must be properly closed before the train departs and must remain closed until the train has once again come to a standstill.
  • Raise the guardrail after opening the loading door and be sure to fold it down again as soon as you have finished loading or unloading.
  • Inform the train staff that you have loaded a bike or bikes onto the train and tell them where you intend to get off. Our train staff are always happy to provide information and will make sure you can unload your bike or bikes safely.
  • Please return to the luggage van or bike compartment in plenty of time before reaching your destination to prepare for unloading.

Groups.

  • For groups of ten or more, self-service loading of bicycles is not possible. Group outings such as parties of schoolchildren are therefore advised to use our bike rental service instead. If the members of your group still want to take their own bikes, they should send their bikes as unaccompanied luggage. We will transport your bicycles to any station with a luggage counter.
  • Within the postbus network, reservations are required for groups of six or more.

Terms of use for the self-service loading of bicycles.

For safety reasons, we ask for your compliance with the following rules:

  1. When capacity is limited, we request that you wait for one of the next trains.
  2. The self-service loading of bicycles on ICN trains is only possible if you have reserved a space for your bike.
  3. Bicycles may only be stowed in the specially designated areas.
  4. Escape routes and all entrances and exits must remain unimpeded and may not be occupied by bicycles. Circulation must always be ensured.
  5. The instructions of the train crew must be followed in all cases.

Price, product and timetable specifications subject to modifications.

Prices

For bicycles you load yourself, simply purchase a normal bike ticket. The prices shown here apply to standard bikes, bike trailers (unloaded) or electric bikes up to 25 kg. Special bikes (longer than 2 m or unable to fit on the normal bike hooks, such as tandems, recumbent bikes, tricycles, etc.) cost double.

The bike tickets are accepted by SBB, private railways, postbuses and other transport companies. They are also valid within the Zurich Transport Network (except for certain local bus lines).

Prices1

Adults with GA,

Half-Fare travelcards, STS2,

children under 16

Adult normal fare

Annual bike pass

(valid for 1 year, non-transferable)

CHF 220CHF 220
1-day bike pass

CHF 12

buy online

CHF 18

buy online

Multipack of 1-day bike passes 

(for any 6 days)

CHF 72–
Short-distance bike ticket1/2 ticket, 2nd class1/1 ticket, 2nd class
ICN reservationCHF 5CHF 5
   

1Valid for standard bicycles and bike trailers (unloaded). Non-standard bikes (longer than 2 m or not fitting in normal racks, such as tandems, recumbent bikes, tricycles, etc.) cost double the fares listed. Passengers with an “Identity card for passengers with a disability” may travel with a tandem, reclining bike or tricycle for the fare listed for a standard bicycle.

2Tickets from the Swiss Travel System range (for visitors from abroad).

Discounts and special offers.

  • Children with a Junior travelcard can take a children's bike or trailer bike with them free of charge as long as they are accompanied by their parents and their parents are in possession of a valid bike ticket. The same rules apply for the grandchild travelcard and the STS "Familiy Card".
  • Children's bikes belonging to children under the age of six are regarded as hand luggage and may be transported free of charge. Parents do not require a bicycle ticket.
  • People with an official ID card for the disabled are allowed to transport tandems, recumbent bikes and three-wheeled bikes for the price of an ordinary bicycle. 

How to obtain your bike ticket.

  • 1-day bike passes are available online at SBB Ticket Shop, via SBB Mobile, at the counter or from ticket machines.
  • Annual bike passes or multipacks of 1-day bike passes are available at the counter or from Rail Service 0900 300 300 (CHF 1.19/min. from the Swiss fixed-line network).

Price, product and timetable specifications subject to modifications.

Bikes as hand luggage

Taking bikes as hand luggage.

You can take your bicycle with you free of charge as hand luggage as long as it is packed in a special carry case such as a TranZBag. These cases are available from the luggage counters of some larger stations, SBB Online Shop as well as from most cycling and outdoor shops. Any carry case is valid as long as the front wheel has been removed from the bicycle.

How it works.

  • During the journey, please store your bike under your seat, on an overhead luggage rack or in the nearest vestibule area.
  • Please make sure your bicycle carry case is secure and cannot tip over, is not in the way of other passengers, is not blocking any sliding doors and does not constitute a hazard.
  • Spaces marked with bicycle pictograms are reserved for accompanied bicycles that are subject to a fee and should not be occupied by bicycle carry cases.
  • Passengers wishing to occupy an extra seat with their carry case are requested to purchase an additional half-fare ticket.
  • As with any item of hand luggage, you alone are responsible for your bike.

Postbus

In the cantons of Grisons, Valais and Berne, special trailers or rear-loading racks are available for transporting bikes. More information can be found in the PostBus Switzerland Ltd leaflet.
In other communities, the postbuses are not specially equipped for transporting bikes. Your bicycle will be transported in the baggage compartment or in the interior of the vehicle on a space-available basis, taking care that other passengers are not inconvenienced. In addition, ample space should always remain for passengers in wheelchairs and prams.

Important to know.

  • The multipack of 1-day bike passes and the annual bike pass are valid on all postbus vehicles offering self-service loading of bicycles.
  • If your bike can be folded up and stored in a suitable carry case, you can take it along free of charge as hand luggage.
  • Special bikes such as tandems, recumbent bikes or three-wheeled bicycles that do not fit in a normal bicycle rack or are more than 2 m long cannot be transported. The same applies in the case of bike trailers that are wider than 60 cm.
  • Scooters for adults are treated the same as accompanied, unpacked bicycles and are hence subject to a fee.
  • There is no guarantee of available space. Should it be impossible to transport your bike due to capacity restrictions, it will be transported with the next scheduled postbus. 
  • You bear sole responsibility for the loading of your bicycle. In case of damages, Swiss PostBus shall be liable only if it is at fault.

Reservation.

  • Are you travelling in a group of five or more? Then you should by all means get in contact with the public transport officials in the specific region as the bike transport capacities on postbuses are very restricted.
  • PostBus Switzerland Ltd even recommends that individual travellers make an advance reservation to ensure space for their bike.

The regional contact numbers for reservations and enquiries as well as special offers or rules of exception can be found in the PostBus Switzerland Ltd leaflet.

Transporting bikes by Publicar.

In PubliCar vehicles (ring and ride), the available space for transporting bicycles is typically very restricted. Please enquire about the transport capabilities when ordering bus service.

All PubliCar contact points.

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