Self-service loading of bicycles means taking one bicycle or e-bike per person with you on the train. You can do this on most SBB trains and most trains of other transport companies, as well as with some bus companies (e.g. PostBuses). You place or hang the bicycle or e-bike in the designated area in the vehicle yourself.

We distinguish between ordinary bicycles and special bicycles.

Ordinary bicycles.

The total length of ordinary bicycles must not exceed two metres. For self-service loading of bicycles, it does not matter whether the bicycle is electrically assisted or not.

• Mountain bikes.
• Racing bikes.
• Gravel bikes.
• Everyday bikes etc.

Special bicycles.

All bicycles which are longer than two meters, usually tandems, recumbent bicycles and cargo bicycles.

Bikes allowed on InterCity (IC), InterRegio (IR), EuroCity (EC), InterCityExpress (ICE) and Railjet (RJX) trains within Switzerland.

Ordinary bicycles that are no more than two meters long.

Bikes allowed on RegioExpress (RE), S-Bahn (S) and Regio (R) train categories.

• In these train categories you can transport ordinary bicycles and special bicycles.
• Particularly in the case of special bikes, please note that escape routes, entrances and exits must always be kept clear.
• If you are taking special bikes along with you, you are advised to avoid peak travel times.

• When taking a bike on public transport, it is a requirement that you are able to load and unload it independently and store it in the holder provided.
• Furthermore, only one bike can be taken per person.
• Self-service loading of bicycles is only possible if there is sufficient space in the vehicles and it does not hinder other passengers.
• On modes of transport which require reservation, bicycle transport is only guaranteed if you have bought a bike space reservation in advance (check the online timetable).
• Escape routes, entrances and exits and access points to the engine driver’s cabin must always be kept clear.
• Bicycles that are very dirty may be excluded from carriage.

• Yes. Please note that boarding doors and the doors between coaches on some SBB trains are only suitable for trailer widths of a maximum of 80cm and 70cm respectively.
• Your bicycle trailer counts as hand luggage and therefore does not require a ticket.

In older coaches, the bicycle mounts are sometimes not set up for modern mountain bikes with 29-inch wheels and wider tires. Due to the limited space available, it is unfortunately not possible to optimise these bicycle spaces. Therefore, try turning the handlebars, removing a wheel, or maybe even let some air out of the tyre or use a bike lock to attach your bicycle to the hook. If none of this helps, contact the on-board staff so that an alternative location on the train can be found if necessary.

Vehicles with combustion engines (e.g. mopeds), triple tandem bikes, multi-seater horizontal bicycles, personal transporter (e.g. Segways) and electric mopeds.

No. You are not allowed to transport e-mopeds on the train. By e-mopeds, we mean any motorcycle-like vehicle which runs on electricity alone, regardless of its power.

Yes. You can take both e-scooters and normal scooters on the train. 

• Please stow your (electric) scooter in a suitable location on the train and ensure that it does not protrude into the passageway or take up bicycle spaces (e.g. under or between the seats).
• If your (electric) scooter can be folded, we kindly request that you place it folded up under the seat or in the luggage racks/niches. This ensures that more space is available for luggage, prams etc.
• Both foldable and unfoldable (electric) scooters are transported free of charge, provided the largest wheel has a diameter of no more than 30cm or less than 12 inches).

Yes. You also need a separate ticket for your bike for self-service loading of bicycles.

Purchase bike tickets.

You can purchase bike tickets online on SBB.ch, via the SBB Mobile app, from ticket machines or at a public transport point of sale.

Before you buy a ticket. Have you checked the timetable to see whether a bicycle reservation is necessary for the route you want to take? If a reservation is required, we recommend that you make the reservation first and only then buy the bike ticket. Unfortunately, it is not currently possible to purchase the reservation together with the ticket.

Purchase for yourself and for your bike in the SBB Mobile app.

If you would like to buy the ticket for your bike together with your own ticket, proceed as follows:

1. Enter the route and select your desired connection.
2. Select ‘Tickets from CHF...’.
3. Tap on ‘Edit passenger’ (pencil symbol).
4. Tap the plus sign at the bottom next to the bicycle symbol once.
5. Tap on ‘Accept’.
6. The bike ticket will now appear together with your ticket in the overview and you can buy the tickets together.
7. Would you like to buy a ticket and a bike ticket for several people at the same time? Add a bicycle for each co-passenger. Only one bike can be taken per person. Children aged under 16 who are accompanied by an adult do not need a bike ticket. 

Purchase in the SBB Mobile app (if you already have a ticket for yourself).

1. Enter the route and select your desired connection.
2.  Select ‘Tickets from CHF...’.
3. Tap on ‘Edit passenger’ (pencil symbol).
4. (Only if you do NOT have a GA Travelcard: enter a new fictitious co-passenger with your own name. To do this, please swap your first name and last name around and enter a GA Travelcard as the travelcard).
5. Tap the plus sign at the bottom next to the bicycle symbol once (or several times if you want to buy several bike tickets).
6. Tap on ‘Accept’.
7. The bicycle ticket will now appear in the overview and you can buy the ticket.

Online on SBB.ch with a login.

Here’s how it works:

1. Enter the route into the timetable and select your preferred connection.
2. When entering the passengers, click on ‘Process passengers | reductions’.
3. Enter the number of bike tickets you would like in the field following the ‘Discount cards’ field.
4. If you do not need a ticket for yourself, check the box next to the text ‘Passenger already has a valid ticket or other valid travel document’.
5. Click on ‘Accept’.
6. Choose between ‘single journey’ and ‘single and return journey’.
7. Go to the check-out and purchase the ticket with your preferred payment method.

Online on SBB.ch without a login.

Here’s how it works:

1. Enter the route into the timetable and select your preferred connection.
2. When entering passengers, click on ‘Add passenger’ and add the name of the passenger/co-passenger. At the same time, enter the number of bike tickets you would like in the field following the ‘Discount cards’ field.
3. Enter the number of dog tickets you would like in the field following the ‘Discount cards’ field.
4. If you do not need a ticket for yourself, check the box next to the text ‘Passenger already has a valid ticket or other valid travel document’.
5. Click on ‘Accept’.
6. Choose between ‘single journey’ and ‘single and return journey’.
7. Go to the check-out and purchase the ticket with your chosen payment method.

Where and how can I buy a Bike Day Pass?

You can purchase Bike Day Passes online on SBB.ch, via the SBB Mobile app, from ticket machines or at a public transport point of sale.

The Bike Day Pass is automatically offered during purchase on SBB.ch or via SBB Mobile (see the question ‘How can I buy tickets for my bicycle?’) as soon as the price for the bike ticket reaches the amount of CHF 14.

Alternatively, you can buy the Bike Day Pass directly online at SBB.ch or via the SBB Mobile app in the ‘Shop & Services’ tab.

Please note that the area of validity for the Bike Day Pass differs from that of normal Point-to-Point Tickets and GA/Half Fare Travelcards.

Where and how do I buy an annual bike pass?

The annual bike pass is available for CHF 240 per bike per year on the SwissPass.

If you already hold a SwissPass, you can purchase an annual bike pass online or at any staffed point of sale. The annual bike pass is integrated onto your SwissPass.

• Buy an annual bike pass with SwissPass online 
• If you do not hold a SwissPass

Please note that the area of validity for the annual bike pass differs from that of normal Point-to-Point Tickets and GA/Half Fare Travelcards.

For tandems or special bicycles in general (all types of bicycles which do not fit into the normal bicycle racks or are longer than two metres, e.g. cargo bicycles, recumbent bicycles) you need a Point-to-Point Bike Ticket, a Bike Day Pass ticket or an annual bike pass.

Please note the provisions of the transport companies regarding whether and under what conditions the transport of special bicycles is permitted.

For children under 6 years old, children’s bikes are considered hand luggage and can be transported free of charge.

Bambini e ragazzi in possesso di un AG Ragazzi o di un AG Famiglia Ragazzi possono portare gratuitamente la bici anche senza accompagnamento.

Children with a GA Travelcard for Children or a GA Travelcard Familia for Children can take their bike with them for free even when on their own.

If these conditions are not met, you will need a ticket for each children’s bike.

For bicycles belonging to children aged 6 and over, you must buy a bike space reservation for trains where reservations for bicycles are compulsory.

If a bike space reservation is mandatory on your desired connection, it is best to purchase one with the SBB Mobile app. You can identify mandatory bicycle reservations by the bicycle symbol with R .

With the SBB Mobile app.

1. Open the app.
2. Enter the route and select your desired connection.
3. Tap on ‘Tickets from CHF...’.
4. Tap on ‘Edit passenger’ (pencil symbol).
5. Tap the plus sign at the bottom next to the bicycle symbol once.
6. Tap on ‘Accept’.
7. Scroll down to ‘Additional offers’ then select ‘Seat reservation only’.
8. Click on ‘Purchase ticket for CHF 2.00’.

Would you like to reserve bicycle spaces for other co-passengers? Tap the plus sign next to the bike symbol several times until you reach the desired number of bike reservations. Then complete the reservation as described above.

On SBB.ch.

1. Open the booking page for bike space reservations: sbb.ch/en/ticketshop.
2. Select your connection and click on ‘To bike storage reservation’.
3. Log in using your SwissPass login or make the purchase without logging in.
4. Pay for your reservation using Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Diners or PostFinance Card.
5. Print the ticket out so it is ready for the ticket inspection or present the QR code of your reservation on your mobile phone.

When making the purchase on SBB.ch, the price of the reservation will be adjusted in the shopping basket from CHF 5 to CHF 2.

At the station.

All bike space reservations are also available at staffed public transport points of sale.

Via the SBB Contact Center.

Alternatively, you can reserve your bicycle space via the SBB Contact Centre on 0848 44 66 88 (CHF 0.08/min.) no later than 3 working days before the start of your journey.

From 21 March to 31 October, you will need a bike space reservation for your bike on InterCity (IC) trains. In the timetable, trains requiring reservation are marked with the bike reservation symbol.

• Every day for the IC2/21 lines through the Gotthard Base Tunnel (Basel/Zurich–Ticino).
• Every day for the IC5/51 lines at the southern foot of the Jura (Basel–Biel/Bienne, Rorschach/Zurich–Biel/Bienne–Lausanne/Geneva).
• From Friday to Sunday as well as Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Monday and 1 August for all other InterCity lines. 

You will also need a reservation throughout the year for the Swiss section of the route for the following trains operating internationally: EuroCity (EC), Intercity-Express (ICE), Railjet (RJX) and InterCity (IC) (Zurich–Schaffhausen).

Please make sure to check whether your chosen train is subject to reservation in good time so that you can take your bike along with you. The online and mobile timetables are updated daily.

Please note that you cannot cancel or rebook reservations for bicycle spaces.

• A bike space reservation costs CHF 2 for all trains within Switzerland that require a reservation.
• In the EC from/to Italy, reservations cost CHF 5 and include a seat reservation for you.

Yes, even with an annual bike pass, you still need a reservation for trains where reservations are required.

• No reservation is necessary for bicycles, balance bikes and scooters belonging to children below 6 years old.
• A reservation is required for bicycles belonging to children between the ages of 6 and 16. 

You do not need a reservation for your (e-)scooter, even on trains which require reservations. Exception: your (e-)scooter is too big to be stowed in a luggage stowage/niche or under or between the seats.

Your reservation confirmation will show the coach number and, in most cases, a seat number. See which sections of the platform the coaches with bicycle spaces (bicycle hooks, bicycle platforms) will arrive in as early as three hours before your train departs. You can view the location by selecting ‘Show train information’ in the online timetable and on the SBB Mobile app. For trains which require reservation, the coach numbers will also be shown.

• Online on SBB.ch, click on the corresponding link for the desired connection.
• In the app, swipe the desired connection from right to left to do this.

In the timetable on SBB.ch: 

Via SBB Mobile:

At the railway station.

At many stations, the coach numbers can be seen on the blue displays on the platform. These may also display the bicycle pictograms.

No, bicycle space reservations can only be made on trains where reservations are compulsory (bicycle sign in a rectangular frame). On all other trains, it is not possible to reserve bicycle spaces.

The reservation system allocates spaces automatically. Unfortunately, it is not possible to choose between 1st and 2nd class when making the reservation.

Either the train is already fully booked, or the coach does not have three bicycle spaces available in the same coach. Try to split up your reservation (e.g. two bicycles and one bicycle) or choose another connection.

If your reservation only provides a coach number, you can store your bicycle in the train’s luggage compartment. SBB staff will assist you with loading and unloading.

• The IC trains on lines 2/21 (Basel/Zurich–Ticino) need to be reserved every day of the week during the cycling season from 21 March to 31 October. You can reserve bicycle spaces using the SBB Mobile app.
• Bicycle spaces on EuroCity trains to/from Italy can also be reserved for journeys within Switzerland. Reservations can be made at SBB.ch, at the ticket counter or at least three working days in advance by calling the SBB Contact Center on 0848 44 66 88 (CHF 0.08/min.).
• You do not need a reservation on the IR line 26/46 along the Gotthard panoramic route (enter ‘Airolo’ in the ‘Via’ field in the timetable).

No. Unfortunately, this is not possible at the moment.

The reservation system allocates spaces automatically. Unfortunately, it is not possible to select a specific coach.

No. Unfortunately, this is not possible at the moment.

If there are enough available spaces in a coach, you can reserve up to five bicycle spaces at the same time. However, it is not possible to reserve more spaces at the same time than are available in a given individual coach.

Bicycle spaces which can be reserved at the same time:

• IC 1 St.Gallen–Geneva: 2.
• IC 2 Zurich–Lugano: 2–4.
• IC 21 Basel–Lugano: 2–4.
• IC 3 Basel/Zurich–Chur: 2–5.
• IC Zurich–Schaffhausen: 2–5.
• IC 5 Rorschach–Lausanne/Geneva: 3.
• IC 51 Basel–Biel/Bienne: 3.
• IC 6 Basel–Brig: 2–5.
• IC 61 Basel–Interlaken: 2–5.
• IC 8 Romanshorn–Brig: 2–5.

You can use the SBB Mobile app to reserve bicycle spaces on trains on the following lines, provided that they require reservations when your journey is to take place:

• IC 1.
• IC 2/21.
• IC 3.
• IC Zurich-Schaffhausen.
• IC 5/51.
• IC 6/61.
• IC 8.

If you have booked a bicycle space on a EuroCity (EC) to Italy, you will always get a bicycle space as well as a seat. However, you will not receive a coach number or a number for the bicycle space.

• On the EC from Geneva to Milan via Brig, the bicycle spaces are located in coaches 5/6 and 15/16 on SBB trains, and in coaches 6 and 16 on Trenitalia trains.
• On the EC from Basel SBB to Milan via Brig, the bicycle spaces are located in coaches 5/6 and 15/16 on SBB trains, and in coaches 6 and 16 on Trenitalia trains. 
• On the EC from Basel SBB to Lugano-Milan via Lucerne, the bicycle spaces are located in coaches 3 and 23.
• On the EC from Zürich HB to Lugano-Milan, the bicycle spaces are located in coaches 3 and 23.

Please put your bicycle in the same train unit as the one which contains your train seat. If you have any questions, please speak to the train crew.

Yes, you can in certain cases.

Yes, the annual bike pass is integrated onto a personal SwissPass and is therefore only valid for that person. 

No, we cannot offer self-service loading of bicycles for groups of 10 or more people.

If you have used the annual bike pass for no more than one month and would like to cancel it, you will receive 50% of the purchase price as a refund. If you have used the annual bike pass for two months, you can still get 25% of the purchase price back. Cancellation is not possible if you have used it for more than two months.

Folding bicycles should be stowed as luggage items under the seat, in the luggage stowage/niches or in other suitable places where they do not hinder other passengers or occupy any bicycle spaces.

• You do not need a reservation or a ticket for this. 
• No packing/bag is required.