You may load empty bicycles and e-bikes on most trains operated by SBB and private railway companies as well as most postbuses if you have a valid bike ticket.
Please note that depending on the traffic volume – particularly in good weather – the transport capacities for self-service loading of bicycles may become limited on certain connections.
Please allow enough time for your arrival and for changing trains.
Bike space reservations will be mandatory from 21 March to 31 October on InterCity trains (ICs) marked with the bike reservation sign in the timetable, e.g. via the foot-of-the-Jura line (IC5/51) and through the Gotthard Base Tunnel (IC2/21). Further information can be found under «Reservation requirements and restrictions».
On Zurich S-Bahn trains you can only take your bike with you between 8am and 4pm and between 7pm and 6am Monday to Friday. On Saturdays and Sundays there are no restrictions.
Postbuses can only carry a limited number of bikes. On some postbus routes, you have to reserve cycle spaces in advance. Please note the information in the timetable.
Plan your journey.
In the online timetable, select «Advanced search» and then «carriage of bicycles required (Switzerland only)» to see the routes on which you can take your bike yourself.
Trains with no loading facility are marked with a crossed-out bike symbol.
Trains or postbuses for which reservations are required are indicated with a bike symbol in a rectangular frame.
Please consider the forecast occupancy rate when choosing your train: On traditional days for excursions when good weather is forecast, expect increased passenger volumes between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on trains to Ticino, Valais, the Bernese Oberland, the Seeland region, the Jura, Grisons or Lake Constance on various lines, which may cause services to become crowded.
Shipping or hiring a bike are good alternatives to the self-service loading of bicycles.
Reservations are required between 21 March to 31 October on InterCity trains (IC) marked with the bike reservation sign in the timetable, e.g. via the foot-of-the-Jura line (IC5/51) and through the Gotthard Base Tunnel (IC2/21).
In the timetable, you can recognise trains or postbuses for which reservations are required by the bike symbol in a rectangular frame.
Trains without a corresponding bicycle reservation symbol or reference number cannot be reserved.
Reservations cost CHF 5.00.
You can purchase a reservation at the station or up to five minutes before departure on the SBB Mobile app or SBB.ch.
You can also reserve a space for your bicycle up to three working days prior to the start of your journey by calling the SBB Contact Center on 0848 44 66 88 (CHF 0.08/min.).
Refunds cannot be issued.
If you are unable to show proof of your reservation on the train, we will request 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 give up the space to travellers with an advance reservation.
Postbuses: can only carry a limited number of bikes. On some postbus routes, you have to reserve cycle spaces in advance. Please note the information in the timetable. You can find out more information on the postbus website: postbus.chLink opens in new window.
Self-service loading of bicycles on services to other European countries: reservations are mandatory and you will require an international bike ticket.
Guaranteed seating.
With a reservation for self-service loading of bicycles on IC trains travelling from Zurich to Lugano/Chiasso and back through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, you can benefit from guaranteed seating in the same coach as your bike.
The seats are marked «BIKE RESERVATION – Please keep these seats free for passengers with a bike reservation».
This service is free for customers with a bike reservation and is valid between 21 March and 31 October.
Restrictions.
On the Zurich S-Bahn trains, you can load your bicycle yourself any time of day on Saturday and Sunday. From Monday to Friday, however, accompanied bikes are only allowed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Bikes may not be transported on certain S-Bahn trains in Ticino at peak time from Monday to Friday (excluding school summer holidays). These trains are indicated in the timetable with a crossed-out bike symbol.
Due to the size of the doors on most trains and for safety reasons, bike trailers can only be transported if they are no wider than 80 cm.
For space and safety reasons, the transport of tandems, recumbent bicycles, tricycles and other bicycles longer than two meters is not possible in IR, IC and EC trains operated by SBB. Please direct any questions on transporting special bikes in trains of other transport companies to the companies in question.
Postbus: regional availability varies, with some lines not able to transport bikes.
The self-service loading of bicycles generally excludes vehicles with a combustion engine (mopeds, motor bikes), tandems, multiple-seat recumbent bicycles, Segway personal transporters and electric scooters.
Bike tickets.
Buy a bike ticket for bikes which you load yourself – the 1-day bike pass is the best option (CHF 14).
Buy a discounted ticket for your bike for short-distance trips.
Purchase your ticket via the SBB Mobile app, at SBB.ch, at ticket machines or at a ticket counter.
Supersaver tickets and saver day passes are not valid for bikes.
From 21 March to 31 October bike space reservations are obligatory in InterCity (IC) trains marked with the bike reservation sign in the timetable, e.g. via the foot-of-the-Jura line (IC5/51) and through the Gotthard Base Tunnel. You can purchase a reservation at the station or via the smartphone app or in the webshop up to five minutes before departure.
Reservations are mandatory for the self-service loading of bicycles on international journeys. You will also need an international bike ticket. You can collect your bike ticket and reservation at the ticket counter.
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. The online timetable and the SBB Mobile app both show the locations for a large number of services under «Show train formation».
When the train arrives, please take note of the bicycle pictogram on the coach doors and board here with your bicycle.
Passengers are only allowed to take one bike each.
Nothing must be loaded on the bikes.
Please make sure that you are able to load your bike or e-bike onto the train yourself.
Place your bicycle in the space provided for it in the train. Depending on the train type, you should hang it on the bicycle hook.
Emergency escape routes as well as entrances and exits must be kept free.
Bicycles may only be taken on board if there is enough space.
In the event of capacity bottlenecks, please take a later train, one of the additional trains laid on during peak periods or an alternative route.
Please follow the instructions given to you by the train crew. They may impose restrictions on taking bicycles for safety reasons.
Groups of ten or more cannot take their bikes with them on the train.
On the postbus network, reservations are compulsory for groups of six or more.
Tip: Our partner Rent a Bike offers tailor-made group tours. However, if your group would like to travel with their own bikes, you can simply register them as items of luggage – we can transport your bikes for you between all stations able to handle luggage.
You can take your bicycle on the train with you free of charge as hand luggage if you pack it into a transport bag.
Use a special carry case for this such as the TranZBag. which is available in the SBB Online Shop or from specialist bike or outdoor shops. Every cover is acceptable regardless of its manufacturer. The front wheel must be removed and packed into the transport bag along with the bike.
How it works.
During the journey, please store your packed 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.
Areas marked with bike symbols are reserved for accompanied bicycles that are subject to a fee and must not be occupied by bicycle carry cases.
Passengers wishing to put their carry case on another seat are requested to purchase an additional half-fare ticket.
As with any item of hand luggage, you alone are responsible for your bike.
For hygiene reasons, folding bikes must be folded up and packed away.
