SBB and the railways of the neighbouring countries provide international self-service loading of bicycles. In addition to a valid ticket for yourself and your bicycle, in most cases, you also need a bike space reservation for your journey.
For self-service loading of bikes across national borders, in most cases, you will need a valid ticket for yourself and your bike as well as a bike space reservation.
For the international trains from Switzerland listed below, it is mandatory to reserve a bike space:
EuroCity (EC) to Germany, Italy and Austria.
Intercity Express (ICE) to Germany.
Railjet (RJX) to Austria, Hungary and Slovakia.
IC Zurich–Stuttgart.
Nightjet (NJ).
Only a few bicycle spaces are available on each connection. We advise you to book early.
It is not possible to take your bike with you on some trains. These trains are marked in the timetable with the symbol of a crossed-out bicycle and the note ‘BICYCLES: Carriage not possible’ (e.g. EuroNight Zurich HB–Budapest).
Self-service loading of bicycles on day trains.
Tickets and reservations for travelling with a bicycle to Germany and some of the countries neighbouring Germany can be purchased directly from DB at bahn.deLink opens in new window..
The purchase of tickets and reservations for journeys to Germany with a bicycle is currently not possible via SBB.
You will need a bike space reservation to take your bike with you on international trains. On the following cross-border routes, you are permitted to load your own bike independently:
For Nightjet trains (NJ) travelling to Hamburg and Berlin, you can buy your ticket at nightjet.comLink opens in new window.. This also includes the reservation for your bicycle and your selection of the compartment type. If you would like to take your bicycle with you on the night train to Amsterdam, at bahn.deLink opens in new window. you can buy your ticket, make a seat reservation and reserve your bike space. If you would like to travel to Amsterdam without missing out on the comfort of a couchette or sleeper compartment, book your bike space reservation at bahn.deLink opens in new window. and go to sbb.ch or nightjet.comLink opens in new window. to reserve your sleeper or couchette compartment.
You need a bike space reservation every day of the year on ICE, EC, NJ, EN and IC trains within Germany.
Folding bicycles.
Folding bicycles can be taken on trains free of charge as hand luggage and stowed in luggage racks and multi-purpose areas. We recommend that you pack your bike in a bag or secure it between other items of luggage using straps that you bring with you.
Bikes in bags for transport.
Due to their dimensions, bicycles carried in transport bags are excluded from carriage in most cases. A bicycle that is fully packed can be taken on the train if it can be stowed under or above the seat in such a way that it does not obstruct other passengers.
Special provisions.
Electric bikes with pedal assistance of up to 25km/h and a maximum power output of 250 watts can be taken on trains. The battery must not be charged during the journey and must be firmly attached to the bicycle while travelling on the train.
S-Pedelecs (e-bikes with number plates) are excluded from carriage.
Children’s bicycles with a wheel diameter of up to 16 inches can be transported free of charge. They must be stored in the designated areas like hand luggage.
Bike trailers can be folded up for transport as luggage.
Tickets and reservations for journeys on day trains to Austria and, in some cases, to countries neighbouring Austria can be purchased directly from ÖBB at oebb.atLink opens in new window.. If you wish to travel at night, you can book your journey at nightjet.comLink opens in new window..
The purchase of tickets and reservations for journeys to Austria with a bicycle is currently not possible via SBB.
You will need a bike space reservation to take your bike with you on international trains. On the following cross-border routes, you are permitted to load your own bike independently:
You need a bike space reservation every day of the year on RJX, RJ, ICE, EC, NJ, IC and D trains, both within Austria and on cross-border services.
Folding bicycles.
Folding bikes can be taken on trains free of charge provided they do not exceed the maximum dimensions for hand luggage (90cm long × 60cm tall × 40cm wide). You can take folded bicycles that do not exceed the maximum dimensions of 110cm long × 80cm tall × 40cm wide with you free of charge on all local and regional trains as well as on ÖBB Railjet trains (only in the designated areas).
Bikes in bags for transport.
Due to the maximum dimensions for hand luggage (90cm long × 60cm tall × 40cm wide), bicycles carried in transport bags can often not be transported.
Special provisions.
Electric bikes with pedal assistance of up to 25km/h can be taken on trains. The battery must not be charged during the journey and must be firmly attached to the bicycle while travelling on the train.
S-Pedelecs (e-bikes with number plates) are excluded from carriage.
Tandems, recumbent bicycles and bicycle trailers can only be taken in special luggage compartments on certain IC and EC trains.
You can take your bike with you on the following trains from Switzerland:
TER Geneva–Lyon.
TER Basel SBB–Colmar–Strasbourg.
You can take bikes free of charge on TER trains to Strasbourg and Lyon. Bicycles cannot be transported on some of the trains between Basel SBB and Strasbourg. Reservations are compulsory on some trains.
Disassembled bicycles can only be carried as hand luggage on TGV Lyria trains between Switzerland and France, provided they are packed in a protective cover and do not exceed the dimensions of 130cm long × 90cm tall.
Provided there are bicycle spaces offered, you need a bike space reservation (purchased via SNCF) every day of the year on TGV inOui and Intercité trains.
Folding bikes and bikes in bags for transport.
Folding and disassembled bikes can be carried as hand luggage on TGV Lyria trains between Switzerland and France, provided they are packed in a protective cover and do not exceed the dimensions of 130cm long × 90cm tall.
Folding and disassembled bikes can be transported as hand luggage on TGV inOui, Transilien, Intercité and TER trains within France, provided they are packed in a protective cover (only disassembled bikes) and do not exceed the dimensions of 130cm long × 90cm tall.
The purchase of tickets and reservations for journeys to Italy with a bicycle is currently not possible via SBB.
You can take your bike with you on all EC trains from Switzerland to Italy, provided you reserve a bike space.
Important: Please note that you must purchase bike tickets and reservations at the same time as your personal ticket and seat reservation. It is not possible to add a bicycle space to the booking at a later date.
Folding bikes and bikes in bags for transport.
On EuroCity trains running between Switzerland and Italy and on most trains within Italy, disassembled bikes can also be carried as hand luggage, provided there is enough space and they do not exceed dimensions of 110cm long × 80cm tall × 45cm wide. Folding bikes can be carried free of charge as hand luggage.
The carriage of bicycles and similar equipment as hand luggage cannot be guaranteed if space is limited.
We extend our apologies that we cannot provide up-to-date detailed information on taking your bike on the train for all countries. For many countries, a sense of adventure, a talent for improvisation and a good deal of spontaneity are absolutely essential when travelling by bike and train.
The following links provide you with information from the rail operators on travelling with a bike in the respective countries:
and the note ‘BICYCLES: Carriage not possible’ (e.g. EuroNight Zurich HB–Budapest).