Transporting bicyles on the train

To take your bicycle on the EuroCity Direct or EuroCity services, you will need an international bicycle ticket. The following conditions apply:

Type of bicycle

• Permitted: regular bicycle, electric bicycle (battery must remain in/on the bicycle during the journey) and fatbike. .
• Folding bicycle: may be transported free of charge as luggage when folded. A fatbike folding bicycle is too large when folded and is subject to the rules for regular bicycles (bicycle ticket is mandatory).
• Not permitted: cargo bikes, bicycle trailers, wagon carts, mopeds and similar bicycles.
• Tandems, tricycles, recumbent bicycles and Segways are only permitted if they are being used as aids by passengers with disabilities. They can be transported free of charge if the passenger has a disability card and/or the vehicle is marked with a disability sticker.

Use and placement

• A maximum of 1 bike per person.
• Groups are not permitted to bring bicycles.
• The bicycle must be placed in the designated carriage, which is identifiable by the bicycle symbol on the doors.
• All luggage must be removed from bicycles during the journey. You are responsible for loading, transferring and unloading your own bicycle.

A bicylce ticket is always booked for 2nd class.
You can purchase an international bicycle ticket to and from Belgium via:

• You can book, change and cancel bicycle tickets for journeys anywhere in Belgium online.
• The price of a bicycle ticket varies depending on the route.
• It is not possible to reserve bicycle spaces on Eurocity Direct/EuroCity trains.

Bicycle tickets do not guarantee a space on the train. Each train has a limited number of spaces for bicycles. If these are occupied, your bicycle will not be transported and you will have to wait for the next similar type of train. From May to September, trains are particularly busy with bicycles. We therefore recommend choosing the Eurocity Direct service, which offers more spaces for bicycles..

Bringing a bike on a regional train in Belgium

• You can take your bicycle with you on regional trains via Roosendaal and Visé (near Maastricht). You can book your ticket online.
• Bicycles are not permitted at a number of stations in Belgium: to/from Brussels Central, Brussels Congress and Brussels Kapellekerk.

If you have any questions, please contact NS International Customer Service, NS International desk or the train manager of the train you are travelling on.

• Eurocity Direct: 12 spaces (assembled bicycles)

• EuroCity: 2 spaces (assembled bicycles)

These numbers apply to trains with an unaltered composition. These numbers may change in the event of disruptions and emergencies.

Permitted bicycles

• Regular bicycles.
• Fat bikes are permitted if they can be accommodated in the rack (tyre width 40–60 mm).
• Electric bicycles are permitted under certain conditions.
  1. Only built-in batteries with a maximum capacity of 250 Wh are permitted.
  2. The battery must remain on the bicycle during the journey.
  3. Batteries may not be charged on the train.
• Folding bicycles may be carried as luggage when folded.
• Disassembled bicycles (maximum size 120 x 90 cm) may be carried as luggage, provided they fit under the seat or in the luggage rack.

Bicycles not permitted

• Recumbent bicycles, tandems, cargo bikes, bicycle trailers, speed pedelecs, vehicles with combustion engines (mopeds/quads), Segways and similar bicycles.
• Electric bicycles with non-built-in batteries.

Use and placement

• A maximum of 1 bucycle per person.
• You are responsible for loading and unloading your own bicycle.
• No luggage is permitted on the bicycle during the journey.
• The train manager may refuse to transport bicycles that do not meet these conditions.

If a (customised) bicycle is used as an aid for mobility impairment, different rules apply.

• An international bicycle ticket is mandatory.
• A bicycle reservation is mandatory but free of charge.
• The price of an international bicycle ticket depends on the route.

You can purchase your bicycle ticket and make your reservation via:

• NS International Customer Service: 030 - 23 000 23 (daily form 07.00 to 23.00 hrs)

• NS International desk (at Amsterdam Centraal, Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam Centraal, Utrecht Centraal or Arnhem Centraal)

If your train is cancelled, you must make a new bicycle reservation for the next train via NS International Customer Service.

Regional trains in Germany
Your bicycle ticket to your destination is also valid on the regional trains you have booked. No reservation is required; there is often free access, but spaces are limited.

• ICE: 8 bicycle spaces (assembled bicycles)
• Regional trains in Germany: Many trains have special bicycle compartments; the number of available bicycle spaces varies per train.

Permitted bicycles

• Folded folding bicycle
• Disassembled regular bicycle or balance bike for adults
• Children's (balance) bicycle (undismantled), provided it is within the maximum dimensions
• Electric folding bicycles are permitted if they are folded and packed away. The battery may not be charged at stations or on board the train.

The bicycle must be completely enclosed in a cover that fits over the entire bicycle. The longest side must not exceed 85 cm. In addition to the packed bicycle, you may bring 1 piece of regular luggage (suitcase, bag or trolley) and 1 piece of hand luggage.

Bicycles not permitted

• Fully assembled bicycles on direct connections between the Netherlands and London.
• Mopeds, fat bikes, speed pedelecs and vehicles with combustion engines.

Luggage trolleys are not available, so please only bring luggage that you can carry yourself.

Bicycles cannot be taken on the direct Eurostar between Amsterdam/Rotterdam and London. Fully assembled bicycles are currently only available on trains between Brussels and London (and vice versa).

Take the Eurocity Direct train to Brussels and then the Eurostar to London. This way, you won't need to dismantle or pack your bike. Please note that you will require two separate tickets for your bike.

• You can book your bicycle ticket for Eurocity Direct between the Netherlands and Brussels online with us.
• You can reserve a space for your bicycle on Eurostar between Brussels and London by sending an email to travelservices@eurostar.com.

Eurostar has a limited number of spaces for bicycles available per train. The exact number varies per train. Therefore, we advise you to book and reserve your space as early as possible.

Permitted bicycles

• Bicycles are only permitted on board Eurostar trains if they are packed in a bicycle cover (135x85x30 cm).
• To do this, you must remove the front and rear wheels. You must be on the platform 30 minutes before the train departs to allow sufficient time to dismantle the bicycle.
• Folding bicycles: Folded folding bicycles are considered hand luggage as long as they do not exceed the dimensions of a suitcase, namely 75x53x30 cm.

Bicycles not permitted

• Unassembled bicycles
• Recumbent bicycles, tricycles, tandems, bicycle trailers, Segways
• Bicycles packaged in materials other than a bicycle cover or case

Use and placement

• Your bicycle must be dismantled and packed before departure; this cannot be done on the platform.

• Your bicycle will then be placed in the luggage racks or on the balcony of carriage 3/13.
• In addition to your packed bicycle, you may also bring 1 piece of regular luggage (suitcase, bag or trolley) and 1 piece of hand luggage.
• You must be able to carry all your luggage yourself, as there are no trolleys available.

You do not need a separate ticket for a disassembled and packed bicycle. The bicycle counts as luggage. Before departure, check that your bicycle complies with the maximum dimensions and packaging rules.

Packaged and (partially) disassembled bicycle

This can be carried as luggage free of charge, provided the following conditions are met:

• One packaged bicycle per person is permitted (this counts as oversized luggage).
• The bicycle must be partially disassembled, with the front and rear wheels removed.
• It must be packaged in a cover measuring no more than 120 x 90 cm
• The bicycle and cover together may weigh no more than 32 kg.
• The cover must have a luggage label bearing your name..
• Folding bicycles are subject to the same rules and must fit within the maximum dimensions.
• Not permitted: tandems, recumbent bicycles, cargo bicycles, tricycles and Segways.

Assembled bicycles (in its entirety)

• This is only possible on a limited number of TGVs with a special bicycle carriage.
• This is not available on most international TGVs..
• TGVs with bicycle carriages can be recognised by a bicycle icon in the French journey planner.
• These carriages do not always run, so please check for each train.
• You can only take an unpacked bicycle with you if you book a ticket for yourself and your bicycle at the same time.

Use and placement

• You are responsible for loading and unloading your bicycle.
• Assembled bicycles without covers will be refused.

Pre-packaged, disassembled bicycles

• No bicycle reservation required; bicycles travel free of charge as luggage.

For unpackaged bicycles on a TGV with bicycle carriage

• A bicycle reservation is mandatory and costs approximately €10 per single journey.
• You can purchase this ticket from the French (SNCF) or local railways.
• NS International does not sell bicycle tickets for TGV.
• Book in advance: the number of places is very limited.

TGV with bicycle carriage (unpackaged bicycles)

• Only some TGVs have bicycle spaces.
• The number of spaces is limited and varies per train.

TGV without bicycle carriage

• Only packaged, disassembled bicycles are permitted (max. 120 × 90 cm).
• Bicycles travel as regular luggage in the vestibule or luggage racks.

Bicycles permitted on trains with bicycle carriages (unpackaged)

You may bring your bicycle if it complies with the maximum dimensions:

• Length: max. 185 cm
• Height: max. 110 cm
• Width: max. 60 cm
• Wheel diameter: 28 inch
• Tire width: 4.2 cm
• Weight: max. 30 kg

Electric bicycles are permitted if they fit within these dimensions. Please note: charging on board is not permitted..

Bicycles not permitted

• Tandems, recumbent bicycles, tricycles and similar special bicycles.

Separate rules apply to aids such as hand bikes.

Trains without bicycle carriage

Bicycles may only be transported on these trains if they are disassembled and packaged:

• Maximum dimensions of packaging: 90 × 60 × 40 cm
• Bicycles must fit under the seats or berths or in the luggage racks
• They may not be placed in corridors or cause obstruction

A ticket is not required (bicycles count as luggage)

For Nightjet trains with a bicycle carriage, you will need a bicycle ticket plus mandatory reservation.

• The price depends on the route.
• A bicycle space is only sold in combination with a valid passenger ticket.

Book where?

• NS International Customer Service
• NS International desk
• Travel agent

IIt is not yet possible to book bicycle spaces for Nightjet online.

You do not need a bicycle ticket for a packaged, disassembled bicycle (on trains without a bicycle carriage).

Nightjet with bicycle carriage

Limited-capacity bicycle carriages are available on direct Nightjet trains to Austria (Vienna and Innsbruck) and Switzerland (Basel and Zurich).

• On the direct Nightjet from Amsterdam to Vienna/Munich/Innsbruck and Basel/Zurich: 6 bicycle spaces.
• On other Nightjet connections, the number of bicycle spaces per train varies: Vienna – Linz – Hanover – Hamburg and Innsbruck – Munich – Hamburg.
• The exact number may vary per service; advance booking is therefore mandatory.

Nightjet without bicycle carriage

• No space for unpackaged bicycles.
• Only packaged, unassembled bicycles are permitted as luggage (max. 90 × 60 × 40 cm).