Bicycle transport - Fahrradtransport

Bicycles in the local train

train

Germany

Converted bicycle cart of the Kurhessenbahn (up to 65 bikes)
Bicycle compartment in one ICE 4
Bicycle map of the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg (VRS)

Local transport

Bicycle express of the Deutsche Bahn
Overview of chargeable or free bicycles on local trains by federal state or transport association / tariff community, status: 07/2015

Almost all local trains in Germany take bicycles with them. If there is space, you can simply get in. A reservation of bicycle parking spaces is in local traffic not possible. If the bike compartment is full, you have to wait for the next train.

On the local trains operated by Deutsche Bahn AG (IRE, RE, RB and S-Bahn), bicycles can be taken along with the DB bicycle day pass for local transport possible, this costs 5.50 euros and is valid for the selected day until 3 a.m. of the following day. However, bicycles can be taken along free of charge in Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Hesse, Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. the following day and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. A bicycle ticket for local transport under the NRW tariff costs 4.80 euros, and a ticket for the Lower Saxony tariff costs 4.50 euros. Basically, the following applies: The bicycle card must correspond to the tariff of the bicycle owner's ticket, if the bicycle owner travels with a ticket for one Association tariffs, if you have to pay to take your bike with you, you have to purchase the bike card, which is the local one Transport network offers.

The following transport association have articles on Wikivoyage:

  • Bicycle groups in local transport: Groups of 6 or more traveling together must also register for local transport. Registration must be made at least six days before departure (see also Bike groups at the railway. Attention: The registration is no legally binding reservation, but still an obligation. You can register at DB sales outlets or by calling DB for information: 01806 - 99 66 33 (20 cents / call from the German landline network, max. 60 cents / call from the German mobile network).

At Rail replacement services (SEV) the transport of bicycles depends on the local conditions, ie. The vehicles used, the workload and occasionally also the mood of the driver - in any case, the transport of bicycles in the rail replacement service is not guaranteed. Anyone who depends on bicycle transport should make sure that an SEV has not been set up before departure.

Bicycle trains in Baden-Wuerttemberg

  • from Stuttgart: "Enztäler"
  • from Hechingen or Eyach: "Eyachtäler"

Long-distance transport

In intercity trains (IC / EC) and the Night trainsEuronight (EN) and the ÖBB Nightjet, which can also be booked for journeys within Germany, it is possible to take bicycles with you. The pitches are reservation required. This means that you are committed to the corresponding train and have your own personal bicycle parking space. You can find out in which section of the platform the assigned wagon stops on the wagon indicator board on the platform. Usually the bicycle compartment is at the end or the beginning of the train. On the Swiss and Austrian trains, there are two bicycle parking spaces next to the door, where the bicycles must be hung up vertically. Price of the long-distance bicycle card with reservation: € 9, with Bahncard: € 6 for a single journey (data as of 01-2015).

in the ICE of generations 1-3 is a bicycle transport not possible (Except for folding bikes), in the ICE 4 the seven-part multiple units offer a bicycle area with 8 parking spaces.

International transport

An international bicycle card is required for cross-border bicycles. In Germany it costs 10 euros and includes a free parking space reservation when you buy it. It is valid up to your destination station at no additional charge. However, when changing to local trains of the neighboring railways, some usage restrictions must be observed. The card does not include a seat reservation. We do not recommend a separate one because the space can be at the other end of the lane.

International cycling maps can also be purchased for outward and return journeys. International cycling maps are not available in Italy and Poland. DB info

Night trains

Bicycle compartment in one night Train in the Hamburg Altona train station

Night trains usually have a bicycle compartment in which bicycles must be reserved. Deutsche Bahn does not have night trains, but trains operate in Germany Nightjet the ÖBB and as Euronight Guided night trains from other foreign railway companies, these can also be used for journeys within Germany and with tickets, tickets can also be issued by Deutsche Bahn.

Folding and folding bikes unpacked

DB's conditions of carriage make a distinction between large bicycles and folded or folded bicycles. So it is now possible without any problems to unpacked folding and folding bicycles in the ICE to take with you, even without a cover or packaging. However, it must not cause any damage or contamination. In any case, this was never a problem on local trains.

It is also possible to take folded bikes with you on DB night trains. Like a normal piece of luggage, they can be pushed under the lowest beds (the Brompton model is small enough for this; it should be difficult with larger models).

Commercially available bicycles can be taken as hand luggage free of charge if they have been dismantled and packed. Folded bicycles (also packed) can be taken along free of charge, according to DB's response to a request by e-mail.

Recumbents

The transport of recumbent bicycles in local transport is usually possible without any problems in more modern trains. There is a ban on taking "special bikes" with you on some trains. Most of the time, the conductors don't know anything about it themselves.

In long-distance traffic (IC) it is best to do it in advance call, and log in. You then get a reservation for two bicycle parking spaces for the price of one.

Problems can arise with doors that are too narrow (in older local trains and ICs) with wide recumbent bikes. In a pinch you have to turn the wheel through the door.

It is always worth driving when there are few other people on the road. This makes traveling by train a lot easier.

Additional information

  • Information can also be obtained from DB's telephone information: 01805 - 996633 (Costs 14 cents / minute)

Switzerland

The bicycle day ticket for the train and postbus costs CHF 18 (Swiss francs). For short trips, a second full price ticket must be purchased.

The international bicycle card costs CHF 20 plus CHF 5 for connecting reservations abroad.

Austria

Local rail transport

On the trains of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), bicycles can be taken free of charge on the local transport Schnellbahn (S), regional train (R) and regional express (REX).

SPFV

On long-distance trains (D-Zug, IC and EC as well as Railjet (RJ) and Nightjet (NJ)) possible for a fee, also in the trains of the private railway companies Westbahn and Regiojet as well as in trains of foreign railway companies in Austria. According to the decision of the European Parliament, Deutsche Bahn is obliged to retrofit ICE trains with bicycle compartments; some of the ICE trains that run on the Vienna-Linz-Passau-Nuremberg-Frankfurt route already have a bicycle compartment.

Long-distance bus transport

Some of the ones operating in Austria Long-distance buses offer bicycles that are subject to a fee and reservation, which mostly works with a rear bike rack. Information on this can be found on the homepages, information centers and service numbers of the long-distance bus companies.

city ​​traffic

Vienna

In Vienna Bicycles can be taken along free of charge on the subways of Wiener Linien from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 6:30 p.m. until the next working day closes, on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays all day.

However, it is not possible to take bicycles with you on buses, trams or local trains.

Regional bus transport

Eastern region

In the eastern region (Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland) it is possible to take bicycles with you in addition to long-distance and local rail transport in some regional buses, which are available as BEFORE bicycle hitchhikers are permitted. A bicycle card costs € 2 for travelers aged 16 and over and € 1 for travelers up to 15 years of age.

In the bus

Parked bicycle bus in the Taunus: Schläferskopf terminus above Wiesbaden.

Germany

City and regional buses

In the City and regional buses There are different regulations for taking bicycles with you, based on whether it is free of charge or chargeable and on possible blocking times during which bicycles are not permitted due to high occupancy by passengers, these are mostly from Monday to Friday between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and sometimes from Monday to Friday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., the regulations are drawn up either by the local transport company or the transport associations. However, if strollers or wheelchair users want to get in, you are obliged to make room. It can often happen that you get out and wait for the next bus or you have to pedal yourself.

Long-distance buses

Bicycle transport at Flixbus

With many Long-distance bus connections it is possible to take a bicycle with you. In any case, this is subject to reservation and costs. As the transport capacity is limited, the bike should be booked when booking your own space.

Leisure buses with bicycle trailers

Velo buses in Black Forest

Austria

The regulations for taking bicycles with you in city and regional buses as well as vehicles used in city traffic (trams, light rail vehicles, underground trains and local trains) are implemented by the Transport associations regulated.

  • Verkehrsverbund Ost-Region (VOR): (Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland: You can take along all day free of charge on all local trains operated by ÖBB (Schnellbahn, regional train and regional express). You can take it with you free of charge on the Wiener Linien underground trains, but during peak hours on working days (Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays) between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and between 3.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. Not allowed. It is generally not possible to take bicycles with you on city buses, trams and the Vienna-Baden local train. Some of the regional buses have bicycle compartments, these are as Bicycle hitchhiker marked, there is a charge for taking with you: bike card € 2 (single trip).

In the ship

Germany

It is usually possible to take bicycles with you on local and long-distance public ferries. On long-distance ferries (e.g. on the Baltic ferries) as well as in regional traffic, e.g. the ferries between the East Frisian Mainland and the East Frisian Islands it is necessary to buy a bike card offered by the ferry company. For city ferries that operate within a transport association, e.g. B. on the in Hamburg HADAG ferries in operation, the tariff provisions of the local tariff apply Transport associationsFor more information, see the main article Ferries in Germany.

On the plane

Booking the flight

The airlines have different regulations for the transport of bulky luggage: bicycles are always taken with you, only the conditions for transporting bicycles are different.

  • With some airlines, the weight of the bike is offset against the baggage allowance. If the weight of the bike and the equipment (clothing, tools, cards) exceeds the free baggage allowance, excess baggage must be paid for.
  • On charter flights and e.g. with Lufthansa, a fee is charged for transporting bicycles.
  • Other airlines transport the bike for free.

When booking the passenger flight, the bicycle must be registered. After booking the flight in a travel agency or on the Internet, call the airline and inform them about the bicycle.

Tip:If you have booked with an airline that only transports the bike within the free baggage allowance, you can try to haggle over the free baggage limit when registering for the bike transport. If the airline carries golf equipment for free, it is sometimes possible to increase the baggage allowance by 8-10 kg. If the employee of the airline enters this extended free baggage allowance in the passenger data when registering the bicycle transport, there are usually no difficulties when checking in at the airport. These negotiated conditions usually do not apply to the return flight. However, the airline employees are much more accommodating here than in Germany.

Prepare the bike for the flight

General regulations for transporting a bicycle in an airplane are: Remove loose parts from the bicycle, unscrew the pedals, position the handlebars sideways. For physical reasons, it is not necessary to let air out of the tires, even in space the tire pressure would only increase by one bar. Unfortunately, many airline employees don't know that. If necessary, we pretend we're deflating.

Packaging of the bike:

  • Special cases and bags are available in stores. The bikes are removed from the bike and stowed in the special compartments. Unscrew or turn the handlebars, pull out the seat post. Place the frame in the special compartment, wrap all other parts with packing material.
    Advantage: the bike is protected when transported.
    Disadvantage: purchase price, the suitcase / bag must be kept at the destination airport.
  • Get an old bike box from the bike shop. Lower the handlebars and saddle. Frame tubes can also be protected with insulation material for water pipes from the hardware store. Wrap all sensitive parts with packaging material.
    Advantage: hardly any costs, cardboard and packaging material can be disposed of anywhere.
    Disadvantage: no optimal protection, bulky cardboard box cannot be transported in small aircraft (e.g. feeder aircraft) and only arrives late at the destination. (The bike will be transported 1-2 days later on a larger plane. If you can provide an address for the destination, it will be delivered there free of charge.), A box may not be available for return transport.
  • TIP: Wrap the sensitive parts of the bike (gears, saddle, brakes) with cling film, protects pretty well and does not require any effort, we have found the film in every country so far. Disadvantage: There is no insurance cover in the event of damage, but nothing has happened to us so far.

Transport of panniers:

The easiest way to do this is in a duffel bag with a lock. This can be folded up during the bike tour.

Check in

With luggage and bike to the counter. After the baggage tag has been attached to the bike, it must be handed in to the bulky baggage. (Check-in employee calls the luggage service)

Destination airport

An employee of the luggage service brings the bike to the place where the passengers receive their luggage.

Web links

This website is an attempt to collect the existing experience of hundreds of bicycle tourists who travel in some way to a destination in order to start their tour there. Be it by bus, train, plane or other means of transport.

Usable articleThis is a useful article. There are still some places where information is missing. If you have something to add be brave and complete them.