Cycling by train

A guide to taking your bike (and, particularly, tandem) by train

Last update 18th July 2008

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Phil Deaves, Swindon, Wiltshire

- - c o n t a c t - m e - -

[Please scroll down the page to go straight to the Train Operating Company (TOC) Tables.]

If, like me, you would like to cycle and explore places miles away from your home town, there can be few better ways than putting your bike on a train to reach your starting point.

All Train Operating Companies allow cyclists to take their bicycles with them on their trains.  However, the TOCs have different policies towards cyclists.  Details are given below of which companies insist on reservations, how much they charge, and whether or not they accept tandems.  For journeys involving more than one operator, only one fee (the greatest of the appropriate individual fees) is payable.  The note "not specified" means that information I have from that TOC does not mention that feature: further information is welcome.  A "yes" note in the tandem column implies the same details as in the bicycles column.  Eurostar is unusual in "officially" accepting tandems, but appear in practice not to do so.

In most cases, cycles are carried subject to space being available.  Passengers take priority over bicycles, and railway staff may at their discretion refuse carriage.  On many trains, wheelchair space is same as bike space: wheelchair users have priority.  Most operators state that cycles are not carried on replacement bus services.  Therefore, check your journey details before travelling to avoid long rides between towns.

Folding cycles, fully folded and in a case or cover, count as hand luggage, are carried free, and are not subject to the restrictions shown below, though please make sure that they are stowed carefully in luggage racks.

Have you been able to take a tandem on a train ostensibly barred to the type?  If so, please tell me about it via the email address above.  It would be good to share with other like-minded cyclists the tricks of the trade, and fill in the "in practice" column favourably.

The Tandem Club is campaigning for greater acceptability of tandems on trains.  Get your views noticed and fill out their online survey!

Chiltern Railways, Northern and South West Trains specifically state that cycles are "welcome" on their trains.

Some general dos and don'ts

Never ride your bicycle on station platforms, but instead please wheel your bike on stations.  You probably wouldn't hit anyone or fall onto the track, but there is always a chance that you might.  Walk with your bike, and railway staff will look more kindly towards cyclists than they might.

Always turn your rear, red light off when on railway property.  A red light has critical implications to drivers, and could signify an emergency and impending doom.  Please be courteous to drivers.  Also, having your lights on unnecessarily wastes battery power, which you will need on the road.

Please be courteous to on-board staff and other passengers.  Stow your cycle in such a way as to avoid oil stains and other damage to passengers and their belongings.  Some trains have designated cycle areas, usually marked with a bicycle symbol.  On other trains, if there is a designated area, but it is not marked, it is usually a safe bet that is is accessed via the wheelchair door.  Often, unfortunately, it is necessary to do your best propping the bike up in a doorway.  Some National Express East Coast trains now have "Sheffield" racks on board.

Where practical, store your cycle on the right of the train (in direction of travel), as most (not all) platforms are on the left: this keeps the way clear for others and limits accidental damage to your cycle.  Please try to load and unload your cycle as quickly as possible, and close the doors behind you, to avoid delaying the train.

Other notes

In November 2007, Silverlink County and part of Central Trains were merged to form London Midland; Midland MainLine and part of Central Trains were merged to form East Midlands Trains; Virgin CrossCountry and the remaining small portion of Central Trains were merged to form CrossCountry, and Silverlink Metro became London Overground.  In December 2007 GNER becomes National Express East Coast.

The term "tandem" on this site can usually be taken to include tricycles and/or trailers as appropriate

 

Who allows what

It may be necessary, in the interests of reading the table clearly, to maximise the window space and minimise the presence of toolbars and the like.

Train Operating Company Bicycles Tandems?
The official line		 Tandems?
In practice		 Phone Stated Max No. of Bikes
Arriva Trains Wales Free: Reservations required on longer distance trains (shown by "Alphaline A", diamond, inverted triangle or R-in-a-box symbols in all-line timetable); some (unspecified) peak hour restrictions No ?? 0870 9000773 2 on long distance, no limit on local services
Arriva Trains Wales (Valley Lines services) Free: some peak hour and other restrictions (see note 8) No ?? 0870 9000773 ??
c2c Free: off peak only (see note 25).  For 3 or more bikes in a party, phone to check availability. Yes 01702 357640 2
CrossCountry Free; reservation required ?? ?? 0870 0100084 2
Chiltern Railways Free: off peak only (see note 2) No No trouble on local services (no experience of longer distance services)   ??
East Midlands Trains Free on most services; reservations required ?? ??    
Eurostar Yes, as part of luggage allowance.  Can be sent by registered luggage service, £20 each way: phone for details.
Your bike may arive one day late!		 Yes Espirit (the luggage handler) says tandems are too big and cannot be taken 08705 850850 ??
First Capital Connect (formerly Thameslink) Free: Bedford - Luton Airport Parkway, and Brighton - Gatwick Airport at all times, other routes off peak only (see note 10) No? Yes (at the weekend at quiet times)   ??
First Capital Connect (formerly Wagn Railway) Free: off peak only, never between Drayton Park and Moorgate (see notes 10 and 12) No ??   ??
First Great Western High Speed Free: proper racks provided on High Speed Trains (HSTs) in coach A.  Hooks provided on Adelantes at each end.  Reservations recommended to guarantee space (see also note 28) Yes No problems, though tandem slightly too large for space.
On HSTs, load rear wheel first.  Straps provided not ideal: take some bungee straps to help hold bike up and front wheel straight.
Can be chaotic weekdays just before off-peak fares stop being valid		   6, including 1 tandem
First Great Western Link (formerly Thames Trains) Yes: off peak only (see note 11) No Have taken tandem on board unchallenged   2 spaces on class 166 trains, only doorway space on class 165 trains
First Great Western Local (formerly Wessex Trains) Free: reserve in advance on longer distance trains (shown by "Alphaline A" symbol in all-line timetable) No ??   2 on all services (see note 16)
First ScotRail Free: reservations necessary on sleeper and longer distance routes.  Cycle rescue scheme: see note 27 No Ban often, but not always enforced, especially if you can prove tandem does not take too much space (may need to remove front wheel)   2-6, depending on service
Gatwick Express (now part of Southern) Free: large groups please book in advance Yes 0845 8501530 Lots: there is a huge stowage area
Grand Central Free ?? ??   ??
Heathrow Connect Free, but with restrictions (see note 5) ?? ??    
Heathrow Express Free: full access if flying, terminal 4 only if not flying.  Not between 1630 and 1900 Yes, subject to space   3 at busy times
Hull Trains Free: reservations required Yes 08450 710222 ??
Island Line Free No (latest information does not mention tandems at all) The line is so short you may as well ride!   4 (Shanklin end only)
London Midland Free on most services (reservations necessary on Birmingham-Liverpool services).  Some restrictions (see note 19) ?? ??   ??
London Overground Free but with restrictions (see note 22) No ??   ??
Merseyrail Free No ("too long") ??   ??
National Express East Anglia (formerly 'one') If safe to accommodate.  Reservations not necessary.  Restrictions on some services (see note 26). No (latest information does not mention tandems at all) ??   ??
National Express East Coast (formerly GNER) Free: reservations essential Yes Yes: book two reservations.  Easy access on "225s", slightly more complicated on "125s".  Helpful staff. 08457 225225 5 (tandems count as 2)
See also note 21
Northern Rail Free: carried on any service where space permits No (latest information does not mention tandems at all) ?? 0845 0000125 2
North Yorkshire Moors Railway £2: carried on any service where space permits ?? ??   ??
South Eastern Trains Free: off peak only (see note 3) "Probably" (see note 23) ??   "limited"
Southern Yes: off peak only (see note 7) Yes, provided it doesn't block doors, etc.   "limited"
South West Trains Free: reservations necessary where space is limited (shown with inverted triangle symbol in all-line timetable).  Some services off-peak only (see note 9) No (latest information does not mention tandems at all) Appears OK on some routes (e.g. Salisbury - Bristol)   ??
TransPennine Express Free, but reservations highly recommended (see note 14) "Believed" accepted, but at greater cost; or OK if in a box (see note 15) ?? 08457 000125 2
Virgin Trains Yes: reservation necessary Yes, on Pendolino trains (a few services are Voyagers).  See note 24 No restriction, but some dismantling may be necessary to fit in allocated space   3 on most trains.  See also note 20
West Coast Railway Company (see note 13) Free Not specified ??   ??
Wrexham & Shropshire No (but see note 1) Not specified ??   ??

Notes

  • 1  Cycles will be carried when the correct trains are available and in use (at present there is a temporary arrangement)
  • 2  Not on any trains arriving London Marylebone or Birmingham Snow Hill 0745 - 1000, or departing London Marylebone or Birmingham Snow Hill 1630 - 1930, Mondays to Fridays.
  • 3  Not on any trains arriving London 0700 - 0959, or departing London 1600 - 1859, Mondays to Fridays.
  • 4  not used
  • 5  Not on trains arriving Paddington 0745-1030, or departing 1630-1900, Mondays to Fridays.
  • 6  not used
  • 7  Not on any trains arriving London or Brighton 0700 - 1000, or departing London 1600 - 1900, Mondays to Fridays.
  • 8  No cycles carried on Millennium Stadium event days.
  • 9  In area bounded by Dorking, Reading, Woking and Guidford, not on any trains arriving London 0715 - 1000, or departing London 1645 - 1900, Mondays to Fridays.  No restrictions on Ascot - Aldershot - Guildford services.
  • 10  Not on any trains arriving London 0700 - 1000, or departing London 1600 - 1900 Mondays to Fridays, or in Travelcard Zone 1 0700-1000 and 1600-1900 Mondays to Fridays
  • 11  Not on any trains arriving London 0745 - 0945, or departing London 1630 - 1830, Mondays to Fridays.
  • 12  Not on services between Royston and Ely arriving/departing Cambridge 0745 - 0845, Mondays - Fridays, except 0715 and 0745 departures from Kings Cross.
  • 13  Note that this is a steam train operator, not the London - Glasgow operator trading as Virgin Trains.
  • 14  Reservations must be at least 24 hours in advance.
  • 15  TransPennine representative stated "Tandems I believe can be taken on the train but it would cost an additional amount as they are bigger than one bike and would more than likely need to be put in the guards carriage".  Interestingly, TransPennine trains are "multiple unit" types without separate guard's accommodation!  A separate enquiry from someone else returned "TransPennine Express can not convey tandems on our services as there is a limit with the length of the bike, however if the bike can be taken down and put in a box there should be no problem with carrying it.  I would advise that you book with your locally manned station to ensure that you have the reservation".  Therefore it seems posible to carry tandems, however space is very limited.
  • 16  Officially only 2 cycles per service, regardless of how many carriages make up the train.  It may be possible to come to some arrangement with on board staff.
  • 17  not used
  • 18  not used
  • 19  Not on trains arriving Euston 0700-0959 Mondays to Fridays, or departing 1600-1859 Mondays-to Fridays.
  • 20  West Coast services can carry two tandems.
  • 21  Cycles should be put in the guard's area.  However, at short stations, coach G should be used until it is possible to transfer the bike to the guard's area.  Short stations are: Skipton, Keighley, Brough, Selby (northbound), Newtonmore (southbound), Blair Atholl (southbound), Pitlochry (southbound), Gleneagles, Dunblane (southbound), Falkirk Grahamston, Haymarket, Stonehaven, Montrose, Arbroarh, Leuchars, Kirkcaldy, and Inverkeithing.  "225" trains have Sheffield racks.
  • 22  Not between Willesden Junction High Level and Gospel Oak/Blackhorse Road 0800-1000 or 1630-1830 Mondays to Fridays.  Not on trains arriving Euston 0700-1000 or departing 1630-1900 Mondays to Fridays.
  • 23  A South Eastern representative gave a very long and involved (and certainly well-intentioned) missive, the gist of which was that, for "slam door" trains there is no problem (bikes go in the guard's area).  For modern "sliding door" trains, tandem riders supply South Eastern with start and end stations, cycle dimensions and departure time, and they will contact the Train Team Manager to see if the tandem can be carried.
  • 24  Despite assertions by various members of Customer Relations staff, tandems ARE permitted on Pendolino trains.  Discussion reached Chief Executive level, and it is now clear that the official line is that tandems are carried.
  • 25  Not on trains arriving London 0720 - 1010, or departing 1630 - 1840.
  • 26  Not south of Broxbourne/Shenfield on trains arriving London (Liverpool St or Stratford) 0700 - 0929, or departing 1600 - 1859 (also applying to intermediate journeys).  Not between Audley End and Ely on trains arriving or departing Cambridge 0745 - 0845.
  • 27  Scotrail now operated a cycle rescue/recovery scheme in conjunction with ETA: call 08000 717212 to summon assistance (must have valid train ticket).  Full details here.
  • 28  Reservations compulsory on all trains arriving at Paddington 0800 - 1000, and departing Paddington 1500 - 1900 Monday - Friday.

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    With thanks to...

    Peter Simpson, Hywel Davies, Kev Bolton, Peter Hallowell, George Laking, Tim, Campbell Ritchie, Tracey Smith, Melina Giannakis, Dave Jennings, Paul Docherty, Stephen Wilcox, Tom Hiles, Peter Randall and Joel Moreland for additional data