Transporting bicycles on trains

To take your bicycle, you need an international bicycle ticket. Below you will find the conditions for taking a bicycle:

• The following types of bicycles are allowed: bike, and electric bike (the battery must remain in the bike).
• Tandems, tricycles, segways, and recumbent bikes are only allowed if they are used as aids by travelers with disabilities. The traveler must also be in possession of a disability card and/or a disability sticker on the aid.
• Not allowed: Cargo bikes, bicycle trailers (bike with a trailer), handcarts, and similar bikes. Mopeds are also not allowed.
• A folding bike can be taken free of charge when it is folded.
• You are responsible for loading, unloading, and transferring the bicycle.
• It is not allowed to leave luggage on the bicycle during the trip.

You can book your bike ticket to and from Belgium online. For certain stations and routes in Belgium, it is not possible to take a bicycle: to/from Brussels Central, Brussels Congres and Brussel Kapellekerk.

Bicycles on board Eurostar are only permitted if they are packed in a bicycle case (135 x 85 x 30 cm). In order for it to fit, you'll need to dismantle the front and back wheel.

Folding bicycle

Folded folding bicycles are considered carry-on luggage as long as they are no larger than the size of a suitcase, namely 75 x 53 x 30 cm.

Please note:

• You'll need to be at the platform 30 minutes before departure in order to have enough time to dismantle your bicycle.
• If your bike doesn't comply with these conditions, you'll not be able to take it on board.

On board TGV, a bicycle is only allowed if its front wheel has been removed and if the bicycle is packed in a special bicycle slipcover (maximum dimensions: 120 x 90 cm). A tandem is not allowed on board.

Bicycles are not allowed on the direct Eurostar service between Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and London. Fully assembled bicycles are currently only permitted on trains between Brussels and London (and vice versa).

Travel with the Eurocity Direct to Brussels and transfer there to the Eurostar to London. This way, you won’t need to dismantle and pack your bicycle. Please note: you will need two separate bike tickets:

• You can book your bike ticket for Eurocity Direct between the Netherlands and Brussels online at our website.
• You can reserve a spot for your bike in Eurostar between Brussels and Londen by sending an email to travelservices@eurostar.com.

On the direct Eurostar service between Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and London, you are allowed to bring a folding bike, foldable electric bike, or children's bike, provided it is less than 85 cm in length and fully packed in a protective cover. This is to protect your bike, other passengers, and their luggage in the station, onboard, and during security checks. For safety reasons, you cannot charge your foldable electric bike in our stations or onboard our trains. Please note that there are no trolleys available, so bring only luggage that you can safely carry yourself.

From summer 2024, the new ICE 3neo will operate on the route between Amsterdam and Frankfurt. The new train has space for eight bikes. You must reserve these bicycle spots in advance.

Purchasing a Bicycle Ticket for ICE International

The price of an international bicycle ticket depends on the route. The bicycle space reservation is free.

You can purchase your bicycle ticket and reservation from:

• NS International Customer Service: 030 - 23 000 23 (daily from 7:00 to 23:00)
• NS International desk (at Amsterdam Central, Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam Central, Utrecht Central, or Arnhem Central)

What to keep in mind

• The bicycle must be placed in the available bicycle racks. This is mandatory because the train runs on high-speed lines.
• The bicycle racks accommodate tire widths from 40 to 60 mm.

• Regular two-wheel bikes are always allowed. Fatbikes and electric bikes are also welcome, but there are certain conditions. The train manager may refuse bikes that do not meet these conditions. Read here to see which bikes are allowed on ICE International. Read here which bicycles are allowed on ICE International (Dutch).
• Luggage (such as a helmet) must be removed from your bicycle during the journey.
• If a (modified) bicycle is taken as a mobility aid, different rules apply. Read more about traveling with a disability on ICE International (Dutch).
• In case your train is canceled, you must make a new bicycle reservation for a subsequent train via NS International Customer Service.

Do you have more questions about taking your bicycle on ICE International?

Read here all the conditions for taking your bicycle on ICE International (Dutch)

• Intercity Berlin has a bicycle carriage, with room for 16 bicycles. You can take your bike with you and place it in this carriage. Tandems (two bicycle spaces are needed for them) and tricycles (for people with reduced mobility) are also allowed.

• You'll need an international bike ticket for your bike. In addition, a reservation for your bike is required. This compulsory bike reservation is free when you purchase your bike ticket from February 5, 2024. You can reserve a bicycle place by telephone, via the NS International Customer Service or at the international desk.

• Would you like to bring your bicycle only on board the Dutch stretch of Intercity Berlin? This is only possible with a domestic bicycle ticket. During peak hours and in the summer months, due to the crowds, bicycle transport is only possible for passengers with an international bicycle ticket and reservation.