Taking your cycle on any form of public transport, whether at home or abroad (or while travelling between the two) requires a thorough knowledge of the restrictions and packing requirements, and can often present a major hassle. CTC tries to keep up to date with developments and provides useful information sheets to help make it all just a little easier.
As well as the information sheets listed below, CTC offers a certain amount of information about taking cycles on trains in certain European countries - namely France, Germany, Italy and Spain - and UIC, the World railway operators' organisation, offers a general guide. If you're looking for public transport information for a country other than the above named, you should find a limited amount of information on the 'general' country information sheet for that country, which is always the first information sheet listed for any given country.
Bike Hire
In some circumstances it may be simpler to hire or keep a bike at your destination – the Rent-a-Bike franchise operates almost 400 centres at rail stations and other key locations in Austria and Switzerland for a range of bikes fitted with racks, lights and mudguards for general use. Many ‘training camp’ and active sports holidays also provide the option of hiring a high quality cycle appropriate to the activity (eg lightweight road bike for race training). For more information about what to look for in a hire company see our Bike Hire information page.
Taking a cycle by train (in Britain) - INF10
A list of the 25 or so train operating companies and their policies for cycle carriage. Information includes making cycle reservations on trains and what to do if you encounter problems.
The National Rail Guide also has a cyclist specific information page with a link to a pdf document entitled 'Cycling by Train' (size 1.5Mb).
The conditions of carriage are generally interpreted to permit bikes which are folded or dismantled and bagged-up to travel as luggage
Channel Tunnel Services for Cyclists - INF20
Both Le Shuttle (Folkestone to Calais) and Eurostar services (London to Brussels and Paris) carry cycles; this leaflet provides details and booking information.
National Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 (if calling from outside the U.K. Tel +44 1332 387601)
Taking a cycle by bus and coach (in Britain) - INF12
A list of bus and coach services in Britain that carry cycles. CTC is working with main operators to officially confirm that bikes which can fold down or pack as luggage will be accepted on all services, where luggage space is available. National Express, and most other operators of scheduled coach services do accept cycles which can be folded or packed down in a protective bag or case and handled as luggage (National Express Conditions of Carriage).
European Bike Express
Details of the specialist coach and cycle trailer service which takes cyclists to and from popular cycling destinations in Europe, thereby removing much of the trouble and worry associated with the trip. For more information and a link to there website see our member benefits page.
Cycles on the London Underground - INF11
A map showing the lines and stations open to cycle carriage may be found here. Further information is available from the TfL website.
Taking a Cycle by Ferry - INF13
A list of the river, estuary and sea crossings within England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland and across the English Channel. Includes details of the companies who operate ferries and their telephone numbers. [There is also a new information sheet which provides information about road crossings of certain major rivers - see INF42.]. Also CTC members get a discount if travelling by Sea France, see our member benefits page for more information.
Taking a Cycle by Air - INF14
Finding out about flights, booking your cycle on-board, airline policies concerning cycle carriage, which airlines charge for cycle carriage, preparing a bike for air travel, what to do at the airport etc. As noted in the introduction, it may be less risky to hire a bike at your destination. For more information on packaging your bike for air travel and how to purchase a CTC bike bag see our bikes by air page.
Getting to Heathrow, Gatwick & Stansted Airports with a Cycle - INF15, 18 & 19
These booklets provide information about access by cycle/train/bus/London Underground to each airport. Airport maps are included and there are details of left luggage facilities for cycles.
The following information sheets may also be of interest:
Transporting a Cycle to Continental Europe - INF19
How to get there (and back!) with a cycle - a list of the options available and contacts for further information.
Transport for groups of cyclists - INF24
A list of private companies who have vehicles / cycle trailers available for hire which can accommodate groups of people/cycles.
Sending cycles as unaccompanied baggage - INF22
A list of companies who will accept cycles as baggage and offer a forwarding service for cycles from one address to another
Useful Travel contacts
Traveline Public Transport Information Line 0871 200 2233
Traveline Cymru and Traveline Scotland offer dedicated pages listing bike carrying bus, rail and ferry services.
Click here to learn about the campaigns and current developments where CTC is working to improve the integration of cycling with public transport.
The reference above relate to information sheets for the UK. CTC members can access these sheets, using the usual method for downloading our information sheets. Click here for further information on this.
