How to book your bike on a train | Bikepacking Q&A Ep:3 

Let me know your National Rail stories below 👇 👇- good and (probably mostly) bad 😂

Really appreciate this video, not something I've seen spoken about a lot and never in this much detail. Thank you!

Good advice. I do it quite a bit and I agree it is painful at times. My worst experience was with Scots rail, trying to book 3 bikes onto an intercity train from Edinburgh back to Penrith. I find travelling after 9:30 helps when the rush hour has subsided, and it also fits in with my railcard restrictions as well. Thanks for sharing.

I lived near the Dutch border, came back to UK, third world travel system. You can even take your bike on busses and trams. From one end of Holland to the other you pay €3:80. Plus North Sea Ferries also free

Just do like I did, last year when I went bikepacking for the first time I decided to hop on the train on the way home, going from Gargrave to Halifax (Via. Leeds). I hopped on the train and the conductor had no issue, the even upon changing trains in Leeds there was no issue on that train either, even though Leeds is a busy area (as everyone can expect). But at least when I plan to go further afield then this is good advice to take, as last thing I'd want is getting stuck somewhere and taking longer to get home if have any issues etc.

Thanks really useful as I just started travelling with my bike and learnt the hard way today. Used an app not LNER but upon the train arriving when I attempted to get on inwas told I needed a bike reservation but thus was a problem because the vendor is train pal. I had to buy a new ticket for a Pennine service- extra £ and late arrival but I'm glad to say I'm on that train now

I have used my Brompton for cycle touring over the last two years but it’s not as easy as you think. Whilst the bike folds up relatively small, it’s still quit a hefty lump to squeeze into luggage racks that almost always seem to be full already with … luggage! I have spent too many journeys sitting with my bike and Brompton luggage bags by a door and having to get up and move everything at every station to let folk on and off. I’m off to do The Way of The Roses in August. I’ve today bought my tickets and have successfully booked bike a bike space for the journeys and I’ll take my big wheeled bike. I’ve never taken a booked-on full sized bike on a train before, I look forward to the novelty of putting my bike in a reserved space and relaxing in a seat for a change!

I have only made a few train journeys in the UK with a bike and for various reasons, they have been universally awful. Even after the most meticulous planning, making bike reservations on multiple carriers you invariably come unstuck due to services running late or being cancelled and missed connections. I used LNER last summer and found that you could reserve a bike on their app before paying for the ticket. That still didn’t prevent me being stranded at Edinburgh station enroute to Inverness after services were cancelled due to flooding! Eventually LNER provided a fleet of city taxis to take stranded passengers, and my bike, onward to Inverness.

A point of interest ScotRail have introduced a dedicated wagon for bikes on Glasgow to Oban and Fort William twice daily in each direction the Highland Explorer thus allowing cyclists to reach the Outer Hebrides the wagon takes 20bikes Booking a must

Great info, thanks so much. Im a real fan of combining bike/train, so I moved from Surrey to Devon where its easier. I remember as a teenager taking my bike on the post train after an evening out in the big town ten miles away. We'd sit on the post bags, and try not to nod off at Weybridge, otherwise we'd end up at Waterloo 😂

Yup, thanks, very informative. Was thinking of using the train hence the watch. Unfortunately, sounds too stressful and uncertain to me so won’t be doing it. Thank you for your explanation but for me, using the train to get you and your bike somewhere goes into the Greenwash bin.

Another thing about travelling on trains, is if several change of trains on route, it's sometimes cheaper to buy individual tickets for each train, rather than one ticket for entire journey, a few years ago when I did the C2C, I saved nearly £30 on journey to whitehaven, Peterborough to Newcastle, Newcastle to Carlisle, and Carlisle to whites

Very useful video. I think the main issue is that, from what I can see, a lot of trains only have 2 carriages, so immediately there is a shortage of space problem. If they add another carriage to every train it would increase the cost, because unlike in Europe, the rail service is entirely private and driven for profit. It is just a consequence of trying to privatise everything.

Thanks for this. Two other operators not on your lists are Cross Country and Transport for Wales for both of which bicycle reservation is optional. All of the TfW trains are very short so number of official bicycle spaces varies between 5 and 1! For peace of mind I prefer to book ahead unless I’m prepared to change my travel plans. One caution is that the tiny trains on the Heart of Wales line (Shrewsbury-Knighton-Llandrindod-Llandovery-Swansea) have very narrow single door entrance and a low cycle parking bay which I can only get my bike into by turning the stem through 90 degrees then when onboard resetting its position and then lowering the stem towards the cross bar so bar ends fit under the shelf above the cycle space 🙄. TfW should have a different type of train on this route within 18 months. As well as the stress of trying to board a train when encumbered with heavy panniers is when you’re approaching your destination. If it’s not a terminus you have limited time to disembark. Often I don’t know which side the door will open and to disembark I have to make two journeys - once with bike and once with panniers while people are boarding 😳. I’ve started asking people around me to help. On Avanti West Coast the bike compartment is in one of the end carriages and requires a staff member to unlock the door for you to board. Stand close to it and they’ll come. At the destination they may forget so leave the train by the passenger door and wait next to the cycle door. If you’re close enough the train can’t leave until they attend to you. Eurostar suspended their bicycle reservation scheme for Covid but say they’re ‘working hard’ to reintroduce it by the end of this year. Meantime only bikes less than 85cm or folded or dismantled to be less than 85cm) and in a carry bag can go as normal luggage.

A very useful overview. I might add that a bike reservation isn't generally needed on non-express services even with carriers that generally require one - the rule of thumb is to check with the carrier first. That said, train travel in this country is generally difficult (deliberately so?) for cyclists.

I have completely winged it on the Great Western railway with one change to Oxford. I didn’t realise at the time that full size bikes have to be booked on and are not allowed peak times. I wasn’t travelling peak price ticket but according to the time description for bike booking, it was peak time 🤔. The next time on the same commute without the bike I have checked for curiosity. The bike spaces show “fully booked” for a 9:10 GWR service but I purposely got into the cycling coaches and there were no bikes. When I winged it, no personnel even remotely tried to hold me up at the station and I don’t recall that I’ve seen the conductor but if I have, I don’t recall any questions about the bike. I have now got a folding bike to keep my commute less adventurous and will be careful on bike packing when I finally gather the courage to do that only nearby trips with little one. Winging it can get lucky or tricky. My trip was in the half term week and on the first train there was a person in wheelchair who we shared the space outside the bike park bit. Which turned out to be lucky when I got off but could have been tricky. On the way back I was on the wrong platform and there were already two bikes waiting to get on, luckily when I got to my platform I had space for my bike and 3 others. I was Very Lucky. I guess if you aren’t commuting, you’re not quite as tied to times but still for a long journey you don’t want to be chancing anything.

Lots of useful info and paints a great picture of how dysfunctional the rail system is in this country. You mentioned trains can often only accommodate two bikes. Have you any experience about planning a trip with four people with bikes, which I’m hoping to do next year?

I have used my folder for bike packing and it’s a great way to have hassle free rail travel. I have a 20” Dahon speed TR and a Brompton. Both are really capable bikes which can handle moderate off road terrain aswell as off beat rural lanes. I think people see folders as little fun commuting bikes, but actually if you choose the right model and are prepared to invest in some good luggage, then there’s no limit to how far you can go. If you want a real laugh have a look at Lady Brompton on RU-vid amongst others!

Found my way here because I was hoping to do the new Traws Eryri route with friends. Getting 4 bikes back from Conwy to Mach is not easy as TFW only allow 2 bikes on the train. We took or bikes on a train from Southampton, easy getting on but it was a long train and we were at the back. Some of the platforms were short and only the first few carridges opened, got to Winchester before we could get off!

I’m planning to go to the outer Hebrides and Isle of Skye in April. The hardest part is to book the train tickets allowing enough time before train connections and accommodation overnight if ferry, trains don’t link up smoothly Hopefully it will work out well and it’s part of the adventure One thing I wanted to happen is to keep my trip fluid and decide on the go when I want to come back, maybe stay a little longer. But I’ve come to realise you cannot do this. It might be possible if you don’t have a bike but having a bike complicates matters. I have been looking at trains from Glasgow central to Birmingham. The train only had 2 places left and luckily all 4 bike spaces were still available. If I had left my travel to come back fluid there was a chance I would not be able to get home at all. A big issue as well is Avanti west coast trains to not show any train times and booking on any of the weekends to book in advance, only the week before 😡😡 why? So I’ve had to ask my employer an extra two days into my holiday so I can book my train back on a Monday, as I can’t not risk not being able to get a train on a weekend. So I’ve now had to book two nights accommodation in Glasgow before my train back home. Absolute pain If you want a two week trip in the islands, I’m finding you need nearly 3 weeks to add into all the contingencies and failed travel plans to be safe

Yippee, I’ve got a folding bike! Thanks for the very helpful video.

Excellent info again. Just to add that the Metrolink trams in Manchester do not allow bikes (the local trains they replaced did).

I have really only used the local trains and never a problem. I did look at using some of the busier Scottish routes and as you say it’s hard to book your ticket and a bike space but there is an app that seems to let you do both. I’ve only had a play about with it but it seems to work. It’s called Red Spotted Hankie, trie it and let me know how you fair.

This country (UK) is just so awkward and backward for cycling in general compared to most other countries I’ve travelled in!

Basically, the "system" is a dog's breakfast! I rode LEJOG this year and getting my bike booked on trains to Land's End and back home from John O'Groats was a nightmare. No thanks to Scotrail, I ended up sending my bike home from JOG by courier.

I'm hoping to take a folding small trailer on a bikepacking trip on train . Would thatbe allowed?

We have the same problem in Australia. I rode 3 days on the Munda Biddi Trail and decided to finish in Collie which is a town being promoted as a bike destination due to coal mining ceasing soon. It was an unplanned stop so you start problem solving. Two hour bus trip back to Perth but only takes 2 bikes and its full, obviously because Collie is a great bike destination! What about the train? The Bunbury to Perth train doesn't take bikes mid journey. Only at the start and end of the train service! Great for all the little towns along the way. I end up getting a lift from a friendly local to Bunbury where I can get a bus back to Perth that will take a bike. It cost me $17.50 (bags included) and the bike $20. Are they trying to tell me something??

Do you know where small (16” wheel) kids bikes stand in this dilemma? Are they belong in the full size bike category or folding bike rules? I guess we could always wing that too in the next half term and find out 😂 I don’t remember coming across with them in the booking details.

Apropos my post above (or below) locking up your bike at railway stations is an important topic. As an example leaving a bike at my local station might as well be accompanied by a sign saying “Help Yourself”. Twywn has all steel bike lockers. You have to supply the lock yourself. Very visible to passers by and train users. Brilliant? NO. One door broken. One bike rotting inside one locker with an exceedingly rusty lock on the outside. Facilities need to be managed. You could pull together some important data on this subject.

Question? Where is the bike carriage or bike holding area normally on a Avanti west coast train to Scotland? Near the front, rear etc. Gives me an idea when I have to board. Does the carriage clearly have a bike symbol on the outside like West Midlands trains have? Thanks

Do you use any particular app or site for booking tickets and a bike reservation?

Can’t book in advance train travel on weekends with Avanti West coast train to Scotland company. All times are grayed out. How can you plan your trip with a bike. You can only book the weekend on that week! 😡😡🤬 Any thoughts

I've been battling to find a train service to take my bike to Scotland - let alone how do I get my trailer on too?!! I can do the 100cm thing - it's a Chinese wonder but it works. I agree they say they're bike friendly but they don't act or make things easy, I think there should a car for just bikes and wheelchair passengers - if they can put up with all the lycra! (some of us detest it but I know the carbon posse love it).

Maybe 366 need to install some S&S Couplers on his frame and get a Stoff bag for the bike, and he vil never have problems getting his bike on any train.

How do you book your bike on a Train if you do not have a train ticket? What if you want your bike to travel but you don't want to travel with it? Does the colour of the bike or what it looks like matter? How to book a bike one way on a return journey and not another? So many unanswered questions in this video.

Nice content guy! I recently discovered your channel and left you a Subscription 😇 I'm a Cyclist from Switzerland😉

Ive thought of trying to do this since June in the UK but every time I have a day available to me, they've been on strike!

How do you secure your bike on a sleeper train?

And hell will freeze over before that happens

If you put a bike in a large bag, is this a loophole? As it’s a bag not a bike? 😏😏

You can't take your bike underground pretty much only due to safety if you need to evacuate

Hi, I'm shocked. I thought getting a bike on the train is easy. Why UK bike community did not escalate this issue so far. The regulations of the providers must be changed accordingly. I hope your video reaches the politicians and someone will take over. 🙄

ᑭяỖｍｏ𝓼𝐦 💕

Why not have a carriage for bicycles etc. Like they do in EVERY country in Europe and the USA and China, Thailand, Cambodia, India, South Korea, etc. Why?? Just WHY??! Why is UK train service so backward?? Instead of trying to solve the problem they are talking about banning bikes on trains!!!

The anti-cycling rail infrastructure is deliberate to reduce cycling numbers Don’t expect anything to get better If they could ban cyclists altogether they would Try doing a journey with two operators with diff ent anti cycling rules, absolute pain.

East Midlands is terrible at taking bikes. Only space for 2, Coaches you've got no chance