Taking your bike by train gives you the freedom to explore London and its countryside as well as places further afield.
You can find out train times and fares – as well as the names of train operators – from www.nationalrail.co.uk
Local and Regional Trains
In general, you can take your bike free of charge on trains throughout SE England. The main restriction is that you cannot take your bike (unless folded) on trains arriving in London in the morning weekday peak period or leaving London in the evening peak period. Similar restrictions apply to trains arriving at or departing from Cambridge and Brighton.
Individual operators’ definitions of ‘peak period’ vary as follows:
| Operator |
Morning |
Evening |
||
|
From |
To |
From |
To |
|
| Southern (see note 1) |
07:00 |
10:00 |
16:00 |
19:00 |
| South Western Railway (see note 2) |
07:15 |
10:00 |
16:45 |
19:00 |
| Thameslink |
07:00 |
10:00 |
16:00 |
19:00 |
Notes:
- Similar restrictions apply to trains arriving at / departing from Brighton at these times throughout their journey.
- There are currently no restrictions on services beyond Guildford and Hook except on Waterloo – Salisbury – Exeter trains, where reservations are required (no charge). Bicycles cannot be carried on services from Clapham Junction to Richmond – Hounslow – Feltham between 07:45 and 09:00.
Depending on the type of train, you may have to:
- Put your bike in a designated area (look for a bicycle logo on the outside of the carriage; failing that, a wheelchair).
- Stand with your bike near the (sliding) doors.
Check with the operator or the blue pages of the National Rail timetable if you wish to take a tandem or a tricycle on a train.
Save money on local train journeys by buying a Network Railcard. These cost £30, last a year and entitle you – and up to three people travelling with you – to a 1/3 discount on fares in S.E. England. The main restrictions are that you cannot travel before 10:00 or with a ticket costing less than £13 on Mondays to Fridays.
Long Distance Trains
There are generally no restrictions on folded bikes, except that Great Western Railway insist on their being in a container or case.
You can take a non-folding bicycle on most long-distance trains, though you will usually need to reserve a place. This is usually free of charge.
On many trains, bikes are often stowed in cupboards in the corner of a carriage.
Check with the operator if you wish to take a tandem or a tricycle on a train.
You will usually be able to secure the cheapest fare for yourself by booking for a specific train at least a week in advance. Train operators are now reintroducing the facility to book cycle spaces on line through their own web sites. Great Western Railway and LNER (East Coast) both have this facility. If you are using other operators, check carefully that your cycle space has been booked before parting with your money!
Rail Services in London
You can take an unfolded bicycle with you free of charge on certain sections of the London Underground, Overground, DLR and Elizabeth Line (see below). You cannot travel between the hours of 07:30 – 09:30, and 16:00 – 19:00, from Monday to Friday (except public holidays). This restriction applies only in the direction of the peak flow on Overground services to/from Euston and Liverpool Street as well as the Elizabeth Line outside central London.
Subject to these time restrictions, bicycles are permitted on all sections of the Circle, District, East London, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Lines, as well as the Overground, DLR and Elizabeth Line. Bicycles are permitted on other lines where they do not run through tunnels.
Bicycles must not be taken on moving escalators.