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Bring Your Bicycle Onboard

We offer several options for transporting your bicycle with you on your Amtrak journey.

• Bicycles stored onboard in bike racks.
• Bicycles as checked baggage in a box or other secure container.
• Bicycles as checked baggage secured by tie-down equipment (not in a box).
• Folding bicycles brought onboard as carry-on baggage. Availability varies.

See below for limitations and transporting requirements.

What Trains Have Bicycle Service?

On some Amtrak trains you can roll your bike up to the train and secure it in a bike rack, unboxed. Onboard bike space is limited and is not available on all trains. On some trains you can check your bike as baggage. Not all stations or trains have checked baggage service.

  *Excludes trains 798/799, which offer bikes as checked baggage only.

Bicycles Stored Onboard in Bicycle Racks

Availability

Availability varies from train to train, and station to station. Call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800- 872-7245) to determine whether bicycle rack space is available on a particular train and route.

Reserve space early

You can reserve space for bicycles when you make a ticket reservation. We charge a fee (generally ranging from $5 to $10 depending on route and distance traveled) for reserving a space in the bike rack. If space is available, you will be issued a ticket for bike rack space. Be prepared to give this ticket to the conductor when boarding with your bicycle.

Secure your bike

On some trains, bungee cords and locking mechanisms are incorporated into the bicycle rack. You may find it useful to bring your own bungee cords to further secure your bike to the rack.

No unusual bikes allowed

Bicycle racks will not accommodate tandem, recumbent or other unusual bikes. Such bikes must be transported as checked baggage, in a box.

Specially designated spaces only

Bikes may not be transported in the vestibule of any car, except in spaces specially designated on certain limited trains.

Liability

Amtrak disclaims liability for loss of or damage to bicycles carried onboard and stored in bike racks.

Bikes as Checked Baggage

You can bring your bicycle on Amtrak as checked baggage between all cities where checked baggage services are offered. Not all stations or trains have checked baggage service, and baggage service may not be available every day. For more information, call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).

The fee for checking a bike as baggage is $5. This is subject to change without notice.

• Check your bicycle at the station at least an hour before departure.
• You may bring your own box or purchase one at the station. Bicycle boxes (new or used) are also usually available for purchase at staffed stations that accept checked baggage for $15/box. Boxes are 69 x 41 x 8.5 inches (175 x 104 x 22 centimeters). Call ahead for details and to make sure that boxes are available. Local bicycle shops also may be able to provide you with boxes. After your trip, you may keep your box and use it again if it is in good condition.
• Bicycles usually must be partially disassembled: Loosen and turn the handlebars sideways, and remove the pedals. Both wheels must remain in the forks. Nothing may protrude from the box or make the box bulge. Nothing except the bicycle may be placed in the box.
• Bring your own tools. It may be helpful to disassemble and reassemble your bike before your trip to avoid any surprises. Some parts, especially pedals, may be especially difficult to remove.
• You may also use a container especially designed for transporting bicycles. Such containers must have handles and must be fully closed and latched, with no portion of the bike exposed.
• Attach your name and address to the box.

Tandem bicycles may be checked and require two boxes, telescoped together.

Bikes as Checked Baggage on Trains with Tie-Down Equipment

Some trains have tie-down equipment in the baggage car or other areas designated for checked baggage. Where such equipment is available, you can check your bike without a box or other container.

This space is limited, and you must reserve it. Typically, there is a reservation charge.

You must accompany your unboxed bike on its journey on the same train. We will not accept unaccompanied bikes.

Bicycles not in containers are more likely to be damaged in transit. Accordingly, we disclaim liability for bikes shipped unboxed.

For assistance, call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).

Folding Bikes Brought Aboard as Carry-On Baggage

Folding bicycles may be brought aboard certain passenger cars as carry-on baggage. Only true folding bicycles (bicycles specifically designed to fold up into a compact assembly) are acceptable. Generally, these bikes have frame latches allowing the frame to be collapsed, and small wheels. Regular bikes of any size, with or without wheels, are not considered folding bikes, and may not be stored as folding bikes aboard trains.

You must fold up your folding bicycle before boarding the train. You may store the bike only in luggage storage areas at the end of the car (or, in Superliners, on the lower level). You may not store bikes in overhead racks.

Bicycles on Auto Train

We cannot carry automobiles with bicycles loaded on the roof. See the Auto Train Vehicle Requirements for details.

Bicycles on Amtrak Express

Regular bicycles, tandem bicycles and unicycles may be shipped on Amtrak Express. Bicycles are generally exempt from Amtrak Express size requirements. See the Amtrak Express Shipping page.