Bring Your Bicycle Onboard

Part of the joy of a journey by train is the ability to explore the stops along the way, and what better way to do that than by bike? If you'd like to ride our rails with your bike, we offer a number of different services to transport your bike onboard. Each train has different equipment and loading procedures that dictate what service will be offered. The capabilities of your origin and destination station also determine how bikes are handled, so check out all the details here before you book your trip. If you still have questions, check out the Bike FAQs.

Allowances

  • Carry-On/Trainside: 50 lbs.
    Standard Bicycle Sizes Apply
    Maximum tire width: 2"
  • Checked: 50 lbs. — 70" x 41" x 8.5"
  • Carry-on Bicycle Service

    Standard full-size bicycles may be carried on and stored onboard in bicycle racks on these select certain trains.

    Specially Designated Spaces Only

    Bicycles must be stored in the designated racks within the body of the car. On trains with unreserved carry-on bicycle service, racks are available at a first-come, first-serve basis. When the racks are full, bikes will no longer be accepted onboard.

     

    Train Names Number of Spots Bicycle Reservation Required Checked Service Available Bicycle Fee
    Blue Water (trains 364 and 365 only) 4 per train Yes No $10
    Capitol Corridor 6 per train No No $0
    Capitol Limited 8 per train Yes Select Stations $20
    Downstate Illinois Services 4 per train Yes No $10
    Hoosier State 4 per train Yes No $10
    Missouri River Runner 4 per train Yes No $10
    Pacific Surfliner 6 per train Yes
    		 Select Stations
    		 $0
    Piedmont 6 per train Yes No $0
    San Joaquins 6 per train No Select Stations
    		 $0
    Vermonter 3 per train Yes Select Stations

    $10 between St. Albans and New Haven

    $20 between New Haven and Washington, DC
    Wolverine 4 per train Yes No $10
  • Folding Bikes as Carry-on Baggage

    Folding bicycles under the dimensions of 34" x 15" x 48" (860 x 380 x 1120 mm) will be allowed onboard all trains in lieu of a piece of baggage.

    Only certain passenger cars can accommodate folding bicycles as carry-on baggage, otherwise they must be checked.

    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.

  • Trainside Checked Bicycle Service

    Standard full-size bicycles may be transported in bicycle racks located in the baggage car. Passengers are not allowed in baggage cars, so Amtrak personnel will store and secure your bike in the bike racks. Before handing your bicycle to an Amtrak crew member, please remove any large seat/saddlebags, handlebar bags or panniers. These items must be consolidated and either checked or carried with you onto the train. This service is only available at select stations. Advance reservations are required.

    Train Name Number of Spots Bicycle Reservation Required Checked Service Available Bicycle Fee
    Amtrak Cascades 10 per train Yes Select Stations $5
    California Zephyr
    (WIP is unstaffed but
    will offer bike service)    		 6 per train Yes Select Stations $20 or less
    Cardinal 6 per train Yes Select Stations $20; $10 between Chicago and Indannapolis
    Carolinian 6 per train Yes Select Stations $20 or less
    Coast Starlight
    (Limited acceptance
    at CTL)    		 6 per train Yes Select Stations $20 or less
    Crescent 6 per train Yes Select Stations $20
    Downeaster
    (accepted at BRK, POR,
    WOB and BON stations
    only on all trains)    		 8 per train Yes No $8
    Empire Builder
    (WIN and 
    WGL are unstaffed 
    but will offer bike service)    		 6 per train Yes Select Stations $20 or less
    Hiawatha (accepted at CHI and MKE only) 15 per train Yes Select Stations $5
    Lake Shore Limited 6 per train Yes Select Stations $20
    Northeast Regional
    (Trains 65, 66 & 67 only)    		 6 per train Yes Select Stations $20
    Palmetto 6 per train Yes Select Stations $20
    Pere Marquette (not accepted at BAM) 15 per train Yes Select Stations $10
    Silver Star/Silver Meteor 6 per train Yes Select Stations $20
    Southwest Chief 6 per train Yes Select Stations $20 or les
    Sunset Limited
    (Not accepted at MRC)    		 3 per train
    San Antonio to Los Angeles;
    6 per train
    New Orleans to San Antonio    		 Yes Select Stations $20 or less
    Texas Eagle
    (Not accepted at MRC)    		 6 per train Yes Select Stations $20 or less
  • Boxed Bikes in Checked Baggage

    Bicycles may be checked on Amtrak between all cities where checked baggage is offered. Not all trains or locations are equipped to handle checked baggage. Find your station(s) to see if this service is available.

    Bicycles/bicycle trailers may be checked in a bicycle container for $10, in lieu of a piece of baggage. Bicycle boxes are sold at most staffed locations for $15 per box. Customers may supply their own bicycle container.

    Recumbent, tandem, and special bicycles over the standard bicycle dimensions and will not fit in a standard bicycle box are prohibited. Gas-powered motorized bicycles are prohibited

    The fee for checking a bike as baggage is $10.00. This is subject to change without notice.

    • Check your bicycle at the station at least an hour before departure.
    • Bicycles/bicycle trailers may be checked in a bicycle container for $10.00, in lieu of a piece of baggage. Bicycle boxes are sold at most staffed locations for $15.00 per box.
    • Bicycles must be partially disassembled in order to fit in an Amtrak bicycle box. Loosen and turn the handlebars sideways, and remove the pedals. Amtrak does not supply tools for disassembling.
    • 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.
    • Attach your name and address to the box.
  • Connections & Changing Trains with a Bicycle

    Reclaim your bike at the baggage car and remove it from the train before transferring to your new train. Station personnel can assist you with any questions or directions.

    If you have a lengthy layover at a station with a baggage room, you may store your bicycle in the baggage room free of charge; just make sure to retrieve your bicycle in time to take it to your departing train.

    Boxed bicycles will be transferred by train crew and station personnel; in this case you will not be responsible for transferring your bike between trains.

  • Bicycles on Auto Train

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

  • Bicycles in Amtrak Express

    Regular bicycles and unicycles may be shipped via Amtrak Express. Bicycles are generally exempt from Amtrak Express size requirements.