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Regional trains in Germany accept bicycles without a reservation, but you cannot take your bike on the ICE trains between Amsterdam and Frankfurt at all. For a smooth rail holiday with your bike through Germany, it is therefore wise to plan your route carefully and know which trains are suitable and which are not. Read on to understand exactly how to travel through Germany by train with your bike.
Can you take your bike on the ICE between Amsterdam and Frankfurt?
No, it is not possible to take your bike on the ICE trains between Amsterdam and Frankfurt. These high-speed international trains do not have bicycle spaces and do not permit bicycle transport. This applies to the direct connection between the Netherlands and Germany via this route.
If you still want to travel to Germany by train with your bike, you will need to choose other connections. Regional trains often offer a good alternative for this. You will travel for longer, but you will have the possibility to take your bike with you without major complications.
Some other ICE connections in Germany now do have bicycle spaces. This is only possible if the train carriages are specifically equipped for it. You must make a bicycle reservation in advance in those cases. Therefore, always check whether bicycle transport is possible for each specific train.
Which regional trains in Germany accept bicycles?
Most Deutsche Bahn regional trains accept bicycles without a reservation. You do need a separate bicycle ticket and there must be sufficient space available on the train. These trains are often recognisable by the bicycle symbol on the outside of the carriage.
Regional train types suitable for bicycle transport:
- RB (Regionalbahn): local train that stops at all stations
- RE (Regional-Express): faster regional train with fewer stops
- S-Bahn: suburban trains operating around large cities
On these trains, you will usually find a designated bicycle area near the entrance. There are racks or hooks where you can place your bike. During busy periods, the bicycle spaces can sometimes be full. This applies even though there is technically no reservation requirement.
Costs for a bicycle ticket on regional trains
For regional trains within Germany, you pay approximately €6 to €6.50 for a day ticket for your bike. This ticket is valid for the whole day on regional connections. For international journeys, the price is higher, often between €9 and €12 for a single trip.
How to travel from Arnhem to Düsseldorf by train with a bike?
The route from Arnhem to Düsseldorf is easy to manage with regional trains that accept bicycles. From Arnhem Centraal, take the RE train towards Germany. These regional trains cross the border via Emmerich and stop at various locations along the way before arriving in Düsseldorf.
How to plan this trip:
- Depart from Arnhem Centraal on the RE train towards Düsseldorf
- Buy a valid train ticket and a separate bicycle ticket in advance
- Look for the carriage with the bicycle symbol on the train
- Place your bike in the designated area
The travel time is approximately two to two and a half hours, depending on the chosen connection. Because you are using regional trains, you do not need to make a bicycle reservation, but you do need to purchase a bicycle ticket from Deutsche Bahn or NS International.
Reserving for bikes on long-distance trains
For long-distance trains such as IC, EC, and some ICE connections within Germany, a bicycle reservation is usually mandatory. These trains have limited bicycle spaces, and you cannot simply board with your bike.
Reserve your bicycle spot as early as possible, especially in these situations:
- Holiday periods and weekends
- Popular routes through Southern Germany
- International connections with transfers
- Trains that travel through multiple countries
You can purchase the reservation together with your train ticket or separately via Deutsche Bahn. Note that not every IC or ICE train is suitable for bicycle transport. Check this when booking by looking for the bicycle symbol in the timetable.
ICE Frankfurt and connections
The direct ICE between Amsterdam and Frankfurt does not accept bicycles. From Frankfurt, however, there are possibilities to travel further with other trains. Various IC and regional connections offer bicycle transport to other German destinations.
Do you want to travel from the Netherlands towards Southern Germany with your bike? Combine different legs of the journey. First, travel with a regional train to a hub such as Düsseldorf or Cologne. Take an IC or regional train with bicycle spaces from there. This requires more planning, but it does make a train journey with a bike through Germany possible.
Practical tips for bicycle transport on German trains
Every train connection sometimes has different rules for bicycle transport. What works perfectly on a regional train might be impossible on an IC or ICE. Therefore, always check in advance which rules apply to your specific train.
Handy checklist before your departure:
- Check if your train permits bicycle transport
- Buy a valid bicycle ticket or pass
- Make a reservation if it is mandatory
- Look for the bicycle symbol on the carriage
- Arrive on time to place your bike calmly
Do you have a folding bike? Then more relaxed rules often apply. If your bike is folded and packed, it can often be taken as standard luggage on many routes. This saves on reservations and offers more flexibility, especially on busy routes.
Difference between domestic and international bicycle transport
International train journeys sometimes have different rules than domestic journeys within Germany. For example, travellers with an international train ticket do not always have to adhere to Dutch peak-time restrictions. This gives you more freedom in your travel planning.
The availability of bicycle spaces also differs. International connections often have fixed bicycle compartments, while regional trains within Germany offer more flexible bicycle spaces. The price for a bicycle ticket is usually higher for cross-border journeys than for a domestic day ticket.
Alternatives when bicycle spaces are full
What do you do if the bicycle spaces on your train are full? This occurs mostly on popular routes and during peak hours. In this case, you cannot board, even if you have a valid train ticket.
Possible solutions:
- Wait for the next train with available bicycle space
- Choose an alternative route via regional trains
- Reserve a bicycle spot in advance for a later connection
- Consider a folding bike for future trips
Plan for extra travel time, especially during holidays and weekends. Sometimes you have to let a train go because the bicycle spaces are occupied. This is a known issue with German trains, particularly on routes along the Rhine and towards Southern Germany.
‘ Bicycle transport on German trains requires good preparation, but with the right knowledge, you will travel smoothly from A to B. ’
Discover more about train travel with a bike
Bicycle transport on German trains requires good preparation, but with the right knowledge, you will travel smoothly from A to B. Whether you choose regional trains from Arnhem or a combination of different connections, the possibilities are there.
On the Traveler Tips website, you will find much more information about train travel through Europe, routes for cycling holidays, practical tips for on the go, and handy checklists for your preparation. Discover more and plan your next trip smartly and consciously.
Frequently asked questions
In German regional trains (RE, RB, S-Bahn), bicycles are usually allowed without a reservation, although a separate bicycle ticket is often required and there must be space in the designated bicycle area. On long-distance trains such as IC and EC, a bicycle ticket and a bicycle reservation are almost always mandatory. Some ICE trains also have limited bicycle spaces, which can only be used with a prior reservation and bicycle ticket. You can reserve via the Deutsche Bahn booking module (website/app) by adding a bike to your trip and selecting a bicycle spot.
In German regional trains, a bicycle ticket usually costs around €6–€6.50 per day, without a reservation requirement but with limited, designated bicycle spaces. In long-distance trains (IC/EC and some ICEs), you usually need a bicycle ticket from approximately €9–€12 per single journey plus a mandatory bicycle reservation. The bike must be placed in the marked bicycle areas or racks; the number of spots is limited and ‘first come, first served’ applies. For folding bikes, more relaxed rules often apply if they are folded and carried as luggage.
In German trains, the rules differ by train type: in regional trains, your bike is usually allowed without a reservation (but with a ticket and only if there is space), whereas in IC/EC and some ICE trains, a bicycle reservation is often required. Keep peak moments such as holiday periods and popular routes in mind, where bicycle spaces fill up quickly and booking early is highly recommended. Your bike must always be placed in the designated bicycle areas or racks with the bicycle symbol. Check the current conditions for each connection shortly before departure, as rules and availability can vary per route and train.
Ensure that as you approach the station, you already know which carriage has the bicycle entrance (look for the bicycle symbol on the carriage or in the app) so you don’t have to run at the last moment with a heavy bike. Remove heavy bags and loose luggage from your bike before boarding whenever possible so that you can lift or push the bike itself more easily. When transferring on German trains, it is often calmer and therefore more comfortable to take a later train than to transfer in a rush with full luggage. Wherever possible, choose regional trains: they usually have wider doors and more standing room, which makes loading and unloading a lot easier.
In Germany, regional routes and RE/RB lines are especially bike-friendly because they have spacious bicycle compartments and usually do not require a reservation. Many bike travellers consciously plan their route via regional connections instead of ICE/IC specifically to be able to board and alight more relaxedly. Popular cycle routes such as along the Rhine, Elbe, or Danube are often also well-served by regional trains with bicycle spaces. Check the Deutsche Bahn planner for the bicycle symbol per connection to see which trains are most suitable.
