Below you can read the possibilities to take your bike with you with each carrier: With the train to Belgium: Intercity Brussels, Eurostar, TGV and Thalys; With the train to France: Thalys and TGV Sometimes, for example when there is a change in the schedule, people can get stressed and herd behavior kicks in and everybody will want to enter at once. This includes bicycle trailers and wagons. {br1} If you are getting on at the same time with some other cyclists it makes sense that the person who goes furthest puts his bike in first. Sometimes the elevators are hidden in remote corner and take a while to find. We recommend that you register for your trip and sign up your bike first before you buy a Fietskaart Dal online. bicycle in the train various European countries. Mountain biking in the Netherlands is one of the best ways to explore more of this area of Europe. You will receive an e-mail from us to confirm your registered journey, when you cancel your journey, and if your registered journey is cancelled due to a disruption or malfunction. If you do not have an NS account, you can easily create one. No wonder there are more bicycles than citizens in the Netherlands. When can I take my bicycle on the train? Make sure you have plenty of time on the train station as it can take much longer to get around with a bicycle. Thankfully the newer elevators seem to be a lot more spacious. Unfortunately many of the older elevators are designed for a wheelchair or stroller and a handler, and can barely fit one standard bicycle, with some creativity you can fit on two. Conditions per train. Single journey: Bike Supplement for € 4; Paid as a supplement on top of your personal rail fare; Some precautionary measures when taking your bike with you. Before you leave, check which rules apply for your train journey. Some trains have two or more. When going down you really need some good brakes that allow for precise modulation. There are even guidelines for this: You can take your bike on Dutch trains: At weekends, on public holidays and in July and August. During the summer months you can put your bicycle on the train all day long. The railway company will provide buses as a substitute, but they can not always take bicycles, or not as many as the train can. This is for safety purposes, as all doors on and in the train serve as emergency exits. You do not need a ticket for them. The largest railway company is NS, you can buy a day ticket for a bicycle for 6 euros (2013). Renting a bike (fiets verhuur) is straight forward and will set you back from around €10 for a day rental for a basic back-pedal single gear bike. in the western Netherlands without the need for a timetable. An Off-peak Bicycle Ticket is only valid in combination with another ticket. This will let you see how much space is left in the train for your bike before you set off, and you'll be helping us to achieve a more effective distribution of travellers. When you have a ticket for your bicycle your bicycle has priority over people sitting in the folding seats. Use bike racks on the train if they are available, which usually involve wedging or lifting your front wheel into a small rack. Can I take my bike on Dutch trains? He would move from the bike storage area because he brought a folding bike for which he did not even buy a ticket but thought having a bicycle with him gave him the right to sit on the place where bicycles are supposed to go. With a heavy bicycle it can be quite dangerous. It is valid the whole day for any destination within the country as long as you have a valid ticket for yourself as well.Some regional trains are run by some other companies like Arriva, Syntus, Connexxion and Veolia. During rush hour, from 6.30 - 9.00 am and 4.00 - 6.30 pm, you may not take your bicycle on the train due to the limited space. If you have a modified bicycle, recumbent bike or tandem due to a disability, then you can take it with you free of charge under. Try to plan your trip accordingly, a train that takes you right to your destination but leaves later or takes longer is usually preferable over switching between two or more trains. On weekends, holidays and during July and August, you can take your bicycle on the train at any time during the day, including rush hour. You can take your bicycle with you from 09:00 and 16:00 and between 18:30 and 06:30. With over 400 train station, traveling by train in the Netherlands is an excellent option to explore the country. Although bicycles have priority in the bicycle compartment conductors are often unwilling to enforce the rules. You therefore need another ticket for your own journey in addition to your Off-peak Bicycle Ticket. It is valid the whole day for any destination within the country as long as you have a valid ticket for yourself as well. This way you can still bike to and from the station, but you don’t have take your … On workdays, outside rush hour. When planning your bike trip in the Netherlands, use the Bikemap bike route planner to find the best cycling routes through Holland, which has the reputation of being a cyclist’s dream land. You can only register for train trips today and/or tomorrow. After registering, you will be redirected to ‘My registrations’. 1. They will cost up to €1.20 per day. However, special bicycles like a recumbent bicycle sometimes do not fit at all, and need to be put in diagonally (lifting up the front). Are we allowed to take bikes on trains to kukenhof area? Taking your bike in the train in the Netherlands. you cannot travel on inland trains with your bike during the weekday morning and evening rush hours: (06:30 to 09:00 and 16:30 to 18:00), except during July and August when many Dutch seem to holiday in other countries. There are many bicycle parking stations , particularly in city centres and at train stations, some of which hold many thousands of bicycles. As a courtesy to other travelers you should try to position the bicycles in such a way that they don't obstruct the passage way. From Avignon, it's usually necessary to go via Marseille or Nimes-Montpellier and then on to Toulouse. All trains have at least one, sometimes there are more compartments for bicycles. As bike theft is very common in the Netherlands, cyclists are advised to lock their bicycle with a built-in lock and attach a chain from the bike frame to the stand. A distinctive feature of the Netherlands is the strong position of cyclists on the roads. Most stairs have gutters on the side where you can take your bike in, but this is awkward at best. #traintravel #netherlands Personally I find taking bicycles up the escalator easier. Unfortunately sometimes there is no other option, for example when the train station is under construction. Usually there are other people with bicycles, strollers and sometimes wheelchairs that you gave to wait for. On longer rides it is often possible to find a spot place in the train from where you can keep an eye on your bicycle through the transparent door that most trains have. The NS does currently (2013) not have information about taking a bicycle on the train on their English website, but here is the link to the official page So you can find your perfect The Netherlands bike ride, we’ve reviewed our full collection of cycling routes in the region to deliver the top 20. Train Fares in the Netherlands. The Netherlands has different NS trains that you can catch too. As soon as the train arrives at the station you start looking for the doors with the bicycle symbol on them. If there are already bicycles in there, try and find out who it belongs to and ask at what stop they are getting out, so that you can move your bike when they need to leave. If you have a Mijn NS account or a Mijn NS Zakelijk account, you can use this to log in and register journeys. In other words, over-ground trains will depart as frequently as those running on a metro system. You can view an instruction video on ns.nl/en/treinwijzer. These tickets are currently only available online or from the NS OV Service & Tickets counter. The following rules apply: In all cases, there must be sufficient space on the train. We need your e-mail address so we can inform you about your registered journey. When the train is crowded or when it is just a short ride I prefer to sit close to the bicycle. This rule also applies if you check in before rush hour but travel during rush hour. These allows the bikes to fit together better and keeps the handlebars from jamming into each other. 5 Your bike travels free aboard daytime Intercités trains not requiring reservations, except on the Quimper-Nantes-Bordeaux-Toulouse line. Handmade in the Netherlands, delivered directly to the US. Having some straps to keep you bike in place is very useful as the bus shakes and bounces around even more than the train. On that line, you must book a space for your bicycle and pay a €5 fee to bring it aboard trains nos. For most travellers, this e-mail address is linked to an NS account. Even if you re right at the door they will squeeze past you and your bicycle, and soon after people will try to get in the train. We would like to ask you to register via the Treinwijzer first. The rules between the companies vary slightly, but are mostly similar. You'll be amazed by how much territory you can cover on these bike tours of The Netherlands. You can stay with your bicycle and try and prevent this from happening, but the experienced travelers carry a strap with them to secure the bicycle to the special mounting points that every train has. At the moment (2013) it is not possible to take your bicycle on international trains to for example Paris. Do not wait right in front of the door, you will block the people trying to leave the elevator. Unfortunately not everybody is aware of this and it is your job to tell them. Then enjoy the freedom of taking your bike with your on the train! The requirements stand […] Please fold up your bicycle before boarding and wait until you leave the train to unfold it again. The elevator is the safest choice for taking your bicycle. There is usually no way to get in first, so just wait until everybody gets in. Looking at a mature bike culture like Amsterdam & The Netherlands, the Bay Area solutions for bicycles on public transit seem more of a temporary solution because of a lack of infrastructure. At the same time, State Secretary Stientje van Veldhoven pointed out that the number of bicycle parking places in the Netherlands has increased from 200,000 to 490,000 in recent years. Here, you can find a list of future trips and register new trips. After creating your account, you just need to confirm your e-mail address once to be able to log in. The only working solution is just to push the bicycles out as fast as you can, and don't even try to mind people thing to squeeze past you. The best bike storage spaces are the ones with the seats that fold up, they are more spacious that the other kinds. Find the terms & conditions that apply to registering for a train journey, with or without a bike, below (Treinwijzer T&Cs). If there is no room, then you may not take your bicycle. Some regional trains are run by some other companies like Arriva, Syntus, Connexxion and Veolia. {br2} You can find out everything you need to know in our privacy statement. Cycling in the Netherlands is one of the most enjoyable ways to explore more of this part of Europe. All of this is much less a problem in some of the newer trains, they are called Sprinters (colored white) and are much more spacious and have much more easily accessible bicycle storage. When trying to get on the train people will often come and help you if it looks like you are struggling. All travellers entering the Netherlands on bus, train, plane, or ship from December 29 must show a negative coronavirus test to their carrier. Half of the train travellers come to the station by bicycle and the growth of our OV-fiets service is overwhelming,” CEO of NS Roger van Boxtel noted. Domestic rail fares in the Netherlands are fixed and depend on distance travelled. Bike problems along the way? Ector Hoogstad Architecten has completed the world's biggest bike park, which can store 12,656 bikes, below Utrecht Central Station in the Netherlands. One time there were 6 bicycles in there, before we stopped I asked people to leave at the other end of the carriage so that we could unload the bicycles first. You can only take your bicycle if there is space for it and you have a valid ticket. The rest of the year it is not allowed to take the bicycle on the train during rush hour, which is the whole morning until 9:00 and then again from 16:00 until 18:00 hours. Dutch bicycles and cargo bikes are famous all over the world for their upright position and comfortable ride. How do I take my bike on the train? , with all the up to date rules. People will start to line up to get in the train immediately. The largest railway company is NS, you can buy a day ticket for a bicycle for 6 euros (2013). One-quarter of all travelling is done by bike. The same applies for registering your bicycle - a registration does not entitle you to take it on the train. You can only take your bike on the train during off-peak hours. Cycling is extemely common in the Netherlands. Cheaper rates per day can be had if you rent for a longer period or rent in a group. An Off-peak Bicycle ticket can also be used on other carriers, however you may not take a bicycle with you on the ICE train, Thalys or NS buses. This means you are not allowed to take it on a train that leaves at 8:59, although you can get a fine the conductor will usually show some leniency, just don't piss them off. An NS train ticket for bicycles is also valid for these trains. You should really check it before you leave, and reroute your trip, but that is not always possible. The train and bike space were super busy but the key thing is to get everything on and then worry about where to put the stuff once the train is moving. An Intercites train (bike reservations needed) also links Marseille St Charles station directly with Toulouse. You travel in the usual way with your OV-chipkaart or with a separate ticket (such as an e-ticket). If it's your first time please try this with an unloaded bicycle when there are no other people on the escalator. Most people are understanding, it sucks having to tell a grumpy old lady that she has to move, but that is the way it is (done it). It's another story for folding bicycles. An NS train ticket for bicycles is also valid for these trains. You can bring a folding bicycle with you on the train for free, even during peak hours, as long as it is folded. Would love to cycle down there but not sure we can take our bikes? Contact NS Customer Service. It's up the bus driver to decide if you can take your bicycle. You can register for a new train trip by logging in to the Treinwijzer. How to sign up? The railway company hires some temporary workers to help out people, and local bus companies, so all of the afore mentioned rules go out of the window. There are different train models. There’s likely no place in the world where cycling is as popular as in the Netherlands. In turn, we – and you as traveller – can see in advance how crowded the train is and whether there is room for you to take your bicycle. One time we encountered a man who did not understand the rules. Dec 28, 2020 - What better way is there to get an introduction to The Netherlands than by bike. Book effortlessly online with Tripadvisor! An Off-peak Bicycle Ticket enables you to take your bicycle, recumbent bike, racing bike, electric bike or tandem with you in the designated part of the train for a day. Unlike some other European countries you do not need to make a reservation for your bicycle, even if you wanted to there is no way to guarantee yourself a spot. 3830/31, 3835, 3837, 3839, 3842, 3854/55, 3856/57 and 3858. Bike Rental in Amsterdam. You can register a new train journey by using the NS app or by logging into the Treinwijzer. As soon as the doors open people will start pouring out. However, for many visitors the enduring appeal of the Netherlands is in the country's laid-back ways and quiet commitment to the good life. You can register for a new train trip by logging in to the Treinwijzer. You can rent bikes from most large train stations. Under no circumstances may your folding bicycle or luggage block the exterior doors, interior doors or corridors on the train. Previously this requirement was only for plane passengers. You can register for a train trip up to 1 minute before the train is scheduled to depart. Putting your bike to the train can be difficult, depending on the train station. You just need to get the front wheel on, and hold it in place by applying the brakes and making sure it doesn't tip backwards. Car travel is not included. Originally, bikes were not allowed on any fast long-distance daytime trains (AVE, Altaria, Alvia, Alaris, EuroMed, Arco, or Talgo) even in bike bags, but since early 2014 bikes can now be taken on all of these train types as long as you semi-dismantle your bike and pack it in a bike bag with pedals removed and handlebar turned 90 degrees, the size of which must not exceed 120cm x 90cm x 40cm - an improved … Putting your bicycle somewhere else can obstruct the exits and will seriously piss of the conductor and he will have you move your bike right away (done it). Bike theft is a serious problem in the Netherlands, especially around train stations, and in larger cities. The elevator is also the slowest way to move your bike around. If travelling with your bike in the train in Holland, look out for the specially marked carriages. When you sign up, you'll immediately see how many spots are left for your bike on the train. No, you are not obliged to register your train journey and/or your bicycle. Do not leave any (small) valuable items in bags that are on the bicycle when you are not staying close to it. However, the Dutch government has now extended it to all providers of international public passenger transport. To help you experience the best the region has to offer, we’ve reviewed our full collection of mountain bike routes to bring you the top 20. Notice: when you check in before peak hours with your bicycle, but travel during peak hours, you are also not allowed to take your bicycle. Sometimes it happens that the trains are not running, for example because they are working on the tracks. Given the trouble it takes to take a bicycle on and off the train you want to have as few trains as possible. Using a stern voice and say something along the lines of "Please do not enter yet!" Public Transport in the Netherlands: Taking a train in Holland. For Hollanders wanting to bike to and from the train station, they have a bikeshare with a bunch of bikes at every train station. That’s fine! Nobody listened. Read everything you need to know about traveling by train in the Netherlands. The electric bike belonged to a children’s day care centre and was taking children to school, police say Every train has its own rules for transporting your bike. You can travel with your bike on the railways internally in the Netherlands (NS) on most trains during non-peak hours, i.e. If you want to take your bicycle with you in the train, then register it, and remember to purchase an Off-peak Bicycle Ticket. However, we do ask you to register your journeys. from your bicycle to allow room for other bicycles. Four children killed after trailer bicycle carrying them hit by train in Netherlands. Off-peak hours are on weekdays from 0.00 - 6.30, from 9.00 - 16.00 and from 18.30 - 24.00, and all day on weekends and on holidays. It is not necessary to lock your bicycle in the train, but it does help the wheels from turning and thus the bike from moving by itself. If there is space in other (non-bicycle) compartments, it is often no problem to put your bicycle there. This sometimes leads to people with strollers and suitcases getting into the bike compartment, who are unwilling to make space. During rush hour and in the summer months of July and August, bicycle transport on the Intercity Berlin and Intercity Brussels trains is reserved for travellers with an international bicycle ticket and a compulsory bicycle reservation. Sprinter trains – what we all associate with being the sh*t trains, as they are less comfy, small and don’t have toilets. You do not need to register it. Please only put your bicycle in the specially designated places on the train. Bike, tandem or bike trailer on the train. It can happen to anyone. The downside is are mostly used for short distances, stop at every small station and don't have any toilets on board. Children have for years been taken to school by cargo bike in the Netherlands, and electric carts known as Stints have become increasingly popular with some 3,500 in use across the country. However don't expect the same courtesy when getting out of the train. If you are looking to travel to the Netherlands by train from other countries, the direct Eurostar London to Amsterdam route (stopping at Rotterdam en route) is hard to beat, taking just over 4 hrs. Every train has at least one bicycle storage area, the doors of the compartment are marked with a bicycle symbol. When they are folded they are just like regular luggage. On city buses there is sometimes a wheel chair section where some bikes can fit. On the touring buses you can sometimes fit in bicycles in the cargo hold on the bottom laying on their side. The standard fare covers travel in … If there are other bikes on the train, place your front wheel near their back. However, you can still take the regular train up to the border and then get on the Belgian or German train there, but they have different rules for taking on bicycles. Together we can ensure that travelling by train remains as pleasant as possible for everyone. See reviews and photos of top-rated bike tours on Tripadvisor. International traintickets Comfortable travel with Thalys, ICE International, Eurostart, Intercity Brussels or Intercity Berlin You can also travel without having registered. Want to bring your bike on the train? All you need is an e-mail address and a password that you choose yourself. After registering, you will be redirected to ‘My registrations’. Cycling organizations have been asking for this for years, but their efforts have not yet paid off. It all shakes down in the end but my hurrying gifted me a few extra bruises from pedals and handlebars. Of course, you also need a valid ticket. You need to keep your bicycle at a very specific angle to keep your pedals from bump into things and to keep your bicycle (luggage) away from the wall. Having taken everything from a folding bike to a bunch of recumbent bicycles on the train several the years I will share my experiences here. It is a little bit easier to prevent people from getting in, but you need to stop them before they start, otherwise they will keep coming. Don't see your question here? Catching a train in the Netherlands is an easy way to travel and some trains run all through the night. Answer 1 of 4: Hi all I have a question; We're currently in Amsterdam and have hired bikes for the next few days. How to buy your ticket, important things to know about train travel and convenient train travel websites. To replace one train there are various buses. If possible, use the guarded bike parking ('stalling') at train stations and in some city centres. You must keep an eye on your bicycle yourself. It is especially busy on the train in summer, and it's possible that not all bicycles will be able to come on the train. This enables us to inform you if the expected crowding increases, or if your train is cancelled. However, registering your journey and your bicycle will give you insight into how crowded the train is and whether there is room for your bicycle. Means of transport other than those mentioned on this page are not allowed. The man in seat 61 has some good general information about taking your bicycle in the train various European countries. No, registering for a journey does not entitle you to travel on the train for which you have registered. Yes. Four children were killed and two people were wounded when a train struck a "cargo" bicycle, widely used by Dutch parents to transport their children, police said on Thursday. This is usually announced on the website of the railway company (NS). There are no cheap advance purchase rail fares available, you can just turn up at the station and purchase a ticket at the standard fare. A Marseille/Montpellier-Toulouse Intercites train also takes fully assembed bikes (bike reservation needed; usually only a few a day). or "Move out of the way" has worked for me. I wish I could find a more courteous way, but this is the best I got. In the Netherlands, there is a safety net for cyclists who run into trouble. In the Netherlands it is fairly common to take your bicycle on the train, nevertheless it can still be quite a hassle and there are some things that you need to take into account. We'll be happy to help you. There are signs hanging there to tell you this. As bicycles are the most popular forms of transport in Holland, it stands to reason that you can travel with your bike in the train. Outside of this period, you can also take your bicycle on the Intercity Berlin and Intercity Brussels domestic routes. Traveling with a wheelchair, scootmobile or special bicycle, Making it easier to go to and from the station, Topping up the balance on your OV-chipkaart, Combined Travel Discount with an NS season ticket, Season ticket for supervised bicycle storage, Transferring to a different season ticket, Refunds when you forget your season ticket, Lost or stolen OV-chipkaart with a season ticket, Lost or stolen OV-chipkaart without a season ticket, You can only take your bike on the train during. Always remove your luggage (panniers, etc.) What’s more, taking your bike on the train is a well-organised process in the Netherlands. In general, use 2 locks of different kinds (for example, one chain lock and one tube lock). As the train might shake while braking and changing tracks your bicycle is at risk of falling over. I would not recommend using the stairs with your bicycle, it's annoying and you can damage your bicycle or hurt yourself. It is not possible to make a reservation for a domestic route. No, your registration is not a ticket. Happy to have got the bikes on the train, we settled down to the 2 ½ hour journey.