A bicycle can only be taken on board disassembled and packed.
The bicycle must be packed in a bicycle case or cover. See the Size and packaging section below.
Packed bicycles go for free, you do not require a ticket for this.
Stow the packed bicycle with the other luggage in the luggage racks.
As with other luggage, bicycles must not be placed in aisles.
Bicycles must not obstruct other passengers.
Bicycles must be labelled with first name and last name.
Apart from the bicycle, you can also take one regular item of luggage (case, bag, trolley) and one item of hand luggage on board with you.
You remain responsible for your own bicycle during the journey.
Special bicycles such as reclining bicycles, tandems, bicycle trailers, Segways, vehicles with a combustion engine (such as quads or mopeds) and speed pedelecs are not allowed on the train..
With electric bicycles the battery needs to remain on the bike. The battery may not be charged on board the train.
Only bicycles with electric support and a maximum speed of 25 km per hour are allowed.
Only batteries with a capacity of less than 100 Wh (Watt hour) / 0,1 kWh are allowed.
The peak-time restriction does not apply to international passengers.
Size and packaging
The rules for the size and packaging of a bicycle (folding or otherwise) vary for each route. There are different rules for an international journey, a journey within the Netherlands or within Germany:
Travelling with a bicycle on ICE International for a cross-border journey.
A bicycle (folding or otherwise) can only be taken on board if it is packed in a bicycle case (not a cover) with a maximum size of 85 x 85 cm.
Travelling with a bicycle on ICE between two German stations.
A bicycle (folding or otherwise) can be taken on board if it is packed in a case or cover of 120 x 90 cm.
On a number of ICE's in German domestic traffic, you are allowed to take a bicycle on board in a bicycle coach without disassembling it first. A bicycle ticket with a reservation is obligatory for this. These ICEs with bicycle coach operate occasionally. You will find these trains by indicating in the journey planner that you are travelling with a bicycle. The planner indicates the train with a small icon of a bicycle and the information "Bicycles conveyed - subject to reservation, Number of bicycles conveyed limited."
Travelling with a bicycle on ICE between two Dutch stations.
Folded folding bicycles can be taken, packed in a cover or case or unpacked.
Regular bicycles are not permitted, even if they are disassembled and packed.
Small electronic vehicles
The number of small electronic vehicles, such as electric scooters and hoverboards, is rapidly growing. These can be taken on the train under the following conditions:
They can only be taken if there is no risk of damage to passengers or the train.
Place the vehicle under the seat or in the luggage rack in a bag, or secure it to the luggage rack with a lashing strip.
Electric scooters and kickboards can only be taken if folded.
They may not be used on the train or at the station.
Luggage or equipment (such as a helmet) must be removed from the vehicle during the journey.
Each passenger may take one small vehicle on the train, so not both an electric scooter and a folding bicycle.
Only built-in batteries are allowed. Batteries must not be removed from the vehicle.
Batteries must not be charged using the power sockets located on the train.
Batteries not built in are deemed hazardous items and may therefore not be taken on the train. The battery's capacity is stated on the battery.
Only batteries with a capacity of less than 100 Wh (Watt-hours)/0.1 kWh may be taken. This involves only batteries such as those of mobile telephones, laptops and power banks.
What next
If you meet the conditions, you can take your bicycle (folding or otherwise) on ICE.
You purchase your bicycle ticket and reservation from:
NS International Customer Service on +31 30 2300023.
An NS International service desk (at Amsterdam Centraal, Arnhem Centraal, Rotterdam Centraal, Schiphol Airport or Utrecht Centraal stations).
Although it is not required to avoid peak times when travelling with a bicycle on international journeys, this is recommended to avoid crowded trains.
It is your own responsibility to load and unload your bicycle, so please ensure you are at the station on time.
International passengers
Passengers travelling with a bicycle on Dutch domestic trains can only travel during off-peak hours. The restriction to travel during off-peak hours does not apply to international travellers. They are also allowed to travel during peak hours upon presentation of their international ticket.