Can I take my bike on the train?

AmiK said:

Moderator note: A new thread was created from this because this question is specific to bikes on trains


Kitty, Sorry to jump into the conversation here. I'm going to bike the Camino Frances and fly into Madrid. Do you by chance know if you can take a bicycle on the train to Pamplona (which is where I will start from.) And how far is the railroad station from the airport? Finally, are there buses or trains (subways?) to the railroad station from the airport and would you by chance know if bikes are allowed onboard ? Thanks so much.

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For more info on bikes on trains in Spain check out www.cyclingspain.com/travelling-in-spain-with-bike

Depends on whether you wish to have it in a bag or assembled. Trains will take bagged bikes (see sizes on the Renfe site). However if you want to take an assembled bike on this route you will have to a) book yourself on a Media Distancia train (9:07 and 12:26 Madrid to Pamplona) AND also book the bike on a separate ticket so they know how many spaces are left.

On the MD trains there are only 3 spaces on the train (centre section) and you have to hang the bike's front wheel from a hook on the wall. This can make it a bit of a rush when trying to get the bike and the luggage off so have a word with the ticket inspector about your destination. (Pic)

Otherwise MD's are a good way to get your bike around Spain. Best book first early as Spain has a lot of cyclists who use these lines. Or turn up and wait for a space on the next available space.

it’s not always the case you need to hang the bike up or put a cover on it. In 2018 I caught a train from Calatayud to Zaragoza then from there to Barcelona with no issues. BTW I did not book I just showed up at the train station on both occasions.

Or as an alternative to the taking the train, there is an Alsa bus from the Airport to save the hassle of getting to central Madrid. Alsa sell plastic bike bags so you can take the wheels off and bag them with the frame. Bag is about €12.

Today I took a train from Gallur to Zaragoza then another train from Zaragoza to Calatayud neither train was pre booked and I did not put a cover on the bike. I did get a bicycle ticket at Zaragoza but at no extra fee.