s
from 118 €
Hotel Saltauserhof
Wellness hotel | St. Martin in Passeier
from 64 €
Naturidylle Geyrerhof
Hotel with organic farm | Oberbozen
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from 140 €
Hotel Sand
Hiking - biking hotel | Kastelbell-Tschars
from 70 €
Alpwellhotel Burggräfler
Wellness hotel | Tisens near Meran
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from 65 €
Landhaus Fux
Residence | Schlanders in the Vinschgau
from 89 €
Hotel Vilpianerhof
Active hotel | Terlan in Southern South Tyrol
BikeHotels South Tyrol
With the sun on your face and the wind in your hair.
s
from 114 €
Green Lake Hotel Weiher
Pleasure & well-being | Issing at Mt. Kronplatz
from 70 €
Residence Mathilda
Panoramic terrace and garden | Schlanders in Vinschgau

Bicycle transport on the train: Exploring South Tyrol by bike & train

For sporty and environmentally conscious vacationers, the combination of bike and train is particularly attractive for cycling trips. In recent years, significant efforts have been made to facilitate bicycle transport in South Tyrol. Stations have been modernized, and new low-floor trains have been introduced. Most trains, such as the Vinschgau railway, are equipped with designated compartments or areas for bicycle transport.

In brief: Bike transport on trains

  • With a few exceptions, bicycles require their own ticket for transport on trains. The space available is limited.
  • Bike transport is particularly popular on the Vinschgau railway between Meran and Mals and for the return journey on the Etsch Cycle Path.
  • Travelling from Germany/Austria: The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) offer connections via the Brenner Pass with the option of taking bikes with you. Journeys beyond Trient require a ticket from the Italian railway company Trenitalia.
  • Other transport options include buses with bike racks or exclusive bike shuttles.
  • There is another way to combine a bike tour with the train: there are numerous bike rentals along the railway line close to the station.

Do I need a bike ticket in Italy?

On the way by bike & train
On the way by bike & train

Biking and travelling by train can be easily combined in many areas of South Tyrol.

IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige/Harald Wisthaler

In principle, bicycles may be taken on regional trains in South Tyrol as far as Trient with the appropriate ticket:

  • In 2025, a day ticket for a bike costs €7. The daily fare when validated with a Südtirol Pass is €3.50.
  • Exceptions: Children's bicycles under 20 inches, folded folding bicycles and unicycles, folded scooters and e-scooters, hand bikes/recumbent bikes and bicycle trailers are transported free of charge.
  • For southbound train journeys beyond Trient, separate interregional Trenitalia bike tickets must be purchased.
  • For journeys towards North or East Tyrol, ÖBB or VVT tickets are available for the relevant section (e.g. Brenner-Innsbruck or Innichen-Lienz).
  • Bicycle transport is not permitted on the Ritten railway.
Etschtal cycle path
Etschtal cycle path

Cycling in Vinschgau at Lake Reschen

IDM Südtirol - Matt Cherubino

Etsch Cycle Path: return journey by train

The Etsch Cycle Path is one of the most popular cycle routes and stretches around 300 kilometres from the Reschen Pass to Verona. If you only want to cycle individual stages or make the return journey easier, you can hop on the train with your bike in many places. Please note:

  • Limited bicycle spaces: There are 16-20 spaces available for bikes on regional trains.
  • Bike ticket required: A separate ticket is required for bike transport.
  • No reservation possible: Bicycle spaces on the train cannot be booked in advance.

Vinschgau railway: Bicycle transport Meran-Mals 2025

Due to construction work, sections of the Mals-Meran railway line will be closed until March 2026. Bicycle transport is therefore only possible with restrictions. Bicycles cannot be taken on the buses of the rail replacement service. Alternatively, bikes can be transported by some buses with bike racks and bike shuttles, as well as the BikeLiner. The latter runs from 18 June to 25 October 2025 on the route Meran-Mals: 

  • Bus line B250
  • Departure from Meran railway station
  • Four times a day: 9:10 am | 10:10 am | 3:10 pm | 4:10 pm
  • Stops only for drops-off in Naturns, Latsch, Schlanders, Spondinig and Mals (no boarding)
  • Bicycles and e-bikes are transported, no special bikes or bike trailers
  • Booking the bike transport is recommended and can be done online
Bicycle transport on the bus
Bicycle transport on the bus

In some cases, bicycles can also be transportet on the bus.

IDM Südtirol-STA/Manuela Tessaro

Alternative: taking bikes on the bus

On certain routes to popular excursion destinations, some buses are equipped with bike racks that offer space for 5-6 bikes. The relevant bus routes are labelled ‘A’ in the timetable. A bike symbol is shown at the stops where bikes can be charged. E-bikes are generally not transported on the bus. 

Additional offer in the high season

Bicycle racks are for example available from spring/summer to autumn on the following bus routes:

  • Line 273 Mals – Landeck
  • Line 245 Meran – Lana – Ulten
  • Line 184 Weissenstein – Obereggen – Karerpass
  • Line 189 Jochgrimm – Petersberg / Bozen
  • Line 321 Brixen – St. Andrä – Plose
  • Line 445 Toblach – Cortina

Bicycle transport on buses often not possible

Bicycle transport is not permitted on city buses in South Tyrol. Even on regional buses, it is only possible to take a bike with you in individual cases, as most buses with low-floor entrances do not have the appropriate storage space. 

Rental bike as an alternative

There is a large selection of bike rentals in South Tyrol – especially, but not only, along the railway lines. You can hire a bike for a day at numerous hire stations such as Südtirol Rad or Papin Sport.

This rental bike can then be returned to any rental station of the respective organization in South Tyrol. However, bikes rented from Papin Sport, for example, cannot be returned to a Südtirol Rad hire station.

BikeHotels South Tyrol
BikeHotels South Tyrol
Bike holidays - Bike & mountain bike
info@bikehotels.it
www.bikehotels.it

Frequently asked questions

Can I take my bike on the train in Italy?

In principle, it is possible to take your bike on the train. However, there are only limited spaces for bicycles and a separate ticket is required. Please also note that some sections of the railway lines in Vinschgau and Pustertal are currently closed. The buses of the rail replacement service do not transport bikes here.

Can I take an e-bike on the train?

E-bikes are generally transported on regional trains in the same way as normal bikes. It is generally not possible to take e-bikes on buses. 

Current holiday offers

from 255 €
Quellenhof Luxury Resort Passeier

The 5-star sport and wellness resort South Tyrol with 10.500 m² Spa Areas, 23 Saunas, 7 Tennis Courts, 12 Pools, 4-hole Golf Course.

To the hotel
from 125 €
Hotel Waldhof

In a quiet location in Rabland, where Meran and environs and the Vinschgau valley meet and nature offers numerous possibilities.

To the hotel
A summer full of adventures

Nestled between sunny mountains and green valleys, right next to Merano, Algund offers unforgettable experiences all year round.

Information about the holiday region
from 141 €
Vitalpina Hotel Schulerhof

A dream holiday - for active guests who enjoy relaxation, culinary delights, and friendly interactions.

To the hotel
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Mountain biking

Selected accommodations in South Tyrol

Zin Senfter Residence - Innichen in Hochpustertal
  • Apartments in 4 modern farmhouses
  • High-quality furnishings in an elegant, traditional style
  • View of the Dolomites
  • Panoramic spa for relaxation
  • Modern fitness room
from 170.00 € per night
TOP HOTEL
Familienhotel Bella Vista - Trafoi in Vinschgau
  • Spectacular mountain panorama
  • Variety of experiences for children & adults
  • Heated outdoor pool & panorama sauna
  • Childcare & huge playground
  • Gourmet cuisine
from 127.00 € per night
good life Hotel Zirm - Obereggen in Eggental
  • Surrounded by nature beneath the majestic peaks of Latemar
  • Just a stone's throw from the ski slopes of Ski Center Latemar
  • Wellness area with indoor pool and saunas
  • Generous breakfast buffet, 4-course dinner and children's menu
  • Gym & tennis courts
from 81.00 € per night
Hotel Goldene Rose - Welsberg-Taisten at Mt. Kronplatz
  • Surrounded by the impressive Alpine landscape of the Dolomites
  • Delicious breakfast and dinner
  • Wellness centre for relaxation
  • Private SPA on request
  • Südtirol Guest Pass
from 97.00 € per night
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