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?
Biking and travelling by train can be easily combined in many areas of South Tyrol.
IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige/Harald WisthalerIn 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.
Cycling in Vinschgau at Lake Reschen
IDM Südtirol - Matt CherubinoEtsch 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.
In some cases, bicycles can also be transportet on the bus.
IDM Südtirol-STA/Manuela TessaroAlternative: 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.
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.
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