Travelling with a bike
Bikes and travel go hand in hand, whether you’re cycle commuting for part of your journey or heading further afield for an active weekend away. Taking bikes on trains has never been easier, with bike reservations making it a breeze. Bike reservations are mandatory, but it’s free to make a reservation, and you’ll have a stress-free journey without worrying about how to get your bike to your destination and back.
How to book a bike reservation
The easiest (and best) way to book your bike reservation is when you’re booking your train ticket. Whether booking on our website or the app, you can choose to reserve your bike under ‘travel extras’.
You can also reserve your bike space after you’ve made your booking. Simply log, head to ‘My Account’, and find your booking. Once selected, click ‘Manage booking’ then ‘edit travel extras’.
Alternatively, you can call us on 0345 528 0253 and select option 5. You can speak to our team who can book the reservation for you. You can also make a reservation at any staffed Ticket Office.
You will need to print your bike reservation for it to be valid, so please ensure you do so prior to boarding.
Have a stress-free journey with these tips:
- Please ensure your tickets and bike reservation are collected/printed in good time. You can do this on the day, or in advance of your journey at any station with a ticket vending machine.
- Be ready to board at least 10 minutes prior to your train departing, and be sure to speak to staff who can tell you where to stand, and open the door to the cycle storage if they need to.
- Please ensure all bags and panniers are removed from the bike.
- Once onboard, check in with the Train Manager and let them know you have a bike. They’ll arrange for the cycle storage area to be opened on arrival at your destination.
- If you’re booking a seat reservation at the same time as your bike, we’d recommend being seated as close as possible to your bike to easily retrieve it when getting off. You won’t be able to wait in the cycle area during your journey.
- If your train is cancelled, please head to the Ticket Office to get help booking your bike on the next train with bike spaces available.
- For children aged 5 and below, you will not require a reservation.
- Travelling south from Haymarket? Your bike can't be loaded there due to the short platform, so you'll need to book from Edinburgh Waverley in order to travel with your bike.
All property is left at the owner’s risk. First Trenitalia West Coast Rail Limited, trading as Avanti West Coast is not liable for any loss, theft, or damage to property.
Where can I store my bike?
On our Pendolino trains, we have a dedicated cycle storage area in coach A.
You can also find bike storage on our new Evero trains. These areas are located in coaches B and D on our 5-car Everos, and B, D, M and P on 10-cars.
Onboard bike spaces are limited and reservations are first come, first served. Each train type can typically carry four bikes.
Bikes we do and don’t accept on Avanti West Coast trains:
Do
- Standard bikes
- Folding bikes, which can be stored securely in luggage racks without a reservation if the wheels are under 20" in diameter, or should be reserved and stored in our bike area if larger.
- Tandems (on Pendolino trains only, and two reservations are required)
- E-bikes, provided they are similar in size to a standard bike
Don't
- Unbooked bikes
- Motorcycles
- Tricycles
- E-scooters
For safety reasons, bikes not in designated areas of the train will be removed.
Storing your bike at the station
Are you a regular cycle commuter, or need to leave your bike at the station when you travel?
