Taking your bicycle on the train: The perfect time
All important information about peak times
Taking your bike on the train can be stressful. The train is packed, and you've just barely managed to snag the last spot for your bike. Meanwhile, you have to stand because all the seats are already taken. The other cyclists around you are in the same boat, and you're all wondering when you'd rather avoid traveling in the future. Below you'll find information about peak travel times in Austria and Germany.
You should avoid taking your bicycle on the train during these peak times.
In both countries, peak traffic times typically occur on weekdays (Monday to Friday) during the morning commute and the evening return journey. Sunday evenings, when students return to their university towns and families come home from weekend trips, should also not be underestimated. Here are the peak times in detail:
Morning rush hour:
These typically occur between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. At this time, the trains are particularly busy, as many commuters travel to work or school.
Lunchtime:
Another peak time is at midday between 12:30 and 13:30, when many people use their lunch break to travel by train.
Evening rush hour:
The evening rush hour usually lasts from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, when commuters return home.
In Austria there is also the „"Easy-Out Ticket"“ The ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) allows small groups to flexibly and spontaneously choose the right connection. The DB (German Rail) equivalent is... „"Cross-Country Ticket"“. Both tickets are only valid from 9:00 a.m. onwards, after the morning commute.
Bicycle transport during peak hours
Especially as a cyclist, you'll be at a disadvantage during peak hours. Often there's no room for even a single bicycle. Larger groups, in particular, will hardly be able to fit on a train without having made a reservation weeks in advance. Therefore, if you can't avoid peak times, it's generally advisable to reserve a bicycle space in advance. However, this is only possible on long-distance trains.
In Austria, free bicycle transport on trains is often permitted. However, this is not allowed during peak hours. In Styria, taking your bicycle on the train is already included with the Styrian Climate Ticket.
Further occupancy information and forecasts
Both Deutsche Bahn (DB) and ÖBB offer occupancy information showing how full the trains are expected to be. This information is particularly helpful for avoiding peak travel times. However, keep in mind that these are forecasts and the actual situation may differ. Deutsche Bahn displays this information directly in its app. With ÖBB, you can check the occupancy levels of each carriage on ÖBB Live. Often, you can also simply search online for information about peak times on specific routes to help you plan your trip.
🐝Be kind!
The most important rule when traveling by bike and train is: Be considerate of other passengers! This is especially important in multi-purpose compartments on local trains, which are designed for bicycles, wheelchair users, and strollers. If possible, plan some extra time for your train journey, perhaps by taking a break during a transfer stop. This way, you might discover a charming spot you would otherwise have missed.
Links and sources:
- Occupancy information: We tell you how full your train will be (bahn.de)
- Free bicycle transport – ÖBB (oebb.at)
cyclebeeOnRails – Your partner for taking your bicycle on the train
Want to travel comfortably and flexibly by bike and train? Then "cyclebeeOnRails" is the answer for you. Here we offer official data on connections and train stations, which you can supplement with comments, tips, and reviews. Over time, your feedback will create a vibrant knowledge platform for everyone who enjoys combining cycling and train travel.
About the author
Claudia Otter studied Management of international business processes Claudia studies at FH Joanneum. She is currently completing a marketing internship at cyclebee. Her bicycle is her favorite mode of transport, which she uses for her daily commutes. If a journey is ever too far to cover by bike alone, she combines it with train travel.
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