Yes, you can bring a bicycle on Amtrak, but only on certain routes and with advance notice
Amtrak allows bicycles on most of its long-distance trains and some regional routes, but the rules are strict about how you pack it and when you can board. You must reserve a bike space when you book your ticket — you cannot show up with a bicycle and expect to bring it aboard. The bike travels in a dedicated bike car or storage area, not in your seat or sleeper cabin, and it must be in a hard-sided case or bike bag that meets Amtrak's size limits.
The cost is a flat fee per bike, not included in your ticket price. You pay this fee at the time you reserve the space. Not every train has bike capacity, and some routes do not accept bicycles at all, so you need to check your specific route before you book.
Key Takeaways
- Bicycles travel in a dedicated bike car or storage area and must be packed in a hard-sided case or bike bag no larger than 62 inches long, 32 inches wide, and 15 inches deep.
- You must reserve a bike space in advance when you purchase your ticket; Amtrak does not hold bike spaces for walk-up passengers.
- Long-distance trains like the Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, and Southwest Chief accept bicycles, but many regional and short-distance routes do not.
- The bike fee is separate from your ticket price and varies by route, typically ranging from $15 to $20 per bicycle.
- You are responsible for packing and unpacking your bicycle; Amtrak staff do not handle bike assembly or disassembly.
Which Amtrak routes accept bicycles
Amtrak's long-distance trains are your best bet. The Coast Starlight (Los Angeles to Seattle), Empire Builder (Chicago to Seattle), Southwest Chief (Chicago to Los Angeles), and Sunset Limited (Los Angeles to New Orleans) all carry bikes. The Lake Shore Limited (Chicago to New York) and Northeast Regional also accept them. However, the Northeast Corridor trains — Acela, Northeast Regional on certain segments, and some state-supported routes — do not allow bicycles at all.
Before you book, go to Amtrak.com, select your route, and look for the bike icon next to the train name. If the icon appears, that train accepts bikes on that date. Some trains may have bike capacity only on certain days or seasons, so the availability changes. You can also call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL to confirm whether your specific train and date have bike space available.
How to pack your bicycle for Amtrak travel
Your bicycle must fit inside a hard-sided case or bike bag. Amtrak's size limit is 62 inches long, 32 inches wide, and 15 inches deep. A standard bike case or travel bag designed for airlines will meet this requirement. Soft-sided bike bags are acceptable as long as they do not exceed these dimensions.
You are responsible for packing the bike yourself before you arrive at the station. Remove the pedals or turn them inward, deflate the tires partially to reduce pressure during transport, and find any loose parts. Do not rely on Amtrak staff to pack or unpack your bike — they will not do this. When you arrive at the station, you will hand the packed bike to an Amtrak employee, who will place it in the bike car or designated storage area.
When you reach your destination, you will retrieve the packed bike from the same area. You then unpack it at your leisure. If your bike is damaged during transport, Amtrak's liability is limited, so consider whether your bike's value warrants the risk or whether renting a bike at your destination makes more sense.
How to reserve a bike space and what it costs
Reserve your bike space at the same time you book your ticket on Amtrak.com. When you enter your route and date, you will see an option to add a bicycle if that train accepts them. Select the number of bikes you want to bring, and the system will show you the fee and confirm whether space is available. You pay the bike fee when ready as part of your booking.
The fee is typically $15 to $20 per bicycle, depending on the route. Long-distance routes may charge more than regional routes. This fee is non-refundable if you cancel your ticket, though some routes may have different policies — check your confirmation email or call Amtrak to confirm the cancellation policy for your specific booking.
If you book your ticket by phone or at a station, tell the agent you want to bring a bicycle. They will reserve the space and collect the fee at that time. If you arrive at the station without having reserved a bike space in advance, Amtrak will not hold a space for you, even if the train has capacity.
What happens at the station and during your trip
Arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before departure if you are bringing a bike. Have your packed bicycle ready and your ticket in hand. When you check in, tell the agent you have a bicycle. They will direct you to the bike car or storage area, where you will hand off your packed bike to an Amtrak employee. Keep your ticket stub or confirmation number — you will need it to retrieve your bike at your destination.
Your bike will travel in a dedicated bike car or find storage area separate from passenger seating. Amtrak does not allow you to store your bike in your seat, roomette, or cabin. If you are traveling in a sleeper car, your bike still goes in the bike car, not in your room.
When you arrive at your destination, go to the bike car or storage area and give your ticket information to the attendant. They will retrieve your packed bike. Unpack it in the station or nearby, and you are ready to ride. If your destination is a small station with limited staff, the process may take longer, so plan accordingly.
Alternatives if your route does not accept bicycles
If your train does not accept bikes, you have several options. Rent a bicycle at your destination — most major cities and many smaller towns have bike rental shops or services. This avoids the hassle of packing and the risk of damage during transport. For a multi-day trip, rental costs may be comparable to or lower than the bike fee plus the risk of damage.
You can also ship your bicycle to your destination ahead of time using a shipping service like UPS or FedEx. This costs $50 to $150 depending on distance and service level, but it gets your own bike there without the packing constraints. Ship it several days before you travel to may support it arrives on time.
If you are traveling on a Northeast Corridor route that does not accept bikes, consider taking a regional train instead, which may allow bicycles. The Northeast Regional, for example, accepts bikes on some segments where Acela does not. Check the Amtrak website for alternative routes and times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my bike without a case or bag?
No. Amtrak requires your bicycle to be in a hard-sided case or bike bag. A bare bicycle is not permitted. The case or bag must fit within the 62 x 32 x 15 inch size limit. If you do not own a case, you can buy or rent one, or check whether your destination has a bike shop that will accept your bike in a case upon arrival.
What if I want to bring two bicycles?
You can reserve space for multiple bikes when you book your ticket. Each bike requires its own reservation and fee. Availability may be limited, especially on trains with smaller bike cars, so reserve as early as possible if you need space for more than one bike.
Will Amtrak help me pack or unpack my bicycle?
No. You are responsible for packing your bike before you arrive at the station and unpacking it after you retrieve it. Amtrak staff will not assemble, disassemble, or adjust your bicycle. Arrive with your bike already packed and ready to hand off.
What if my bicycle is damaged during the trip?
Amtrak's liability for damaged baggage and bikes is limited. Report damage when ready to an Amtrak employee at your destination station and request a damage claim form. Keep your ticket and take photos of the damage. Amtrak will review your claim, but recovery is not may provide. Consider whether your bike's value justifies the risk or whether renting at your destination is a safer option.
Can I bring my bike on a sleeper car?
Your bike cannot stay in your sleeper room. It must be stored in the bike car or designated storage area. You will not have access to it during the trip. If you need your bike at an intermediate stop, you cannot retrieve it — the bike stays in storage until your final destination.