Quick Summary
In Italy you need a bike reservation for regional and ic trains. The fast trains (Freccia) only allow you to bring a bike if you dismantle it and package it (no extra charge). There is a maximum size requirment for luggage as well. This travel report highlights what worked for me and hopefully helps other travellers who had the same open questions, that i had before the trip.
Overview
There are already good articles on the transport of bikes in italian trains, see e.g.:
https://www.ewcyna.com/en/rower-w-pociagu-wlochy-bike-train-italy/
My challenges
I was travelling back from Rome to northern Italy, where the fast trains "Frecciarossas" are much faster, but dont allow to bring bicycles without dismantling them. Taking IC or regional trains wasnt really an option for me, eventhough they allow bike-transport (with an extra ticket). As this was the end of my bikepacking trip, i had no bicycle box or bag, which I could use for train travel. I had the following questions on my mind:
How could i easily package my bike for the freccia train, without having a bag, with limited time in Rome?
- I went to a hardware store in Rome to buy 130L trash bags (3 Euros) and some tape (2Euros) and dismantled my bike. For protection i used some cardboard box pieces i found close to a supermarket.
- I dismantled both tires and the bar and packaged the bike to fit roughly the restricted size of 80 x 110 x 45 cm
Would my dismantled bike fit in the freccias luggage compartments?
- In each wagon there is 2 big luggage compartments front/bag (see pictures below). We fit our 2 bikes into these compartments.
- I believe that the overhead compartments could also take a bike.
- Between the seats wouldnt fit a bike, i guess.
Did someone care about the size of the luggage?
- Nope, eventhough there was a size restriction of 80 x 110 x 45 cm, no one bothered.
Pictures
The \"bigger\" luggage compartment with 2 bikes in it (1 top, 1 bottom)
by KalliMagic