All you need to know about taking your bike to the Scottish Highlands by train and coach. New Ember service from Edinburgh to Oban added.
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35 Comments
How bikes on trains SHOULD work – and DO work – is not always the same thing. Everyone has horror stories, and don't get me started on ScotRail's daft bike tickets which are available in few stations on the entire west-coast line so impossible to join a service other than at the start. Ember Bus is much better and since shooting this has added a direct service from Edinburgh to Oban
The cost now on the Sleeper is really prohibitive to the average solo traveller, I still mourn the loss of those old mk2 Bargain Berths. I was looking at prices a few days ago thinking I could tolerate sitting bolt up right all night in the cheap seats if at least it was an easy way to get my bike south from Inverness… But clicking on 'add bicycle' a note flashes up saying they may ask you to dismantle and package your bike. Presumably if the train's going to be busy. So the final convenience of the Sleeper is no more!
I didn't realise the Ember coaches took bikes though, nice one.
Sadly i have no faith in Scotrail and their 'bike trains'. Issues with cancelations and staff in a uniform at Glasgow the power goes to their heads. The staff on the WHL(s) i have found to be good/helpful.
I too have had look with the unbooked disabled berth and bike storage – so surprised common sense is allowed in UK trains in 2026.
I have found success lately with car hires !
I normally lock my bike to the hanger, with a hiplock zip lock thingy. Hopefully its enough to stop a opportunistic thief.
Or go compact, with a G Line (or custom Kinetics) Brompton 🚲
Really enjoyed the video but have to say that my experience with using trains in Scotland has been mixed from being refused entry despite having a ticket and booking my bike because the train was full. Also I am 6ft2in, my bikes are XL which means the cupboards on LNER are too small for my bike to hang on the hooks provided. I have even been told by a conductor from Ft William that if she had seen my bike before boarding she would have prevented me boarding claiming that my bike was too big🤷♂️ That said most of the staff have been friendly but until the rail companies increase their carrying capacity this problem will persist.
They should just convert a few sections of seats with benches along the windows/walls. Bikes can be stacked along there, along with kid carriages etc, and they can still be used for seating. That’s how Danish trains do it.
Was in Scotland last month to take part at E tape bike sportive Loch Ness, which I got to say was the best sportive ever.
Drive from Yeovil Somerset 45 miles north to Bristol airport with my bike on the plane.
70 minute to Inverness, easy and quick.
Other than the Highland Express, the British trains are useless compared to Europe for e-bikes! Trust me, we went between Stirling and Frankfurt. They need to get their act together if they wish to promote active travellers.
Well done, thanks, excellent vid. While I usually prefer to travel with my bike, it's not always possible. Pre-covid on a family trip to Inverness I rented a reasonable bike from Ticket to Ride in Inverness. The riding in was stunning, the roads where quiet, and the day light over the week of July 1st, ( a Canada day trip for us) was wall to wall. I long to do it again, perhaps via London on the train. Cheers
That’s it we’re just an adventure playground for southerners.
LNER hanging cabinets; if my XL 29er MTB is in first, there’s no space for a second bike…
I did take an Ember bus a couple of weeks ago from Dalwhinnie going north. Only ‘issue’ was a need to make space as underneath already had a bike in (two can be booked) and lots of luggage. Driver just opened the doors and let me sort it – he was a ‘large’ bloke and shall we say, not up for bending over never mind crawling underneath 😜
But only £2! Or free if you’re old like me.
My experience with LNER was disgusting using a bicycle (touring bike). Charged £3.00 when booked, staff not helpfull when trying to get my daughters bike in the minimilist storage area. She was more interested in us blocking the corridor access trying to get our bikes in and the train leaving on time. Space only suitable for bikes with narrow tyres and handlebars!
Worth noting that on some LNER trains you can continue north to Inverness without changing in Edinburgh.
Very interesting although how much were the non sleeper trains? Regarding the sleeper, having to get up at 4am to move bike is ridiculous. My experience of train travel(without bike) is cost varies enormously so booking ahead and checking prices crucial.
Thanks for doing this. Certainly informative and taking bikes seems overly complicated and that’s with an analog bike.
I’d be surprised if you could do this with an electric bike.
I'm looking at riding the Badger Divide (coming up from Worcestershire) but have to say the logistics of getting to and from look a damned sight harder than the ride itself.
When I was planning my LEJOG ride about 5 years ago, I found Scotrail so complicated to deal with that I decided to have my bike couriered home. Considering the train I was due to catch was cancelled (no text to warn me), it was a good decision!
Maybe worth mentioning, with a bike, Lumo is not an option (unless you want to dismantle it so it fits in an overhead rack).
Properly researched and on-point narration like all of Simon's work.
Excellent video. I remember in the late 80s and even into the early 90s getting class 37 hauled trains from Glasgow to Inverness, and then to Kyle, and all you had to do was dump your bike in the guard's van. Ah, the good old days……..
For those who didn't know, the London to Glasgow services on Avanti goes via Crewe, not Birmingham or Manchester on a normal basis but some do go via Birmingham New Street.
What sort of state does your bike arrive in after it has slid around in a coah hold ?!
I travel to and around Scotland a lot on public transport. Mostly with good experiences.
As highlighted, Avanti bike spaces on pendolino are much better than the 800 stock on lner. TPE from Manchester have some really nice bike spaces, and some 800 cupboards. Worth checking if you have a choice.
I've never had a problem using online booking. Specifically, avanti allow bike reservations using X (I know, it's all I use it for). They send a jpg if you send them a photo of your ticket. Handy if nowhere near a machine. Scotrail provided a similar service via their phone line.
Citylink works fine, but even 2 bikes might be tight. I've also used the Durness bus from Inverness to the far North – a good service which requires a bike reservation in advance. They charge a small amount extra for this.
Also worth mentioning that there are non bookable services (I've never had any issues) from GLC down to the various get posts serving the Southern Islands which makes for some fabulous trips.
It's great.
Now about the weather….
With my working on the rail hat on…
Please get there early and talk to staff about where to load and where you're going.
Take luggage off. Maybe think about your luggage if you know you'll be taking it on/off often. Some types are better than others.
Make sure to contact the guard once you're on. They normally deal with opening cupboards/crew doors.
And for goodness sake, think of others when using bike spaces. All sorts of problems are caused by bikes being poorly loaded by other cyclists.
Blocked corridors are a safety hazard. Guards are quite right to address this.
If you have wide handlebars or tyres, think about possibly removing the front wheel. Or deflating tyres. Think about it before the trip and practice. Don't just turn up and find there's a problem.
The trains and cupboards aren't changing any time soon, so for now it's about navigating the system as best we can.
Another tip is to try and get to the station a little early, and try to find LNER or Avanti staff. They can sometimes help to get the bike loaded onto the train before it is officially announced on the departure boards, and the ensuing tidal wave of passengers arrive.
Just to much hassle, no wonder the roads are choked with cars.
If only life was as simple as this , I'm afraid your video paints a very Rosy picture,in reality it's horrendous trying to book your bike on a train for when you want to go,I noticed you only showed two bikes on the Avanti line there are as you say four spaces,I challenge the Avanti staff to do a video showing four of even the thinest bikes in situ behind the yellow line( essential for the train to continue according to staff) in the better weather months the chance of getting your bike on the whole journey is slim at best,I have been doing these journeys for decades and it's getting worse not better and thanks to your video it will be worse still, things are supposed to be improving for cyclists but the truth is it's far worse than it ever was.
I have used a few train companies with bike packing recently, mainly LNER as I am in Co Durham. Booking a bike space is a bit dark art on the app, you need to go to ‘Seat Sure’ first and book yourself and then the train finder part to book the actual ticket, that then means you will have 2 seat reservations! It’s a bit mad that you can’t reserve the seat and bike space then click through to purchase the actual ticket. You do get an e ticket and reservation pass straight away. Staff have always been super friendly and helpful and if the reservation via app is driving you mad, call ‘passenger assistance’ and they will sort it all and email you your reservation. Ember bus sounds like that what I need for my next North of Edinburgh trip 👍 thanks for the info
Thank you for an excellent video. I have taken bikes up and down on trains from Glasgow to London quite a few times and not had any issues. I have also taken the sleeper but its a few years since I have taken any bikes. As the insider below said, make sure that you arrive early and make yourself known to staff. I have found them very helpful. The Avanti app allows you to reserve bikes which was not an option before. I used to have to go into the ticketing office at Waverley (I worked in Edinburgh despite booking tickets from/to Glasgow) to book my train ticket only when they confirmed that there was space available. Much easier now. About to book my train and bike ticket so useful to have an update.
Sleeper is a little expensive but a Railcard will pay for itself. Don't forget it's also a night's accommodation so factor that into the price.
Very good video. Generally speaking train travel in the UK with a bike is not easy. It is very expensive as well. I have just booked a sleeper in France in September from Paris to Nice for 50 euro. I gave up using my full size bikes on the UK rail network and bought a custom built Brompton with disc brakes and a Rohloff hub from Kinetics in Glasgow. Great bike and public transport is so much easier.
Really interesting and useful – I'd love to do Glasgow to Edinburgh and return, and Fife. Last time I went on LNER I managed to just push my bike complete with panniers into the open hanging space – the other one had luggage in it. Saw no staff at all. FWIW I've had issues travelling by train when touring with my Brompton – insufficient warning about short platform – try running through a train with a Brommie in one hand, the front bag in the other and the rear luggage in a rucsac! 🤣
If you’re e-biking, I don’t think that the City Link buses will carry you, but Ember will. Please check before you book.
Managed to sneak my eMTB on to the Fort William to Mallaig train, when my van broke down, a few years ago, but the hanging space is tight. Used to take my motorbike in the baggage car from London to Thurso or Kyle of Lochalsh on my Army leave Rail Warrants – those were the days of friendly train travel