Your guide to navigating Indian Railways with two wheels in tow
India’s vast railway network is one of the best ways to cover long distances on a budget. In this extensive guide, I’ll share my top tips on travelling India by train with a bike.
I’ve heard many questions about Indian Railways: what if you’re carrying a bicycle? Can you take it with you? Where does it go? And how do you make sure it arrives when you do?
Over the years, I’ve travelled the length and breadth of India by train — I’ve transported my steel touring bicycle, a budget bikepacking rig and even my Royal Enfield Thunderbird.
Here’s everything I’ve learned about the parcel office at Indian Railway stations from my bike journeys across India, plus a few surprises along the way.
My First Time: NJP to Kolkata
My first experience of putting a bicycle on a train in India began at New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP). I was heading to Kolkata — a 10-hour overnight ride. I arrived early, found the parcel office, and started the process. The staff checked my ticket, weighed the bike and luggage, and charged a small fee.
The porters at the parcel office wrapped my panniers in a cloth sack and tied them together with rope. They left the bundle on the platform and later loaded it into the luggage van.
Pro tip: get to the station at least two hours before your train. You’ll need time to find the parcel counter, queue up, and watch your bike get loaded.
When I reached Kolkata the following day, the bike rolled off in one piece — dusty, but intact. I was hooked. From then on, the Indian Railway became my best friend. Or so I thought…
Check out my blog post about Cycling The Himalayas.
The Parcel Van Panic: Kolkata to Hampi via Chennai
One of my longer rides took me from Kolkata to Hampi. My train route ran via Chennai — but here’s the twist: I had booked a direct ticket to Hampi, while my bike was routed separately to Chennai.
Arriving at the platform at Chennai Central, I hot-footed it to the parcel van, calmly expecting my bike to be unloaded. The parcel van door was padlocked shut, and no one appeared to unlock it.
Mild panic set in. I asked around and eventually found a porter who explained — head wobblingly chilled — that bikes and other luggage were often routed separately and loaded onto connecting trains.
My most recent bike-based train adventure was from Goa to Chandigarh in 2021. I took a budget mountain bike on a bikepacking trip across the Himalayas on the Manali to Leh Highway
How Not To Travel India By Train With A Bicycle
Another quirk of this train journey was that at Howrah Station in Kolkota, only the bicycle was loaded into the parcel van. I had all my luggage – four panniers, a Messenger bag and a bar bag – all somehow attached to my person. Heavy going.
Sure enough, my bike met me in Hampi two days later, after a short stopover in Chennai. No damage. Just another nuance of India Railways that I learned from experience.
Moral of the story? Trust the process. It’s chaotic, but somehow it works.
Read all about my experience of travelling India by train as it happened: The Great Indian Railway Bazaar
From the Tropics to the Capital: Goa to Delhi (via Agra)
Packing the bike in Goa was a different beast. At Vasco da Gama station, there was less of a system — no queue, no clear signage. I wandered between platforms until a kind luggage porter pointed me to the right counter. The wrapping was… creative. Some rope. A bit of sackcloth. A prayer for luck.
I was bound for Delhi, with a quick stop in Agra. Despite the chaos, my bike arrived safely, albeit with a few fresh scratches and a loose pedal. No big deal — I tightened it with a multitool and rode off into the Delhi madness.
Learn how I put my Royal Enfield on a 40-hour night train to Goa from Chandigarh during my All India Motorcycle Tour
Easy Ride: Delhi to Kalka
This was the simplest journey of all. I was heading for the Himalayas and took a local train from Delhi to Kalka — the gateway to the hill stations. No parceling, no wrapping, no ticketing for the bike. I just wheeled it onto the unreserved coach and stood with it for a few hours.
On smaller routes like this, especially with slow trains, Indian Railways is remarkably laid-back. You can book a ticket or check the status of a train on the IRCTC website.
Final Thoughts
Travelling India by train with a bicycle is totally possible — and, in my opinion, the best way to explore the country’s vast landscapes. Yes, it takes patience. Yes, it can be unpredictable. But the rewards? Endless.
You’ll meet helpful strangers, discover backdoor hacks, and witness the country’s rhythm from a new perspective — on two wheels and steel rails.
FAQs: Travelling India by Train with a Bicycle
How to carry a bicycle in a train in India?
You have two options:
- Parcel it: Pack your bike and check it in at the station’s parcel office. It’ll travel in the luggage van. Check out this step-by-step guide from the Indian Railway website.
- Carry it onboard: Some local trains let you bring your bike directly into the coach — especially in unreserved or general class.
Can I get on a train with a bike?
Yes, but not always in the same coach. On long-distance trains, the bike usually travels separately in the parcel van. You can often bring it with you on local or regional trains, such as the Shatabdi Express.
Can we take a bicycle in a local train?
Absolutely. In fact, it’s the easiest way. When I travelled from Delhi to Kalka on the Shatabdi Express, I rolled the bike into the coach. No fuss.
How much does it cost to take a bike on a train?
- Parcel fee: ₹1000–₹3000 depending on distance.
- Local trains: Usually free or a small fee.
- Packing charges (optional): ₹100–₹300 if you pay a porter to wrap it.
Can I travel by train with a motorcycle in India?
Yes, you can transport a motorcycle by train in India — but you can’t ride it with you on the same coach like you might with a bicycle. I did this with my sister in 2018, and it’s a fantastic way to cover huge distances when needed.
There are two options:
- Parcel service (non-travel): You send the motorcycle to another station as a parcel. You don’t need to travel with it.
- Luggage service (with travel): If you’re also on the train, you can book it as luggage, and the bike travels in the brake van.
You’ll need to:
- Drain the fuel (railway rule)
- Provide a copy of your ID, bike registration, and ticket
- Pay a parcel or luggage fee based on distance and weight
- Be at the station 2–3 hours early for documentation and loading
- Protect the headlamp with hay and cloth
- Remove any protrusions like mobile mounts or wrap them with hay
Porters will need to use the handlebars to wheel the bike on and off the train, so remember that when handing over your motorcycle.
Expect fees around ₹1,000–₹2,500 depending on the route distance and bike weight.
Pro tip: Always take photos before loading and keep the receipt. Damage in transit isn’t uncommon, so prep the bike well.
Need help planning your own Indian bike adventure?
Drop a comment or check out my guide to India by motorcycle for routes, gear tips, and more insider stories on crossing the continent with a Royal Enfield.