Bikes on trains

Our policy on cycles

With so many great places to cycle in the South East it’s not surprising that people want to take their bike on the train. Find out more about cycling by train, when and where you can take your bike.

Ticket to ride?

You can take your bike on any of our Off-Peak services, which includes any time at the weekends and on Bank Holidays.

Folding bikes

If you have a folding bike, this can be taken on any train at any time provided it is folded before being taken onto the platform and remains folded while on board. You can also hire a Brompton folding bike at four of our stations – find out more about our bike hire scheme.

Regular, non-folding bikes

We cannot accommodate regular non-folding bikes on our trains anywhere between London and Gillingham, Otford, and Tonbridge during our busiest times. That is trains arriving in London, Monday to Friday between 07:00 and 09:59, and leaving London between 16:00 and 18:59. Please note, if you are travelling in the "opposite direction" during these times, then you can take your non-folding bike onto the train.

However, if you have a regular, non-folding bike and your journey is within Kent or East Sussex and ends before Gillingham, Otford, and Tonbridge, you can take your bike with you at any time, subject to space being available.

You can also take your non-folding bike on any of our off-peak services, which includes any time at the weekends and on Bank Holidays.

Electric bikes, tandems, tricycles

You can take an electrically-assisted pedal cycle as long as it’s similar in size to a normal cycle. Power-assisted cycles without traditional cycle-style pedals aren’t allowed. We don’t allow tandems, tricycles, handbikes, motorcycles or cycles with trailers on our trains.

Bike security and storage

If you’re bringing your bike on the train, please don’t lock it to any part of the train or leave it unattended. 

If your bike would obstruct other passengers when they’re getting on or off, or standing, we may ask you to remove it – or not to bring it on board – even at times when bikes are normally allowed. If a member of train or station staff asks you to remove your bike from the train, you must do so. If we can’t let you board because there’s no room for your bike, our staff will help you find another train.

Most of our stations have bike racks or lockers. For full details, check our station information.

Bikes on rail replacement bus services 

If your train is cancelled you won’t be able to carry your bike onto a replacement bus service.However, you might be able to fit a folding bike in the luggage area if there’s enough space.

No e-scooters & e-skateboards from 1 June 2023

From Thursday 1 June 2023 both e-scooters and e-skateboards will not be permitted on Southeastern trains or stations. The batteries on e-scooters and e-skateboards are a known fire safety risk. If you arrive at a station with either you may not be able to complete your journey.

Secure cycle hubs

At selected stations, Southeastern has introduced additional secure cycle parking within hubs with restricted access limited to users who register for the service. The hubs are fully enclosed and have dedicated lighting and CCTV and a guaranteed space for your cycle.

These following Southeastern operated stations have secure cycle hubs:

• Ashford International
• Canterbury West
• Dartford
• Elmstead Woods
• Folkestone West
• Gravesend
• Greenhithe
• Knockholt
• Maidstone East
• Orpington
• Paddock Wood
• Strood
• Chatham
• Tonbridge
• Slade Green
• Whitstable
• Clock House
• Elmers End
• Petts Wood
• Welling
• Sidcup

New hubs with reduced fees opened in 2023:

• Birchington-on-Sea
• Dover Priory
• Folkestone Central
• Marden
• Margate
• Walmer
• Westgate-on-Sea

Opening soon:

• Swanley

Questions about our services?