Bicycles can be carried on V/Line trains, if there is space available. V/Line conductors will determine whether there is enough space for bicycles to be carried safely on each service.
Prior to boarding, where possible, please speak to station staff or the conductor, who will determine if there is space available for you to travel with a bicycle, and if so, direct you to the best location to wait on the platform and where to store your bicycle for the duration of your journey.
Customers with bicycles are also advised to:
- Look for signage on or above train doors, indicating the best areas to board the train.
- Travel at off-peak times. Avoid travelling on services arriving in Melbourne between 7am – 9:30am or departing Melbourne between 4pm – 7:30pm.
- Arrive early to the station and be ready and waiting on the platform.
- Not obstruct passageways or doorways, or inconvenience other customers.
All bicycles are carried subject to available space on a first-come, first-served basis. If space for bicycles is not available, conductors will advise customers of the next available service.
V/Line will only allow travel with bikes classified as Road, Mountain, Hybrid, BMX, Electric, Folding, or bicycles used as mobility aids. Bicycles on V/Line services must be propelled by pedals.
| Generally available bike spaces |
Generally limited bike spaces |
Space is generally available on reserved, N-Set services to and from these locations:
|
Space is generally limited on Sprinter, H-Set and VLocity services to and from these locations:
- Albury
- Ararat
- Bairnsdale
- Ballarat
- Bendigo
- Echuca
- Geelong
- Maryborough
- Seymour
- Shepparton
- Traralgon
|
You can use the V/Line Plan your Journey tool and the V/Line app to see how many bicycles can be carried on each scheduled V/Line service. Changes can and do occur to scheduled services, so please check back on your day of travel and ensure you speak to station staff before boarding.
You can also familiarise yourself with the layout of V/Line’s train fleet, including where designated bicycle storage areas are located on board using V/Line’s Virtual Fleet Tours.
Bicycle group travel
Large groups wishing to travel to and from regional Victoria with their bicycles will need to make alternative arrangements to transport their bikes.
V/Line’s two goods vans used to transport large groups of bikes have been retired from service. These vans were built in the 1950s and have reached an age and condition where they are no longer fit for purpose.
To enquire about group travel, please call (03) 9619 2338.
Folding bicycles
Folding bicycles can be carried for free on V/Line trains as long as they:
- do not exceed the dimensions of 82cm long x 69cm high x 39cm wide; and
- have wheel rims no more than 20 inches (51 cm) in diameter.
Folding bicycles cannot be stored in overhead luggage racks.
Bicycle cages (Parkiteer)
Secure bicycle parking has been installed at a number of V/Line stations.
You can obtain a parking place in a Parkiteer bicycle cage by paying a refundable deposit for a swipe card that provides access to the cage. For more information on bicycle cage locations and use, contact Bicycle Network on 1300 546 526 or visit
parkiteer.com.au
V/Line and Bicycle Network are not liable for any loss or damage to items stored in bicycle cages.
Folding bicycles
Folding bicycles can be carried for free on V/Line coaches as long as they:
- do not exceed the dimensions of 82cm long x 69cm high x 39cm wide
- have wheel rims no more than 20 inches (51 cm) in diameter
- can be folded up and must be placed in a bag or appropriately sized cover as they are often stored in the luggage hold under the coach with other customer luggage.
Folding bicycles cannot be stored in overhead luggage racks.
On scheduled coaches
Bicycles can be carried for free on the following V/Line scheduled coach services, if there is space available. They will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis only.
- Beechworth - Wangaratta
- Bright - Wangaratta
- Corowa/Rutherglen - Wangaratta
- Mulwala/Yarrawonga - Benalla
- Wangaratta - Bendigo
Bicycles are not permitted on any other timetabled V/Line coach services, with the exception of folding bicycles.
Customers must load and unload their bicycles onto the coach. Bicycles are carried at the owner’s risk.
On train replacement services
Sometimes it is necessary to replace trains with coaches.
Bicycles can be carried on replacement coaches subject to space in the luggage area and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Customers must load and unload their bicycle onto the coach and they are carried at the owner’s risk.
To ensure the safety of all staff and customers please make sure you follow the rules around luggage on our services.
From December 1 2021 the total luggage limit for all V/Line services is 32 kilograms. Customers can carry two items of luggage, with no one item weighing more than 16 kilograms, as well as one piece of hand luggage.
The carriage of luggage and personal belongings remains the responsibility of the owner at all times. V/Line recommends you keep belongings within eyesight and check that you have everything before leaving a train or coach service.
Luggage can be stowed in designated areas on each train. Here are some guides to the luggage areas on each type of train in the V/Line fleet.
V/Line staff will only handle luggage which has been checked in and weighed by station staff at least 30 minutes before the departure of your service.
Customers who need special assistance with their luggage but are not travelling on a service where checked luggage is available can ask staff for help.
Please consider our staff and ensure your luggage weighs less than 16 kilograms if you need help to take it onboard the train.
Our staff will assess any luggage they are asked to assist with and may not be able to help if they estimate it weighs more than 16 kilograms.
Prams, pushers, strollers, children's car seats, wheelchairs and small items of sporting and camping equipment can also be carried as luggage.
Surfboards can be carried for free on V/Line trains if there is space available. Surfboards and boogie boards may be carried on coach services along coastal routes, also subject to available space. Surf skis, sailboards, canoes and similar items will not be carried as luggage.
Checked luggage
A checked luggage service is available on locomotive-hauled train services on the Swan Hill and Warrnambool lines.
Luggage must be checked in at least 30 minutes before departure. All items must be properly labelled or they will not be accepted.
V/Line staff will only handle luggage which has been checked in and weighed by station staff at least 30 minutes before the departure of your service and weighs less than 16 kilograms.
Luggage on coaches
When travelling on V/Line coach services, all luggage must be stored in the luggage compartment, with the exception of one small bag. This can be a backpack, laptop bag, briefcase or handbag with dimensions less than 40x35x15cm per customer.
Detailed information about luggage on V/Line services can be found on the Public Transport Victoria website.
Luggage on Great Southern Rail
For passengers planning to travel with more than two bags over 20kgs, or with any one luggage item that is larger than 105 cm/41 inches (total linear measurement) must contact The Overland at 1800 703 357 prior to the day of departure to pre-book luggage space. Charges may apply.
Full timetable and terms and conditions are available by visiting the Great Southern Rail website.
Some domestic pets and service animals are permitted to travel on V/Line trains and coaches, as detailed below. V/Line recommends travelling during off-peak periods with animals. Owners must clean up any mess created by their animals.
| Animal type |
Allowed on trains? |
Allowed on coaches? |
| Service animal (Guide dogs, Hearing dogs, animals in training and animals identified by an Assistance Animal Pass) |
Yes |
Yes |
| Domestic Pet (in a suitable enclosed pet carry container, in the designated pet stowage location) |
Yes |
No |
| Other animals |
No |
No |
Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs, animals in training and Assistance Animals
Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs, animals in training and animals identified by an Assistance Animal Pass or interstate accreditation are permitted to travel on all public transport services in Victoria with no requirement to be carried in a container.
Companion, therapy, facility and emotional support animals are not considered service animals and your animal must qualify for an Assistance Animal Pass.
More information about Assistance Animals, including how to apply for an Assistance Animal Pass, can be found on the Public Transport Victoria website.
Domestic Pets
Domestic pets (including cats and dogs) are permitted to travel on all V/Line train services, but are not allowed on coaches. On train services, they must be carried in a suitable enclosed pet container that can be carried in one hand and meets the following guidelines:
-
Provides sufficient space for the animal to move around
-
Provides suitable ventilation for the animal
-
Can be easily accessed during the journey to provide any food or water to the animal
-
Is clean
-
Is enclosed and secure to contain the animal for the duration of the journey.
Suitable pet containers must be stored in the designated pet stowage location on board each train, and are not allowed on seats or to block doorways or passageways. The Conductor will help you find an appropriate place to store your container.
Please note, domestic pets are not allowed on V/Line coaches, including train replacement coaches, unless they are a service animal as detailed above. If you are travelling with a domestic pet during an unplanned disruption please speak with a staff member for further assistance.