Bike Transport by Train in India: The Ultimate Guide

Indian Railways has always made life better and easier for its people with its remarkable services. It not only helps in bridging the gap of thousands of kilometers and miles between your loved ones, but it also helps in carrying your valuables safe from one destination to another.
With its useful and beneficial service of bike transport by train, people can now easily move anywhere in the country and carry their two-wheelers in an easy and safe manner. The easy-to-understand guidelines of Indian Railways related to this service have made bike transportation via train a simple process for all those who want to move their bike to another city.

Here is a quick guide to bike transport via train which will give you clarity on the procedure and rules to be followed while approaching railway authorities for bike transport in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, or any other city in the country.

Benefits of Bike Transport Over Train

Bike or scooter shifting is a challenging process in itself and when you get it done with the help of a local auto transporter in India, it becomes even more stressful for you. With the facility of bike moving by train available with Indian Railways, you can definitely rest assured and avail some amazing benefits of this service.

1. Cost-effective: Indian Railways has always served the people with its efficient and pocket-friendly services, not even leaving city-to-city bike transport. You can get your two-wheeler outside your city limits in an economical way by opting for this incredible service of the Indian Railways.

2. Time-Saving: When you think of hiring the best packers and movers to transport your bike to Pune, Hyderabad, Delhi, Bangalore, or any other city in the country, you need to look for a trusted and reliable rental company. It requires a fair amount of research and verification. Licensed transport company which requires a lot of time. But, when you decide to transfer your bike to another city via train, it saves a lot of time as you do not have to get involved in the serious inspection of a private transport company as this service is easily available with Indian Railways. Available from

3. RELIABLE WITH ZERO DAMAGE: Being a government body, you can definitely trust Indian Railways for your bike shifting in India. Your two-wheeler will be carefully and safely taken to your destination without any damage.

Bike Transport by Train – List of Documents Required

Transfer of bike, scooter, or motorcycle by train requires completion of certain formalities by the person availing such service of Indian Railways. So, before you approach for availing this service, you need to have some documents with you to submit at the booking office like:

Government-issued ID proof- Driving License, Aadhaar Card,  PAN Card, Voter ID Card,  Passport, etc.
A copy of the bike insurance
Registration Certificate (RC) of the bike.
Reservation ticket (in case of bike transportation as luggage)
A person who intends to transport a bike by train has to fill out a form for bike transport by train with details like name, present and destination address, and contact number.

Ways to transport bikes by train – How to transport bikes by train?

Indian Railways mainly provides two types of modes for the purpose of bike shifting by train in India –

bike transport by train as luggage
Bike transport by train as a parcel

Out of the two modes of bike transport, the most recommended is bike transport by train as a parcel in which you can transfer your bike from one city to another through any train or rail wagon as decided by the railway authorities.

  Let us understand the process of the train to bike transportation in detail:

1. Bike transport by train as luggage

Bike transport by train is a faster way to transfer your two-wheeler to the desired destination as the person intending to transfer his bike would also be traveling in the same train. Once the person reaches the destination, he can get it immediately. It is a very expensive mode of bike transport by train as you have to pay for your journey as well as for the service.

Advantages of Goods Transport Mode

Quick and safe mode of bike transport as the mover will also travel in the same train.
Immediate possession of the bike at the appointed railway station.
Disadvantages of Goods Transport Mode
Advance booking is not possible.
A person has to travel on his bike and hence it takes a lot of time.
The availability of luggage slots should be checked before booking.

Procedure for luggage bike transport

Step 1: Visit the Railway Luggage Booking Office at least two days before the scheduled date of taking your bike by train.

Step 2: Carry your mandatory documents like the RC of the bike, ID proof, and copies of the journey ticket to the baggage booking office of the railway station.

Step 3: Fill out the luggage booking form with the required details and pay the fee for this service.

Step 4: Get your bike packed by trained packers.

Step 5: Carry your luggage booking receipt and train ticket endorsement with you.

Step 6: After reaching the destination, visit the baggage office with the original train ticket and baggage receipt.

Step 7: The officials will provide the dispatch or delivery receipt.

Step 8: Get your bike from the required train compartment.

Important things to keep in mind while carrying a bike as luggage

Reach the railway station with your bike at least three hours before the scheduled departure time. Get your bike packed by the best packing experts to avoid any dents or scratches in transit. Make sure that your bike is loaded on the same train on which you are traveling. Also, Read– Low-Cost Packers and Movers Bangalore to Pune

2. Bike Transport by Train as a Parcel

Also known as motorcycle cargo by the Indian Railways, transportation of bikes as parcels by train is an economical way of transporting bikes by train in India. This service is similar to the service of packers and movers in India in that your vehicle or luggage will be neatly and safely packed and then safely transported to the destination city. Parcel bike transportation via train requires depositing your bike at the bike parcel office of Indian Railways after efficient packing and the railway officials will deliver it to the destination and can be collected from the destination railway station. The entire process takes 3-5 days depending on the distance to be traveled. Also, Read– Verified Packers and Movers at Cheap Price

Also known as motorcycle cargo by the Indian Railways, transportation of bikes as parcels by train is an economical way of transporting bikes by train in India. This service is similar to the service of packers and movers in India in that your vehicle or luggage will be neatly and safely packed and then safely transported to the destination city. Parcel bike transportation via train requires depositing your bike at the bike parcel office of Indian Railways after efficient packing and the railway officials will deliver it to the destination and can be collected from the destination railway station. The entire process takes 3-5 days depending on the distance to be traveled. Also, Read– 10 Tips For Finding Packers and Movers

Benefits of Bike Parcel in Indian Railways

Saves time as you do not have to travel with your bike to the destination city.
The cost of shipment is much cheaper in the case of parcel bike transport as compared to bike transport as luggage.

Disadvantages of Bike Parcels in Indian Railways

You need to book in advance for this service.
The time taken by this method of bike transport is very high as compared to bike transport as luggage.
It will be the discretion of the railway officials on which train the bike will be taken.
Process for bike parcel by train
Step 1: Visit the parcel office on the day of moving or before the day on which you want to carry your bike as a parcel via train. Do not forget to carry all the documents like a copy of the bike RC and insurance for booking.

Step 2: Get your bike packed properly by expert packers.

Step 3: Fill out the bike parcel form and enter the required details like the chassis and engine number of the bike and pay for the service. Collect the parcel booking receipt.

Step 4: Write the booking receipt number on the bike for the purpose of identification at the time of delivery.

Step 5: Railway officials will decide in which train the bike will be parceled to the destination city. Therefore, please confirm the delivery date with the parcel office before leaving.

Step 6: You can collect your bike from the destination any time within 48 hours after the transfer of the bike to the railway officials’ warehouse. Delays beyond 48 hours will attract additional charges.

Step 7: For successful delivery of the bike, keep the parcel booking receipt with you. Check the bike receipt number on the bike for quick collection. Bike parcel as per train fee and cost
The cost of transporting a bike as a parcel by train mainly depends on two factors –

distance covered
bike weight
However, the charges for bike transportation via train are very cheap compared to other modes of bike shifting in India. Since bike transport by train as a parcel is a very common mode of bike transport in India, the charges mentioned below for this mode of transport of bike will also be applicable.

Indian railway rules for bike transport through train

Indian Railways has laid down certain rules and regulations that you must follow while taking your bike or any other two-wheeler by train.

1. Keep the petrol tank empty

It is important to keep the petrol tank empty while taking your bike by train. Violation of this rule will attract a fine of Rs 500. 1000/-.

The bike lost or damaged in a train accident

If your bike is damaged or lost during a train accident, the railway authorities will pay for the loss or damage based on the declared value of the bike.

Engine and chassis number of the bike

It is mandatory to mention the engine and chassis number of the bike in the parcel form as it will be checked at the time of delivery and only then the bike will be handed over to you

Belated Bike Collection

In case you fail to drop off and receive your bike at the destination station, you can do parcel booking again with Rai officials at the nearest railway station and receive your bike.

Indian Railway Bike Parcel Booking Time

People can book bike transport by train at railway stations during these hours:

For Parcel Bike Transport – 10 am to 5 pm.

Luggage Bike Transport – 24*7  

Read Also– Bike Transport Services in Dwarka