Spain, Trains & Bikes...

Hola!

I'm planning a trip to Morocco for a month in March. I'm flying into Malaga and then crossing from Algeciras to Ceuta. To get from Malaga to Algeciras though I want to put me and the bike on a train (or a bus). Does anyone have experience of using the trains in Andalusia/Spain with the bikes? Do most trains take bikes? On the official RENFE website it says they only take bikes on long-dist trains with overnight compartments but when I've cycled in Spain in the past I've met cyclists who have used the trains for shorter hops. I'd appreciate thoughts on the matter, alternatively what about using a bus?

Jules

Hola Jules,

sorry I can't offer you any help in this topic.
But I've another question: When will you arrive in Málaga? I'll arrive there at the 16th of February heading for Gibraltar by bicycle. Maybe we could cycle some kilometres together?

Sasa

Hola Sasa,

I haven't booked the flight yet, but am looking at an arrival date of about 28th Feb, so looks like we'll miss each other unfortunately. How long are you around for?

Jules

Nice website by the way Sasa!

Hola Jules,

I'll be there due to business and will take my bike with me to cycle the route from Málaga to Faro within one week. So definitely we won't see each other.
But have a good journey to Marocco. There are already more than 3 cyclists in the German forum who are planning to cycle there in February.

Sasa

This website surely is very interesting for you: http://www.bikeaccess.net/

Just search for Andalacia und you will find many information about the trains there.

Sasa

Thanks for that Sasa, I had the website buried in my favourites and had forgotten about it!

Although RENFE are a national rail network it would appear from my discussions with cyclists when I was in Spain and from this web research that I've been doing that there may be noticable differences in the ease with which a bike can be brought on a train in different regions. Certainly from the two Andalusian articles on bikeaccess.net this southern region seems to be more poorly equiped for carrying bikes on frequent services than more northern regions.

hi jules,
it´s no problem to take a bus with a bike! at my trip to gibraltar we used 4 times a bus and it was no problem.
bye benni

Hi Jules,

to take a bike with you in a train is pretty easy in Spain, at least where I live (Barcelona). In the short distance trains you just take them with you into the train, in the middle and long distance trains there are special compartments for bikes (at the beginning or end of the train).

Wish you good luck, I will be biking in Morocco from next monday on for one week, starting in Marrakech.

Peter

In Spain in almost all short distance trains “cercanias” you just carry your bike with you; that’s all. The medium range trains called “regionales” have a special department for bikes in the end of the train.
There are exceptions, but so far, I have found no way to know them in advance
Long distance is more complicated. Typically you can only carry bikes in your overnight department where the only available space is the bed; is up to you your own accommodation.
I travel very often in Andalusia. There is a fairly good and cheap bus network that takes your bike all right: when boarding the bus, just put it in the luggage department without asking, otherwise they will charge you something for it.

Has situation changed since 11th March?? Several of us need to get from Madrid to Mieres Puente on 11th May. Has anyone got any recommendations?

Thanks

Hello. Things have changed in the sense of security. You will get your luggage scanned in the long range trips. I haven't had any problems with local trains ("cercanias") or regional trains.

I was impressed just last week to find how well prepared the new "cercanias" trains are. You'll have a dedicated space for you bike. If I remember right, it's in the middle of the train.

Happy biking.