On Arriva trains, you can bring your fat bike on board if there is enough space. This is only allowed outside of rush hour, and in most cases, you’ll need a bike ticket. NS does not make a separate mention of fat bikes. The conditions vary by carrier and sometimes by region or line. For example, on R-net trains for which NS offers the Gouwe products, you can bring your bike even during rush hour with a GouweTicket for bikes. On buses and on rail replacement services, Arriva does not allow fatbikes.
This article is about bringing a fat bike on the train: a bike with standard dimensions, but with wide tires and a battery. Are you bringing a cargo bike? Different rules apply, which we explain in Bringing a cargo bike on the train. The information below was verified on September 25, 2026. Carriers sometimes update their terms and conditions, so be sure to check the current page right before your trip.
Does a fat bike count as a regular bike on the train?
At Arriva, the answer is clear. Arriva's travel information states that fat bikes are allowed on the train, as long as there is enough space. For non-folding (electric) bicycles, Arriva’s policy is that they may only be brought on board during off-peak hours, usually with a bicycle ticket.
NS does not list the fatbike separately. According to NS, with a Dal Bike Pass, you may Bring regular bikes, electric bikes, road bikes, and mountain bikes, as well as disassembled bicycles and folding bicycles that are larger than 45 × 86 × 80 cm. Cargo bikes, bicycle trailers, and handcarts are not permitted. Each passenger may bring one bicycle.
An electric fat bike with standard bicycle dimensions would logically fall under the category of electric bicycles, but NS does not state this explicitly. If you’re unsure—for example, because your fat bike has a front basket or an extra-long luggage rack—check with NS or the conductor in advance.
Why Wide Tires Are a Point of Concern
The NS regulations do not include a separate rule for wide tires. Arriva allows fat bikes on the train as long as there is enough space. We have not been able to verify for every train type whether wide tires fit properly in the bike rack. So, when boarding, check how the bike rack is set up and position your bike so that it is stable and does not obstruct anyone.
Is a bike ticket required, and how much does it cost?
NS does. NS states that you You always need a Dal Bike Pass in addition to your own ticket, including weekends and July and August. That ticket costs €8.50.
Here's how to buy the Dal Bike Pass:
- online via the NS app, as an e-ticket in the app, or printed out;
- at a ticket machine or service counter at the station.
If you buy the ticket at the station, you can load it onto your OV-chipkaart or choose a single-use chip card. That costs an additional €1.50.
According to Arriva’s own travel information, in most cases you’ll need a bike ticket, which can be purchased at the ticket machine at the station or online. Arriva does not list a price on the page we checked, so be sure to check the price before you leave.
Are there any time restrictions, such as rush hour?
Yes. On Arriva, non-folding bicycles are allowed only during off-peak hours. According to Arriva, off-peak hours vary by region and by travel product. A few examples of the off-peak hours, as defined by Arriva:
| Region (Arriva) | Off-peak hours Monday through Friday | Weekends and holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Gelderland | until 6:30 a.m. and after 9:00 a.m. | From 6:30 p.m. on Friday to 6:30 a.m. on Monday; all day on holidays |
| Limburg | before 6:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., and after 6:30 p.m. | all day |
| Friesland | before 6:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., and after 6:30 p.m. | all day |
| Groningen | before 6:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., and after 6:30 p.m. | all day |
Please note the difference for Gelderland: there is no afternoon rush hour listed for weekdays from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., but there is a different weekend schedule.
At NS, the ticket is called the “Fietskaart Dal” for a reason. The exact rush-hour times for NS trains are not listed in the section we checked. So be sure to check them on the NS page about bringing bikes on trains before you plan your trip.
Does this vary among carriers in the Netherlands?
Yes, and sometimes by line. A good example is R-net. For the R-net trains for which NS offers the Gouwe products, the following applies: if you bring your bike during rush hour, you buy a GouweTicket Bike. Rush hour there is from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Outside of those times—during off-peak hours and on weekends—you can bring your bike on R-net trains for free.
This is clearly a departure from the general NS rule. To summarize:
- NS: You must always have a €8.50 Valley Bike Pass in addition to your own ticket; one bike per passenger.
- Arriva: Fat bikes are allowed on trains if there is enough space, but only during off-peak hours and usually with a bike ticket; off-peak hours vary by region.
- R-net (Gouwe products): During rush hour, you'll need a GouweTicket to ride your bike; outside of rush hour, it's free.
Are you traveling with another regional carrier or transferring trains along the way? If so, check which rules apply to each leg of your trip. According to NS, different conditions apply to international trains.
Bus and train replacement service: this is where it ends
Arriva does not allow fat bikes on buses or on rail replacement services. As a result, your trip with a fat bike could be disrupted if rail replacement buses are in service. If there is construction on your route and the transit agency is running buses, you will not be able to board them with your fat bike.
So be sure to plan an alternative in case buses are running. Check the trip planner in advance for roadwork, and be prepared to ride your bike for a bit if your route is blocked.
Here's how to take your fat bike on a train without any hassle
- Check your travel time. Do you ride outside of your transit agency's or region's peak hours?
- Buy the right ticket. With NS, a "Fietskaart Dal"; with other carriers, the bike ticket they require.
- Check the work. Arriva does not allow you to bring your fat bike on rail replacement buses.
- Make your bike compact. Remove any bags and loose luggage so your bike fits more easily in the bike rack.
- Keep lifting in mind. Keep the weight in mind if you need to lift your fat bike on or off the train. Not sure exactly how much your bike weighs? Read how much an electric fat bike weighs.
- Is there no room? The rules say: You can only ride if there's room. If not, wait for the next train.
Do you take the train every now and then, and would you like to experience for yourself how a fat bike rides and how easy it is to lift? Schedule a test drive at a dealership in your area.
