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Indian Rail Bike Transport by Train: How to Parcel, Charges and Process Sending your motorcycle by train is one of the cheapest and safest ways to move it from one city to another. There is little or no damage, no fuel cost, and no wear on the bike, which is why so many people prefer it. This guide covers the full process of a bike parcel in train, the charges, the packing, the booking time, the rules and the common questions. It is always a good idea to confirm details directly with the railway parcel department at the station to avoid any extra cost. Along with the traditional parcel method described here, Indian Railways also offers a parcel packing and door-to-door pickup facility at railway stations on selected railways. On this page: Transporting a Bicycle by Train Prerequisites to Transport a Bike Bike Transportation Options (Luggage and Parcel) Step by Step Process Bike Parcel Transportation Charges Packing Charges and Types Bike Parcel Booking Time Bike Parcel Transport Rules Frequently Asked Questions Transport a Bicycle by Train For an ordinary bicycle, you can carry it in the luggage compartment of a local train by getting a receipt from the checking or booking staff at the departure station for a small fee, starting from about Rs 200. The rest of this guide is about transporting a motorcycle (bike). Prerequisites to Transport Bike via Train To send a motorcycle by train, you need these valid documents: ✅ Bike papers: Registration Certificate (RC) and insurance paper. ✅ Photo ID: Aadhaar card, Driving Licence or Passport (any one). Carry two or three photocopies of the bike documents, as the parcel office will need them. Bike Transportation Options in Indian Rail Indian Railways provides two methods to send a bike by train: Luggage Parcel Of the two, the Parcel method is generally recommended. It is also best to book from a main railway station near both the source and the destination, because bigger stations have enough halt time for smooth loading and unloading of the vehicle. ✅ Luggage : Transport Bike by Train Two Wheeler as Luggage : Points to Remember The bike can be booked as luggage only if you are travelling by the same train to the destination. Reach the station at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. The packing, labelling and marking of the bike are the same as for the parcel method. You must present your journey ticket at the time of booking. On paying the charges, you get a luggage ticket, and your journey ticket is endorsed. The bike travels on the same train, subject to space availability. To take delivery, present the original journey ticket and the luggage endorsement, and surrender the luggage ticket. What is the luggage method? You transport the bike in the parcel van of the same train you travel on. For this you need a confirmed reserved ticket, and it also needs railway approval depending on space in the parcel van. Advantage: you can collect the bike as soon as you reach the station and continue your travel with it.Disadvantage: it costs about 25% more than the parcel method. 2. ✅Parcel: Transport Bike by Train Two-wheeler as parcel, points to remember: Book as parcel if you are not travelling with the vehicle. Bring a photocopy of the RC and a valid government ID to the parcel office. Make sure the bike is properly packed before booking. The petrol tank must be empty before packing. Write the origin and destination station names on a piece of cardboard and attach it securely to the bike. Complete the forwarding note with the origin, destination, address, make, registration number, weight and value. What is the parcel method? You pack and submit the bike at the parcel office of Indian Railways. The railway sends it to the destination station, where you collect it using the receipt, similar to how a packers-and-movers service works. Depending on distance, the bike usually reaches in about 4 to 5 days, sometimes sooner. Step by Step: Bike Transport as Luggage Enquire early. Visit the railway luggage booking office a day or two before travel and ask about the possibility of carrying the bike as luggage on your train. Carry documents. Keep two or three copies of the bike documents with you. Fill the form with the required details and pay the charges as intimated. Pack the bike through a trained packer for proper protection. Book and keep the receipt. Book the bike as luggage, carry the luggage receipt, and keep the ticket endorsement. Both are needed for delivery. On the day of transport: reach the station early, make sure the bike is taken to the correct platform and loaded on your train. At the destination, go to the luggage office, submit the luggage receipt and ticket endorsement, get the delivery receipt, and collect your bike from the parcel office. Step by Step: Bike Transport as Parcel Visit the parcel office on the day or a day before, with your documents. Pack the bike properly through an expert packer. Fill the parcel booking form, enter the engine and chassis number, pay the charges, and collect the booking receipt. Keep it safe. Mark the bike with the booking receipt number for easy identification during delivery. Railway decides the train. Sometimes the bike is not sent immediately. You can track the parcel online and check the schedule with the parcel office. Collect on time. Collect the bike from the destination as soon as possible after it arrives, because a free window applies and after that storage charges are added. Carry the receipt at the time of delivery, and match the booking number marked on the bike. Bike Parcel Transportation Charges Bike parcel charges depend on the weight of the bike, the distance, the engine capacity (CC) and the rate scale (Standard, Premier, Rajdhani or Luggage). Distance is counted in kilometre slabs. The parcel method is much cheaper than private packers and movers. As an indicative example, for a Delhi to Chennai route of about 2,185 km, the net freight (including GST) works out roughly as: Bike TypeScaleApprox Net FreightUp to 100 CC (150 kg)StandardAround Rs 405Up to 100 CC (150 kg)PremierAround Rs 809Up to 100 CC (150 kg)RajdhaniAround Rs 1,214Up to 200 CC (300 kg)StandardAround Rs 809Up to 200 CC (300 kg)RajdhaniAround Rs 2,427250 to 350 CC (375 kg)StandardAround Rs 1,025250 to 350 CC (375 kg)RajdhaniAround Rs 3,074 These figures are indicative and rates are revised periodically. For the exact current amount for your route, use the official two-wheeler freight calculator. Back to Top ^ Packing Charges and Types Packing is one of the most important parts. A simple plastic bag tied for formality will lead to regret later. Packers near the parcel office usually charge between Rs 300 and Rs 1,000. The options are: Basic packing (Rs 200 to 300): only the handle wrapped in plastic and sack cloth (bora). Cheapest, and you can do it yourself, but it offers little protection. Medium packing (Rs 600 to 800): cardboard layers around the handle and front to protect the headlight, indicators and handle, plus wrapping of exposed body parts and stitching from below. Good for regular commuter bikes like Splendor or Passion. Maximum secure packing (Rs 800 to 1,000): every part wrapped in cardboard, plastic and sack cloth, sometimes with dry grass or bottles as shock absorbers. Best for sports and premium bikes. Bike Transport by Train as Parcel : Packed Bike Back to Top ^ Bike Parcel Booking Time You can book up to about 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train from the station. Parcel counterGenerally daytime (about 10 AM to 5 PM)Luggage bookingAvailable for longer hours at many stations Timings can vary by station, so confirm the counter hours at your station. Bike Parcel Transport Rules Empty petrol tank The petrol tank must be empty. If fuel is found, there is a fine of about Rs 1,000, and in some cases railways can take legal action, as carrying fuel is a serious safety risk. Fill fuel at the destination instead. Loss in an accident If the bike is lost in an unexpected accident, railways compensate as per the declared value of the bike, so declare the value correctly at booking. Engine and chassis number It is mandatory to write the bike's engine and chassis number on the parcel form. If collection is delayed If you cannot unload and collect the bike at your destination station, you can book the parcel up to the nearest major railway station instead. Back to Top ^ Frequently Asked Questions ✅Can I book a two-wheeler, three-wheeler or four-wheeler? Yes. Two-wheelers, three-wheelers (including those for persons with disabilities) and four-wheelers can all be booked through railway parcel service. ✅How long can I keep the bike at the station? Collect it as soon as possible after arrival. A free window applies, after which storage (wharfage) charges are added per day. Confirm the exact free time at the destination parcel office. ✅Can I keep fuel in the tank? No. The tank must be empty. If fuel is found, you can be fined about Rs 1,000. Arrange fuel at the destination. ✅What if I don't receive my bike at the station? If your destination is a mid-route station, the bike may sometimes travel further and return on the same route. Stay in touch with the parcel office and keep your receipt handy. ✅Can I send a bike that is not in my name? Yes. You need the original bike papers. To avoid any issue, carry an authority letter from the owner. ✅Can I track my bike parcel? Yes, through the official Indian Railway parcel tracking page using your booking receipt number. Quick Summary MethodsLuggage (you travel with bike) or Parcel (you do not)Cheaper optionParcel methodDocumentsRC, insurance, photo IDChargesDepend on weight, distance, CC and scalePackingRs 300 to Rs 1,000 by typeKey rulePetrol tank must be emptyDelivery timeAbout 4 to 5 days by parcel Sending your bike by train is affordable, safe and simple once you know the steps. Pack it well, empty the fuel tank, keep your receipt, and collect it on time. For more, see our guides on luggage limits in trains and the cloak room and locker charges. Have you sent your bike by train? Share your route and the charge you paid in the comments, it helps other readers plan. 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