Are you moving to a new city for a job or going on a vacation and want to transport your bike with you to this new place?
It can be difficult to drive for long hours. But worry not. The days of standing in long queues and waiting a long time to get permits are behind us. Indian railways offer facilities to help you transport your bike to another state. It has made bike transportation by train a simple and efficient process.
There are many other ways to have your bike delivered, but as of now, Indian railways have the cheapest and most efficient way of bike transportation by train.
Bike transportation by train is a preferred way to transport your bike or two-wheeler vehicle between cities. If you want to transport your bike or scooter to a new city, then a bike parcel on the train would be one of the best options.
Almost all of us have some time or the other taken a journey on a train. But how many of us knew that Indian railways had the facility of Bike transportation by train? This article covers the two ways you can get your bike transport from one state to another through Indian Railways.
There are two ways of bike transportation by train through Indian railways. One of the ways is to get it delivered as a parcel; the second is to get it as luggage.
Bike transportation as Luggage
The first option is a bike parcel by train, as luggage. You should do this when making travel plans at the last minute and want your bike as soon as possible. It is a quicker method where you travel in the same train that is transporting your bike. So as soon as you reach your destination, you can take your bike. However, this method of bike transportation by train is also the costlier of the two. You should check in before whether the train you are taking has the vacancy for this.
Let us look at the detailed procedure of bike transportation by train as luggage.
- First, you should have a confirmed reservation ticket for the train you are taking. You should also check the availability of carrying a bike as luggage on the train.
- Two days before your journey, go to the railway luggage booking office and show them your reservation ticket. You should also carry the other relevant documents, like your bike registration certificate and identity proof.
- After verifying the documents, you get a luggage booking form. Fill in all the required information and hand it to the official. You will then be required to pay the total fee of bike transportation by train as luggage.
- After the fee payment, you will get a booking receipt. Keep it carefully, as you will be required to produce it when taking back your bike. Remember to collect the endorsement ticket given by the official.
- On your journey date, travel to the railway station along with your bike at least 2 hours before departure. You should then be able to find some professional packers who will pack your bike securely to prevent any damage on the journey.
- Ensure the bike is taken to the platform where your train will arrive. The bike will be loaded into the luggage carrier section of the train after this.
- After reaching your destination, you should submit your luggage booking receipt and endorsement ticket at the luggage counter office.
- At this counter, the officials will ensure a proper de-boarding of your bike from the train.
- You can then unpack your bike, take the dispatch receipt along with the gate pass and take your bike out of the station.
Bike transportation by train, as luggage, is the simplest way of transporting your bike. It is quick and easy, and convenient. While the cost is higher, it is well worth it.
Bike Transportation by Train, as a Parcel
Bike Parcel Services - The option of bike transportation by train, as a parcel, is provided by the Indian railways. Bike Parcel in Train Charges will be less than the other mode of transportation. In this method, you only transport your bike and don't travel with it. It's transported as a separate parcel in a luggage train. Let us look at the steps involved in Bike Parcel Services.
- Visit the parcel office a day before you want your bike to be transferred to another state. Ensure you carry the registration certificate, insurance, and other relevant documents.
- After this, you should get your bike packaged by some expert packers. After filling out the parcel form, give your vehicle number and frame description.
- Post this, make the required payment for Bike Parcel Services. The official will give a parcel reservation certificate.
- You should write the number of your reservation receipt on the packaged bike so you can recognise it when you come to collect it.
- The official will then give you the train number and other details to help you collect your bike.
- After the bike is delivered to the respective destination, you must collect it within 48 hours from the parcel office. There is an added fine if you fail to collect your bike within this period.
- Remember to bring your package booking receipt to the parcel office and collect your bike from there.
- Bike transportation by train as a parcel is also a convenient way to transport your bike. On average, this method of bike transportation by train takes 5-7 days. It is better to use this option when you don't have any urgency and want to transport your bike to another state. It is a cheaper and an efficient way of bike transportation by train.
Some of the Important Documents Required for Two-Wheeler & Bike Transportation by Train
You should not miss out on any important documents for your two-wheeler & bike parcel by train. It is imperative as the Indian railways will refuse to transport your bike if you do not have all the required documents.
The required documents for Two-wheeler & Bike Transportation includes;
- Government identity proof (Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID, etc.)
- Bike registration certificate matching your ID proof
- Insurance papers for your bike
- Confirmed train ticket (for luggage option of bike transportation in train)
- Photocopies of all the documents mentioned above
Keep these documents with you beforehand, and have a smooth process at the bike parcel services office.
Bike Parcel Charges and Cost Calculator!
Many factors influence the Bike Parcel Charges by train on Indian railways. The distance of the journey and the bike's weight are the key factors determining this cost. It is still the cheapest way to transport your bike from one place to another.
The average Railway Parcel Charges for Bike depends upon the packing you choose. Choose the best packaging service, as you cannot risk damaging your bike. These costs, including the porter charges, usually range from ₹300 to ₹1000.
Then there is an additional insurance cost depending on your bike's cost and value. Insurance can protect your beloved bike from any accidental damage. A more expensive bike will have a higher rate of insurance. Cost declaration up to ₹10,000 does not have any extra insurance charge. If the cost declaration exceeds that amount, you'll have to pay an additional 1% of the cost declaration.
Find out the Bike Transportation in Train Charges Chart below
| Description | Bike Transportation Charges in Train |
|---|---|
| Packing Cost & Charges | Rs 300 – 500 |
| Packing Cost & Charges | Rs 300 – 500 |
| Delivery Cost | It will depend on bike weight and destination |
| Insurance Cost | It will depend on the value of the bike. This cost head will be included with the bike parcel cost. Bike transport price declaration up to Rs 10,000 does not have extra charges. After that, the insurance charge will be 1% extra of the declared value of your bike. |
Important Rules and Regulations for Bike Transportation in Train
Indian Railways is a government organisation with its own rules and regulations on How to parcel bikes in Train. They can be reliable and responsible while transporting vehicles. You must ensure that you follow all of their rules when opting for bike transportation by train. Here is a list of rules to help you.
Empty the Petrol Tank of your Bike
To get your bike transported by train, you need to ensure that you have an empty gas tank. It is a strict rule, and if you don't follow it, you may end up giving a fine of over ₹1000 or going to jail for six months to one year.
Insurance for Bike Transportation in train
If the train that is transporting your bike meets with an accident due to an unfortunate incident, you will be compensated for any damages to your bike, depending upon the bike's value.
Correct Bike Information
You should mention your bike's correct motor and chassis number in the relevant forms.
Bike Delivery Related Issue
If you are unable to take your bike from its original destination, you are allowed to have your bike delivered to your nearest railway station by Indian railways. You will have to pay the required charges for this as well.
Conclusion
Moving to a new city is always difficult. But having your beloved bike with you lessens the burden. You don't have to worry about finding any transportation either. Thanks to Indian railways, transporting bikes by train has been made a smooth and efficient process at a reasonable cost. It has its own set of rules and regulations you must follow to avail of this facility, and they are well worth the pain.
Even as a tourist, you sometimes feel that you want to explore the place more but can't because of the high transportation charges. Thus, having your bike with you can indeed be a blessing. And you don't have to worry about any hassle because the bike transmission by train has been made so smooth. So, worry not; take that next step, enjoy your new city and explore it on your beloved bike.
