How to transport bicycle in public transport and how to buy tickets

Local trains that were fabricated in the Soviet Union are still used on Railways of the Republic of Belarus.

They are slow, but strong and rather spacious.

This type of train can be called as regional economy class lines in the schedule. It can also be recognized as the train without the number of remaining tickets on the website. Ticket buy is only possible at the station. You must buy additional ticket for your bike. We recommend to transport the bike in the bag and with one removed wheel at least.

Under the new rules, the requirement for compulsory bicycle transportation in the vestibules has disappeared. Now the bicycle can be carried as a normal baggage on the luggage grounds, which are in many wagons next to the inside doors. If the grounds are crowded, or they are not on the train (for example, in diesel trains), then you can place the bike in the vestibule. Usually the first and last wagons of trains have wide tambours. At a station with a long landing time it’s better to come earlier  and look for a wagon with a wide vestibule in advance.

3 or 4 bikes are fitted on the third luggage shelf in one coupe second class. Under the new rules, you can be forced to buy an additional luggage ticket for each bike if its dimensions are more than 200 cm in the sum of three dimensions. Therefore, be prepared to pack it as compactly as possible. Cyclists remove both wheels, twist pedals and turn the handle bar for compactness. The frame of the bike is hiding in the case. Wheels are hidden in the case or in special plastic bags (more compact). Bicycles do not prevent to passengers this way. It is necessary to buy another one ticket for every bike according to new rules.

Transporting of one bike on luggage shelf:

It will be better not to put the bike this way because it can be dropped down during the braking:

The transportation of several bikes on the luggage shelf:

The transportation of four bikes together:

Some new second class wagons have the partition between the corridor and the coupe. It is very difficult to find a place for bicycles in this type of wagon. It is impossible to understand before buying a ticket which type of wagon you will have.

Separate packing of frame and wheels will allow you to place bikes more compact:

General wagons can be of two types:

• It is a second class coupe, in which 3 passengers are going on 2 shelfs. Accordingly, you will not have a place for bicycles sufficiently.

• It is the similar of local train wagon, but with the numbered seats. In this case, you will be able to place the bike on the area for luggage only, but there isn`t this area in every wagon or in the vestibule.

Sedentary wagons do not have place for transportation of bikes usually.

Our recommendation is to avoid such a type of wagons.

It is the rather problematic for single cyclist to place the bike in coupe without disturbing of other passengers usually. There is a top shelf for luggage in coupe, where one bike may be fitted, but usually it is occupied by the luggage of other passengers. Cyclists are usually grouped and redeem 4 seats in one coupe and travel threesome. 2 packed bikes are placed on the one lower free shelf. Or it is possible to redeem 3 seats in the coupe and go together.

If you travel alone you will be obliged to buy a baggage ticket according to new rules in most cases.

If you travel threesome and you have 3 bikes, so formally you should have 3 tickets for you and 3 tickets for your bikes if your bikes more tham 200 sm. But if you buy all 4 tickets, then you may be able to negotiate with inspectors to not buy two extra luggage tickets.

The placing of the bike on the top shelf in coupe:

Cyclists don’t travel by SV (Luxury) usually. There are only 2 seats in one coupe in the wagon of standard configuration and there aren`t shelves for the transportation of bike.

There are special places for bicycles in regional lines. About 4 bikes can be accommodated in this train. You need to buy a special bike ticket.

There are several types of trains running on the direction Minsk-Vilnius.

There are several types of trains of the Belarusian railway: in some of them there are special bicycle brackets and you can buy an additional ticket for a bicycle through the website. We don’t know Is it possible to carry a bicycle on trains without brackets without ticket.

Lithuanian trains have brackets for transporting bicycles, but cashiers cannot sell a bicycle ticket for them. Conductors on the train say that they let the cyclist going without an additional ticket, but ask that the bike be in a case. Of course, in this case you can not use the bracket. Contradictions. Apparently, we recommend to do as the conductors say.

Trains of the Russian railway have second-class cargiage and coupe carriage according to the rules of the Russian railway.

Trains of the Belarusian railway:

Trains of the Lithuanian railway:

The website for view of buses and minibus taxis schedule: http://ticketbus.by/

The website is only in Russian language.

You can find the schedule, fare and available free places on this website. If you have belarusian SIM-card you can buy ticket online.

Also on the website it is possible to see the type of the bus and then find its picture by Internet and define its size and the presence of the luggage compartment. Some large minibus taxi have place for 1 or 2 bikes at the back.

The transportation of large baggage (over 180 cm in total of three dimensions) is possible only in luggage compartment. You will need to buy luggage ticket possibly. If you remove 1-2 wheels and pack the bike in case then the problems with transportation will not occur.

However, if it’s a suburbanbus, it is often possible to transport the bike in the cabin without dismantling. Many suburban buses are low-floor now. There is enough spacious area opposite the second door where you will find a place.

On the page Useful phones you can find phones of bus stations.

The transportation of large baggage (over 180 cm in total of three dimensions) is possible only in luggage compartment. There isn`t luggage compartment in public transport, therefore, the transportation of bicycles is prohibited.

But in practice the transportation is quite possible even the bike is not folded. This will depend on the driver, because he has the permission to deny you on the trip.

If you have got a “wicked uncle”, wait for the next bus. Buy another one ticket just in case. Tickets can be bought at the driver or at the bus stop in specialized kiosks.

If you remove 1-2 wheels and pack the bike in case then problems with transportation will not occur. Many urban buses and trolleybuses are low-floor now in Minsk. There is enoughspacious area opposite the second door where you will find a place.

Timetable of transport in Minsk can be found on the website: minsktrans.by/city

Formally, you can carry the luggage which dimensions exceed 120 cm but not exceed 200 cm in total of three measures for additional payment. Standard adult tourist bike exceeds 200 cm in total of three measures even 2 wheels are removed.

Conclusion: in practice, the staff of metro allows passengers with packed bike usually. Especially, if you smile broadly. Very advisable to pack the bike in a case and not to travel at rush hour.