Bikes on Aviva Wales trains

[Bodhbh]

I've never had a guard check for bookings on those trains, but some are highly liable to be crammed and like someone said, the bike space can take 2 at a push. Me and a mate went up to Bangor from Chester and back the other weekend and it was probably the most stressful train journeies I've had. It was jammed and both of us were holding the bikes balanced on the back wheel for most of the time, the bike space was full of passengers and luggage, and then people trying to get to the toilet etc and gettign wound up with you in the way, but really nowhere to move.

I've used it a few times before and it's not been too different, if intending to use it, I'd really recommend going as off-peak as possible (we used it 3pm on a friday up to Bangor and 4pm coming back and it was already bad).

 

[al-fresco]

Me and a friend have used Arriva Trains Wales from Wolverhampton (without booking) for the last 3 Saturdays and not had any problem from the guards, even when there was already a bike on the train. I've used the service when there have already been 2 bikes on and (as there's no room to get mine into the cubby hole) I've stood with my bike between the carriages to make sure it doesn't cause an obstruction. Again there was no problem. Having said that I have heard of Arriva guards refusing to allow more than two bikes on but I've never witnessed it.

 

[Danny]

Bodbhh - your experience chimes with my memory of travelling back from Bangor a few years ago. It was stressful, and I didn't even have a bike with me that time!

al-fresco - personally I would be inclined to risk getting 3 bike on a train based on what you and others have said. However one of my travelling companions is risk adverse so we will probably travel on separate trains.