Train from Verona to Bolzano with bicycles (4 people)

Question

we're planning a minimal-gear four-day bicycle tour (sleeping in airbnbs and hotels/bookings on the way) from Bolzano through Stelvio and Mortirolo in June (leaving our car in Bolzano) and then plan to return to Bolzano by train on the fourth day.

What are the restrictions / prerequisites on traveling by train with bicycles from Verona to Bolzano?

1. Is there anything I should be aware of?

2. Is it better to buy a ticket in advance or should I buy it when we arrive?

3. Where to buy a ticket from? Is it possible to buy a bicycle ticket in advance?

I have searched and the sites I found did not allow me to specify bike as my luggage during the process of booking the travel.

Answer 1

I searched on Trenitalia for a train between Verona Porta Nuova and Bolzano Bozen Sud in June.

Among the various given options, I picked a Regionale Veloce train, and in the drop down "details" I found this info

my translation of the text next to bicycle pictogram (mind that language selection option does not affect the content of these detail)

Bicycle transport service subject to terms and conditions. For details, consult the Condizioni Generali di Trasporto. Train with bicycle transport service.

The Condizioni Generali di Trasporto state:

• on regional train shown on the timetable with the related pictogram, bicycle transport is allowed
• to carry on board the bicycle, one can either purchase:
  • an additional second class ticket for the same itinerary
  • a bicycle supplement of 3.50 Euro

Indeed once you select the Regionale Veloce and you proceed with your online order, in the personal detail and payment section you can purchase the bicycle supplement

Additional information:

• Groups of 10 or more passengers intending to take their bicycles on the train must request authorization at least 7 days before
• The train crew can refuse the transportation if it causes problems to the service
• Loading and unloading operation are passenger's responsibilities
• 1 bicycle per passenger can be transported free of charge on any train, even those not labeled so (without the pictogram on the timetable), as long as it is disassembled and packed in a bag
• the wagon on which bicycles can be loaded have the same pictogram close to their doors, for ease of identification

Answer 2

AFTER TRIP DEBRIEF FOR FUTURE TRAVELERS

The regionale veloce train we booked our trip with had two or three whole carriages for only bikes.

Empty carriages with vertical hangers one next to the other, so the capacity was more than adequate for even a pretty large group of cyclists.

In the end we booked a whole ticket for every one of our bikes. If you travel with your bike, it is expected you put it in one of the vertical hangers, preferably secure it with a bike lock and move on to sit in one of the passenger carriages.

I would not keep stuff on my bike I would not miss in case it got stolen, as it is possible to get to the carriages during the trip either from the passenger parts or from any of the stops, even though I don't think theft is even a minimal problem in the area.