Originally Posted by
Chancy
Yair,
We did this back in 2014 with a tandem, four panniers, and a handlebar bag. It was a regional train, not slow at all by US standards, but did make local stops. I think we just paid for one bike. Some countries in Europe charge for two bikes if you have a tandem.
We also took two other train trips with the tandem in Italy with no problems.
Tailwinds,
Charlie
Note that rules are often subjected to the interpretation of the conductor. In France, on the local trains, tandems and bike trailers are not allowed (sign is actually posted in the bike carriage section) but in all the times we took the local trains, it was only a problem once with a young conductor. I disconnect the front couplers so it's no longer a tandem but bike part which satisfied her desire to stick to the rules.