Bikes on Eurostar?

Not yet - my friend in Holland suggested Zeebrugge was from Hull only, which is about enough inconvenience to counter the benefits otherwise.

..and Amsterdam looks to be from Newcastle only. Too far North to fix the problem unfortunately

A friend in Holland gave me this link once, super helpful for planning transport through the plains of the N-land.

9292ov.nl

That is helpful - ta very much!

Just booked bike on Eurostar via Eurodespatch. Didn't get through via phone so emailed them and got a response almost immediately. They were really helpful and friendly. Have got the last place for a bike that doesn't need to be pack down. I'll be getting a train from Lyon with bike in a bag then changing at Paris so will have to reassemble the bike before putting on the Eurostar. Does mean i get to ride it away from kings cross though.

Have bought a soft bike bag but do I also need wheel bags or is there a cheaper way to pack wheels without risk of damaging the frame?

Unless it's a really fancy bike I'd just use some bubble wrap / cling film / brown tape etc and pack them in there, wouldn't bother with a wheel bag.

Ta. First time taking a bike abroad so trying to work out what I actually need to get it safely on a coach and Eurostar. Also need to be able to transport all the luggage and wrapping so the less stuff the better.

Love/hate Planet-X, but the double wheel bag from them is excellent value. I paid £15 each, since prices fluctuate it's a little dearer now. It helped me when I took my bike on the plane, surprisingly good quality. Since the price was less than most single bags elsewhere, I bought two and considered one side as extra padding/storage.

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BAPXPDWB/planet-x-padded-double-wheel-bag

They fold fairly okay, too.

Thought it was worth adding on here (because I wasn't aware, and was very pleasantly surprised) that the Eurodespatch desk at St Pancras is a revelation - they have bike tools they will lend you, a workstand and kit to reassemble your bike and be on your way again. Plus they were genuinely helpful and nice to deal with. A bit of a gem

Recent article in Cycling

So who has done the Ikea bag trick in Eurostar/any other European trains where 'full' bikes are not allowed? Riding there so its a one way journey hence no way of boxing the bike up.

Just book it on. Got away with binbags in 2012 but no chance now.

Just book it on.

Yes but I have other trains where booking is not possible, just not allowed.

Get a cardboard box from a lbs once you've reached your destination? I'd expect that other than eurostar bagged bike should be fine. (because there's no security to get through, and once on the train at worst you'll get a fine...)

I did carry a bike in a cardboard box aboard a TGV (French high-speed train) without bike space ; my box was falling apart and wildy out of the maximum allowed dimensions; I was stressing out but only got a question (whats in the box) and disinterested look from the train manager. I expect your life will be easier with that convenient travel bike of yours....

Eurostar means security and immigration for me (non-EU citizen) ..

But I will try and book a space for the Eurostar leg and for the inter city I'll try my luck with 2 Ikea bags.

Lbs will be closed, its 31st dec.

Eurostar booking is a bit of a faff but does work. Best to go in person to the office at St Pancras.

I looked into this quite a bit over summer to get me and 5 mates and our bikes back from Paris after a mini tour...

Nowadays each train only has 2 (fully assembled) bike slots plus a handful more for bikes in boxes. You are unlikely to get away with bagging it up.

All being well process goes like this:

1. call eurostar dispatch and check which trains still have bike slots
   
2. once you know there's a conveniently timed train which has spaces for bikes book your passenger ticket online to coincide with the train with space available
   
3. call back eurostar dispatch with your booking number and pay an extra fee to put the bike on the train.
   
   

If the train you are booked on doesn't have any full assembled bike slots, they also have slots available for a bike in a box (they will provide the box and tools to take it apart when you drop off). I can't recall the exact number but I think it was something silly like only 6 spaces available for boxed up bikes.

Alternative Option (which is now my preferred option)

You can drop off your bike at eurostar dispatch at any time only showing them you're passenger booking and they will deliver your bike to whichever destination your heading within 24 hours of drop off and keep it there for you for up to 14 days. This option was really helpful for us as we arrived in Paris on the Friday, dropped off our bikes that afternoon. Got the Eurostar back to Kings Cross the following Sunday where our bikes were there waiting for us.

This cost approx £25 on top of the original booking and you can pay when you drop off.

Anyone know how pedantic Eurostar are on framebags/saddlebags/bar bags?

I'm dropping my bike off tonight for a trip to Paris tomorrow, don't really fancy lugging the bags with me on the train if possible.

Unfortunately they are quite strict about that. Plastic bag time!

they didn't grumble about a frame bag that i had on mine last time i used eurostar, but they did sadly manage to rip one of the velcro straps clean off during transit..

I’ve also had the case where they tossed away an opaque bottle but left the transparent one on.

https://youtu.be/u9455boIRC4

Yeah ok sounds like I'm better off carrying them all in a plastic bag on board with me.

Does anyone know how easy it is to take a bike on the Eurostar from Ashford International to St Pancras? Is it possible to just ‘roll on, roll off’ with no pre-planning/hassle?