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I can't recall if this thread, or if another thread covers French train rules more generally, but thought this video belongs somewhere in the conversation:
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What's the least worse option?
Not traveling
Taking slower trains that don't need boxed bikes
Taking fast trains with bikes wrapped in something (it could be a reusable bag right?)
Flying, because even though it sucks, it's still probably faster and less drama than trying to use most train services with bikes
Final option is to put me in charge and I make fast trains everywhere take bikes, stupid local flights are banned, big cars are banned, etc Vote 1 hippy -
I think I’m going to try the hand luggage option on Eurostar next weekend from Paris to London (will disassemble the bike and stay within the 85cm width limit)… fingers crossed…
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Merci bien ibob!
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Sorry been meaning to update this thread but when I got to Paris I realised had a detached retina …. I was in a bit of a panic having to get back to Ldn A&E pronto l, and been recovering since etc etc…(but the 4 day Beeline route from Herne Hill to Portsmouth, ferry St Malo then Paris was fun despite the appalling weather).
I think you either have to book your bike on the train well in advance OR possibly (looking at the way you have to shuffle though passport control, security and then the train) I think disassemble the bike and split the bike across two bags eg put frame in one bag and wheels in another or sthg. preferably with a friend to help. Smuggling the bike on the train in one bag seems very difficult to me.Basically I got my bike boxed up (110cms by 75 by 25) at a Paris Giant shop and sent an urgent email with the dimensions (to travelservices@eurostar.com) asking if I could get it on the train. To be fair Eurostar replied within an hour and told me that it would count as oversized luggage.
“The item described is oversized. You would need to send it as an oversized registered item. To do this you would need to take it to the Eurostar ticket office at Gare du Nord to pay the fee. they will direct you to our luggage partners "Geoparts" - see map, to drop off the item, have it x-rayed and collect your paperwork.Please give yourself plenty of time, Geoparts will require the item at least 90 mins before your departure time. All registered items must travel on the same train as you and the last train they load is train number 9051. You would collect the item on PLATFORM level in London. Please see the collection point map attached.”
I couldn’t miss the train potentially faffing about so ended up leaving the bike in Paris with a friend. It’s still there - so if anyone’s driving back to Ldn and wants to earn £60 do let me know :)
Cheers Bert -
stupid local flights are banned
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Oh wow, events took over!
Hope the eye is mending.I reckon it would be harder to smuggle a bike on in Paris than London or Brussels. Why do you think it would be difficult though if you got it under 85cm? What I mean is did you see anything specific - like a sign saying 'no bikes in bags' or something?
2 bags is a good idea, not exactly rocket science but I hadn't thought of it!
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Yes, the Interrail site says it is ok. But I have experience of some bastard at Gare du Nord making up his own rules so I place a premium on first hand observation!
"For Eurostar trains, the following information applies:
Adults are permitted two items and one piece of hand luggage free of charge, and children are permitted one item and one piece of hand luggage.Sports equipment: Items under 85cm at their longest would count as part of your luggage allowance. Items over this length would need to travel as registered baggage, excluding skis and snowboards, which can be counted towards your luggage allowance.
Bike Bags: A bike bag with a maximum length greater than 85cm would need to travel as registered baggage. Bags under this length can travel as part of your luggage allowance."
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No specific info/notices at Paris re ‘ no bikes in bags’ or anything like that.
Yes I had the impression that as long asthe WIDTH was under 85, then you can get it on the scanner and off you go. My bike box was 75 wide but 110 long, so in theory shd be ok on that premise. But in practice I really didn’t think I cd have lugged my box thru passport control, security etc. so id suggest avoid use of bike box if you want to get thru on luggage allowance.So if you have a bike bag that has no dimension greater than 85 I think shd be ok. However I would would avoid using a bag that is obviously a bike bag maybe just to help avoid the bastard-jobsworth issue.
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I messaged a friend who has done it a couple of times, but via Brussels not Paris.
He said it was fine and the Brussels luggage people were pretty relaxed about it. His bike wouldn't fit in the scanner but they have it a visual inspection and waved him through. He had taken the forks out but reckoned that he'd put the bars in inefficiently.
I expect Paris or London would be less forgiving, but it looks like it can be done! -
Pre-C19, I regularly took my Moulton and my S&S Frezoni on Eurostar. Max dimension 85cm and bagged = no problems. London checked dimensions once or twice. Only one London X-ray machine was big enough to let them fit through.
Try to get on as early as possible or the luggage racks suitable for big bags get filled up with little bags.
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Bikes on Eurostar?
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I've done Le Shuttle with a tandem. Relatively simple - you meet a guy in a hotel car park with a transit van and he loads you up and takes you over. The only downside is that it took a lot longer than we anticipated - with all the meeting and faffing it was nearly 5 hours.