BIKES ON TRAINS

It is worth noting that cycles can be taken free of charge on many trains in France, certainly on most TERs, the regional express trains that cover the whole network.

All images © RailEurope

bikes on TRAINS: EUROSTAR

Here are your options with Eurostar. 

1. Carry it on board
If you can fold or dismantle your bicycle and place in a bike bag no bigger than 85cm in length, you can carry it on board yourself as part of your normal luggage allowance. There’s no charge for this. 

2. Put it in the luggage van
If carrying it on board isn’t feasible, you can store your bike in the luggage van on the same train (subject to available space). This only applies on London, Paris and Brussels routes. Expect to pay around £30 each way.

To do this, you’ll need to call Voyages/SNCF and ask us to put your booking on hold, then call the EuroDespatch centre on 0844 822 5822 quoting a reference number we’ll provide for you. EuroDespatch will then reserve your bike space. Then it’s just a matter of calling us back to finalise the passenger tickets you have on hold. 

3. Send it registered baggage
You can use Eurostar’s registered baggage service on London to Paris, Lille and Brussels routes. The charge is £22. Your bike will be delivered safely to your destination, although not necessarily on the train that you’re travelling on. Again, to do this, you’ll need to call RailEurope and do as above.

 bikes on TRAINS: the tgv

Some TGV trains have special storage spaces for fully assembled bicycles. Expect to pay around £10. Bicycle spaces must be reserved when you book your tickets. Or you can take your bicycle in a bike bag (which must be no bigger than 120x90cm), free of charge. 

Bicycle spaces need to be booked at the same time as you book your seat. To make your booking, phone the Rail Europe call centre or visit the London Travel Centre as bike spaces can’t be booked online.

bikes on TRAINS: ter and teoz

Some TER trains have dedicated coaches with free bike spaces. These are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Or, to be sure, you can take your bicycle in a bike bag (which must be no bigger than 120x90cm). 

Teoz trains have special storage spaces for fully assembled bicycles. There are usually six of these in coaches 3 and 13. Expect to pay around £10. Bicycle spaces must be reserved when you book your tickets. Or you can take your bicycle in a bike bag (which must be no bigger than 120x90cm) free of charge.

Bicycle spaces need to be booked at the same time as you book your seat. To make your booking, phone the Rail Europe call centre or visit the London Travel Centre as bike spaces can’t be booked online.