Bikes on trains

[steveindenmark]

We have a week off next week and are trying to plan bringing our bikes over and riding the C2C from Workington.

We would land at Stansted.

I have been looking at train sites and have now got to the stage where I want to throw the ipad out of the window.

I do not want to go into London. I would rather go to Cambridge, Leicester and then North. Anywhere but London. On all of the sites I look at I can see nothing about bikes and need to know if I can get them on a train and if I can, what will it cost. These are road bikes and not fold up bikes.

Any help would be appreciated.

Steve

 

[Bodhbh]

If you use Eastcoast, they have an option to book the bike when you make your reservations. If you take em on the spur, main thing to watch out for is them not been allowed on at rush hour (particularly leaving London in the evening) or the intercity trains where often booking is manditory. It shouldn't cost anything to take a bike, booked or otherwise.

 

[StuartG]

You might not want to go to London but it may be the easiest, fastest and cheapest way. Bikes travel free on all trains.

You will, subject to space and rush hour restrictions, be able to take your bikes from Stansted to London without booking (although you may find booking your own passenger ticket in advance is cheaper than on the day). Here is the train company's policy: http://www.abelliogreateranglia.co.uk/travel-information/your-journey/cycling/bikes-on-trains

Virgin is also free for bikes. You will have to book your bike with your passenger ticket from London to Workington with Virgin trains. The bikes travel separately from you in what used to be called the 'guards van' in their Pendalino trains - usually in the power unit at the near end of the platform at Euston. The number of cycle reservations is strictly controlled to just four. When you book your ticket online make sure you specify the bicycle reservation - it will tell you if no places are available. It is very strongly recommended you buy Virgin tickets in advance. The prices are quite reasonable. Buy them on the day and they are eye watering. The problem is the best price tickets are restricted to a specific train so you need to add in a contingency for your plane/other train to be late (aka an opportunity to enjoy a day out in London).

You can book any train on any train company website - you don't have to use their own. I find Southern's one of the easiest: http://www.southernrailway.com/. You collect them from a machine at any station using your credit card for identification. Remember Stansted to London and London to Workington as separate tickets may be cheaper than a through ticket. Its a bit of a game with the train company the likely winner.

Don't worry about being confused. Its devilishly complicated so do feel free to come back here for help.

 

[Soltydog]

Going your preferred route would probably cost more because of using many different operators As others have posted via London maybe the best & cheapest option. Not used many TOCs with my bike, but East Coast insist on a reservation, Northern Rail which you will probably use at either end of ride is just 1st come 1st served

 

[StuartG]

I should add that if there are three or four of you then consider using Groupsave. That gives you four tickets for the price of two - 50% off. However they may be more difficult to book. I've only done it 'on the day' from a manned ticket office. But it does make them considerably less eye watering. Google Groupsave for more.

 

[22camels]

If it's not already booked is it possible for you to fly into somewhere closer to Workington, like Manchester, Edinburgh, Leeds or even Newcastle?

 

[CopperBrompton]

I should add that if there are three or four of you then consider using Groupsave. That gives you four tickets for the price of two - 50% off.

GroupSave is 3-for-2 now, sadly.

 

[nickyboy]

Stansted - London Liverpool St - London Euston - Lancaster (or Preston) - Workington has got to be the cheapest and most efficient route. Not sure about Liverpool St to Euston, I guess you could ride it?

Parts of the train ride from Lancaster to Workington are spectacularly beautiful. The viaduct crossing the Kent estuary at Arnside is fab

EDIT: seems there is no direct train Preston/Lancaster to Workington, you have to change at Barrow which is a pain. Probably easier to go London Euston - Carlisle - Workington. And that way you get the scenic run over Shap in the Lake District

 

[G3CWI]

I should add that if there are three or four of you

...and on many trains there are only two bookable bike spaces - making travelling as a larger group tricky at best.

 

[StuartG]

Not sure about Liverpool St to Euston, I guess you could ride it?

The District/Circle/Hammersmith tube lines allow road bikes free of charge out of rush hour and connect Liverpool Street and Euston Square directly so you will not have to brave London traffic - even worse London cyclists! You may have to carry your bikes up a few steps at Euston Square.

In general cut'n'cover lines lines do - deep lines don't. Here is a map:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/bicycle-tube-map.pdf

NB if you go through a gate that services both a surface and deep line such as Liverpool Street expect to be challenged. Just be firm and convincing that you are taking the Circle/District. Print and carry the map in case you meet a new member of staff.

 

[StuartG]

...and on many trains there are only two bookable bike spaces - making travelling as a larger group tricky at best.

My experience of Albellio is that conductors are very relaxed about taking on extra bikes without reservation - as long as there is space and won't interfere with any wheelchairs on sliding door stock. Any problem, just take the next. The HS125 (typically London-Ipswich-Norwich) have to be bookable for the same reason as Virgin and take at least 4. But the Stansted trains should be ok.

 

[G3CWI]

My experience of Albellio is that conductors are very relaxed about taking on extra bikes without reservation

I dont know that operator but I agree that the staff are generally helpful. Virgin are completely inflexible - do it their way or no way.The whole process is more stressful than it needs to be as you are, so often, relying on the goodwill of the staff rather than any particular right to travel.

 

[steveindenmark]

Thanks for this great information guys. Stuart I will watch out for you on the next Mastermind. Specialist subject " Bikes on trains".

Steve

 

[growingvegetables]

For future use, this ... http://www.atob.org.uk/bike-rail/uk-bike-rail-restrictions/ ? It's a long time since I have used it, but it used to be kept pretty bang-up-to-date.

 

[jefmcg]

http://www.southernrailway.com/offers/money-back-guarantee/

this is also useful. I booked two cheap tickets for the train I expected to make from the ferry, and 2 for the later train, on 4 separate transactions. I ended up travelling alone (and thoroughly missed the first train as the ferry doors were stuck), but was able to get all the other fares refunded. You have to book through southern to do this, but I think it applies to all services.