Cheap Eurostar tickets with a Lille start point and Brussels finish. Tour options.

[Polite]

Here's my plan;

As the Eurostar (only £30) drops me off at Lille, I plan to cycle to Thionville (does anyone know of any nice routes for this leg of the journey?)

From Thionville I am going to follow the Moselle river west into Germany stopping at Koblenz, possibly veering off for a tour of Luxembourg.

Next plan is to follow the Rhine down from Koblenz into Rotterdam.

Finally, from Rotterdam to Antwerp and Ghent before arriving at Brussels for the train home.

I'm used to cycling in France so well out of my comfort zone.

Anxiety attack regarding cycling in countries I don't know (Germany, Belgium, Holland and, possibly Luxembourg) but also very excited to try something different.

If you have any advice or experience of cycling in these parts, please share.

Many thanks.

 

[classic33]

@Hill Wimp or @hopless500, both currently on their way back will have up to date advice on the camping situation.

 

[robgul]

We have "spoken" directly .... you say Eurostar for £30 to Lille .... what sort of bike are you taking?

From very recent experience the new size rules make it almost impossible to take a bagged full sized bike as luggage - even my Dahon folder is at the limit on length. Eurostar's Freight service takes bikes at about £30 (that's in addition to the passenger fare) each way.- we used that for London - Paris and back from Brussels to London - not cheap but good value and very simple.

Rob

 

[Polite]

Correct. I've just paid £30 to take the bike as hold luggage - it goes with me but in the hold without being dismantled etc - so my £30 bargain became £60! However in the grand scheme of things I can live with that.

 

[StuAff]

Belgium's excellent cycling country. There are some rubbish cycle lanes, but the vast majority are excellent. Ghent-Brussels is an excellent ride. River path along the Scheldt is lovely, and after Wetteren just keep going SE and you won't go far wrong. Under Belgian law, if there is a cycle lane marked you must use it. This shouldn't cause you many problems.