Getting back from South of France

[jarushby]

I am planning to ride from St Malo down to Narbonne in the south of France.

My intention was to get the train back from Narbonne to either Caen/St Malo and get the ferry back to Portsmouth.

Basically this means two train journeys (1 from Narbonne to Paris and 2 Paris to caen/St Malo).

The problem is that I do not seem to be able to get "non-TGV" trains and I am lead to believe TGVs will not carry bikes unless they are in a bike bag.

Does anyone have any experience of getting back from the South Of France with a bike?

Thx

 

[andym]

There are cycle carriage facilities on many TGV trains but the Sud Est is pretty bad.

A bag from Decathlon won't cost a lot.

Otherwise look to see if there are any night trains. Alternatively I think there is a 'Corail' train from Toulouse which may have cycle carriage facilities

 

[roundisland]

European bike express is taking me down to Narbonne on Saturday I think you can book a one way return with them.

European Bike express

 

[Brommyboy]

I have been on a TGV where some of the bikes were wrapped in black plastic and not refused!

 

[Ajay]

I'm riding Caen-Montpellier next month and the Bike Express is bringing me back!

 

[loz]

hi, i'm planning a similar trip

I saw on this site:
http://www.raileurope.co.uk/Default.aspx?tabid=1585

" Taking bicycles on 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. "

so is the south east of france an exception to the above?

 

[andym]

I have been on a TGV where some of the bikes were wrapped in black plastic and not refused!

But presumably dismantled - there are very few (no?) places on a TGV where you could leave an undismantled bike.

 

[andym]

hi, i'm planning a similar trip

I saw on this site:
http://www.raileurope.co.uk/Default.aspx?tabid=1585

" Taking bicycles on 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. "

so is the south east of france an exception to the above?

IME yes.

It is very very easy to check whether the train you are planning to use has bike carriage facilities: simply go to an SNCF site (there are at least 3 in English including raileurope.co.uk). Clck on 'details' or 'check fares' if there is a cycle compartment you will see a little bike pictogram - if not you're out of luck.

If you want to search for trains with cycle carriage facilities then go to www.bahn.co.uk and use the search options.

 

[chris-s]

I've just booked a ticket om the tgv from Paris to Roscoff using the aforementioned website and reserved a cycle space which I was told will not need to be dismantled. Book in advance.

Chris

 

[andym]

I've just booked a ticket om the tgv from Paris to Roscoff using the aforementioned website and reserved a cycle space which I was told will not need to be dismantled. Book in advance.

Chris

Chris. As the RailEurope site says, there are cycle-carriage facilities on some TGV trains. The newer trains on the TGV Ouest, Est and Nord have them but the older trains on the TGV Sud generally don't. That will change when trains are refitted, but at the moment I don't think there are any trains on the TGV Sud Est with bike compartments.