Paris<->Calais by Train

[TomDW]

I'm doing Ldn - Paris via Newhaven/Dieppe soon and was quite uneasy about getting back to Calais on the train.

I've now checked the Hauts-France website and you can actually book a bike spot. I don't think this has filtered through to the main SNCF site so it was a bit random I came across it. The K16 direct trains go straight to Calais in 3hrs.

I guess this does open possiblities for more journeys past Paris with some certainty. I'll report back if this actually does work in a few weeks!

( This is in light of the Eurostar stopping taking assembled bikes obviously. Have heard good reports from the Ldn-Brussels-Amsterdam route. )

 

[TomDW]

I got the 8:30 on Saturday morning from Gare du Nord direct to Calais Ville. It was packed. I reserved a bike space but I needn't have worried as it was easy to get on. In a way this was the easiest part of the journey as bike spaces are plenty and a bit of a free for all. Had to regrettably take a P&O ferry back to Dover. Queues for DFDS appeared to be much quicker. From arrival to the port until the ferry actually leaving was 4 hrs. NB this was without the EES checks ! At Dover station there was then too many cyclists for the Javelin train so standing all the way to London. Not sure what I would have done differently as it was the end of half term holidays and a saturday evening going to London.

I think the lesson is you could get a small group on the the Paris-Calais train but leave at least an hour for someone to get the next train but they're not every hour so check the timetable. Think that's why this one was so busy.

As a side note I don't know why any car driver would take the ferry, it takes hours!

 

[IO53]

In a way this was the easiest part of the journey as bike spaces are plenty and a bit of a free for all.

Roughly how many? I ask as I am organising travel for a largish number of cyclists. Thank you.

 

[TomDW]

Roughly how many? I ask as I am organising travel for a largish number of cyclists. Thank you.

Good question, depends what you mean by "large." I think the train had 12 carriages and at least 8 actual bike spaces, more in reality. With a large group you'd want to get different trains. Get there early etc. I think there was one an hour later. After Amiens the train is less busy. I think the whole EES thing coming in is another hurdle to contend with.

 

[T4tomo]

Roughly how many? I ask as I am organising travel for a largish number of cyclists. Thank you.

Transit van and Eurotunnel probably less hassle & angst of will we get on the train or not.

 

[TheDoctor]

I'm confused - if you're on the Newhaven - Dieppe ferry then how does Dover - Calais become a factor?
I agree the Dieppe ferry takes hours, but Dover-Calais takes 90 minutes IIRC.