travel to France
- Thread starter gbs
- Start date
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Donger
Convoi Exceptionnel
- Location
- Quedgeley, Glos.
frank9755
Cyclist
- Location
- West London
Eurostar changes its service frequently. When I last used it, you could pay a premium to get your bike on the same train. I did that. They actually sent it on an earlier one which they thought was an equivalent service - but it meant I had to lug heavy panniers half way round St Pancras to reclaim it.
However, that was two and a half years ago (coming back from PBP, hence not wanting to carry panniers far!) so it may well have changed.
However, that was two and a half years ago (coming back from PBP, hence not wanting to carry panniers far!) so it may well have changed.
Brightski
Chronos Racing Team
- Location
- Cambridgeshire
2012 me and 6 others plus bikes travelled on Eurostar the bikes had to be in bike bags, we just stuck them on empty seats all the the way from St Pancras to Avignon ...
- Location
- The TerrorVortex
You can do that on the ones to Avignon, but the ones to Paris/Lille/Brussels you need to check the bike in, unless it folds down to 85cm or less. Here's the Eurostar policy - it's changed recently.
Looks like I'm touring on a Brompton this year!
Brightski
Chronos Racing Team
- Location
- Cambridgeshire
Cherry Stewart
Active Member
This response might be a bit late but for anyone interested in using the Bike Express in the future I have just used it to get to Valence and back with my bike and thought the whole process to be very smooth and well organised. The bus can arrive early at the pick up points and if you're all there they pick you up and move on to the next one. You are well looked after and informed of stops (of which there are many and are glad of). For added comport I took a blanket and travel pillow and was glad of it as it does cool off during the night with the air con on. Most of the travellers on board are people with touring bikes, tandems and recumbents. However road bikers do use this service and it is preferable to using Eurostar of which I've used twice with a bike both of occasions have been very painful (and I do not recommend). My carbon road bike was stored in the trailer behind the coach, side by side in racks resting the weight on the rear wheel and the front wheel resting in a frame with strapping just below the handlebars (no damage at all and transported well). However I did notice on my return that some bikes were stored on a top level of the bike carrier and they had a clasp that grips the down tube - now I know that this would not be good for a carbon frame (okay on aluminium and steel framed), so keep this in mind if you have a carbon framed bike as you would want to ensure the wadded strapped option - I'm sure the courier would oblige if you had any concerns (he seemed very amenable). I hope this is helpful?
Twowheelxtc
Senior Member
Bike Express.......Ive used it twice and this year will be the third. Easy and efficient. Plenty of leg room so reasonable comfort although sitting that long can be a little numbing!!!
robing
Über Member
Used Bike Express several times and using them again to get back to Spain. I think £143 to get from the Midlands to Spain for you and your bike including the ferry is pretty good value. The whole thing is pretty smooth and there are frequent stops where you can get out and stretch your legs.
