Using the Trains with Your Bike

To follow up to the article about taking your bike on the plane, here is one for the trains. First, here is a link to a site that seems to have studied this through and through:

http://www.frenchentree.com/travelling-around-france/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=19003

Now, I have traveled extensively on the TGV and on trains throughout France. There are some things I know:

1. there are often exceptions to rules if conditions permit
2. there are rules for everything
3. sometimes people don't know the rules who should know the rules

The linked article is very good, but its mostly about how to take your built up bike on a train. Meaning, you don't use a bike box. That might be important for Europeans going out their front door to the train station, or maybe even for a traveler who wants to use a local TER train to get a little bit beyond the local ride scene. But that pretty much never applies to long distance travelers bringing their $5000 bikes to Europe for a trip.

My advice, keep it simple: if you can get a good rental with your tour - do it! TGV and high speed trains in general have very little to no space for built up bikes and same even for boxed bikes. Most high speed trains are crowded. Go first class, its quieter and a better chance of less luggage in the small racks.

None of this applies if your bike fits in a suitcase size box. Couplers and folding bikes can meet this, and its worth it if you plan to travel alot. We have a client in Chicago who had his bike frame cut and fitted with couplers. Anyone looking to do that can contact us for a reference to his shop.

Happy travels,

L