3 of us will be traveling to France in late September to bike the Loire River Trail.
Can you suggest best way for us to get our boxed bikes from airport to train station? Are there car services large enough to accommodate bikes and passengers?
Thank you!
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
2084 posts
Unbox them and roll them on the train/underground.
Posted by
USA
5 posts
Are your bikes in cardboard boxes or a bike specific travel case? We have soft sided bike travel cases on wheels and had no problem taking the RER from Charles de Gaulle to our hotel. A few days later we walked with them a reasonably short distance to Gare Montparnasse. They are light weight and highly maneuverable once you get the hang of it. Maybe you can rent some locally before your trip?
Due to limited luggage space I would not recommend taking the TGV trains though.
The actual “traveling” part of a trip with bikes is definitely not something we enjoy. We pack as light as possible otherwise to compensate.
Posted by
OP
Maryland
3 posts
The bikes will be in cardboard boxes. Thanks for your response!
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1546 posts
We didn't use it but the trains in France advertised - book your bike - on TGV/Oui routes. I think it's 5 or 10e depending on the service and supposed saves a bike spot for you. I'm assuming a boxed bike would qualify as a "not dismantled" bike for their purposes.
https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/train/bike-onboard
We saw many people with bikes on the trains so it's pretty common.
Hope that helps,
=Tod
Posted by
OP
Maryland
3 posts
Thank you Tod. These suggestions are really helpful with our planning.