We will be traveling from Nice to Orange, part way on the TGV. We will have a tandem in a box. My understanding is that baggage cars are few and far between. How do we find out if the train we have reservations for can take the tandem? Thank you.
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
The TGV website has a Passenger Services tab that gives information about baggage on trains. It says:
"On trains, only take luggage that you can easily carry" and describes the standard luggage storage spaces.
Posted by
gaston, oregon, usa
842 posts
We just rode the TGV 1st class (the only way to go, and amazingly cheap when pre-booked!) from Paris to Avignon. We had no trouble finding room for any of our luggage.
They had an overhead for our small stuff, and lots of room at the end of the car for other luggage.
1st class usually has more room, for you and your luggage, even next to your seat.
Now, comes the next question....how big is that tandem box? They can accomodate huge bags, but oversize boxes....I don't know about that.
Posted by
Freedonia
16283 posts
Here is the TGV website regarding Bicycles. Read it CAREFULLY as it mentions "tandems."
TGV and Bikes
Posted by
Centennial, CO, USA
1895 posts
13 years ago we took our tandem in a USA tandem bike case on the train to start a bike tour in France.
The case was on wheels, so that made it a bit easier to move around. We ended up standing it up on it's end at the back of the train car.
you might also look into seeing if the train offers a bike car..you pay a bit to store your bike there, but it might be worth it.
As a side note...if you plan on traveling with your tandem, you should really, really look into purchasing a S & S coupled one.
Have you checked with the airlines for the charge you will face when you show up at the ticket counter to check that bike box on the airplane? Get your wallet out. Expect $350 and up one way.
If you have any other questions about traveling with a tandem, email me. We've taken 6 bike tours in France and Italy so far with ours. (but now we have a S & S coupled Calfee that goes into two suitcases)
Posted by
OP
Davis, CA, USA
2 posts
Thanks to all who replied to this post. Following is information from a French citizen who works with an American bike tour company:
The SNCF is very difficult to deal with when it comes to bikes! The maximum allowed size is actually 90cm x 120cm, so 180cm is definitely too big.
Your client can try to take it with him but if the controller thinks it’s a nuisance to other passengers (or if he’s just in a bad mood!), he can ask the client to ship his bike separately (which takes a few days, so your client won’t have his bike to start his tour), or pay for a full ticket, or just get out of the train.
Yes I know, French people are not easy!
So the best thing to do is look for a train that has a bike logo on it, that way your client can pay a supplement to have his bike in this special car on the train where they store the bikes. There is no way to buy those ahead of time since space is limited, so I would advise getting to the train station early! <<<
We got this question answered...but have since discovered that the airline we are flying on will not transport baggage the size of a tandem...however, DHL would ship it for over $800...each way. Next time we will need to research the airline policies BEFORE buying the "cheap" ticket.
Thanks again to all for your help.