You are planning to take the bike for your next train trip in France, but you are not sure how to do it, we give you here all the tips for a practical and hassle-free transport.
This article will start with the TGV and Intercités then the OUIGO. We will then focus on folding bikes and large formats (cargo, tandem and co). We will end with the TER and its specificities by region.
- The easiest option is to book a dedicated location, which costs between €5 and €10 per trip. It's comfortable because you don't have to disassemble your bike and the seat is chosen close to your bike so you can keep an eye on it.
The disadvantage is that you have to plan ahead because the pitches are often full.
When you book your ticket, you just have to click on “add a bike”. - The most universal option is to use a transport bag because you do not need to indicate it in advance during your reservation (except for OUIGO, see below).
This cover must be a maximum of 130*90 cm and protects other users of your very oily chain. With these dimensions, you will be forced to remove the 2 wheels from your bike.
There are quite a few compatible products so we decided to develop one with La Virgule.
In addition to complying with the requirements of the SNCF, it is ultralight, made in France in Lille and upcycled from spinnaker ⛵ hot air balloon or kitesurf wing. It weighs between 140 and 160 gr and is only 25cl in volume (half a beer, yes yes). It is available here.
This product will allow you to travel with your bike on the train, without the hassle of a large transport bag. - For all OUIGOs, you must in any case pay €5 to add a bike in a cover. Don't forget to add it along with your extra baggage.
- For folding bikes, you are easy! You are not obliged to reserve a space or to put it under cover in the TGV and Intercités, as long as it is less than 130*90cm folded.
- Unfortunately, large format bikes are all prohibited: tandem, cargo bike, recumbent bike, longtail or even trailers.
- For TER, transporting your bike will cost you nothing. It will either be hung on a hook or placed in a dedicated space in some trains. There are many of these pitches, but plan to arrive a little early during large crowds to be sure to get in with your bike.
Please note, in some regions, you must reserve a free bike space. Without it, you won't be able to board the train. Here is the list of regions in which it is necessary:
- Auvergne Rhône-Alpes
- May 27, 28 and 29
- Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from June 17 to September 10
- Bourgogne Franche Comté: on the Paris - Dijon – Mâcon (Lyon) and Paris - Morvan lines, for certain high-traffic TER trains, it is necessary to acquire a bicycle coupon issued free of charge on the region's website in addition to your ticket. train.
- Brittany: from June 1 to September 3, the reservation of a bicycle ticket is compulsory in the Breton TER. You can book the location on TER BreizhGo
- Center Val de Loire: from April 29 to October 1, 2023, reservations are compulsory for trains running on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, it is necessary to acquire a reservation for your bike in addition to your train ticket*, with two separate titles, one for the traveller(s) and one for the bike(s), on the following lines:
- Paris-Bourges (train numbers starting with 39xx),
- Paris-Montargis-Nevers (N° trains starting with 59xx),
- Orléans-Tours (Train numbers starting with 16xxx)
- Paris-Les Aubrais/Orléans-Tours (train numbers starting with 14xxx),
- As bicycle spaces are limited, reservation is compulsory and costs €1 per bicycle and per trip.
- Grand Est: From July 1 to August 31, 2023, on the Paris-Mulhouse and Paris-Strasbourg lines, booking a bicycle ticket is compulsory in TER Fluo trains for anyone who does not have a subscription. Only folding bikes are not subject to reservation.
- Normandy: From July 8, 2023, for travelers with a bicycle, the reservation of a bicycle space is compulsory on the following axes:
- Paris-Caen-Cherbourg
- Paris-Lisieux-Trouville-Deauville
- Paris - Rouen - Le Havre
- Paris - Granville - Pontorson - Mont St Michel
- Paris-Dieppe
- In New Aquitaine, everything is said on the Vélo Zen website.
- Occitanie: from July 1 to August 31, 2023, on the lines
Toulouse-Narbonne and
Avignon center - Port Bou,
the reservation of a bicycle ticket is compulsory in the TER for everyone, including holders of a season ticket.
Transporting your bike on a TGV in France can be simple and convenient if you follow a few tips. Our mission with La Virgule is to accompany you on your carbon-free journeys, to set off on an adventure leaving only your footprints (or your tires) as an imprint.
