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Anyone done the above? Can get to London easy enough, looked online and it looks pretty cheap. However what's the deal with taking bikes? Taking my trail bike, can bag up in a crc bike bag, or just leave as is? Anyone done this and is it a ballache to do?
thought Eurostar direct to Alps was only during the ski season?
Really? The route I selected meant a change in Paris but was running in June?
ah,
i looked at eurostar before. think anything larger than a normal suitcase has to go on a different carriage, but it's only like a tenner or so for it to travel on the same train (or a tenner more than the drop it and it arrives within 24hrs).
it's the TGV bit (or for me ICE) that was the issue.
there are bike bags sized specially to comply with TGV size rules.
Blimey - sounds a bit like hard work. I've got a bike bag but it's enormous so that's out by the sound of it. Just can't face driving or dragging a bike bag on the plane.
I've done it (sans bike) - Eurostar then TGV to Chamonix. Required a jaunt across Paris to a different station, but then again I think you can wheel bikes on and off TGV with a booking. I'm pretty sure you can book whole bikes onto Eurostar too.
Where are you coming from/ going to? I may well have a spare place going to Portes du Soleil area in late July- August. Dates are flexible, locations also. I'm traveling from South Wales by car and will share costs evenly.
Can't see how dragging s bike across London then across Paris is easier than putting it on a plane. That said we drive, which works well with a few drivers.
Ambrose - that's a generous offer sir but there's three of us going so a bit of a squeeze!
Will drop Eurostar a line tomorrow then and see what they say. Can't face an easyjet flight and having driven it before it doesn't appeal doing it again. Maybe I'm too picky...
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I've dragged a snowboard and wheely bag across Paris and that's not fun. I can only imagine that a bike and kit would be even less so. While I understand your reluctance to fly or drive and that the train journey is actually quite pleasant, I wouldn't say it was an easier option.
Usual rule would be if there's 3 of you, drive.
Eurostar only runs a direct service in ski season. Summer trains require a change in(and massive hike across) Paris, IIRC.
Interested in this too, though I was thinking about taking the roadie for a short break so the bike bag would be alot smaller and lighter. Any security concerns for leaving it in another carriage? is it secured in any way?
Done this a long time ago - London to Bourg St Maurice sleeper train.
Train goes non-stop in the winter, but in summer Involves lugging bikes across Paris (we used the metro which was interesting) and locking bike bags up in a communal area while we slept in a sleeper carriage. Some dodgy types on the sleeper train and I'm pretty sure they drive as slowly as poss to make the trip last until morning.
It was an experience... but haven't wanted to do it again!
More than one driver last time Flange?
Can understand your reluctance if you alone are driving, we did it last year with two sharing which was hard going at times but I'd do it again (it is the Alps after all).
3 sharing the driving should be loads easier?
Would also be interested in how all this works out cost wise (for any future solo trips).