I'm liking the idea of a train trip to warmer climes in spring and it seems reasonably easy to get to Girona. St Pancras to Lille, Lille to Girona. An eleven hour trip but with just two platform changes on the way. No need to go across Paris. Has anyone done this, with a bike box too?
Came back from Verona on the train a few years ago. Had a couple of days/overnight stops at Munich and Brussels on the way back as part of the overall holiday. Was ace, depends how long you want to be away for I suppose. European trains are flipping awesome.
Didn't take a bike though. Have you checked what the rules are on Eurostar and French railway? I know Eurostar were funny about bikes a few years ago, may have changed.
Thanks tthew, I haven't checked yet about bike boxes on trains but if not allowed then I'll hire a bike in Girona. After a few scary moments on aircraft over the years I'd rather not have the stress anymore. We can get a train from St P at 0700 and be in Girona same day by about 1900. So not bad, and we can get return tickets for about £450 which compares pretty well to flight costs. I've always liked trains anyway being as I was a bit of a gricer back in day. ?
we can get return tickets for about £450 which compares pretty well to flight costs. I’ve always liked trains anyway being as I was a bit of a gricer back in day.
have you checked out Interail prices, depends on the itinerary etc but it might work out cheaper doing a xx days out of 14 type thing?
and get gricing 🙂
Thanks tractionman, I've just had a look and with the minimum 4 days travel pass it's a little bit more than a straight forward there and back ticket, but that could still be a good way to go giving us the choice of a stopover.
Ps bike boxes are accepted but only on certain routes at certain times and booked in well in advance. Box also needs to be at depart 90 minutes before train leaves. So a right faff all told.
Box also needs to be at depart 90 minutes before train leaves. So a right faff all told.
Is this for the Eurostar leg of the journey? You need to be there in good time too because there's passport control to deal with. You can't just rock up 5 mins beforehand.
You can't take a bike on Eurostar to Lille, it's currently Paris (bagged) or Brussels (bagged or assembled) only.
I've taken a bike on Eurostar to Paris twice so far, and it's not that bad.
I'd try it the old (slow) way, train to Dover, ferry to Dunkirk and train onward, TER to Lille allows bikes without reservation.
Cheers,
Keith
Thanks tthew, it is and that's a very good point!