smalls39
Traveller
0 comments
Posted 9 years ago
Like to use regional trains( which allow bicycles) from Genoa to Calais. Does anyone know the best route? We would like to break the trip roughly into thirds, by overnighting in two interesting places and to make the trip less tiring.
Will be travelling approximately 28th May 2015. Travelling reasonable distance to camping grounds or cheap hotels from train stations no problem as we can ride.
Appreciate any help Thanks Chris
nltrainer
Traveller
1405 comments
this is a rare case where its even possible to do it all-but very slow, with regional trains (TER in FR). Check if they allow bycycles- (bycyclette or velo in french) yourself, there are often very weird and looklikeidiot rules for that in France-after all its a strike happy state railway.
The route to follow is Genova-Ventimiglia-Nice-Marseille-Lyon-=change in all these cities-Paris-which you have to cross by bike from gare de Lyon to gare du Nord!! then via Amiens. These trains are slow local and thus stop at many more onthewaystops as the fast TGV-but there are NO discounts to speak of (except the tarif jeune for those <26: 25% off at off-peak hours). In fact in theory its possible to buy a single ticket Ventimiglia-via that route, no TGV used, to calais and after datestamping it (composter) you have 24 hrs to complete the route, which is likely too short for your palns. I never camp (do not like ants in my bed), so that you have to search of yourself. Alternative: youth hostels (auberge de jeunesse)-these often have facilities for bikes. All routes have trains about ev 2 hrs daytime-they are listed under the ''no extra pay'' connections in the country headings. On ter-sncf.com-then click on region, you can read (only in French) about rules for bikes on trains. This may also differ per region.