Want to take your bike on a French TER train? Well, this is becoming increasingly complicated. While some operators are restricting bikes on their trains, others are offering passenger seats and special assistance for bike travellers. At the same time, many lines require reservations making spontaneous rides more difficult and journeying unpredictable. In this video, we explain what to watch out for and how you can successfully take your bike abord.
Links:
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes:
https://www.ter.sncf.com/auvergne-rhone-alpes/services-contacts/voyager-avec-velo/embarquement-velo
Bourgogne – Franche-Comté:
https://www.ter.sncf.com/bourgogne-franche-comte/services-contacts/ter-velo/voyager-avec-son-velo
Bretagne:
https://www.ter.sncf.com/bretagne/services-contacts/solutions-ter-velo/reservation-velo
Centre-Val-de-la-Loire:
https://www.ter.sncf.com/centre-val-de-loire/services-contacts/voyager-avec-velo/reservation-velo
Grand Est:
https://www.ter.sncf.com/grand-est/services-contacts/voyager-en-train-avec-son-velo/voyager-avec-son-velo
Hauts-de-France:
https://www.ter.sncf.com/hauts-de-france/services-contacts/services/embarquer-votre-velo-bord
Ile de la France (Paris):
https://www.sncf-voyageurs.com/en/travel-with-us/train-and-bike/your-bike-on-board/
Normandie:
https://www.ter.sncf.com/normandie/services-contacts/voyage-velo-train
Nouvelle-Aquitaine:
https://www.ter.sncf.com/nouvelle-aquitaine/services-contacts/voyager-avec-velo/billet-velo
Pays-de-la-Loire:
https://www.ter.sncf.com/pays-de-la-loire/services-contacts/ter-velo/reservation-place-velo
Occitanie:
https://www.ter.sncf.com/occitanie/services-contacts/voyager-avec-son-velo/acces-velo-serein
Sud-Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur:
https://www.ter.sncf.com/sud-provence-alpes-cote-d-azur/services-contacts/voyager-avec-velo/a-bord
SNCF:
https://www.sncf-voyageurs.com/fr/voyagez-avec-nous/train-et-velo/votre-velo-a-bord/
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:43 Why taking a bike on a train in France is difficult
01:52 A few examples
07:09 Conclusion
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9 Comments
What's your take? Is France handling this well? And an afterthought: What about commuters used to taking their bike with them but now suddenly needing a reservation – would that anger you? Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences!
It is best to cycle and not use trains.
Good video. I now use TERs rarely by bike because it is so complicated. In France, people are very positive about bikes, so in most circumstances they find a way. But you can also have a fine of 50€ for lack of a valid ticket, so be careful. And of course people push the limits. Example: grandparents, parents, and children all 7 want to board a TER which is already at capacity for bikes. Example: commuting daily with a large electric bike. I once used TERs for short trips. Now making the reservation takes longer and is less certain than just riding. In Nouvelle Aquitaine (I think) people with season tickets are exempt. That is probably because they cannot change rules for tickets already bought.
In France there are TGVs , Intercités, and TER trains. TGV and Intercité require reservations, but the national reservations system handles them well. TER are in transition with ever changing local rules.
Thank you very much! As a foreigner living in France, and a fellow cyclist, I find this video very helpful!
Yes. unified dates, unified price and just an option "vélo" to check in "sncf connect", just one payment.
My solution : I use a folding bike. A folded folding bike is a luggage for SNCF.
Have been cycling in France for many years. I have always found the staff to be very helpful. I still remember a train driver taking my bike into his cabin as there were no spaces on the train.
Great insight fellows.
the french discovering federalism is funny.
also the tgv needs bike spaces everywhere