On a cycling holiday in France, you may have to travel by train with your own bike. In particular, when you travel directly by bike to the starting point of the cycle route - or when you return from your destination.
Below you can find out what you need to know about travelling with your bike on a train in France, as well as our tips and useful links.
1. Bicycle boarding conditions
In France, the conditions for boarding bicycles varies according to the type of train (regional - high-speed trains (TGV), intercity, OUIGO, etc.), the region and the season.
In some cases, you can take your undismantled bike on board free of charge (generally on regional trains). On the other hand, sometimes you will have to reserve a paid space for your non-dismantled bike (generally on TGV, intercity and OUIGO trains).
You can find the details and boarding procedures for each type of train below.
2. Travelling by bike in a TER (regional trains)
Generally, the conditions for travelling with your bicycle in a TER are:
Beware of:
3. Travelling by bike on an INOUI TGV and on an intercity train
Generally, when you travel on TGV INOUI or intercity train, you have 2 options:
Beware of:
4. Travelling by bike on an OUIGO train
Generally, when you travel on an OUIGO train (OUIGO Train Classique and OUIGO Grande Vitesse):
5. Exceptions
IN THE OCCITANIE REGION : from 16/04/2022, on weekends, school holidays "Occitanie" until 31/08/2022 on the line Narbonne - Toulouse, it is necessary to book a free bike coupon on the website of the region in addition to your train ticket.
IN BRITTANY REGION: from 1 June to 28 August, you need to reserve a place to travel with a bicycle in addition to your train ticket. This reservation is mandatory and payable (€1) on all trains running in Brittany (except the Auray-Quiberon line).
IN BOURGOGNE FRANCHE COMTE REGION: for the Ascension and Whitsun weekends, on the Paris - Dijon - Lyon and Paris - Morvan lines, for certain TER trains with a high number of passengers, it is necessary to acquire a bicycle coupon issued free of charge on the region's website in addition to your train ticket.
IN THE PAYS DE LA LOIRE REGION: from 11/06 to 11/09/2022, the LOIRE À VÉLO train is offering up 83 seats per train, including 17 in a dedicated area with assistance for boarding your bike (and up to 66 in self-service). Reservations (free of charge) are recommended for access to the dedicated area with boarding assistance (17 places).
In Ile-de-France, bicycles are allowed on all trains, including the RER in Paris, except during peak hours (Monday to Friday from 6.30am to 9.30am and from 4.30pm to 7pm).
In Alsace, the TER200 trains are closed to bicycles from Monday to Friday from 6.30am to 8.30am and 4pm to 6.30pm.
6. How do I reserve a bike seat on a train?
7. Our tips