With a special bicycle bag (max. size 120cm x 90cm – with the wheels and pedals detached, and the handlebars parallel to the frame) you can take your bicycle on board any train as normal luggage, free of charge.
- Here’s a suggestion with very little ‘extras’: Make your own bicycle bag. A wrench to take the wheels and pedals off and turn the handlebars parallel to the frame, a few small bags for the chain, pedals, wrench and plastic attachments used by electricians to attach the wheels to the frame, a pair of gloves to keep your hands clean when fitting the chain, finally a big cloth or heavy plastic bag with a handle to put the frame and wheels in. Do a search on ‘diy bike travel bag’
- On the Metro, bicycles are not allowed, but you can take your bicycle bag.
- On the RER (The Express Train Network through Paris) bicycles are allowed outside of rush hour from 6:30 am to 9:00 am and 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm on weekdays
- In France, fully assembled bicycles are technically only allowed on board ‘TER‘ regional express trains (an exception can be during rush hour from 6:30 am to 9:00 am and 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm on weekdays). Regional TER trains in France can be identified on official websites by their train number. In France, the regional TER trains have 5 digit train numbers.
- On ‘Intercités’ trains, national trains, you would have to purchase a ticket locally, about 10 Euros per journey, to take your fully assembled bike on board. Check locally for bike reservations.
- For TGV high-speed trains in France, fully assembled bicycles are not allowed on the vast majority of TGV trains but there are a few that have designated areas for fully assembled bicycles. You would have to check at the local station and also purchase a ticket there.
- Night trains can have 4-6 spaces for fully assembled bicycles for which there’s a small payment. But these spaces can fill up quickly and have to be reserved in France. Check availability at the first train station you go through.
- On board the trains, your bike is under your total responsibility. Their loading and unloading is done by you.
- Trains that accept UNfolded bikes are indicated with a “bike” pictogram or text in the schedules.