News

By train to France - how it still works

Date: 17 Mar 2018

After for train passengers with not dismounted bikes the previous main feeder route from Germany to France via Strasbourg - Paris is no longer served by the SNCF in the TGVs, we have searched for alternatives and we have been successful:

• Köln - Maubeuge - Paris
  
  

  Köln Hbf	at 08:48	8 D-G	RE 10906	Regional-Express direction: Aachen Hbf Bicycle transport limited possible, Rhein Sieg Express (RSX)
  Aachen Hbf	at 09:44	3
  transfer time 20 min.
  Aachen Hbf	at 10:04	9	R 5031	Regionalzug direction: Spa-Géronstère
  Welkenraedt	at 10:19	5
  transfer time 7 min.
  Welkenraedt	at 10:26	5	IC 533	Intercity direction: Oostende
  Liège-Guillemins	at 10:57	2
  transfer time 27 min.
  Liège-Guillemins	at 11:24	8	IC 3833	Intercity direction: Mons
  Charleroi Sud	at 12:42	9
  transfer time 11 min.
  Charleroi Sud	at 12:53	10	R 4762	Regionalzug direction: Erquelinnes
  Erquelinnes	at 13:31	1

  This connection is available approximately every hour until 14:48. Price p.p. 52 €
  From Erquelinnes by bike on the EuroVelo 3 about 14 km to Maubeuge.
  Continuation the next morning:

  Maubeuge	at 07:42	IC2312	Intercity Bicycle transport limited possible
  Paris Nord	at 09:41

  or

  Maubeuge	at 10:42	IC2316	Intercity Bicycle transport limited possible
  Paris Nord	at 12:41

  Price p.p. from 15€

• Köln - Lille - Paris

  Köln Hbf	at 09:48	8 D-G	RE 10908	Regional-Express direction: Aachen Hbf Bicycle transport limited possible
  Aachen Hbf	at 10:45	3
  transfer time 19 min.
  Aachen Hbf	at 11:04	9	R 5032	Regionalzug direction: Spa-Géronstère
  Welkenraedt	at 11:19	5
  transfer time 30 min.
  Welkenraedt	at 11:49	3	IC 434	Intercity direction: Kortrijk
  Kortrijk	at 14:44	8
  transfer time 4h 29 min.
  Kortrijk	at 19:13	5	TER 19726	TER direction: Lille Flandres
  Lille Flandres	at 19:50

  Price p.p. 60 €
  If you do not want to use the long transfer time in Kortrijk for sightseeing, you can also cycle over the 45 km to Lille on cycle paths.
  Continuation the next morning:
  Connection Lille - Paris not on all days and e.g. on Friday at 11:13

  Lille Europe	at 09:13	TGV 7536	Train à grande vitesse Bicycle transport reservation required and limited
  Paris Nord	at 10:14

  Price p.p. from 40 €

• Straßburg - Paris
  
  

  Strasbourg	at 16:24	IC 1002	Intercités Bicycle transport subject to a charge, bicycle transport limited possible
  Paris Est	at 20:53

  Price p.p. from 70 €

• Saarbrücken - Paris
  
  

  Saarbrücken Hbf	at 15:16	2	RE 88850	Regional-Express direction: Forbach(F) Bicycle transport limited possible
  Forbach(F)	at 15:26
  transfer time 9 min.
  Forbach(F)	at 15:35		TER23750	Train Express Regional direction: Metz Ville Bicycle transport limited possible, 2nd class only
  Metz Ville	at 16:22
  transfer time 10 min.
  Metz Ville	at 16:32		TER37558	Train Express Regional direction: Nancy Ville Bicycle transport limited possible, 2nd class only
  Nancy Ville	at 17:11
  transfer time 23 min.
  Nancy Ville	at 17:34		TER33610	Train Express Regional direction: Reims Bicycle transport limited possible, 2nd class only
  Chalons en Champagne	at 19:19
  transfer time 53 min.
  Chalons en Champagne	at 20:12		TER39108	Train Express Regional direction: Paris Est Bicycle transport limited possible, 2nd class only
  Paris Est	at 21:53

In Paris by bike to the connecting station. It is not possible to take the bike with you on the Metro.