Travelling by train with your bike
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 vary 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).
Please note: not all bicycles are accepted on SNCF trains. Recumbent bicycles, tricycles, tandems and all types of trailers are not allowed.
You can find the details and boarding procedures for each type of train below.
2. Travelling by bike on a TER (regional trains)
Generally, the conditions for travelling with your bicycle on a TER are:
- Free service.
- Possibility to travel with a non-disassembled bike.
- No seat reservations are required.
- TER ticket: when you are looking for a train ticket, you must not choose the option "reserve a non-disassembled bike space" otherwise TERs will not be displayed.
Beware of:
- The possibility of taking your bike with you is subject to the availability of places on the train. We recommend you avoid peak times.
- Depending on the season and the region, this service is not always available free of charge. We invite you to visit the sncf website.
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:
- Bicycle not dismantled: service subject to a charge (€10) - accessible only by reservation - bike needs to be put in a specific place.
- Bicycle dismantled in a bag (maximum size 130 x 190 cm): free service - without reservation.
Beware of:
- For night-time Intercity lines, it is mandatory to reserve a space dedicated - service subject to a charge (€10).
4. Travelling by bike on an OUIGO train
Generally, when you travel on an OUIGO train (OUIGO Train Classique and OUIGO Grande Vitesse):
- Bicycles must be dismantled and stored in a bag (maximum size 90 cm x 130 cm).
- Service subject to a charge: you must subscribe to the "additional luggage" option when you buy your ticket.
- Bike needs to be put in a specific place.
5. How do I reserve a bike seat on a train?
- Then choose your "bike offer" (non-dismantled bicycle – bicycle in a cover, free service...).
- The number of bikes will automatically be adapted to the number of passengers (2 passengers = 2 bikes).
- Please note: if the search for a ticket with a seat plus bike does not return any results, it means that the train does not have dedicated bicycle space or no more space available.
- Proceed with the booking of your ticket. If you wish to change only your bike seat, you will have to change your entire train ticket + bike ticket booking.
- To make sure that you have booked your train ticket with a bike, check in the travel confirmation whether the bike icon appears.
6. Our tips
- We strongly advise you to download the sncf mobile app prior to departure.
- Arrive 30 minutes early at the train station.
- Ask people - ticket inspectors if they can tell you if there is a lift or easier access to the platforms (sometimes lifts are hidden).
- Avoid peak times (especially for TER trains with free service).
- Never take the last TER (because if it is full, you may be refused access for the bike).
- Locate the train's bike car.
