Le départ se fait devant Notre-Dame dans la capitale française et s’achève à Londres. Mais arrivés dans la splendide capitale britannique, comment revenir à Paris avec son vélo? Nous vous proposons quelques pistes*…
1st solution: Going back by train
You can leave Paris through the Saint-Lazare station to join the capital of Normandy: Rouen. Once arrived in the Rouen Rive Droite station, you can take a connecting train to Dieppe train station, both trains have dedicated spaces for bikes, and you won’t pay an extra fee. The trip is about 3 hours long.
From Dieppe, you can take the ferry to Newhaven. A reminder: The crossing is 4 hours long. Bikes are welcome on board and included into the prices. 3 crossing per days are proposed by DFDS Seaway.
Then, you can take the Southern Railway from Newhaven to join Lewes. From Lewes, a connecting train will take you London Victoria Station. For the train between Lewes and Newhaven, bikes are forbidden during peak hours but authorized during calmer hours. The trip is 1h20 long.
Another option is taking a train from Newhaven to Brighton and then take a connecting train that will take you to London Victoria Station. Restrictions on bikes during peak hours apply to both trains, but bikes are authorized during calmer hours. The trip is 1h40 long.
2nd solution: Taking Eurostar
Eurostar is THE direct train that connect London to Paris by going beneath the Channel. While it may be the easiest and more direct way to go home, some precautions must be taken. Indeed, the bike service has reopened recently after prolonged closure during the pandemic.
Bikes are authorized onboard, but you must warn the customers services of the company beforehand (to the e-mail address travelservices@eurostar.com) because this service is not available on all the trains doing the crossing to Paris. You will also have to disassemble and wrap your bike into a bicycle protecting cover and drop it to the luggage service of Eurostar then collect it once arrived at your destination.
3rd solution: Taking the bus.
Flixbus buses are leaving from Paris Bercy Seine to the Victoria Coach Station. Bikes are authorized on buses, you can either store them into the luggage compartment, wrapped into a bicycle protecting cover provided by the company, or put them into the bike rack at the back if the bus has one. Maximum weight is 20kg/44lbs. You’ll be charged an extra fee (9€/7,99£) for each bike, and you’ll be limited to 5 bikes per bus.
For the Blablabus buses, only folding bikes are authorized, and must be put into the luggage compartment.
4th solution: Taking the plane.
It is also possible to go home by plane, with your bike. Despite this solution being a little bit more complicated, it’s the fastest way to go.
Two flight routes are proposed by several companies: Charles de Gaulle airport – London Luton airport and Paris Orly airport - London Gatwick airport.
To join Paris airport, you can take the RER. Bikes are forbidden during peak hours but authorized during calmer ones.
At the airport, you will have to disassemble and wrap your bike into a bicycle protecting cover to protect it and for it to take the less place possible. Then, several options are offered, depending on which company you’re choosing for your trip:
- Air France is allowing classic bicycles in the luggage compartment (maximum weight is 23kg/50lbs) disassembled and folded in their cover. However, the customer service must be warned and give their approval for you to take the bike aboard, you must do the request at least 48 hours before departure. You will also pay an extra fee for your bike.
- British Airway is allowing classic bicycles in the luggage compartment (maximum weight is 32kg/70lbs) disassembled and folded in their cover. If your bike is your first luggage used with your ticket’s checked baggage allowance, you won’t pay an extra fee. It is also necessary to warn the customer service at least 72 hours before the flight.
- Easy Jet is allowing classic bicycles (maximum weight is 32kg/70lbs). You can check-in your bike during the booking of your flight or up to 2 hours before departure on Easy Jet website. You have also the possibility to add your bike to your luggage up to 1 hour before departure directly at the airport. The bike must be disassembled and folded in a bicycle protective cover.
Please note that electric bikes are not allowed on board of planes, due mainly to their lithium batteries.
5th solution: Sending your bike home by carriers.
You can also send your bike by a private carrier. For example, Eurosender company is providing international shipping for packages.
There is no constraint on the weight. If you’re choosing a private carrier (for example a van that collect your bike in Paris to bring it back to London), you won’t have to disassemble or wrap your bike. However, protection may be needed to protect the bike from shocks. If you’re settling for a van, you’ll pay 0,48cts per kilometres, considering the trip is about 300 miles (480 kilometres), you will be paying around 300€ (200£).
How do I disassemble and fold my bike?
To bring your bike on board Eurostar, planes and, under certain conditions, buses, you will have to fold and disassemble it. The handlebars need to be fixed sideways and the pedals removed or fixed inwards. It’s a technical but manageable process.
The following video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H2TZ3wvZKY, made by the Global Cycling Network, explain how to disassemble and fold your bike into a travel box or into a bicycle protecting cover.
Et pour conclure une petite synthèse
*Cet article a été rédigé en mai 2023 et certaines solutions proposées ont peut-être évolué selon les opérateurs.