I’m trying to figure out how to get from Paris to Marseille or Montpellier with non-disassembled bikes by train in early July 2025... and it’s a total flop!!! Can’t find any trains that offer the bike-on-board option! It’s so complicated between SNCF-CONNECT, OUIGO, and TER INTERCITÉS!!! Nothing’s simple!
I want to take my teens and their cousins on a bike trip to the Camargue, but I’ll have to start planning way ahead to sort out bike transport!!!
So glad I found VoyageForum for tips! !
I did a quick search using the city names instead of the station names for Paris and Marseille, specifying a non-disassembled bike.
Tried June 27, 28, 29, and July 1 -> no trains available.
I’m afraid all the bike spots are taken.
You’ll need to search Paris - Lyon first, then Lyon - Marseille. That’s when you’ll find TER trains, but expect very long connections and a departure around 7:30 AM with an arrival around 9:00 PM.
I also tried going via Bordeaux and Toulouse—no luck.
Another option is the Intercité from Paris-Austerlitz to Toulouse, then the Intercité from Toulouse to Marseille. Both are Corail trains, so they have bike spaces. But right now, for Paris-Austerlitz to Toulouse and Toulouse to Marseille, the bike spots aren’t available for purchase yet. There might also be TER trains from Toulouse to Marseille.
Hi,
You can still rent bikes on-site. I haven’t been in this area for a while, but I remember you need to bring effective protection against mosquitoes—they’d swarm in thick clouds as soon as the sun started to set.
[...] rien n'étant jamais parfait, rien n'est jamais parfaitement désespéré [...]
I’m trying to figure out how to get from Paris to Marseille or Montpellier with non-folding bikes by train in early July 2025... and it’s a total flop!!! Can’t find any trains that offer the bike-on-board option! It’s so complicated between SNCF-CONNECT, OUIGO, and TER INTERCITÉS!!! Nothing’s simple! I want to take my teens and their cousins on a bike trip to the Camargue, but I’ll have to start planning way ahead to sort out bike transport!
Three options:
1. Take the overnight train Paris-Cerbère (ICN 5741, 06:59 at Montpellier Saint-Roch), making sure it has a bike compartment
2. Learn to dismantle the bikes so they fit in a 120x30cm bag—no need to buy a heavy, bulky cover: even a trash bag that covers everything works
3. Buy (then resell) used folding bikes on Leboncoin. Given the distance and elevation, cheap models like Décathlon might do the trick
Hi there,
Trains and bikes really aren’t the best of friends in France, much to the disappointment of cyclists.
That said, have you tried peer-to-peer luggage shipping? I offered my services a few years ago to transport a bike between Bordeaux and Saint-Nazaire (44) via the colis-voiturage website, which doesn’t seem to exist anymore. However, a few sites (like cocolis, livreatonvoisin, etc.) still offer this service. A quick internet search might help.
Good luck, because SNCF doesn’t seem ready to improve things anytime soon.
Hello everyone,
so happy to be back after all these years away from the forum. This post gives me the chance to return.
In 2012, after 5 weeks of hiking around our beautiful country, I had to get back to Paris from Hérault. Always preferring the train, I found myself in the same situation as you. Thirteen years later, nothing has changed! I love SNCF! The best solution I found back then was to rent a station wagon in Montpellier, put our two bikes in it, and return it in Massy. I even think it cost me less than taking several trains, sleeping who-knows-where, and losing two days.
Safe travels.
C'est pas parce qu'on roule à plat qu'on est des dégonflés!
Hi Papoupinet,
Actually, nothing seems to have changed! ... But this really makes me wonder—aren’t we constantly bombarded with "walk or bike instead!" ???? or "take public transport!" ?????
I wanted to take my boys and their cousins on a week of bike-camping this coming July, so it seemed obvious to take the train together and bring our bikes. But I’m shocked by how difficult it is to travel by train with bikes! I thought this was common practice.
So, don’t lecture us about pollution! This is total nonsense!
Have a great week! !
I would’ve thought taking bikes on a train would be simpler!
I know some TER trains have compartments reserved for bikes. We took that kind of TER between St Raphaël and Nice last year. Getting on the train was a bit chaotic since there were six of us! But at least all six bikes had a spot—they were intact and hung vertically on hooks. The system’s practical and can fit between 8 and 10 bikes.
But the TER between Nice and Menton was a disaster!!!... (Train management isn’t the same between the Var and Alpes-Maritimes—good to know! And it varies all over France from one department to another!). Between Nice and Menton, there were no dedicated compartments. We just had to board the train with our bikes and wait standing in the entry vestibule. Since there were six of us with bikes, we couldn’t all get on the same train because there wasn’t enough space. The train in Nice comes from inland, stops for one minute, then leaves!!!!... No conductor on the platform to help us.... The conductors were hanging out in a group toward the back of the tracks, chatting away!!!... We asked them for help, and they just laughed and told us we’d manage! That we shouldn’t panic!
We ended up waiting an hour on the platform. The first train arrived, but we couldn’t get on because it left after a minute. My oldest son barely made it onto the second train with my two nephews. Then, half an hour later, I managed to squeeze onto another train with my other son and a nephew—just in the nick of time!!!
Thank goodness I had my oldest son with me; otherwise, I don’t know how I would’ve handled it with the other kids. I found the whole thing shameful.
Train station staff aren’t at all willing to help cyclists—in fact, they even discourage them. That’s exactly what happened to us when we tried to board a TGV, even though we had the right tickets...
TGV 8423 Departure: Paris Montparnasse Arrival: Bordeaux Saint-Jean
connection: 1 h 52 min
IC 4661 Departure: Bordeaux Saint-Jean Arrival: Marseille-St-Charles
July and August are a tough time, especially if you're traveling with family.
With the new baggage regulations, you’ve got to move everything in one go... Bike + Panniers + ...
Invest in bike bags and say they’re small double basses!
The bags roll up and aren’t that bulky.
Hi there,
It’s not just that all the bike spots are sold out—it looks like SNCF doesn’t even offer them for this route (see France Vélo Tourisme’s site)....
This message "opt for cycling or walking instead of driving" is about local trips.
If you live in Montpellier, you could easily get around by bike or on foot and use the WTER for your bike commute. In Paris, if you worked in the southern suburbs, you could take your bike on the RER...
The push for soft mobility over cars is about DAILY life, not vacations.
One note: from Paris, there are definitely some really nice bike routes you can reach by TER....
Otherwise, to get to the other end of France, you’re still stuck with a car (or renting bikes once you’re there).
It’s a shame, but that’s just how it is.
Ah, trains and bikes! We were all caught off guard the first time we tried to combine them, but then we adapted.
It seems like from Paris, you can travel all the way to Toulouse with non-disassembled bikes. From Toulouse, the Camargue isn’t too far away... The issue is the date (late June) and the number of bikes. You should aim for a weekday and hope for the best... Be careful, now you often have to reserve a bike spot on many TER trains, and those who don’t end up left on the platform.
Hi,
Check out FlixBus—I think the Paris-Marseille route allows bikes without having to dismantle them. The downside is it’s definitely slower than the train, but it’s direct!
With SNCF, anything’s possible except traveling with a bike 😜
"Homme libre, toujours tu chériras la mer" (Baudelaire)
Hi,
Check out FlixBus—I think the Paris-Marseille route allows bikes that aren’t disassembled. Sure, it’s slower than the train, but it’s direct!
With SNCF, anything’s possible except traveling with a bike
Since trains aren’t an option, some people do use long-distance coaches, but in this case, there won’t be enough space ("I want to bring my teens along with their cousins"), especially since FlixBus routes in France rarely have bike racks at the back—bikes have to go in the hold.
Honestly, foldable bikes (bought second-hand and resold after the trip) or the overnight Intercité train to Montpellier seem like better solutions.
Hi,
Definitely the overnight train from Paris to Montpellier with a non-dismantled bike is the best solution. Thanks, because I’m going to let my daughter take advantage of it—she’s heading to Montpellier at the end of July (the overnight train ticket was just bought with a spot for her bike!) 😛
"Homme libre, toujours tu chériras la mer" (Baudelaire)
Overnight trains are really great for the atmosphere.
Even though I understand the state’s decision given the structurally deficit situation of these lines (like almost the entire network, by the way—same goes for roads, though we don’t question that), it’s a shame so many routes have been closed and the rolling stock is so old (Corail trains from the 70s).
Ah, the night train—what a throwback! Back in my day, I was a regular on the Paris–Briançon route!
Hopefully, the growing movement across Europe to "bring back night trains" will reach France so we get more than just the two surviving lines!
"Homme libre, toujours tu chériras la mer" (Baudelaire)
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hello fellow cycling enthusiasts
here’s a travel journal of the cycling tour through the Rhône-Alpes Auvergne region by Claudio
zouli
it was the plan
http://cbandiera.free.fr/parcours/auvergne-Ralpes/
the trip was completed
story being posted online soon
1100 km in 11 days
beautiful and varied regions
Hello,
We’d like to go on a 3- to 4-month bike trip starting in December, crossing from Assam (northeast India) to New Delhi via Nepal.
Are there routes with light traffic along the Brahmaputra and through Nepal?
We’re also looking for any info on accommodations, wild camping, local interactions, etc.
Thanks,
Michel
Hello,
Has anyone here had experience using a gas stove in Sardinia and Sicily? I’m wondering if screw-on gas canisters (not the blue Campingaz ones, but brands like Coleman, Primus, etc.) are easy to find.
I’m planning to cycle from Morlaix to Brest (via Roscoff and the V45 coastal route). We’ll start riding on August 16th for 13 days (with stops for island visits, surfing, etc.). Is there a lot of traffic at this time of year? I’ve got two kids, 11 and 13, and we don’t like riding in the middle of cars (we’ve already done the Vélomaritime—Caen to Cherbourg—the Loire route from Orléans to Saumur, the Vélodyssée from Nantes to Royans, and the canals like the Nivernais and Bourgogne, where there were plenty of bike-only lanes, which isn’t the case on this route).
Thanks for your help if you’ve already done this route in late August!
Virginie
I’ve got my flight ticket sorted—departing in mid-November and returning in mid-March. I’ll arrive in Santiago and leave from Buenos Aires.
I’ve already been to southern Argentina, specifically Torres del Paine National Park, and I’d love to go back to do the full W trek (I only did the shorter version last time).
I also want to do some hiking and maybe even tackle a summit. I climb and occasionally do some mountaineering, so I’ll definitely be going with a guide.
I plan to start around Temuco in Chile, with the idea of heading toward the lakes, then taking the Carretera Austral.
I’m not sure if I’ll go all the way to Ushuaia—it’s supposed to not be *that* worth it, except for the bragging rights of saying you’ve been to the end of the world.
I saw there are lakes in Argentina too.
I don’t have a precise itinerary, but what I’d love is, once I reach the southernmost point of my trip, to take a mini-cruise to see some wildlife. Any tips for that?
What kind of sleeping bag did you take? Is a 0°C (32°F) one enough?
And one last question: white gas stove or can I get by with my gas stove?
Hi there,
I’ve been road cycling for several years, and I’m about to switch to gravel in the next few days—I’m waiting for my bike, which should arrive this week.
I’m planning a bikepacking trip in a few weeks along the Véloroute V81, also known as the Vélosud, from Biarritz to Le Barcarès.
Has anyone here already done this route? Any info is welcome, whether it’s about the route itself, gear, or accommodation. I’ll prioritize staying with locals as much as possible. On that note, I just signed up for the brand-new site *Guidon et Couette* ((www.guidon-et-couette.fr)), which offers free accommodation between cyclists across the country, but there’s almost no one listed along my route!
Thanks in advance.
Laurent.
I'm developing a free and open-source web app for planning walking and cycling trips (and even car trips). You can create a route by clicking directly on the map to add waypoints, and it can consist of multiple stages. The app provides tools to edit the stages and the overall route, and to display useful information (distances, altitudes, and elevation changes). A relief profile can be shown as a graph for a specific stage or the entire route.
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
After testing it for three years across various modes of transport, I’m sharing this video of a bike packing case. It’s made from recycled cardboard and shrink-wrapped, with adjustable thickness and added bubble wrap depending on the level of protection you want.
Installing spacers at the fork and chainstays makes the packaging compact. With the fifteen-odd euros for shrink-wrapping at the airport, this case travels really well.
https://youtu.be/_GDJi-GqmkM
- Low bulk (1.10m x 0.70m x 0.25m for a large frame), it fits vertically in train luggage compartments and the total dimensions (x+y+z) don’t exceed 2.40m.
- Two carrying solutions for public transport and easy handling by airport staff (no more tears in the cardboard from openings).
- Discreet packaging when dealing with bus drivers and train conductors, as it looks like an ordinary parcel.
- No need to return to the starting point to retrieve the case from your outbound trip, which you’d otherwise have to store somewhere, or deal with a bulky cover to pack in your panniers.
- You can still check tire pressure through the plastic film without damaging the packaging too much.
Drawbacks: Around 3 hours for this lengthy and meticulous process—removing the wheels, pedals, handlebars, and derailleur without misaligning them, then securing all components to the frame.
If you get a chance to test it, send me your feedback for future improvements.
Hi there, I’m planning a cross-Canada bike trip, and I’ve got a question that might seem silly, but could someone tell me how to pack a bike (in a box, with a fragile sticker... I don’t know) for a flight? Thanks in advance!
This summer, we’re planning to cycle along the EV 19 that follows the Meuse River from Langres all the way to Rotterdam.
My question is about getting back to Nantes.
Do any of you know what the best return option might be? I’d love to hear about your experiences.
I saw that FlixBus doesn’t take bikes.
By train, I think it’s possible but would involve multiple local trains.
We were also wondering if there’s a boat from Rotterdam to Saint-Nazaire that could take passengers with bikes.
Any tips or experiences you can share would be really helpful—thanks in advance!
Have a great evening
I’ve gotten used to crossing Europe by bus to return by bike.
It was really convenient to take the bike without having to disassemble it.
But FlixBus no longer accepts bikes...
What alternatives do you know about?
Thanks.
Hi there,
I’m planning to ride the Dutch section of the EuroVelo 19, from Maastricht to Rotterdam.
Since it’s too complicated to bring my bike on the train, I’m looking to rent one locally.
I’d love any tips or bike rental shop recommendations—I’m struggling to find options even in Rotterdam.
The plan is to rent in Rotterdam, take the train to Maastricht with the bike, then cycle back to Rotterdam.
Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!
Nath
I’m planning to build a new touring bike.
I want to prioritize lightness.
That said, I’m tempted by a suspension fork that could offer some comfort on rougher roads.
The recent appearance of gravel suspension forks on the market might meet my needs—at least on paper.
I’m particularly considering the RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR fork.
Unlike MTB forks, its travel is short: either 30 mm or 40 mm.
It weighs 1400 g, which is 400/500 g more than a steel fork.
Any thoughts or real-world feedback on this?
I’m also wondering about the durability of magnesium (lower leg) for long-distance bike touring.
And what’s the impact of skipping the manufacturer-recommended maintenance every 50 and 200 hours? That’s bound to happen on a long trip unless you carry extra gear.
More generally, how reliable are these kinds of forks?
I’m making an exception and creating a separate post this time, since it’s all about France. In May, we spent a week in Provence, specifically in the Luberon, exploring the cycling routes *Autour du Luberon à Vélo*, the *Véloroute du Calavon* (part of EuroVelo 8), and the shorter *Les Ocres à Vélo* route. Together, they gave us an amazing journey through rolling hills, vineyards, lavender fields still green in spring, and some of the most stunning landscapes in southern France.
It was, of course, the perched villages that impressed us the most. We visited Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, Lacoste, Lourmarin, Ménerbes, Oppède-le-Vieux, Cucuron, and Lauris. Many of them are among the most beautiful villages in Provence, and it’s hard not to agree with that reputation.
One interesting point is the route of EuroVelo 8 in this part of the region. The official path mainly follows the old railway line of the *Véloroute du Calavon*, which is very comfortable and safe. But in our opinion, cyclists traveling EuroVelo 8 around the Mediterranean would discover even more treasures if the route passed through villages like Bonnieux, Lacoste, or Oppède-le-Vieux.
We were also pleasantly surprised by how safe cycling felt. Most of the route takes small local roads, but traffic is light, drivers are respectful, and road design really takes cyclists into account. It’s one of those places where you can ride peacefully even without separated bike lanes.
Our full story:
Around Luberon by bicycle - the most beautiful villages of Provence
You can also find all our cycling travel stories on the forum:
Cycling Thread - Europe’s most beautiful bike routes
Hi there, we’re a group of 4 cyclists looking to get from Treviso in Italy to Munich with our 4 non-folding bikes. It seems complicated! Are there any solutions? Thanks so much.
Hi there, we’re planning a Munich to Venice bike trip at the end of June 2026. Getting back from Venice to Toulouse by train with 4 bikes isn’t straightforward. What return options have others who’ve done this trip chosen? Any tips or great deals would be much appreciated. Thanks a bunch! !
Hi everyone,
Happy owner of a Pegasus Estremo bike with a Rohloff hub, which is giving me trouble with the SF11-NCX-FT-E-LITE 700C TS 300/0 fork (serial number TD01329060). It’s starting to show its age, and I’d like to repair it to extend the life of my beloved bike.
The suspension is gone, and there’s an oil leak from the seals.
Does anyone know how to repair it? Where can I find parts that are about fifteen years old? Or where to find an identical replacement fork? Just to clarify, the Magura HS11 brakes are mounted using Firm Tech, meaning they’re on pivots behind the fork, facing the frame.
Hi, I'd like to know if anyone has done this route recently or has reliable info.
Does the track exist, and most importantly, is there sand (for biking)?
Any info is welcome.
Cheers,
diego ambilobe: mangaoka, manondro, ramena
vohemar sambava: masondrono, tanambao
Hi there,
New to bike touring,
I’d love to start with a section of the Via Rhona to explore and share (route to be decided).
Looking forward to exchanging tips!
I’m landing in Madagascar with a buddy before the end of April 2026. We’re planning to bike around for about twenty days or so. We don’t have a specific goal other than exploring the country and meeting the locals.
Ideally, we’d prefer a loop route starting from Antananarivo with a good chunk of it along the coast. On the bike side, we’re used to riding 6 to 8 hours a day, depending on the needs, encounters, and mood 😉 Any feedback or tips from trips around this length?
A big thank you to Lazarou for all the info you share in this forum!
I'm passionate about Morocco, which I cycled through back in 2009.
Last year, my wife and I explored the High Atlas by tandem. Completely smitten, we're heading back in April (Anti Atlas) and May (High and Middle Atlas), still on our tandem.
Do you have any info on the track between Amezri and Ali Ait Nito? Are the river crossings in the Tessaout still there? It's not easy to navigate with a loaded tandem... especially if the river level is high due to this year's heavy snowmelt!
Thanks in advance for any tips you might have, and best wishes for health in this new year!
Claudio specializes in the route of the Savoie lakes
Here are his travels
Between Bornes, Chartreuse, the Savoie foothills, and Dauphiné
Five lakes: Léman, Annecy, Paladru, Aiguebelette, Bourget, not to mention a few ponds along the way
Plenty of accommodation options: camping, hotels, and more...
A lovely route not far from his place
Rural and quite peaceful
A road cycling route created by Serge B...
First of all... happy New Year! Wishing you great roads in 2017!
I’ve been traveling for a few years now with a high-quality mountain bike, but it’s equipped with hydraulic disc brakes. I live (pedal) with the constant worry of a breakdown (leak, air bubble, heat causing the fluid to...). My bike mechanic tells me it’s impossible to switch them out for V-brakes.
What do you all think? Am I taking a big risk continuing (alone) with these brakes? Thanks in advance for your great tips!
First post here to share a quick recap of our west-to-east bike trip along Algeria’s coast in January 2025.
It was just the two of us—my partner and I—with French passports and not a word of Arabic. No friends or welcoming hosts in the country.
Under those conditions, we’d strongly advise against going.
Our original plan was to follow the coast from Algiers to Tunis. We ended up cycling from Algiers to Béjaia, then took the train from Béjaia to Annaba (with a stop in Constantine), and finally biked to the border.
We were tailed by police the whole way—whether on our bikes, on the train, or even on foot while exploring towns. On top of that, we couldn’t wild camp and were limited to the few state-approved hotels that accept foreigners. Under those circumstances, connecting with locals was especially tough.
With such an omnipresent and intrusive police presence, we’d definitely recommend against this destination for bike touring. A really sad situation that completely cuts you off from the local population...
We’d been warned, we went to check it out, and we weren’t disappointed!
Hi there,
I’m planning the route to cycle from Lille to Nordkapp with my partner.
Duration: 3 months, from May 1st to July 31st, 2026.
In the attached details below, I need to add some "non-riding" days (rest days, basically).
So I’m looking to "shorten" the trip by taking ferries or trains for some stretches. Which areas could I skip?
Thanks in advance for your great tips.
Have a good evening.
https://www.komoot.com/fr-fr/collection/4023980/-lille-cap-nord-1er-mai-au-31-juillet-2026?ref=collection
I’m planning to bike back from Poland this summer. Does anyone know a way to ship it there without having to take it apart? Otherwise, it’s a real hassle to fine-tune all the settings before departure!
Thanks in advance.
