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How to reserve bikes (not dismantled) on TGV

  • January 27, 2025
  • 7 replies
  • 168 views

We want to book seats and bike spaces on the TGV between Paris and Bordeaux. We don’t want to dismantle our bikes. On the SNCF website I can’t see an option for interrail pass amongst the passes to then reserve a seat and bike place

How do I go about using my interrail pass to book my group and our bikes on a TGV train please? I know I am going to have to book this quite in advance as we plan to travel in the summer when it will be busy. 

Thanks

Best answer by BrendanDB

You’re quite lucky that most TGV’s on Paris-Bordeaux are the only ones that have dedicated bicycle places. Other (older) TGV-trains are a pain in the ass, when it comes to bikes as they have to be dismantled. If you can see the bike symbol on www.sncf-connect.com you can take your bike fully (not disassembled).

Note that on most  TER (regional) trains you can take your bike for free, and they have proper places for it. In some regions for a small reservation cost, during high season.

Travelling with TER is a good alternative for train-bike travellers (on other routes than Paris-Bordeaux). Best check TER timings on www.bahn.com, (the sncf-connect is truly a shit planner, always leading you to the most expensive options)

7 replies

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  • Full steam ahead
  • January 27, 2025

Forum|alt.badge.img+6
  • Full steam ahead
  • January 27, 2025

Thinking about it now: how big is your group?

You might have to split into 2 different trains/trainsets as each unit has max. 4 bike spaces as far as I'm aware.


  • Author
  • Rail rookie
  • January 28, 2025

There are 4 of us, hence wanting to book as early as possible, we can split into 2 groups if necessary. I will keep an eye on ticket releases then call them.  thanks for your help. Do you know how in advance they release tickets? I think I saw 4 months somewhere? 


Forum|alt.badge.img+10
  • Railmaster
  • January 28, 2025

There are 4 of us, hence wanting to book as early as possible, we can split into 2 groups if necessary. I will keep an eye on ticket releases then call them.  thanks for your help. Do you know how in advance they release tickets? I think I saw 4 months somewhere? 

They're often released in blocks. Next release is on 12/2 for journeys up to 12/6.

Check this page to see when they're released for your travel date(s):

https://www.sncf-connect.com/aide/l-ouverture-des-ventes


BrendanDB
Full steam ahead
Forum|alt.badge.img+8
  • Full steam ahead
  • Answer
  • January 28, 2025

You’re quite lucky that most TGV’s on Paris-Bordeaux are the only ones that have dedicated bicycle places. Other (older) TGV-trains are a pain in the ass, when it comes to bikes as they have to be dismantled. If you can see the bike symbol on www.sncf-connect.com you can take your bike fully (not disassembled).

Note that on most  TER (regional) trains you can take your bike for free, and they have proper places for it. In some regions for a small reservation cost, during high season.

Travelling with TER is a good alternative for train-bike travellers (on other routes than Paris-Bordeaux). Best check TER timings on www.bahn.com, (the sncf-connect is truly a shit planner, always leading you to the most expensive options)


  • Author
  • Rail rookie
  • January 28, 2025

Thanks BrendanDB we are going to use TER’s for all of our other journeys including Calais to Paris as I couldn’t see the cycle symbol on that route on TGV, will do most of our cycling from Bordeaux! Just want to head for the south quickly then cycle most of the rest of the way after that! I didn’t realise there was a TER website so thanks I will go and look at that. 


BrendanDB
Full steam ahead
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  • Full steam ahead
  • January 28, 2025

Yeah, TER’s are a bit messy to look for information using French websites. Best look  https://www.ter.sncf.com/normandie and https://www.ter.sncf.com/nouvelle-aquitaine for some information around bikes on the regions TERs

And of course bahn.com to keep the overview, and it shouldn’t be any problem to get to your biking destinations :).