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Old June 1st 09, 03:33 PM posted to rec.bicycles.misc
OughtFour
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Posts: 39
Default bicycle travel on plane to France/Tour De France


" wrote in message
...

Do you know about the Rail Europe train and bikes?
I have purchased a Anywhere anytime France rail pass. Is this train

go by the same name as TGV?

1) Rail Europe is a travel agency that sells tickets and passes, not a rail
company. Bicycle policy for trains is set by the respective rail company. In
France, for insintance, this is SNCF.

By the way, to promote its passes, Rail Europe charges a huge markup for
tickets (to make the passes look like a good deal by comparision). So don't
buy tickets from them! They are OK for passes, but point-to-point tickets t
the regular price might actually be a better deal.

In France, you can take your bike on every train if it is a bag. Many local
trains allow your bike without a bag. I'd expect the bag to be OK on the
Chunnel train, but wouldn't swear to it. If you've bouth a pass or ticket
from RailEurope ask them, as you've paid them a nice commission.

The best source of information about trains in France (and elsewhere in
Europe) is, oddly enough, the German rail web site (google "bahn rail").
There you can search routes and specify trains that allow bikes w/o a bag.

2) Your rail pass is a rail pass, not a train. It will let you onto any SNCF
train in France. However, some trains, including the TGVs, charge a
supplement and require a reservation. The TGV supplement comes to about 5 or
10 dollars per trip, though Rail Europe will charge more. You can reserve
for yourself at any train station or SNCF boutique. Most trains do not
require reservations.

By the way, have a great time!


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