 Poster: A snowHead
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This isn't strictly a ski question, but I figure this is probably one of the most likely places to find people that have done something similar. We are intending to head to Les Gets this summer with mountain bikes and we are dabbling with the idea of getting the train. It's more expensive than flying but it would mean we didn't have to bother dismantling bikes and might just be a nicer experience generally.
Without bikes, it looks like it would in theory be pretty straightforward to get pretty close to the resort where my brother would be able to pick us up with a van as he'll already be there with his family. However, I really have no idea how much the bikes would complicate things. There would be 3 or 4 of us so quite a large volume of bike to be stashed somewhere. Are the trains setup for taking large bits of kit? Do they charge more for taking sports equipment like they do on planes. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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You can certainly get easily to Cluses, from which there is a bus service to Les Gets. Not sure about their policy on bicycles, they are pretty regular trains so there is a good chance they carry bikes.
According to a friend, if you opt for flying there is a good cycle track which runs pretty much from the airport and along the Arve Valley.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Thanks. Cluses was where we were looking to aim for. If we were flying we would just get a hire car or bus or something to resort. Chucking it into Google, it says it's a 3 and half hour ride which isn't that bad, but I think that assumes on road with road bikes, not MTBs with a week's worth of gear in tow, especially as the bikes are partially dismantled for the flight and then you also have a bike bag to deal with as well. I guess my query is really about how easy it is to get to cluses with bikes
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@el nombre, Perhaps not much use to you but the only time we caught a train to Cluses was from Lyon. There was plenty of space for bikes/ski racks on the train.
Where are you planning to start from? Are you taking the ferry to Calais or starting from somewhere else in Europe? It may make a big difference if you have to catch a TGV for part of the journey. From my reccolections there is not much space on a TGV for big bits of luggage.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Hmm yeah, that's not ideal. I've messaged Eurostar to see if they are back up and running by the time we're looking to go
| johnE wrote: |
@el nombre, Perhaps not much use to you but the only time we caught a train to Cluses was from Lyon. There was plenty of space for bikes/ski racks on the train.
Where are you planning to start from? Are you taking the ferry to Calais or starting from somewhere else in Europe? It may make a big difference if you have to catch a TGV for part of the journey. From my reccolections there is not much space on a TGV for big bits of luggage. |
The intention was to go the full way on the train so Eurostar from London to Paris, then the rest of the way on whatever domestic services are available. Research hasn't really got much further than sticking the journey into trainline.com so far, but from that it didn't look too bad. Just a 20mins cycle across the middle of Paris to get from gare du Nord to gare de Lyon plus one extra change. Part of that is TGV though so could be an issue
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| el nombre wrote: |
Hmm yeah, that's not ideal. I've messaged Eurostar to see if they are back up and running by the time we're looking to go |
If the Eurostar doesn't work, could a possibility be trains to Dover, foot/bike passenger on a ferry, and then train from Calais down to Cluses?
Looks to be just between 9-10hrs and 2 changes. Paris and Bellegarde-sur-Valserine.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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They stopped taking bikes during Covid and are conveniently avoiding putting the service back in place. Probably caused them no end of hassle and loved the excuse to stop it.
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This link still says you can book bike space on a Eurostar! (I guess it is out of date)
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Timmycb5, great idea but how actually feasible to find public transport up from / down to Cluses or Thonon after a late or before an early train?
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You know it makes sense.
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@under a new name, OP does saya his brother will already be there with a van so could pick them up.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@under a new name, depends. Taxi Morzine are only doing GVA runs on the weekends this season, but they’d be good for a midweek transfer. Otherwise there is public transport from Thonon that is timed to coincide with the trains
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Timmycb5,
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there is public transport from Thonon that is timed to coincide with the trains
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How very joined up! Impressed 
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