Hallelujah! We’ve put together a handy guide for travelling to and from our city stops
We’ve gone into quite a bit of detail, but this information is not exhaustive and only meant as a starting point for your own research.
We’ve written this from the point of view of travelling out from the UK, but for most of the journeys you can simply reverse the instructions to get back. If you’re not coming from the UK, you might still be able to cannibalise some of the info!
NOTE: We WILL have space on the roof of the van to store all your bike bags and boxes
We’ve gone into quite a bit of detail, but this information is not exhaustive and only meant as a starting point for your own research.
We’ve written this from the point of view of travelling out from the UK, but for most of the journeys you can simply reverse the instructions to get back. If you’re not coming from the UK, you might still be able to cannibalise some of the info!
NOTE: We WILL have space on the roof of the van to store all your bike bags and boxes
Overlanding with your bike is easy and a lot more fun than flying - when you know how!
One note: Train and coach stations tend to be very central, but they aren't very van friendly! If you arrive by train or coach, we ask that you make your own way to where we are staying, where someone will be on hand to welcome you.
Get a small, light bike bag
High speed trains and most coaches in Europe won’t let you take your bike unless it’s in a bike bag.
There are exceptions to this rule, such as dedicated Flixbus cycle spaces, but they are rare and get booked up quickly.
Make sure you know how to get your bike into your bike bag - and that you have all the tools you need close to hand.
Allow plenty of time for connections and, if you’re changing stations and your bike is in a bag, then allow time to construct and deconstruct your bike.
Top Tip: Wheel your bike all the way to your train's platform, then dismantle and bag it there. Saves having to lug 15kg of bike around the station!
Proven bike bags include:
There are exceptions to this rule, such as dedicated Flixbus cycle spaces, but they are rare and get booked up quickly.
Make sure you know how to get your bike into your bike bag - and that you have all the tools you need close to hand.
Allow plenty of time for connections and, if you’re changing stations and your bike is in a bag, then allow time to construct and deconstruct your bike.
Top Tip: Wheel your bike all the way to your train's platform, then dismantle and bag it there. Saves having to lug 15kg of bike around the station!
Proven bike bags include:
- Decathlon's Bike Transport Cover
- Hapo G Housse Transport Velo (GoSport is a popular French sports shop)
or send your bike ahead with a courier
In 2019 a clever band of Thighsers used a specialised bike shipping company to send their bikes direct to the start city. That meant they could relax on the train and enjoy the view without worrying about logistics!
They used a courier called Sherpr, who sent them a cardboard packing box a few days before the adventure and their bike was ready and waiting for them at the hostel where we were staying. Easy!
It's not cheap, but does save a lot of stress for both overlanders and flyers. Other companies are available and might be cheaper, but Sherpr is the one we've had a good experience with.
They used a courier called Sherpr, who sent them a cardboard packing box a few days before the adventure and their bike was ready and waiting for them at the hostel where we were staying. Easy!
It's not cheap, but does save a lot of stress for both overlanders and flyers. Other companies are available and might be cheaper, but Sherpr is the one we've had a good experience with.
consider coaches
Most of our overlanding recommendations focus on trains, rather than coaches - but don’t dismiss the possibility that Flixbus or Eurolines might be able to make a connection where trains don’t dare!
Long distance coaches are comfortable and can be both cheaper and more convenient than trains, especially if you’re travelling with a bike.
The downside of coaches is that they are more susceptible to traffic delays and occasionally breakdowns.
Some coaches come with dedicated cycle spaces (which you must book in advance). If there aren’t bike spaces on your coach, don’t worry - you can pre-book extra luggage allowance and pop your bike into a bag.
Although it’s technically possible that the driver could tell you there’s no space, it’s never happened to us. Be nice to the driver.
Long distance coaches are comfortable and can be both cheaper and more convenient than trains, especially if you’re travelling with a bike.
The downside of coaches is that they are more susceptible to traffic delays and occasionally breakdowns.
Some coaches come with dedicated cycle spaces (which you must book in advance). If there aren’t bike spaces on your coach, don’t worry - you can pre-book extra luggage allowance and pop your bike into a bag.
Although it’s technically possible that the driver could tell you there’s no space, it’s never happened to us. Be nice to the driver.
OVERLAND RESOURCES
Big THANK YOU to Flight Free UK for putting together all this overlanding information. Head over to their website for loads more adventure inspiration 💚
- Rome2Rio: You can punch in two places and Rome2Rio will spit back both flying and overlanding options. Superb for an overview of your options
- The Man In Seat 61: Sensational train advice, including a dedicated bike page
- Flixbus: Book long distance coaches, some with dedicated cycle spaces. Flixbus baggage rules
Big THANK YOU to Flight Free UK for putting together all this overlanding information. Head over to their website for loads more adventure inspiration 💚
Too complicated?
Hire one of our spare bikes for £70. Just let us know when you signup
Easy peasy!
Hire one of our spare bikes for £70. Just let us know when you signup
Easy peasy!
GLASGOW, UK
Avanti West Coast goes to Glasgow from London and takes bikes for no charge when booked in advance. You can book your bike onto a train using Twitter these days!
Other train providers include Cross Country (from west country), LNER (east coast) and Scotrail (within Scotland) – you must also book your bike on these in advance.
Caledonian sleeper goes between London and Glasgow overnight and takes bikes booked in advance.
Basically: make sure you check the various train company bicycle policies.
It’s NOT permitted to take bikes on National Express and Megabus coaches, but you might be able to sweet-talk the driver if it’s dismantled and bagged.
We strongly recommend not flying domestically with your bike – it’s a logistical nightmare, not to mention the emissions!
London to Glasgow CO2 Emissions
Other train providers include Cross Country (from west country), LNER (east coast) and Scotrail (within Scotland) – you must also book your bike on these in advance.
Caledonian sleeper goes between London and Glasgow overnight and takes bikes booked in advance.
Basically: make sure you check the various train company bicycle policies.
It’s NOT permitted to take bikes on National Express and Megabus coaches, but you might be able to sweet-talk the driver if it’s dismantled and bagged.
We strongly recommend not flying domestically with your bike – it’s a logistical nightmare, not to mention the emissions!
London to Glasgow CO2 Emissions
- By plane: 143.5kg CO2
- By train: 22.76kg CO2
- = 84% saving!
BRISTOL, UK
Bristol is well connected with most major UK cities using providers including GWR and Cross Country. Both of these providers require advanced bookings for bikes.
You can even book your bike onto a train using Twitter these days!
London to Bristol CO2 Emissions
You can even book your bike onto a train using Twitter these days!
London to Bristol CO2 Emissions
- By plane: 43.28kg CO2
- By train: 6.87kg CO2
- = 84% saving!
PARIS, FRANCE
The Bad News
Eurostar from London is currently NOT taking bikes. They keep promising that this will change, but don't hold your breath...
Eurostar DOES accept luggage up to 85cm wide, with no weight limit. In the unlikely event that you can squeeze your disassembled bicycle into a bag no wider than 85cm, then you can take it on as hand luggage.
The Good News!
You can now take your bike through the Channel Tunnel using Le Shuttle. See here for more details.
It's £35 each way and goes between Folkestone and Coquelles, near Calais. It's a 20-30 minute cycle to/from Coquelles and Calais-Fréthun or Calais Ville train stations.
More Good News!
In 2022 a lot of cyclists used a train + ferry combination to great success - especially as there are a few different port options:
Trains run between Paris and all of these locations (apart from St Malo which doesn’t have a train station). Take a careful note of the type of train before you book because not all of them accept fully assembled bikes.
Check the bicycle policy for the train you want, but as a general rule your bike will need to be dismantled and put into a bike bag on:
You CAN take your fully assembled bike onto:
London to Paris CO2 Emissions
Eurostar from London is currently NOT taking bikes. They keep promising that this will change, but don't hold your breath...
Eurostar DOES accept luggage up to 85cm wide, with no weight limit. In the unlikely event that you can squeeze your disassembled bicycle into a bag no wider than 85cm, then you can take it on as hand luggage.
The Good News!
You can now take your bike through the Channel Tunnel using Le Shuttle. See here for more details.
It's £35 each way and goes between Folkestone and Coquelles, near Calais. It's a 20-30 minute cycle to/from Coquelles and Calais-Fréthun or Calais Ville train stations.
More Good News!
In 2022 a lot of cyclists used a train + ferry combination to great success - especially as there are a few different port options:
- Dover - Calais or Dunkirk
- Newhaven - Dieppe
- Portsmouth - St Malo, Caen, Cherbourg or Le Havre
- Poole - Cherbourg
- Plymouth - Roscoff
Trains run between Paris and all of these locations (apart from St Malo which doesn’t have a train station). Take a careful note of the type of train before you book because not all of them accept fully assembled bikes.
Check the bicycle policy for the train you want, but as a general rule your bike will need to be dismantled and put into a bike bag on:
- High speed TGV intercity trains
- Ouigo trains. Nominal charge of €5, which they often forget about
You CAN take your fully assembled bike onto:
- TGV local trains, TER and Train Nomad. You need to buy a ticket for your bike at the train station
- TGV INOUI trains. You need to book your bike on in advance. €10 charge
- TER regional trains. No fee, no booking required for your bike - but these trains are slower
London to Paris CO2 Emissions
- By plane: 54.44kg CO2
- By train: 2.67kg CO2
- = 95% saving
- By ferry (Dieppe route): 6.81kg CO2
- = 87% saving
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
This is a two-stage journey. The first stage is to get to Paris, so see our PARIS guide for that.
The second step is to take the TGV to Geneva. As it's a high-speed TGV, you will need to put your bike into a bike bag.
London to Geneva CO2 Emissions
The second step is to take the TGV to Geneva. As it's a high-speed TGV, you will need to put your bike into a bike bag.
London to Geneva CO2 Emissions
- By plane: 118.53kg CO2
- By train: 4.49kg CO2
- Saving = 96%
mILAN, iTALY
- Get to Paris (see PARIS section for details)
- Either TGV (French high speed) or Frecciarossa (Italian high speed) to Milan
Italian trains bicycle policy are similar to most countries: bicycles must be disassembled and bagged if on the high speed intercity trains. Bags should be no larger than 80cm x 110cm x 40cm.
Regional trains take bikes for a fee – around €3.50.
London to Milan CO2 Emissions
- By plane: 152.01kg CO2
- By train: 5.85kg CO2
- Saving = 96%
TRIESTE, ITALY
- Get to Paris - see the PARIS section for more info
- TGV to Turin
- Frecciarossa to Venice
- Local train from Venice to Trieste
See PARIS and MILAN sections for information on taking your bike on French and Italian trains. You need to book in advance on all of them apart from the last local train to Trieste.
London to Trieste CO2 Emissions
- By plane: 192kg CO2
- By train: 8.3kg CO2
- = 96% saving (are you seeing a pattern here?!)
DUBROVNIK, CROATIA
We're starting to get really adventurous here!
This kind of journey is perfect for people who have a few days off before or after the ride and fancy seeing the world. Once you've got your head around the logistics of packing your bike onto trains, you'll be amazed how useful it is having your bike to explore along the way.
Check around for more overlanding options, but here's one that we found:
Final leg notes: The bus may or may not take your bike, so check with the operator. You can’t take your bike on the high-speed catamaran, but you can take it on the ferry.
This kind of journey is perfect for people who have a few days off before or after the ride and fancy seeing the world. Once you've got your head around the logistics of packing your bike onto trains, you'll be amazed how useful it is having your bike to explore along the way.
Check around for more overlanding options, but here's one that we found:
- Get to Paris (See PARIS section for more info)
- TGV Lyria to Zurich
- Sleeper to Zagreb
- Daytime or overnight train to Split (takes bikes for a charge of 15 Kuna)
- Bus or ferry to Dubrovnik - or cycle!
Final leg notes: The bus may or may not take your bike, so check with the operator. You can’t take your bike on the high-speed catamaran, but you can take it on the ferry.
THESSALONIKI, GREECE
We're starting to get really adventurous here!
This kind of journey is perfect for people who have a few days off before or after the ride and fancy seeing the world. Once you've got your head around the logistics of packing your bike onto trains, you'll be amazed how useful it is having your bike to explore along the way.
Check around for more overlanding options, but here's one that we found:
London-Paris-Milan-Brindisi-Igoumenitsa-Thessaloniki
Feel free to mix and remix these ideas with other transport possibilities, like ferries and coaches - or even cycling!
This kind of journey is perfect for people who have a few days off before or after the ride and fancy seeing the world. Once you've got your head around the logistics of packing your bike onto trains, you'll be amazed how useful it is having your bike to explore along the way.
Check around for more overlanding options, but here's one that we found:
London-Paris-Milan-Brindisi-Igoumenitsa-Thessaloniki
- Get to Paris (See PARIS section)
- TGV to Milan (See Milan section)
- High speed TrenItalia Frecciarossa train to Brindisi
- Overnight ferry Brindisi-Igoumenitsa
- Coach to Thessaloniki
- This journey will be two nights, or three if you want to take it casual
- You will need to put your bike into a suitable bike bag for some legs of this journey
- Most of this journey is covered in this blog post by Thighs alumnus David Charles
Feel free to mix and remix these ideas with other transport possibilities, like ferries and coaches - or even cycling!
ATHENS, Greece
We're starting to get really adventurous here!
This kind of journey is perfect for people who have a few days off after the ride and fancy seeing the world. Once you've got your head around the logistics of packing your bike onto trains, you'll be amazed how useful it is having your bike to explore along the way.
Check around for more overlanding options, but here's one that we found:
Athens-Patras-Brindisi-Milan-Paris-London
Feel free to mix and remix this idea with other transport possibilities, like ferries and coaches - or even cycling!
This kind of journey is perfect for people who have a few days off after the ride and fancy seeing the world. Once you've got your head around the logistics of packing your bike onto trains, you'll be amazed how useful it is having your bike to explore along the way.
Check around for more overlanding options, but here's one that we found:
Athens-Patras-Brindisi-Milan-Paris-London
- Coach to Patras. If you’ve got a few days, the cycle from Patras to Athens along the gulf of Corinth is lovely!
- Overnight ferry Patras-Brindisi.
- High speed TrenItalia Frecciarossa train to Milan.
- TGV to Paris.
- Get back to the UK somehow - see the PARIS section for more info.
- This journey will be two nights, or three if you want to take it casual.
- You will need to put your bike into a suitable bike bag for some legs of this journey.
- Most of this journey is covered in this blog post by Thighs alumnus David Charles.
Feel free to mix and remix this idea with other transport possibilities, like ferries and coaches - or even cycling!
Useful things to know
Booking & Cost
- If you let us know your flight details, we’ll do our best to pick you up / drop you off at the airport
- We can only give lifts between 9am and 6pm on your arrival and departure day. We know arrival times are sometimes not very easy to choose, so do what you can and we'll do what we can to make things work!
- You’ll need to dismantle and pack your bike very carefully. Youtube will be your best source of advice. Our advice - protect the derailleur! For that, you’ll need a box and some packing materials. See this guide here
- It doesn’t have to cost a bomb: a cardboard box and lots of clothes for padding in the right places will do the trick
- Allow plenty of time for lugging your bike around the airport
Booking & Cost
- Ryanair: Book in advance, £60 More info here
- British Airways: Included in your baggage allowance, but let them know in advance More info here
- Easyjet: Book in advance, charges apply More info here
- Wizz: Book in advance, €60 More info here
- Jet2: Book in advance, charges apply More info here
- Aegean: Book in advance, €50 More info here
- Eurowings: Book in advance, charges apply More info here
Remember: If this sounds like too much hassle, hire one of our spare bikes for just £70
Book when you signup or contact us direct. Nice one!
Book when you signup or contact us direct. Nice one!
