Hello, my wife and.I are planning a 3 month tour in Europe and are planning to travel via bicycle and train to access as much of western Europe as we can in this time. Our plan as of now is to fly into Lisbon, Portugal and head toward the Mediterranean through Spain to Italy. We will ride down through Italy before heading back north I have read some not so great reviews of the Eurovelo route in the Portugal/Spain Mediterranean region and was hoping for some route advice here and anywhere else in Europe for that matter.
I would also love to hear anyone's experience with bringing their bikes and gear on trains in various regions.
Cheers!
Joseph,
Unlike in the U.S., taking bikes on trains in Europe couldn't be easier. Each country's rules may differ a bit (e.g., free or for a small fee), but nearly every train I've ever taken has a designated bike car, indicated by a bicycle painted on the side. Simply lift it into the car and secure it to a rail with a bungee cord or place it in the bike rack.
On trips in France and Slovenia where there was no bicycle car on a particular route, I took it on board and placed it wherever there was space. No one ever objected. Just be sure to read the website of each country's rail system to ascertain the particulars.
Here's a link for train+bicycle in fRANCE
https://randovelo.touteslatitudes.fr/randocamping-prend-le-train/
We just completed the Canal du Midi and Canal Lateral. Basically going from Bordeaux to the Mediterranean. Almost all bike route. I would do that to get to the Mediterranean. Spain is great and we have ridden there, but this gets you to the coast. From there ride along , but before you get to Marseilles take the train to the city and then out of the city far enough that you aren't in the urban area. You DO NOT want to ride in Marseilles. We then headed all the way to Italy or actually the other direction. You could take a ferry to Corsica and then Sardina , then a ferry to Rome or to Naples. One time we came from Greece and went up the east coast of Italy to Florence and then Pisa. We also complete Amalfi Coast last year.
European cities and traffic circles are not for the faint of heart, But they are doable. France is great, the Netherland is wonderful . Traffic on the roads is also something you will have to get used to. I just don't use my mirror as I don't want see what is about to run me over. Trains are fairly easy, but not Intercity TGV or other fast trains. You have to take the locals. Get the train app for the country and look for a bike symbol. TER or RER are two types that take bikes. Give me a call. 360 279 1261.
3 months 2023 I flew into out of Frankfurt EV6 Donaueschigen to Budapest then train back to Vienna to cycle Greenways to Prague. Then Elbe route +R1 to Berlin. Approx 2500km .Train Berlin to Frankfurt to fly home Australia
