Bike on Eurostar from Brussels

[st599_uk]

Bit late by that stage if you've already booked and find out it isn't available, isn't it! I wonder if you can "add extra luggage" at the time of making the booking instead of just afterwards - would hope so.

Yep, but that's how Eurostar has always worked. You had to book a ticket, then apply for a bike space.

[MrsHJ]

I think there’s more capacity than they claim- I’m on a train with I think at least 6 complete bikes. You can also change your trains around too with no charge (subject to the start price being the same) but agreed-very faffy.

NOTE: if you are dropping your bike at Eurostar you deposit the bike FIRST (before checking in). The Eurostar luggage area is right at the back of the station- nowhere near checkin - actually by one of the access roads so check the location (there are explanations upthread I think) before leaving.

[mjr]

NOTE: if you are dropping your bike at Eurostar you deposit the bike FIRST (before checking in). The Eurostar luggage area is right at the back of the station- nowhere near checkin - actually by one of the access roads so check the location (there are explanations upthread I think) before leaving.

Has the bike drop-off moved from by the toilets? That was what I was trying to describe in viewtopic.php?p=1920002#p1920002

[MrsHJ]

I think it is the same- I was going to take a photo but I wasn’t feeling great (last dose of antibiotics last night ) . It is right at the back of the station (so I did follow your suggestion) and is on Pancras Road I believe- off goods road. I have marked it here but basically go past m and s and hang a right and keep going until out of the doors and then on your right.

My only other observation is that there were at least 6 intact bikes on the train I was on so there is a bit more capacity than they suggest.

[mjr]

Thanks for the update. I hope you feel better!

[MrsHJ]

Left the under saddle tool pack on my bike when I travelled both directions Brussels London a water bottle and a couple of bungees. All fine.

I’m not sure how the new bike booking system will work with a Interrail pass as you’re supposed to add the bike onto your booking on the app- which you won’t have if just paying a pass supplement. One for another day.

[Diatom]

Just to report I took Eurostar Brussels to St Pancras on 12th September. There were no problems taking a covered Brompton as hand luggage. No problems either with the Brompton toolkit and one of those tiny keyring Swiss Army knives.

I can’t see how the toolkit could be considered any more dangerous than a set of house keys for example.

[pal]

...

I’m not sure how the new bike booking system will work with a Interrail pass as you’re supposed to add the bike onto your booking on the app- which you won’t have if just paying a pass supplement. One for another day.

Someone on the reddit interrail forum reported having difficulties with this, and being told by Eurostar that they should have booked the passholder supplement directly with them -- which of course you can't actually do. BUT: I just did a bit of a trial run on an interrail booking I have next month, and it looks like the option is available. You just need to add your passholder booking reference into the eurostar website/app, and then it seems to treat it like a regular booking, with the option to 'add extra luggage' (towards the bottom of the menu on the left hand side of the 'manage booking' screen; for the Brussels service the list of options on the next screen includes fully-assembled bikes. However: I haven't got as far as trying to confirm the booking, because I'm not actually taking a bike on this trip, so I can't 100% confirm that it works...

[a.twiddler]

...

I’m not sure how the new bike booking system will work with a Interrail pass as you’re supposed to add the bike onto your booking on the app- which you won’t have if just paying a pass supplement. One for another day.

Someone on the reddit interrail forum reported having difficulties with this, and being told by Eurostar that they should have booked the passholder supplement directly with them -- which of course you can't actually do. BUT: I just did a bit of a trial run on an interrail booking I have next month, and it looks like the option is available. You just need to add your passholder booking reference into the eurostar website/app, and then it seems to treat it like a regular booking, with the option to 'add extra luggage' (towards the bottom of the menu on the left hand side of the 'manage booking' screen; for the Brussels service the list of options on the next screen includes fully-assembled bikes. However: I haven't got as far as trying to confirm the booking, because I'm not actually taking a bike on this trip, so I can't 100% confirm that it works...

Needs someone to be a test pilot (not volunteering!)

[mjr]

You just need to add your passholder booking reference into the eurostar website/app, and then it seems to treat it like a regular booking, with the option to 'add extra luggage' (towards the bottom of the menu on the left hand side of the 'manage booking' screen; for the Brussels service the list of options on the next screen includes fully-assembled bikes. However: I haven't got as far as trying to confirm the booking, because I'm not actually taking a bike on this trip, so I can't 100% confirm that it works...

Needs someone to be a test pilot (not volunteering!)

I will if someone else will pay! I fancy trying the new infra around Brussels. Message me for payment details!

[DoctorRad]

Someone on the reddit interrail forum reported having difficulties with this, and being told by Eurostar that they should have booked the passholder supplement directly with them -- which of course you can't actually do. BUT: I just did a bit of a trial run on an interrail booking I have next month, and it looks like the option is available. You just need to add your passholder booking reference into the eurostar website/app, and then it seems to treat it like a regular booking, with the option to 'add extra luggage' (towards the bottom of the menu on the left hand side of the 'manage booking' screen; for the Brussels service the list of options on the next screen includes fully-assembled bikes. However: I haven't got as far as trying to confirm the booking, because I'm not actually taking a bike on this trip, so I can't 100% confirm that it works...

But doesn't this mean that you have to make a booking first before you can see if there's a bike space available?

[MrsHJ]

Someone on the reddit interrail forum reported having difficulties with this, and being told by Eurostar that they should have booked the passholder supplement directly with them -- which of course you can't actually do. BUT: I just did a bit of a trial run on an interrail booking I have next month, and it looks like the option is available. You just need to add your passholder booking reference into the eurostar website/app, and then it seems to treat it like a regular booking, with the option to 'add extra luggage' (towards the bottom of the menu on the left hand side of the 'manage booking' screen; for the Brussels service the list of options on the next screen includes fully-assembled bikes. However: I haven't got as far as trying to confirm the booking, because I'm not actually taking a bike on this trip, so I can't 100% confirm that it works...

But doesn't this mean that you have to make a booking first before you can see if there's a bike space available?

Yes but you can move your reservation (either direct with Eurostar or via an Interrail supplement) free of charge I believe until a few days before travel so if the 9:00 am train doesn’t have space you could switch to the 11am one. Also there’s more space than you’d think- if you book far enough ahead unless you are unlucky enough to conflict with a group of 6 who’ve also booked early you should be fine. I booked around 10 weeks ahead for 9am Saturday early September morning and it was fine- when I travelled there was a group of 4 who were going to cycle around the Brussels area and a single rider who was heading to Central Europe and the balkans (I guess I was too). We both headed up to Amsterdam for the Nightjet.

Could be more of a problem if you’re booking ten days before travel but unless you are travelling in peak holiday time I suspect the service isn’t really heavily used. But in that case you might want to consider going on the harwich ferry or asking in the Eurostar help if they can let you know about spaces.

In the way back again at 9am ish it was just me with my ancient kona and a very lightweight Ridley- I never saw who that belonged to as what with hanging around for the bike I was last through customs , I think it might have been one of the staff.

[pal]

....

Yes but you can move your reservation (either direct with Eurostar or via an Interrail supplement) free of charge I believe until a few days before travel so if the 9:00 am train doesn’t have space you could switch to the 11am one.

....

In fact, when I tried my dummy bike booking request, it showed that there was no space on one of the legs, and offered the option to swap to another train (from within the extra luggage booking page) -- presumably (?) if Id clicked that link, it would only have shown me trains with available spaces?

[DoctorRad]

Yes but you can move your reservation (either direct with Eurostar or via an Interrail supplement) free of charge I believe until a few days before travel so if the 9:00 am train doesn’t have space you could switch to the 11am one.

Right, so does this mean I can book my seat reservation via InterRail or RailEurope, and then use that booking reference to book a cycle space (and change my train if necessary) on the Eurostar website?

[DoctorRad]

Has anyone used the Eurotunnel bike service?

The Leshuttle one, yes. Used it on a recent trip to France, went very smoothly. Unfortunately, the pick-up points aren't really very near any stations, but Uber worked in Calais. The minibus driver was also able to drop me off at Folkestone West on the way back - she said it wouldn't show on her mileage - so if you call the driver on the number provided beforehand, she may be able to pick you up there too on your outward journey.

She also mentioned that she'd had a fair few 'cyclists' who were 'picking their bike up in France', and so effectively using the minibus service as foot passengers. Just sayin'.