geomannie wrote: ↑4 Nov 2022, 5:11pm
With the dearth of ferries from the UK to Scandinavia it's hard to see a non-flying option of getting there, unless you or anyone else knows good non-fly options.
The easiest non-flying alternative is probably driving and using the Channel Tunnel train. You can also ferry from Kiel or Copenhagen.
It's not terrible by train. I guess you need to allow 24 - 32 hours to do it, but there are various options. The least changes (but likely a somewhat longer journey) is Eurostar to Brussels, change for Hamburg, change for Copenhagen, change for Växjö (or wherever the nearest station is). The quickest, most direct route will have around 6 changes, some which may have shorter layovers than recommended for regional / intercountry trains. There's also a Hamburg - Stockholm sleeper, but you have to change stations in Hamburg for that one.
The difficulty, of course, is taking bikes across multiple changes. That's not too bad with some rail services, but it is unfortunately, not consistent & will probably mean boxing them & taking them as luggage.
I think it'd be a bit of a mission to take the train here. Not impossible, but only for the determined!
We just drove to and from the UK last week and it was OK, but at 950 miles in each direction just to get to Dover, a fair chunk of driving.
I've mainly used trains and bike as transport around Scandinavia. And while the rules on Swedish trains for taking bikes are not as convenient as in the other Nordic countries, it is feasible.
I think, given that cyclists are more likely to be environmentally conscious than many other holiday-makers, it may be wise to have some suggestions to hand that don't involve flying.
“In some ways, it is easier to be a dissident, for then one is without responsibility.” ― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
You do make a valid point Vorpal. I shall see what we can come up with.
It's so good to be home. Barely seen a cloud in the sky this week. 15c and sunny today and had a meeting 28km away, so took the bike. Stopped off for a quick swim on the way:
The water is still only about 10c, but very welcome and refreshing after a brisk cycle ride.
Vorpal wrote: ↑19 Apr 2023, 3:01pm
...
I think, given that cyclists are more likely to be environmentally conscious than many other holiday-makers, it may be wise to have some suggestions to hand that don't involve flying.
This sounds right to me: do the research, make the findings available to potential customers, support them in their choice (even if it wouldn't be yours).
Seems that we need a campaign to re-open the Harwich to Denmark ferry service. Oh look, there is one. I've signed the petition, https://www.reopen-the-harwich-to-esbje ... m/petition
Should I post this in the Touring sub-forum?
There is a Germany to Norway direct ferry. It was Holland to Normay but they are moving port. Arrives at Kristiansand. It takes bikes. Is that helpful for getting to Sweden? https://hollandnorwaylines.com/
UpWrong wrote: ↑22 Apr 2023, 9:38am
Seems that we need a campaign to re-open the Harwich to Denmark ferry service. Oh look, there is one. I've signed the petition, https://www.reopen-the-harwich-to-esbje ... m/petition
Should I post this in the Touring sub-forum?
EDIT: probably better in the Campaigns sub-forum.
Thanks, signed - over 21,000 sigs already!
Hopefully Jon will encourage his customers (and enquirers) to sign.
Worth posting elsewhere, maybe one of the "Europe without flying"-type threads?
UpWrong wrote: ↑22 Apr 2023, 10:06am
There is a Germany to Norway direct ferry. It was Holland to Normay but they are moving port. Arrives at Kristiansand. It takes bikes. Is that helpful for getting to Sweden? https://hollandnorwaylines.com/
Only indirectly. Jon is 11 or 12 hours by train from Kristiansand.
It is possible to take ferry from Kristiansand to Hirtshals, cycle a couple of hours, take another ferry to Gothenberg, or cycle a bit further south & take a ferry to Halmstad and travel onward from there. I guess it's a couple days cycling (1 from Halmstad) or a 4 or 5 hour bus ride?
None of it is on the same ferry lines & it can become logistically difficult, but not impossible.
“In some ways, it is easier to be a dissident, for then one is without responsibility.” ― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
Vorpal wrote: ↑23 Apr 2023, 10:13pm
It is possible to take ferry from Kristiansand to Hirtshals, cycle a couple of hours, take another ferry to Gothenberg, or cycle a bit further south & take a ferry to Halmstad and travel onward from there. I guess it's a couple days cycling (1 from Halmstad) or a 4 or 5 hour bus ride?
Surely just getting the ferry from Kiel to Götheborg would less faff?
Other options:
Travemünde (near Lübeck) to Malmö, then the Öresundtøg train
Rostock/Rügen to Trelleborg
Train from Hamburg (or wherever, with change in Hamburg) to Copenhagen, then Öresundtøg train
It is a real shame that the ferry links are so poor between Scandinavia and the UK. I'd certainly use the ferry from Denmark, provided it wasn't stupidly expensive. And I'm fortunate enough to have relatives at exactly the half way point between Sweden and the UK. I don't enjoy driving 16hrs on the European side, if I can help it.
Vorpal wrote: ↑23 Apr 2023, 10:13pm
It is possible to take ferry from Kristiansand to Hirtshals, cycle a couple of hours, take another ferry to Gothenberg, or cycle a bit further south & take a ferry to Halmstad and travel onward from there. I guess it's a couple days cycling (1 from Halmstad) or a 4 or 5 hour bus ride?
Surely just getting the ferry from Kiel to Götheborg would less faff?
Other options:
Travemünde (near Lübeck) to Malmö, then the Öresundtøg train
Rostock/Rügen to Trelleborg
Train from Hamburg (or wherever, with change in Hamburg) to Copenhagen, then Öresundtøg train
Yes, the ferry to Gothenburg would be less faff. I was answering the specific question about the ferry to Kristiansand. TBH, bike & ferry is a nice way to tour the Nordics, but it's not a quick way to get to a specific place
“In some ways, it is easier to be a dissident, for then one is without responsibility.” ― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
If anyone is able to drop everything and get themselves to Stansted airport this Friday, we can do a week's accommodation for £195, sleeping 4. Flights are £15 each way, car hire starting at a touch over £100. The weather forecast is excellent and we have quite a lot of bikes.
162km of mostly gravel around Vimmerby, through forest and past lakes. I'm especially looking forward to the meatballs, mash and local beer at the end!
