Bike on train from Strasbourg to Paris - anyone done it?

[BMG100]

Hi,

I am looking at options to get from Strasbourg or Basel back to Paris (calais is end point but getting to Paris is the initial goal). On the french rail way web site it says that to take the TGV you need have a bike box or a husser or whatever they call it! Has anyway done this trip on the train with there bike and if so did you really need to use a box or can you just chuck your bike on as is. Alternatively is there another train you can get apart from the TGV that you dont need to pack your bike for as I wont be carryng a box with me for 6 weeks! I can leave from any where in Switzerland or Austria if it will make it easier! Any info would be great. Also the prices seem to be crazy - its cheaper to fly even with all the easy jet extras but then you have the bike box problem all over again

Cheers
Brent

[workhard]

My first port of call would be...

http://www.seat61.com/

[pal]

I'm 99% sure that the Strasbourg-Paris route is one of the TGV lines on which it's possible to take an unbagged/boxed bike. You need to make a reservation, though (and buy a bike ticket for EUR10). Some details on the TGV website: http://www.tgv.com/FR/ (I can't find a link to the specific page, but follow 'Voyage Perso', then 'Les services a la carte', then 'baggages et vehicules'/).

The 'City night line' services are the most bike-friendly of the long-distance european rail routes, though not many of their trains go to Paris -- worth investigating, though, if you're flexible?

It's usually possible to find some very cheap fares on the TGV (if you're prepared to travel at less popular times, and commit yourself to a specific train): 'Prem' fares are the ones to look for, and start from about £30 for the Strasbourg-Paris trip.

[sotalapluja]

Yep!

Hope is not too late.
Basel-Strasbourg (1h 10 min): Corail (ter alsace, every 20 min) trains have spaces for bikes and they travel for free!
Strasbourg-Paris: put it in a box (you can go to Decathlon Mulhouse/Strasbourg and use one of them) or simply use the rubbish plastic bags.

You can't take the bike in the German ICE or EC, but for sure you can in the TGV paying 10€. Bycicles travel for free in all the French trains except TGV. Just go to their website, put all the info and whether if it has to be packed or not is indicated in each journey offered (there is a symbol for bikes). If you don't wish to pack it, you can take corail, luneas and etc to Paris, but it won't take you 3 astonishing TGV hours! hehe

If you need something in Basel let me know, I will stay here till the 26th... then I'm going to Paris too.. but by bike!