***HELP*** London to Paris

mitten

I'm taking a group of 7 people London to Paris beginning of July.

I've booked the return ferry and all accommodation, but from speaking with SNCF on Friday it would appear the trains are fully booked (spaces for bikes). The man told me each train has only space for 2 bikes !?!?

Apparently the Eurostar is booked up too.

Please does anyone have any ideas as to how we can get from Paris to Dieppe 13th July with 7 bikes. We are on the 6pm ferry to Newhaven.

* Eurostar to London (expensive and £30 per bike and probably already full).
* Carrier (expensive and ligistical nightmare).
* Train elsewhere and rejoin the route (multiple changes & pain in censored ).
* Hire a minibus (difficult to wedge bikes in between seats).
* Hire a van (uncomfortable sitting on floor for for 150miles).

Any thoughts very welcome.

-Ricky Mitten
Brighton

Anonymous

Put them in cardboard boxes then they count as luggage.

fenix

http://www.bike-express.co.uk/Home any use ?

whoof

Just had a look and Easyjet Paris to London £67 (including a £35 charge for the bike) with no other hold luggage. You would need to bag (poly bags used to be available from the CTC for £10) or box (cardboard ones are free if you can find a bike shop) your bike and trust in the baggage handlers.

Not ideal but if you run out of choices.

fenix

Perhaps hire un homme et (whatever the french is for van) to take the bikes back whilst you train it ? Shouldnt be that much between all of you ?

mitten

Thank you all, much appreciated.
We have booked on Eurostar with the provision that we take front and rear wheels off all seven bikes and pay £30 for each.