How to come back from Paris to London with a bike?

The starting point is at Westminster Bridge in British capital London and is coming to an end at Notre-Dame-de-Paris in the French capital. But, once arrived in the splendid city of love, how to come back with your bikes? Here’s a few ideas*…

1st solution: Going back by train

You can leave Paris through the Saint-Lazare station to join the capital of Normandy: Rouen. Once arrived in the Rouen Rive Droite station, you can take a connecting train to Dieppe train station, both trains have dedicated spaces for bikes, and you won’t pay an extra fee. The trip is about 3 hours long.

From Dieppe, you can take the ferry to Newhaven. A reminder: The crossing is 4 hours long. Bikes are welcome on board and included into the prices. 3 crossing per days are proposed by DFDS Seaway.

Then, you can take the Southern Railway from Newhaven to join Lewes. From Lewes, a connecting train will take you London Victoria Station. For the train between Lewes and Newhaven, bikes are forbidden during peak hours but authorized during calmer hours. The trip is 1h20 long.

Another option is taking a train from Newhaven to Brighton and then take a connecting train that will take you to London Victoria Station. Restrictions on bikes during peak hours apply to both trains, but bikes are authorized during calmer hours. The trip is 1h40 long.

4th solution: Taking the plane.

It is also possible to go home by plane, with your bike. Despite this solution being a little bit more complicated, it’s the fastest way to go.

Two flight routes are proposed by several companies: Charles de Gaulle airport – London Luton airport and Paris Orly airport - London Gatwick airport.

To join Paris airport, you can take the RER. Bikes are forbidden during peak hours but authorized during calmer ones.

At the airport, you will have to disassemble and wrap your bike into a bicycle protecting cover to protect it and for it to take the less place possible. Then, several options are offered, depending on which company you’re choosing for your trip:

- Air France is allowing classic bicycles in the luggage compartment (maximum weight is 23kg/50lbs) disassembled and folded in their cover. However, the customer service must be warned and give their approval for you to take the bike aboard, you must do the request at least 48 hours before departure. You will also pay an extra fee for your bike.

- British Airway is allowing classic bicycles in the luggage compartment (maximum weight is 32kg/70lbs) disassembled and folded in their cover. If your bike is your first luggage used with your ticket’s checked baggage allowance, you won’t pay an extra fee. It is also necessary to warn the customer service at least 72 hours before the flight.

- Easy Jet is allowing classic bicycles (maximum weight is 32kg/70lbs). You can check-in your bike during the booking of your flight or up to 2 hours before departure on Easy Jet website. You have also the possibility to add your bike to your luggage up to 1 hour before departure directly at the airport. The bike must be disassembled and folded in a bicycle protective cover.

Please note that electric bikes are not allowed on board of planes, due mainly to their lithium batteries.

And to conclude, a little summary :

**This article has been written in May 2023 and some solutions may have evolved since then according to the operators.