if the ferry is restrictive in terms of dates and £ - have a look at over night train, from paris it takes you right down to the border.... ideal for me as i can get to paris quite quick as i'm near the tunnel. here is what Complete guide to Motorail trains in Europe: Taking your car by train say about it. Paris to Nice, Geneva, Avignon, Biarritz, Marseille, Tarbes, Narbonne, St Raphael, Toulon, Toulouse The French Railways operate their own domestic car-carrying trains, called Auto-Train, some of which run all year round at least a few times a week. Auto-Train is different from all the other motorail services in that cars & passengers travel separately: You check your car in during day 1, the cars are transported overnight, and you pick your car up on day 2. Passengers travel on any regular passenger train they like, either a daytime TGV or overnight train with couchettes. You can find more information (in French) at Auto - Train : Billet de train, Voiture - Voyages-sncf.com. Cost: Paris-Nice costs around £220 each way for the car, Paris-Narbonne £205, Paris-Brive or Paris-Bordeaux £155. However, there are some cheap deals if you book well in advance, from 49 euros one-way for the car. Passengers pay normal rail fares, which start at 22 euros one-way, see Rail Europe | European train tickets, Eurostar and InterRail passes. How it works: You drive your car to Paris Bercy Station. After a vehicle inspection, you hand over your keys and leave the rest to the very proficient SNCF staff. You are now free to take any regular passenger train you like, either a daytime TGV or overnight Intercités de Nuit couchette train. Next day you make your way to the motorail terminal at your destination, present your travel papers and collect the keys to your vehicle. Traveller John Rayner reports: "In May 2010 for the Journey from Paris to Toulon we booked a single on the Auto Train for €49 and two single adult tickets on the TGV for €44. We stayed in a hotel not far from Toulon station for €40. A considerable saving on tolls, fuel and fatigue! An hours drive from Toulon got us to our destination just outside St Tropez refreshed and ready to enjoy our holiday! How to book: You can book up to 3 months in advance, and you'll get the best prices if you book as soon as booking opens. In the UK, call Rail Europe's Motorail line on 0844 848 4050 (lines open 0900-1700 Monday-Friday). Alternatively, you can now book your car on Auto-Train online at the SNCF website Voyages-sncf.com : Voyage en train, en avion, réservation d'hôtels et séjours, (click on Vol and then on Voiture Auto Train), this allows you to reserve a place on the Auto Train but you then have 48 hours to telephone SNCF, confirm your vehicle details (including registration number) and pay with a debit or credit card (this is where the French language and particularly alphabet is required). You then book separate passenger tickets either at Rail Europe | European train tickets, Eurostar and InterRail passes (UK residents) or Billets de train - Train tickets on TGV-europe.com (residents of any country). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bloody heck, you guys have been busy lol. All impressive stuff I must say. With the exception of Si, it's going to great to have a chat over a beer in may, and get some ideas. As I've always said with anyone wishing to tour, there's loads of seasoned riders here, that have got the tee shirt. Great stuff guys, I think I'm going to book on this one myself Now to the reason I came here, sorry to be Tardy to the party ive Had a mad weekend destroying it yourself Stealth at present it is as Si said. Blackpool and southport. The two others that have shown an interest are Scotland and London. but nothing firm. Si, , Jimbo & Thefirebloke. Thanks for stepping in there for me adding once again invaluable advice for anyone thinking of this. Appreciated greatly.
Cheers jimbo...we where going to get the train back from Allessandria to holland on the thurs night, but they have switched the days over to a sat for 2013... So we have to ride back. :-D be careful booking the trains, they do change the days, and at present from to and from Italy, it's a Thursday going out, and a Saturday coming back...there used to be another motor rail, but they discontinued it in 2012.... Bummer. by the way jimbo, thanks for the offer of the overnight stay at your gaff next year, I would be all too glad to take your offer up as its easier for the train.... I know you didn't say as much, but I can read between the lines, you cryptic luvvie you!
I've just delegated Steve to looking at this as an alternative. (homework for the headmaster) I see the trains to Spain in general stopped in 2010. However they do still go as far as Biarritz, well, I'll take a look when I get to a PC. It's all part of an experience. Edit: can't book that far in advance?
Right, thats just got that out my system! welcome to stress central, So for those following this thread? After speaking to thefirebloke at the breakfast meet yesterday about soon booking the ferry the demons got inside my head, so i just spent two hours on their website trying to book. Why, because the dates we had chosen to travel, indeed have (sailed) So in a panic, i Phoned Steve Steve as chilled out as ever just said no worries i'm flexible on dates anyway, just see what you can get, if nothing we will have a rethink on the whole getting our arses over the water. Steves departing words before hanging up was (well to be honest i would'nt have been bothered if it was longer) well guess what mate it is, i tried to ring but couldnt get through so the revised sailing is this Route Plymouth to Santander Santander to Plymouth Departure Sun 8 Sep 2013 15:45 Wed 25 Sep 2013 21:15 Arrival Mon 9 Sep 2013 12:15 Thur 26 Sep 2013 16:15 Vessel PONT AVEN PONT AVEN Vehicle 2 Motorcycle(s) 2 Motorcycle(s) accommodation 1 x Inside 2 berth cabin with ensuite facilities, bunk style beds 1 x Inside 2 berth cabin with ensuite facilities, bunk style beds so there you go mate 18 days, nearly your three weeks you mentioned so guys i know one or two of you are still following this closely, as your intention was to ride through France and meet us, so theres the dates and times, you don't have to post here if you dont wish, just send a pm cheers folks ps steve ill email you confirmation just paid a deposit they will take the rest on the 23/07/2013. pps, ill post something with a bit more sense in it later
If I waited in Plymouth I'd be raped, robbed murdered and left for the dogs, or Swilly Girls, as we call them. So I'll be there in spirit. The kettle'll be hot when you ride by Exminster though.
Well Gary, it seems we'll be celebrating my birthday while we're away. Never even gave it a thought when we booked and it didn't go down too well with me Julie either!
