Getting from UK to Konstanz - May 2025

[Emanresu]

The other way .... which I sometimes use in Spain ... is to send the bike ahead by courier without you. Then bus / (fast) rail to the destination. It's a trade off between the courier cost, time, convenience and the hassle of loading/unloading a bike plus panniers.

Depends if you want to make the journey to Konstanz into an 'adventure'.

 

[Julia9054]

Thanks Julia, I hadn't even considered bus!

We took several this summer having been let down by Deutschebahn cancelling trains. Advantages over trains are the cost - super cheap - and the fact that you're not lugging your bike over several changes of trains. They tend to go direct between the large towns and cities. They are clean and comfortable with toilets.
Disadvantages, scenery not as good, can't get up and walk about and, well, it's just not a train!

 

[mjr]

As an alternative, there's an increasing number of CityNightLine overnight trains, maybe you could ferry to the NL and catch an overnight train to the south?

City night line closed in 2016. It's nightjet that are increasing. I understand bike spaces are limited and sell out well in advance. Daytime trains or buses are probably the way to go.

 

[The Crofted Crest]

City night line closed in 2016. It's nightjet that are increasing. I understand bike spaces are limited and sell out well in advance. Daytime trains or buses are probably the way to go.

We had a nightjet back fron Vienna this summer. Excellent service, bikes securely stored, two-person room with shower and breakfast. As you say, places sell out quickly do book early!

 

[TomDW]

I recommend Flixbus for long journeys across Europe with a bike.

My mate was seriously let down by Flixbus in 2022. It might have been a post-pandemic issue but I wouldn't trust them now. Essentially with 36hrs notice they said they weren't taking bikes on this particular Germany - London route. You're a bit stuffed if that happens.

There is a direct train that goes Paris to Mulhouse at the south end of the Vosges but it might be swings'n'roundabouts compared to Strasbourg.

On your way north do divert to Colmar it's great and only 10miles from the main Rhine route. The bit south of Strasbourg is beautiful along canal tow paths. Jealous!

 

[All uphill]

My best option so far is:

Day 1 train and bike to Harwich, overnight ferry to the Hoek. Very familiar.

Day 2 Cycle to Rotterdam or Amsterdam and get the train to Konstanz where I would need to have booked a hotel. This journey is between 8.5 hours and 12 hours.

It's doable, but I'm hesitant because I'd be locked into train times which I had bookings. I value flexibility highly to allow me to relax and enjoy the journey so I'm not sure at the moment.

 

[Andy in Germany]

My mate was seriously let down by Flixbus in 2022. It might have been a post-pandemic issue but I wouldn't trust them now. Essentially with 36hrs notice they said they weren't taking bikes on this particular Germany - London route. You're a bit stuffed if that happens.

There is a direct train that goes Paris to Mulhouse at the south end of the Vosges but it might be swings'n'roundabouts compared to Strasbourg.

On your way north do divert to Colmar it's great and only 10miles from the main Rhine route. The bit south of Strasbourg is beautiful along canal tow paths. Jealous!

Until summer that was my stomping ground, and yes, Colmar and the French side of the Rhine is lovely.

 

[Andy in Germany]

City night line closed in 2016. It's nightjet that are increasing. I understand bike spaces are limited and sell out well in advance. Daytime trains or buses are probably the way to go.

I get them confused because night services locally seem to have every branding from the last 20 years.

 

[Julia9054]

It's doable, but I'm hesitant because I'd be locked into train times which I had bookings

Any form of taking your bike on public transport does, unfortunately, require some form of booking/planning. ICE trains in Germany require you to book a bike slot. If you are prepared to travel by regional train only, you can be a lot less tied but it takes a long time to get any distance with many changes of train (and hauling your bike on and off - I always end up with massive bruises all over my legs where I’ve clonked myself!)
This summer, I am planning to go to the Balkans. We intend to hire bikes in Sarajevo rather than take our own. We enjoyed this summer with our own bikes in Germany but it involved a lot of work logistically.