Travel by train and by bike: Bertrand and Marion's tips for flying from Paris to Tokyo

Written by Sophie Renassia

Published yesterday

Planning a long-distance trip by bike and train requires a little organization, a lot of flexibility and, above all, a lot of curiosity. And Bertrand and Marion (aka Blobtrotteurs) have plenty of curiosity. Together, they traveled for 22 months, from Paris to Tokyo and back, by bike and train. This exceptional journey took them through 27 countries, pedaling 16,500 kilometers and covering 30,000 kilometers by public transport, and they came to tell us all about it behind the microphone of Je t’offre un rail ?, the podcast that will get you hooked on trains, in partnership with Chapka, the travel insurance for peace of mind. Here's a look back at their top tips for embarking on such an adventure!

© Blobtrotteurs - The incredible trop of Bertrand and Marion

Before you leave: organizing your trip

Planning documents and formalities

Setting off on a long journey involves a number of administrative formalities:

• Visas: some countries, like China or Russia, require them. “But we only needed them for China and Russia, and we were able to apply for them en route from Armenia without having to prepare them in advance from France!” explains Bertrand. If you're thinking of embarking on a trip like this, be sure to get the facts before you go!
• Travel insurance: Bertrand and Marion chose the Cap Aventure formula of Chapka, a benchmark for long-term travelers: “We were insured with Chapka Cap Aventure, which cost us €1,200 a year for two. And we chose this insurance because on the tourdumondiste website, 70% of the people questioned in a survey said they had this insurance, and the majority were satisfied with it. Fortunately, we didn't need to use it, but we're satisfied with it."

Choosing the right equipment

For Bertrand, there's no need to buy top-quality equipment: “I don't think you should get hung up on your physical ability or the equipment you have. We've come across plenty of people who've made extremely long trips with second-hand equipment, with a raincoat that's no longer waterproof... Everything is feasible and there's no need to have the best possible bike or the best equipment.”

The couple simply advise having with you:

• A bike that fits, with standard, repairable components,
• A comfortable saddle,
• Modular clothing for all weather conditions.

But, again, they stress the secondary nature of equipment. “The most important thing is really to want to go on an adventure!”

Staying flexible on the itinerary

One of the major lessons of Bertrand and Marion's trip is the importance of remaining flexible. Initially, their aim was simply to head east, with no fixed destination. Their itinerary gradually evolved according to the people they met and the weather conditions.

They travelled through France, Italy, the Balkans, Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Vietnam, South Korea and finally Japan, before returning to Europe on the Trans-Siberian Railway!

On site: managing your budget and getting organized

Managing your budget

A long-haul trip can be accessible with a well-managed budget. For their trip, Bertrand and Marion spent €13,000 per person, i.e. €19 per day all-inclusive The breakdown of their expenses per person:

• 7 € / day for food
• 3 € / day for long-distance transport
• 2 € / day for accommodation (bivouac, hospitality, a few nights in a hotel)
• 2 € / day for insurance and visas

“Travelling by bike is often cheaper than paying rent in France." - Bertrand

Traveling by bike with a tent and stove means not only being autonomous in terms of transportation, food and lodging... but also saving money!

Bertrand and Marion describe the incredible generosity they received throughout the trip (“spontaneous or organized via hospitality networks like Warmshowers”).

They also underline the usefulness of knowing a few rudimentary bike mechanics to be able to repair the most common problems yourself: punctures, brake and transmission maintenance...

© Blobtrotteurs - Marion in Japan: bicycles are never far away...

Essential resources to know

The couple also recommends several nuggets for planning and adjusting your itinerary according to local conditions:

• BRouter: a handy bicycle route planner
• OsmAnd: comprehensive GPS navigation application
• Warmshowers: a hospitality network for cyclists. A must for every cycling trip!
• Voyageurs et voyageuses à vélo (Facebook group): French-speaking community of bike travelers (30,000 members): equipment, itineraries, bivouac tips...
• L'Alibi ~ Aventurier·ères bas carbone et sans avion (Facebook group): French-speaking community of low-carbon travelers (2,000 members). “The big plus of this community: the many collaborative practical information sheets, shared on a drive!”
• Cycling East (WhatsApp community): English-speaking community for mutual support between cyclists currently traveling by bike (900 members) on the Silk Roads. This group provides very precise and up-to-date information on various subjects: borders, visas, itineraries, tips...
• France Vélo Tourisme: guide to cycling itineraries in France (“a very well-done site, ideal for planning your first cycling trips!” says Bertrand).

Combining cycling and public transport: a unique experience

The bike + public transport experience

Travelling by bike allows you to avoid the usual tourist trails and access unspoilt rural areas: “By getting out of the touristy cities, you discover the real country, where exchanges are natural and not commercial”, explains Bertrand.

When the weather or geopolitics complicate the journey by bike, trains, buses and ferries are excellent complements. Bertrand recounts their time in Kazakhstan: “The train was heated with coal, and the Kazakh soldiers, after checking our passports, started singing ‘Moi Lolita’ by Alizée!”

© Blobtrotteurs - Marion and Bertrand meet on the Kazakh train

The long train journeys allowed them to see spectacular scenery while resting, just like their week aboard the Trans-Siberian. Travelling by train with a bicycle, however, requires careful planning: “It's always a good idea to find out in advance about boarding policies for bicycles, to avoid unpleasant surprises.”

Among their many train journeys, some will remain etched in their memories, including:

• The Trans-Siberian Railway: A whole week aboard this legendary train, crossing spectacular snow-covered landscapes.
• The Kazakh train: “It was an old coal-fired train. At each stop, the conductor reloaded the ovens and broke the stalactites under the carriage with a crowbar.”

© Blobtrotteurs - In front of the Trans-Siberian Railway, Moscow

Why integrate train and bus travel into your bike trip?

Initially, Bertrand and Marion had envisaged a trip entirely by bike. But climatic and geopolitical constraints led them to rethink their approach. Crossing certain regions in the middle of winter (-20°C in Russia or Kazakhstan) or avoiding areas of political tension made public transport unavoidable.

“We had this romantic idea of doing everything by calf power, but we realized that taking the train or bus allowed us to optimize our journey without betraying the spirit of the trip.” - Bertrand

A few tips for transporting your bike by train or bus

Taking a train or bus with a bike can make for a more complex journey, with arrangements varying enormously depending on the country, mode of transport, company or even personnel.

As a general rule, taking bicycles on ferries, buses and regional trains is easier than on high-speed trains.

© Blobtrotteurs - The diversity of situations encountered by Bertrand and Marion!

Some countries have specific rules to follow. In Japan, for example, bicycles must be disassembled and packed in special covers before being loaded onto high-speed trains. In China, bikes must be shipped separately by freight train. Conversely, some countries offer more room for negotiation. This is the case in Turkey and the Caucasus, for example. But Bertrand is keen to reassure you: “With a little patience and negotiation, it's almost always feasible.”

The couple have learned a few lessons from their experience:

• Find out in advance: some companies accept bikes free of charge, others require dismantling or special covers.
• Arrive early: the more time you have to chat with the staff, the greater your chances of getting your bike on board. And, of course, stay friendly and positive: it can make all the difference!
• Negotiate with staff: in several cases, Marion and Bertrand had to insist a little to get their bikes on board (particularly in Russia and Turkey).

One thing's for sure, though: this trip transformed their vision of the world and of human encounters! As Bertrand says: “Travelling by bike opens the door to the unexpected. It's an adventure that makes you grow.”

To find out more about the couple's adventures, encounters and reflections, visit their travel blog. Today, they are also writing a book, and taking part in various events to promote bicycle travel and the use of public transport rather than air travel. Their most recent contribution was a lecture on the joys of long-distance travel without airplanes, presented at the CCI international bicycle travel festival. You'll find plenty of practical advice on how to organize and facilitate your travels by bike and public transport. And if you want to keep up to date with their latest news, don't hesitate to subscribe to their newsletter!