 |
The Luxembourg rail system (Chemin de Fer Luxembourgeois – CFL) has 275 kilometres of track, of which 140 km is double track and 135 km single track. The railway network links into Belgium, France and Germany. Some of the cross-border services are run by CFL, others by SNCF, NMBS/SNCB and DB.
We both enjoy visiting Luxembourg not only because it has the best guarded bike rack in world – attached to the front wall of the arch-ducal mansion in Luxembourg City with an armed member of the army marching backwards and forwards at least during the day, but there also are good cycling routes, tasty food and excellent scenery.
Map of cycle routes: www.pistescyclables.lu. The railway network in the rural north of the country is sparse, but the urban, formerly heavily industrial south, has a dense network. There are good connections to neighbouring countries including a high speed TGV link to Paris and fast connections to Brussels.
Trains
 |
- High Speed Trains
- TGV
Bicycle carrying SNCF TGVs link Paris and Luxembourg via Metz. Reservations are strongly recommended. Book your bike places early.
- EC
At least one Eurocity train with bicycle transport circulates daily between Brussels and Switzerland via Luxembourg: Vauban (EC 91/90)
- Regional trains
These trains run on a cadence system, i.e. hourly at the same interval after the hour throughout the day and early evening. Bicycles are carried free. Timetables can be found on www.cfl.lu.
Getting there
The easiest way from the south of England is via London and Paris, then take the TGV via Metz. The easiest way from the north of England is the overnight ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge and then to Luxembourg via Brussels.
Tickets
The “Billet réseau” network ticket can be purchased at railway stations throughout the country. It offers unlimited travel on all forms of public transport (city buses, trains and country coaches for one day throughout the country. Bikes are not accepted on buses. A single ticket costs 4€, or a block of 5 such tickets for the cost of 4 single issue tickets: 16€. A “Weekend ticket” costing 6 Euro is more economical for small groups. This ticket allows up to 5 people (who do not need to be members of the same family) unlimited travel on Luxembourg’s public transport network for 1 day (either Saturday or Sunday) until 03:00. next morning.
The website
The website is in French only, but is easy to use. If in doubt use Google translator or cheat by using Bahn.co.uk.
Getting you, your bike, and your gear on the train
 |
The train we used was a low level entrance double decker. We had no problems and there was adequate room for our ten man group and a few others on the train.
Ferries and river steamers in Luxembourg
There is a small international car and lorry ferry across the Moselle from Wasserbillig to Oberbillig, Germany, which also takes foot passengers and bicycles. The excursion ship MS “Princesse Marie-Astrid” runs trips along the Moselle as far as Trier most days of the week during the summer. The Schengen Agreement was signed on this ship.
Diversions
 |
Crossing the viaducts into Luxembourg City must give spectacular views. We encountered the massive stone structures from below.
