Getting to Europe for a Motorcycle Adventure: Flights, Train, Rentals

While I was looking at flight options for my motorcycle trip from Marseilles to Morocco I was surprised to see results with train connections between airports and cities. My flight from San Francisco to Marseilles (where I'll pick up the bike), for example, showed a very low fare on Continental Airlines that included train travel on the SDNC, the French National Railway, that would seamlessly connect me from the Paris CDG airport train station to Marseilles. What a concept — train stations in airports. I love traveling in Europe and, when I lived in Lyons, I often took the TGV to Beaune and Paris. Wine country was just two hours north, and I liked to take my bicycle on the train and spend a weekend cycling among the vineyards. But I digress. Here are details on the Continental Airlines – SNCF – French National Railway partnership. Want to rent a motorcycle? I will have more specific recommendations for folks on my mailing list in the near future. For now, you can check this comprehensive map.

However, I will probably be flying with AerLingus, which has made their Dublin hub a very attractive jumping off point for many locations in Europe — from Barcelona to Vienna — with very low prices this spring and summer. I flew with them two years ago for a trip in Ireland and experienced fabulous service. The Dublin airport in my opinion beats Heathrow and Charles de Gaulle by a long shot. Okay sure, it helps that they serve real Guinness on tap in the pubs there. And they have a Bewleys Hotel there starting at 59 Euros per room.

By the way, for a very entertaining and informative virtual journey of Ireland, get the Wild Writing Women IRELAND magazine.

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