How do you transport your bicycle to other countries?

[Ken Aston]

Recently I have been very excited about the idea of traveling around
other countries by bicycle. What I still haven't figured out yet, is an
economical way to transport my bicycle to the destination country and
back.

As far as I understand, in economy class airlines regard a bicycle as
regular luggage and it thus falls into the regular weight allowance. On
flights originating in the US this allowance is quite high, as far as I
know. But on flights between Europe and Asia or Australia the allowance
is around 50 pounds (23 kg). Bike, panniers, camping equipment, tools,
parts, clothing, that quickly adds up to double than that.

How do you solve this problem? Every extra pound of luggage costs so
much that it quickly adds up to the price of the actual ticket. Isn't
there a cheaper way?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I can't wait to take my
bike along on the next trip.

Regards,
Ken Aston

[Earl Bollinger]

"Ken Aston" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>
> Recently I have been very excited about the idea of traveling around
> other countries by bicycle. What I still haven't figured out yet, is an
> economical way to transport my bicycle to the destination country and
> back.
>
> As far as I understand, in economy class airlines regard a bicycle as
> regular luggage and it thus falls into the regular weight allowance. On
> flights originating in the US this allowance is quite high, as far as I
> know. But on flights between Europe and Asia or Australia the allowance
> is around 50 pounds (23 kg). Bike, panniers, camping equipment, tools,
> parts, clothing, that quickly adds up to double than that.
>
> How do you solve this problem? Every extra pound of luggage costs so
> much that it quickly adds up to the price of the actual ticket. Isn't
> there a cheaper way?
>
> Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I can't wait to take my
> bike along on the next trip.
>
> Regards,
> Ken Aston
>

Well from what I know, it appears to be much more cost effective to buy or
rent a bicycle at or near the destination, than to ship one over.
You need a good hard case to ship it in too. But it may not prevent damage
from occurring, as the security people will open the case and not put stuff
back in properly.
The big risks are theft, damage, lost in transit, or it just disappears
forever. Then the airline personnel are typically ignorant of what their
company says they can or cannot do.
Thus it seems the airline actively discourage taking one's bike along with
them.
If security is heightened for some reason, you may not ever get it back or
you are blocked from transporting it with you anyway.

Shipping it FedEx, DHL, or UPS would be a good choice but it may cost a lot
more than one might expect.

One alternative that works well, is to get a folding bike. Get a good one
though.
A good folding bike can fit into a normal large size hard case luggage. Thus
you don't invoke the excess or oversize baggage penalty costs.
There are several bike companies that make folding or take apart full sized
700c wheel road bikes too.

Years ago, I remember taking my bike apart, putting into a garment bag, and
hanging it in the closet at the front of the airplane.
Those were the days. Sigh.

[mark]

Ken Aston wrote:
> Recently I have been very excited about the idea of traveling around
> other countries by bicycle. What I still haven't figured out yet, is an
> economical way to transport my bicycle to the destination country and
> back.
>
> As far as I understand, in economy class airlines regard a bicycle as
> regular luggage and it thus falls into the regular weight allowance. On
> flights originating in the US this allowance is quite high, as far as I
> know. But on flights between Europe and Asia or Australia the allowance
> is around 50 pounds (23 kg). Bike, panniers, camping equipment, tools,
> parts, clothing, that quickly adds up to double than that.
>
> How do you solve this problem? Every extra pound of luggage costs so
> much that it quickly adds up to the price of the actual ticket. Isn't
> there a cheaper way?
>
> Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I can't wait to take my
> bike along on the next trip.
>
> Regards,
> Ken Aston
>
Which countries are you traveling to or from? If you're going from the
UK to Europe you can ride the bike onto and off a lot of ferries to
France, the Netherlands, etc. Lots of railroads on the continent are
pretty generous about bicycles on trains, too. Check the website of the
individual ferry company or railroad to find out exactly what the rules
are for different types of trains or ferries.

If you're flying from Europe to the continent, different airlines have
different rules and fees. Check with each airline that serves your
destination to find out what the rules are.

If you're flying from the UK to the US, some airlines (Lufthansa,
British Airways, a few other European airlines) will accept a bicycle as
one of your two pieces of checked baggage. Other airlines (the US ones,
mostly) will charge $75-$100 to take a bicycle, even if it's your only
piece of luggage.

mark