Getting Bike to Europe
02-14-16, 12:15 PM
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Getting Bike to Europe
I'm looking for the most cost effective and convenient way to get my bike to France. So far the cheapest, if you can call it that, is to pay the $200 each way to fly it with me on the plane. The domestic services like bike flights are quoting over $500 RT! Looking for suggestions for a full sized bike not take apart or Bike Friday. Thanks.
02-14-16, 12:37 PM
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Im going to Greece in June, and plan to buy a very good 2nd hand vintage bike there.
I will be removing the wheels and handlebars/saddle, fork etc and pack the whole lot into a large hard plastic Samsonite case and will use towels etc for padding I then only pay a bit extra for Cargo luggage as it will weigh a lot less than 20kg.
I have found a large samsonite suitcase in Greece (86 x 58 x 36 cm but will see if there is anything larger available in a hard case): I will buy the suitcase in Greece, as if I take it with from the UK, I will have to pay Ryanair even if it's empty
I will be removing the wheels and handlebars/saddle, fork etc and pack the whole lot into a large hard plastic Samsonite case and will use towels etc for padding I then only pay a bit extra for Cargo luggage as it will weigh a lot less than 20kg.
I have found a large samsonite suitcase in Greece (86 x 58 x 36 cm but will see if there is anything larger available in a hard case): I will buy the suitcase in Greece, as if I take it with from the UK, I will have to pay Ryanair even if it's empty
02-14-16, 01:15 PM
#4
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Icelandair will carry your bike for $116 each way. You'll have to lay over in Iceland for an hour or so in each direction.
Icelandair - Medium Items
Your user info says you're from SW Ohio. Looks like you can get a flight from Chicago to Paris.
Icelandair - Medium Items
Your user info says you're from SW Ohio. Looks like you can get a flight from Chicago to Paris.
Last edited by BobG; 02-14-16 at 02:06 PM.
02-14-16, 04:10 PM
#5
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I found the domestic connecting flights charges for the Bike , the international carrier didn't add any More..
Can You Get to ORD_O'Hare Airport without flying ?
Bike Fridays Travel Bikes knock down to pack in a Suitcase , so dont incur oversize charges .. Its their specialty.
Can You Get to ORD_O'Hare Airport without flying ?
Bike Fridays Travel Bikes knock down to pack in a Suitcase , so dont incur oversize charges .. Its their specialty.
Last edited by fietsbob; 02-14-16 at 04:16 PM.
02-14-16, 04:17 PM
#6
aka Timi
Getting Bike to Europe
British Airways is my go to.
Check out their sporting baggage policy.
Depending how you pack you can take a bike with no extra charges:
Bike box max 23kg
Hand baggage max 8 kg
... and beware of "code-sharing"!
Check out their sporting baggage policy.
Depending how you pack you can take a bike with no extra charges:
Bike box max 23kg
Hand baggage max 8 kg
... and beware of "code-sharing"!
02-14-16, 05:37 PM
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Have a skim over this page: Airline Baggage Regulations For Bicycles
The first half is some of the history of bicycle and airline travel. The second half is a list of airlines and what they charge.
That might give you a good idea of which airlines to investigate further. Go to the websites of the specific airlines and find out what their charges are. Airlines change their information more frequently than some people change their socks so you've got to check, check, and double-check with the actual airline.
But ... there are still some international airlines which either do not charge anything for bicycles, or have a relatively small fee.
The first half is some of the history of bicycle and airline travel. The second half is a list of airlines and what they charge.
That might give you a good idea of which airlines to investigate further. Go to the websites of the specific airlines and find out what their charges are. Airlines change their information more frequently than some people change their socks so you've got to check, check, and double-check with the actual airline.
But ... there are still some international airlines which either do not charge anything for bicycles, or have a relatively small fee.
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02-14-16, 05:51 PM
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Depending on your frame size, you might be able to pack your bike in 2 large duffel bags. To make this work, you need to drop the fork, remove the saddle, and pedals, and pack the frame in one bag, and the wheels in the other in the other.
Use your other stuff as padding/packing material, and fill out the bag with foam or other lightweight stiff so the bike is well protected and the contents can't shift in transit. I've done this a number of times and never had issues.
On a flight to Europe you should get both bags free, or worst case pay the extra bag fee for one, which has to be less than the bike fee.
Another option may be to use flight miles or points to upgrade to 1st class. First class tickets mean more generous baggage allowances, and often waived fees. Depending on the flight and points used, the cost to upgrade can be far less than the baggage fees saved, so you fly nicer and cheaper at the same time. My personal record is having $150 in fees for 3 heavy bags waived for a $20.00 cash upgrade fee.
Use your other stuff as padding/packing material, and fill out the bag with foam or other lightweight stiff so the bike is well protected and the contents can't shift in transit. I've done this a number of times and never had issues.
On a flight to Europe you should get both bags free, or worst case pay the extra bag fee for one, which has to be less than the bike fee.
Another option may be to use flight miles or points to upgrade to 1st class. First class tickets mean more generous baggage allowances, and often waived fees. Depending on the flight and points used, the cost to upgrade can be far less than the baggage fees saved, so you fly nicer and cheaper at the same time. My personal record is having $150 in fees for 3 heavy bags waived for a $20.00 cash upgrade fee.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
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Last edited by FBinNY; 02-14-16 at 06:05 PM.
02-15-16, 12:05 AM
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Icelandair will carry your bike for $116 each way. You'll have to lay over in Iceland for an hour or so in each direction.
Icelandair - Medium Items
Your user info says you're from SW Ohio. Looks like you can get a flight from Chicago to Paris.
Icelandair - Medium Items
Your user info says you're from SW Ohio. Looks like you can get a flight from Chicago to Paris.
We have used Icelandair 4 times, and plan on using them again in the future.
P.S. The last time from Portland to Copenhagen was $150.
Last edited by Doug64; 02-15-16 at 05:49 PM.
02-15-16, 12:11 AM
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+1 for BA. Went to Spain on a combination of BA and Iberia, 3 legs each way with no baggage fees for a bike in a Pika Packworks bag.
02-15-16, 12:41 AM
#11
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Check carefully as some info on websites is dated - ALWAYS BEST to check individual airline sites for latest info.
One World and Star Alliance flyer status give extra baggage, but check - and print out the page before check in just in case someone (at the check-in counter) does not know the latest. Stuff happens.
