Taking bike on plane or bus
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Taking bike on plane or bus
When I went to Israel I took a good touring bike. The cost was modest, not sure what it would cost today. A problem I kept getting was as I was touring the country which has been at war for a long time, on leaving it with the panniers/suitcase to shop for something the cops considered it a potential bomb. How to avoid that?
Also when I tried to have my bike on a Greyhound in luggage the driver initially refused it then on consultation with another driver permitted it. How do you get around such restrictions?
Also when I tried to have my bike on a Greyhound in luggage the driver initially refused it then on consultation with another driver permitted it. How do you get around such restrictions?
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Also when I tried to have my bike on a Greyhound in luggage the driver initially refused it then on consultation with another driver permitted it. How do you get around such restrictions?
If you are going to travel on public transportation with your bike, then you need to know what those restrictions are before you try. Call them and find out. Also know if it is a policy unique to that carrier or whether it's a policy that applies to all carriers of that form of transportation. Air or rail might be different.
Might help to print them out and take with you to show them. Though still the drivers might be in their rights to refuse. So you might be left behind to take up your complaint with the management or others that care to listen. So be nice!
How do you get around such restrictions?
Last edited by Iride01; 05-24-22 at 09:51 AM.
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The official word from Greyhound: Bicycles, golf clubs, skis and ski poles must be packed in a wood, canvas or other substantial containers, and securely fastened (you'll need to pay an oversized item charge too). I know that I often read about sellers using Greyhound to get a bike to the new owner. You either need a bike box or one of the bike carriers designed for the bike.
It's been a long time since I used an airline to ship a bike as I traveled. Used an empty bike box obtained free from my LBS. On the way out I didn't get charged a cent but was charged $30 for each leg of the trip back home by the same airline. Personally I would never again use that method but would ship the bike ahead of time by a service like Bikeship. Far easier to handle the bike at each end of the trip than to deal with a bike plus luggage. Now a days you really get hosed by the airlines for excess baggage.
It's been a long time since I used an airline to ship a bike as I traveled. Used an empty bike box obtained free from my LBS. On the way out I didn't get charged a cent but was charged $30 for each leg of the trip back home by the same airline. Personally I would never again use that method but would ship the bike ahead of time by a service like Bikeship. Far easier to handle the bike at each end of the trip than to deal with a bike plus luggage. Now a days you really get hosed by the airlines for excess baggage.
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So bike boxes are the way to go and paying the extra fees. Back in the 80s I broke the bike down to frame and tires and tied them together which risks scuffing and damage.
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Amtrak has expanded bike service. There are several routes where no disassembly or boxing is required.
https://www.amtrak.com/bring-your-bicycle-onboard
Local services I’m my neck of the woods also allow bikes. Just came home from Atlantic City, NJ, with a fully loaded bike on Sunday. No extra charge.
https://www.amtrak.com/bring-your-bicycle-onboard
Local services I’m my neck of the woods also allow bikes. Just came home from Atlantic City, NJ, with a fully loaded bike on Sunday. No extra charge.
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Most domestic US airlines no longer charge an extra surcharge for bicycles. They are treated as a regular baggage charge, whatever that is. Weight restrictions apply, but not oversize. I've traveled Delta and Alaska in the past year with my bike in a Pika Pack case. They used to charge a lot for each leg
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How about the problem of biking in paranoid countries such as Israel where you are biking around and the police think the bike with luggage on it could be a bomb? Any solution to that?
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I now live in Central America and bike here, too. Again, I don't match the profile of who the police are looking for, and again, I try not to draw attention to myself except for the lycra.
Don't draw attention to yourself pretty much works the world over.
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#9
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When I went to Israel I took a good touring bike. The cost was modest, not sure what it would cost today. A problem I kept getting was as I was touring the country which has been at war for a long time, on leaving it with the panniers/suitcase to shop for something the cops considered it a potential bomb. How to avoid that?
Also when I tried to have my bike on a Greyhound in luggage the driver initially refused it then on consultation with another driver permitted it. How do you get around such restrictions?
Also when I tried to have my bike on a Greyhound in luggage the driver initially refused it then on consultation with another driver permitted it. How do you get around such restrictions?
As for Greyhound, YMMV, much depends on the attitude of the driver. If you spend time trying to debate official policy, you are likely to miss your bus. Bus drivers (and most people condemned to driving vehicles for a living) are cantankerous and argumentative, a little cash usually improves their attitudes. I do international tours with a folding bicycle, these are much easier to carry on a train or bus.
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+1 for Amtrak Travel, Check Amtrak routes before booking a flight, a lot Less hassles in many ways and you wont be jam packed like sardines in a tin can, like on a plane, and a Lot cheaper too, most Amtrak routes offer carrying a loaded bike for a small fee but check for availability when making reservations
Also, posting this in Touring forum might produce more and better results for you,
Also, posting this in Touring forum might produce more and better results for you,
Last edited by Eds0123; 05-24-22 at 11:37 PM.
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Most domestic US airlines no longer charge an extra surcharge for bicycles. They are treated as a regular baggage charge, whatever that is. Weight restrictions apply, but not oversize. I've traveled Delta and Alaska in the past year with my bike in a Pika Pack case. They used to charge a lot for each leg
https://www.delta.com/us/en/baggage/...ting-equipment
Southwest charges $75 if it’s between 62 and 80 linear inches.
At least US Airways is gone. Socked us $200 for each bike each way to/from Italy in 2013.
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I suppose the answer is "it depends". I lived in Jerusalem from Jan 2018 to Dec 2019 in maybe one of the most contentious cities in the world. It was a relatively peaceful time, though. In the city, I biked where I was allowed as well as over to Tel Aviv and through the Negev to the south. I had no issues and never saw any bikes--even loaded ones--get stopped. I also try not to draw attention to myself. Without getting political, I don't match the "profile" of who the police do stop routinely which I saw plenty of there--just not cyclists. We had friends who lived there a few years before us during not so great times. I would not be surprised if security is increased during very tense times. For better or worse, Israel doesn't mess around.
I now live in Central America and bike here, too. Again, I don't match the profile of who the police are looking for, and again, I try not to draw attention to myself except for the lycra.
Don't draw attention to yourself pretty much works the world over.
I now live in Central America and bike here, too. Again, I don't match the profile of who the police are looking for, and again, I try not to draw attention to myself except for the lycra.
Don't draw attention to yourself pretty much works the world over.
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When I went to Israel I took a good touring bike. The cost was modest, not sure what it would cost today. A problem I kept getting was as I was touring the country which has been at war for a long time, on leaving it with the panniers/suitcase to shop for something the cops considered it a potential bomb. How to avoid that?
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Overall, I am sure that is correct. But there are some services that allow you to carry on/off you bike at any stop. The Keystone service between New York City and Harrisburg, PA is one example. The Vermonter, between D.C. and St. Albans, VT, is another. (I have taken that one from Philly to Brattleboro once and St. Albans twice.) I am pretty sure the Capitol Limited is also in that category. (Amtrak added a special bike area to cater to the demand from people riding the GAP and/or C&O.
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...there are some services that allow you to carry on/off you bike at any stop. The Keystone service between New York City and Harrisburg, PA is one example. The Vermonter, between D.C. and St. Albans, VT, is another. (I have taken that one from Philly to Brattleboro once and St. Albans twice.) I am pretty sure the Capitol Limited is also in that category. (Amtrak added a special bike area to cater to the demand from people riding the GAP and/or C&O.
It's much the same with all Amtrak's western trains. Hey, IIWII, just look up station services and know before you go.
Amtrak station at Sanderson, Texas on the Southern Tier: no checked baggage service here!
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The Midwest, west and south has some roll on service.
https://www.amtrak.com/bring-your-bicycle-onboard
And considering ridership numbers….
https://www.amtrak.com/bring-your-bicycle-onboard
And considering ridership numbers….
Last edited by indyfabz; 05-25-22 at 03:09 PM.
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There are size restrictions on some major carriers. Here’s Delta’s policy. The box must be less than 116 linear inches or it will not be accepted.
https://www.delta.com/us/en/baggage/...ting-equipment
Southwest charges $75 if it’s between 62 and 80 linear inches.
At least US Airways is gone. Socked us $200 for each bike each way to/from Italy in 2013.
https://www.delta.com/us/en/baggage/...ting-equipment
Southwest charges $75 if it’s between 62 and 80 linear inches.
At least US Airways is gone. Socked us $200 for each bike each way to/from Italy in 2013.
Last edited by Camilo; 05-25-22 at 06:26 PM.
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