Cheaper to ship the bike or take it on a plane?
08-14-18, 02:34 PM
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Cheaper to ship the bike or take it on a plane?
I'd be flying 3000 miles for a bicycle touring trip in September, what's the best way for getting bicycle from here to there? shipping it or taking it on a plane? Which one is cheaper or better and why, Thanks for any experience or wisdom or insight,
08-14-18, 03:01 PM
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Depends a lot on the individual circumstance, particularly airline charges. Do the research for the route you want and come to your own decision.
In June I was flying back to Dublin from Santiago de Compostela (Spain) and was interested to see lots of local ads offering to ship my bike home for €90 but as I'd already booked it to fly with me for €50 it didn't seem attractive even when you add in the cost of boxing the bike at the airport €17.50. which is obligatory at that particular airport. I'd flown out to Bordeaux (€50 for bike) and hadn't boxed.
In June I was flying back to Dublin from Santiago de Compostela (Spain) and was interested to see lots of local ads offering to ship my bike home for €90 but as I'd already booked it to fly with me for €50 it didn't seem attractive even when you add in the cost of boxing the bike at the airport €17.50. which is obligatory at that particular airport. I'd flown out to Bordeaux (€50 for bike) and hadn't boxed.
08-14-18, 03:14 PM
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Alaska Airlines will take a boxed bicycle as checked baggage for $25. Downside is that TSA will maul your box. I used them roundtrip in July. On way out they checked the bike and all my panniers and didn’t charge me anything. On the way back they wanted to charge me excess weight fee of $50 because my box was over 50 lbs and goodies besides the bike were in it. She waived it “this time” but did charge the $25. Rear derailleur hanger was tweaked on the return flight.
08-14-18, 04:47 PM
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More info
To get a better answer, you really need to provide more info such as departure & destination, time limits (do you need the bike until the day before), are you a high level frequent flyer, etc. Other than that, all suggestions are totally guesses or personal experiences like those already given. Hope you have a great tour! John
08-14-18, 05:41 PM
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If you're traveling in the US, check out Bike Flights. Compare them to your airline fees, and what it will cost to get from the airport to the shipping point.
08-14-18, 05:51 PM
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^This.
I knew a guy that took a high-end CF bike in a hard case.
TSA:
- Opened the hard case
- Threw away the small parts contained in a bag in the case
- Broke the CF frame, jamming it back in the case
Their attitude when he filed a complaint: (Shrug) So sue us.
I knew a guy that took a high-end CF bike in a hard case.
TSA:
- Opened the hard case
- Threw away the small parts contained in a bag in the case
- Broke the CF frame, jamming it back in the case
Their attitude when he filed a complaint: (Shrug) So sue us.
08-14-18, 07:13 PM
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Ed, if you are serious about travelling with your bike, you will need to look at your destination and look into what companies fly there, at what prices, and then specifially look at their sports equipment and bike fees, as it varies wiiiiidely from company to another.
08-14-18, 08:46 PM
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Costs for shipping a bike depends on whether it is a domestic or international trip. IME it is cheaper to take the bike on the plane for international flights. It has been almost a wash between shipping my bike or taking it in the plane for domestic flights.
Last edited by Doug64; 08-14-18 at 09:26 PM.
08-14-18, 09:10 PM
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And Italian TSA is scary lax, Or used to be. I remember once they x-rayed my box then instructed me to take it to the oversized luggage area unescorted ! I was still on the non cleared side of security!
Inside the US, even if it is cheaper to fly with I would still opt to ship. You don't need to mess with the box at airports and if you ship you know it got there if you were smart enough to ship ahead. Plus if you pay to have it built it will be ready for you when you get there.
The downside of shipping to a shop (like what almost happened to me on my recent tour in Oregon) is that if the airlines screws up your flight the shop might be closed by the time you get there. Plus there is something to be said for starting your tour right out of the destination airport.
08-14-18, 11:06 PM
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To get a better answer, you really need to provide more info such as departure & destination, time limits (do you need the bike until the day before), are you a high level frequent flyer, etc. Other than that, all suggestions are totally guesses or personal experiences like those already given. Hope you have a great tour! John
08-15-18, 03:21 AM
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Which airline are you planning to go with?
You can check this chart ... but you'll also want to check the actual airline to confirm.
https://www.ibike.org/encouragement/t...regs-chart.htm
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08-15-18, 03:43 AM
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izzat two separate flights with a short katy tour between? if so, double your bike transport costs. maybe ship your bike to boston for the big tour, fly to saint louis and rent a bike for the katy.
08-15-18, 05:07 AM
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bikeflights.com
08-15-18, 05:31 AM
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All my travel overseas (and interstate as an Australian resident) has seen my bikes travel on the planes with me. This includes a round-the-world trip about six years ago. Airlines travels does usually require the bike in a cardboard box below a specified weight, and the costs depend on what is normally charged by each airline. I have traveled several airlines, including on Australia, that don't charge anything. Majority, however, have charge of $100 or more.
The distinct advantage is that the bike arrives when you do, and you do need a certain level of reconstruction ability. After 20 years or so of practice, it all works quite well for me. After reconstruction, you can either set off on the intended route, or head for accommodation.
The distinct advantage is that the bike arrives when you do, and you do need a certain level of reconstruction ability. After 20 years or so of practice, it all works quite well for me. After reconstruction, you can either set off on the intended route, or head for accommodation.
08-15-18, 07:10 AM
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I've never found an international option where it was cheaper to ship than fly with it. Plus, as mentioned, customs is essentially nullified escorting it across.
Domestic, it depends on your airline, destinations, and how long you can be without the bike.
Domestic, it depends on your airline, destinations, and how long you can be without the bike.
08-15-18, 08:58 AM
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Every day a winding road
The train is actually the easiest way to travel with a bike but unfortunately there is nothing that gets you from Seattle to Kansas City, at least easily.
08-15-18, 09:09 AM
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Alaska Airlines will take a boxed bicycle as checked baggage for $25. Downside is that TSA will maul your box. I used them roundtrip in July. On way out they checked the bike and all my panniers and didn’t charge me anything. On the way back they wanted to charge me excess weight fee of $50 because my box was over 50 lbs and goodies besides the bike were in it. She waived it “this time” but did charge the $25. Rear derailleur hanger was tweaked on the return flight.
Also, I don't need this bike till the last day, I have other bikes I am using for everyday things,
08-15-18, 09:27 AM
#18
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I have not been to an airport since flying to my father's memorial service, which was in 2000,
so before 9/11/01.. flew Sea-Tac and SFO, to AMS or LHR, in the 90's..
bike accompanied, I assembled it and rode off from airport ..
Schiphol was perfect for that..
Out here , the LBS receives boxed bikes , sent a couple weeks ahead,
and if indicated , assembled and ready to ride ,
when you get here... Amtrak or flying to PDX, then taking the bus to the coast,
which arrives 2 blocks away.
...
so before 9/11/01.. flew Sea-Tac and SFO, to AMS or LHR, in the 90's..
bike accompanied, I assembled it and rode off from airport ..
Schiphol was perfect for that..
Out here , the LBS receives boxed bikes , sent a couple weeks ahead,
and if indicated , assembled and ready to ride ,
when you get here... Amtrak or flying to PDX, then taking the bus to the coast,
which arrives 2 blocks away.
...
Last edited by fietsbob; 08-15-18 at 09:30 AM.
08-15-18, 09:32 AM
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08-15-18, 09:45 AM
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Yes, Thanks, yes, it's Air Alaska, should i get the bike shop pack it in a box or where do I get a box? I have shipped bikes before I know some did assembly etc is required ? what's the best way to protect rear deraileuer?
Also, I don't need this bike till the last day, I have other bikes I am using for everyday things,
Also, I don't need this bike till the last day, I have other bikes I am using for everyday things,
08-15-18, 10:38 AM
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Use bike flights. If you are staying at a motel, you can ship it there if the motel allows. Often bike shops can accept your bike and for a fee assemble it for you.
A big advantage of shipping bike separate from your flight is that you do not have to deal with getting a full size bike box to and from an airport. Taxis in my community can't carry a bike box in a Prius.
A big advantage of shipping bike separate from your flight is that you do not have to deal with getting a full size bike box to and from an airport. Taxis in my community can't carry a bike box in a Prius.
08-15-18, 10:45 AM
#22
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THAT is why i always ship via Fedex ground. no intrusion into your box/case.
08-15-18, 11:23 AM
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Every day a winding road
Use bike flights. If you are staying at a motel, you can ship it there if the motel allows. Often bike shops can accept your bike and for a fee assemble it for you.
A big advantage of shipping bike separate from your flight is that you do not have to deal with getting a full size bike box to and from an airport. Taxis in my community can't carry a bike box in a Prius.
A big advantage of shipping bike separate from your flight is that you do not have to deal with getting a full size bike box to and from an airport. Taxis in my community can't carry a bike box in a Prius.
Both will probably much more willing to send your bike back to you.
08-15-18, 11:26 AM
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Assuming that you are talking about using a standard cardboard bike box, the standard way to protect the rear derailleur is to have the derailleur shifted up to the largest cog. As a bike store owner for over 12 years, I have seen thousands of geared bikes, and that is the way that they always come. (I've never seen one damaged).
08-15-18, 11:51 AM
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Assuming that you are talking about using a standard cardboard bike box, the standard way to protect the rear derailleur is to have the derailleur shifted up to the largest cog. As a bike store owner for over 12 years, I have seen thousands of geared bikes, and that is the way that they always come. (I've never seen one damaged).
If I was going to ship a bike on a plane, if it is a steel frame I would do what you suggested. But if it is not a steel frame, I would remove the dérailleur from the hanger and temporarily attach it to a chainstay or seat stay or rack with a zip tie. That of course means remove the chain, so it gets complicated and a bit messy. Bring disposable gloves, I always ask the dentist or doctors office when I am there if I can have a few spare pair and they are always happy to give me a few.