Airplane, traveling with your bicycle.
Can you bring a bike on a plane?
Short answer: yes! There is almost always room for oversize baggage like a bicycle.
Most airlines have the policy listed clearly on their website, search for (airline name) bicycle policy or look for their sports equipment page. If in doubt always check, give them a call.
Not so long ago your cycle had to be shipped it separately as freight. Now taking a bicycle on an airplane as luggage for a competition, cycling holiday or between continents on a world tour has become easier, and can be cheap or even free (included in ticket price) if you spend time bargain hunting on your favorite search engine.
Before you book your ticket, it is advised to check the airlines ticket prices whats included and policies, normally listed as oversize luggage, sports equipment or special baggage. Pay attention to size limits. All airlines I have checked for the Blog have about the same box size of 190 x 75 x 65 cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5 in) weighing no more than 32 kilo.
For an update of airlines and their cycle baggage rules, we recommend the table on seektravelride
Most international airlines request that you contact them at time of booking or 48 hours before the flight to reserve space for your bicycle on the airplane.
So your ticket is booked, what next?
What to transport your cycle in?
- Bike Box
List Item 1
Bike boxes can be either soft or hard cased, with prices ranging from less the 100 euro to over 1000 euro.
You have to dismantle you bike to fit inside. they offer the best protection.
The downside there is no room for any of your other eqipment and what do you do with you box when you are touring ?
- Cardboard Box
List Item 2
Cardboard boxes can be a great alternitive. On arrivel they are easy to dispose of and for departure you can buy from the airport or find one for free at a local bike shop.
You have to dismantle you bike to fit inside. they offer the great protection.
There is room for other eqipment in the box which can help with the protection of your bike.
- Plastic Packing
List Item 3
Packing your bike and equipment in a plastic bag is the cheapest option.
Plastic bags are easy to find a dispose of or can be return home for your next adventure.
Travel bloggers have said surprising this offers great protection for your equipment as baggage handlers can see what is there so treat with more respect.
Thank you to the guys at Pancakes and Panniers for allowing us the share their photos of them packing the bikes, ready for a new adventure in Europe. There can never be enough protection on the fragile parts of your bike.
You can follow their adventures on Facebook .
Packing Tips
- When dismantling your bike ensure you use tools that you are taking, so when you arrive you are not searching for tools to remake your bike.
- Remove any items that may puncture the box or bag, anything you do remove put in a bag so if a hole is made these parts will not fall out.
- Protect vulnerable parts of the bike like forks, disc brakes and rear derailleur with extra padding.
- Double check when you have finished packing before sealing your box or bag.
What to do when you arrive ?
After collecting your oversized luggage you can normal find a quiet space in the airport to set up your cycle, unless you have other plans? This is shown below by Debs and Tom who are currently on a world tour. Have a read and watch there is much humour and information.
I hope you have found this information useful.
Debs and Tom are currently traveling the world, here is their Vlog of unpacking bikes in the USA.
They have a blog and vlog, if you want to follow them the links are below
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