traveling with a bicycle

[BuckeyeBill]

This is in response to Dan D'Ambrosio's article in the April 2010 Adventure Cyclist.  We have traveled to Europe three times with our own bicycles, and are planning a fourth trip this September.  We have yet to pay for taking our bikes and do not anticipate paying this time.  As long as you stay within the airlines guidelines, and choose your airline carefully, you should not have a problem.  We transport our bikes in heavy duty, soft-sided bags that meet the size requirements of 115".  We carry our panniers (rear only) on the plane as our one free carry-on.  We carry our handlebar bags on as our free personal piece (it is considered to be the same as a lady's purse).  And we put our trunk bags in along with the bikes.  Our bike bags, bikes, and trunk bags easily come in at under 50 lbs.  We travel very lightly, and have found that with a handlebar bag, trunk bag, and two panniers we have plenty of room for all we need for a two to three week trip.  We are taking Air France this year, and have determined after checking their website and talking with two representatives, that we will be albe to take our bikes for no extra charge.  As to the issue of what to do with the bags once you arrive, we simply store them at the hotel that we use upon our arrival and our departure. 

[Tourista829]

Buckeyebill, good post. It pays to do your homework. If I may ask, what bicycles do you have? If they are not fold ups, do they have S&S couplers?  Thank you for the information.

[Galloper]

Avoid US Airlines, they charge an arm and a leg     British Airways charge about $50 if booked in advance.

[John Driz]

Have you seen Surly's Traveler's check?  It breaks down in half with couplers.  Pretty sweet!
http://surlybikes.com/frames/travelers_check_frame/

[lisap]

I live in the UK and travel with my bike to the US /Canada every year. I generally fly BA and have never ever been charged to put my bike and BOB trailer on the plane.

They have a sporting policy about bag dimensions and weight but as long as you abide by them they are fine. Print off the policy from their website, carry it with you and argue the point if need be. The bike goes as one piece of luggage and BOB the second.