Traveling with a bike made easy
Traveling with a bike for the first time can be a daunting task. I remember the first time we packed our bikes in their travel cases and checked them in at the airport. Had we packed them correctly, would they arrive when we did, the questions went on and on. Thankfully everything worked out and we had a fantastic holiday and we vowed to do more traveling with our bikes which we have been lucky enough to do. We have written a series of articles based on our experience of traveling with bikes. The articles provide plenty of tips and other information to help you plan and understand the process of traveling with a bike.
Over the past 10 years, we have traveled with our bikes on planes, on trains, and shipped bikes both domestically and internationally for various reasons. We have learned lots of things along the way and now we have this website we want to share the things we have learned to help others who are doing it for the first time and are not sure what they need to do. To date we have information about flying with your bike, bike travel bags, taking your bike on French trains, using a cardboard bike box, and how to ship your bike.
Flying with your bike
These articles are all about traveling with your bike on an airline. We did this for the first time in 2013 and with great trepidation checked our bikes in and hoped we would see them safe and sound on the other side. Thankfully the bikes arrived at the same time we did and since that first time, we have flown multiple times since. Each time we have learned something new and these articles reflect our experience.
Airline fees for bikes
This article lists the fees and allowances for bikes on over 115 different airlines. Check this before you book and see which airlines charge a fee and which don’t. Many airlines do allow a bike as part of your normal luggage allowance and don’t charge any fees so make sure you look through this before you book. One trend we have noticed over the last few years is the requirement to notify airlines that you will be checking in a bike and we list this also in our table. Don’t be caught out at the airport!
Taking an e-bike on a plane
With the increase in popularity of electric bikes, it is only natural that people will want to take them on holidays to enjoy. If your holiday involves flying unfortunately your e-bike will need to stay at home. Our article about e-bikes and flying explains everything you need to know and includes some alternatives you might consider.
Flying with a bike on a plane
This article takes you through the practicalities of flying with your bike. From navigating the airports and checking in to where you pick your bike up at the other end. This is something we have done many times and are quite comfortable with now but we learned many lessons along the way.
Taking your bike on a train
Train travel is a great option for traveling with a bike. There are many instances where you can simply wheel your bike onto the train and away you go. We have extensive experience traveling on French railways with our bikes both as fully assembled bikes and when they have been in our travel cases. On the back of our successful page about airline luggage rules for bikes, we have now started compiling a similar table for rules on different rail operators around the world.
Taking your bike on a French train
This article takes you through everything you need to know about taking your bike on a French train. We also include step-by-step instructions on how to book your bike using the SNCF Connect website.
Taking your bike on a train
This table lists the rules that apply to bikes on different rail companies around the world. Our goal is to include as many rail companies around the world as possible making it the premier resource for anyone looking to travel with their bike on a train.
Bike bags and boxes
If you are planning on traveling with your bike or you need to send it somewhere, chances are you will need to put it into something. This next series of articles is all about bike travel bags and boxes. Over the years we have used a soft-sided bike travel bag as well as cardboard bike boxes and a lightweight cover. We also include a list of over 60 different bike travel bags so you can see what is available and what will work best for you.
Bike box basics
This is the best place to start if you want to learn all about bike travel boxes. In this article, we go through all the basic information about bike travel boxes including what they weigh, how big they are, and what different types are on offer.
Cardboard bike boxes
The humble cardboard bike box is a great option for transporting your bike. Every new bike arrives in a cardboard box so they must be alright! We were slightly nervous the first time we placed our pride and joy in a cardboard box but after using it many times now we are more than converted. Many shipping companies also stipulate that bikes must be in a cardboard box and not a bike travel bag.
Bike travel bags
This article goes through everything you need to know about choosing the right travel bag for you. We have listed the 5 things we think you should consider before selecting a bike travel bag to make sure you get the best one for your situation. We have also researched the market and provided a list of over 60 bike travel bags and cases currently on the market. The list includes size and weight information as well as a price guide.
Evoc bike travel bag review
We have used an Evoc bike travel bag since 2013 and share our thoughts and recommendations for anyone else who might be considering this brand.
Shipping a bike
This last section is all about shipping a bike. This is something we have done a few times now after selling a couple of different bikes and getting them to their new owners and also moving from Australia to Ireland.
How to ship a bike
This article about how to ship a bike takes you through the basics of what you need to know about shipping your bike for the first time.
Cost of shipping a bike in the USA
One thing we learned in putting the first article about shipping bikes is that costs are country-specific and what drives price in one country does not necessarily work in another. So here we have the costs of shipping a bike in the USA.
Cost of shipping a bike in the UK
One thing we learned in putting the first article about shipping bikes is that costs are country-specific and what drives price in one country does not necessarily work in another. So here we have the costs of shipping a bike in the UK.
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