Experiences with flying with a bicycle INTERNATIONAL

[kazzy]

We want to fly to Canada from Korea with our bicycles. Asiana airlines counts a bike as one piece of luggage as long as it's in a box.

Other airlines charge a fee for bikes and you have to reserve a spot.

Have any other people flown with their bikes? And how was your experience? (damage..fees etc?)

 

[Christoph100]

We want to fly to Canada from Korea with our bicycles. Asiana airlines counts a bike as one piece of luggage as long as it's in a box.

Other airlines charge a fee for bikes and you have to reserve a spot.

Have any other people flown with their bikes? And how was your experience? (damage..fees etc?)

I don't have any experience with it...however with the costs associated from the airline to have it shipped perhaps you may consider selling them there and purchase new when you get here to Canada. Just an Idea as I'm sure if its counted as luggage be around $100.00Cad for each one on top of your other regular luggage you might have. Or if you really want those particular bikes look into having it shipped freight or even by courier service check your prices. Also get on line to a Canadian online retailer and look at prices of the bikes to see if is worth to bring yours.

Just ideas to think about

Chris


Chris

 

[janey05]

It's no different than say traveling with golf bags. You can get bike boxes at a local bike shop for a small fee (one near my place charges $10) and have to disassemble the wheels and handles. Considering the price of my mountain bikes, giving up on one luggage allowance made more sense than renting or buying new ones.

As long as your bike is sturdy and you properly pack the box, there should be no damage. It's after all mostly steel. I don't remember paying anything extra on Air Canada but this was 2 years ago

I really don't see why not

 

[kazzy]

Thanks for the input!

Yeah, we bought both bikes for over 2000 dollars so a couple of hundred to bring as baggage is worth it to us. I think we will disassemble them and pack them in boxes. But...we have a stop in China....hopefully they just go straight through.

 

[Christoph100]

Thanks for the input!

Yeah, we bought both bikes for over 2000 dollars so a couple of hundred to bring as baggage is worth it to us. I think we will disassemble them and pack them in boxes. But...we have a stop in China....hopefully they just go straight through.

Yes with value they are a couple hundred on shipping is worth it. As for the stop in China I don't think you would have any problems. My experience with China and Transiting is checked luggage just passes on to your final destination.

 

[bartjones]

One thing you might consider. I shipped an exercise bike back from Korea last year. The moving company listed it as a "Bicycle". When my stuff arrived in Canada and I went to clear customs, the customs officer asked me if I'd had my bike professionally cleaned before I left Korea. I was a little confused. She pointed to the list and said "You're bringing in a bike. They have to be professionally cleaned before we allow them in." She said it had something to do with foreign soil contamination.

I told her it was an indoor exercise bike and that was the end of it, but you might want to be aware of that potential issue

 

[janey05]

I meant to say the box is sturdy, not the bike Depending on the airline and the size of your box, be aware of the possible over-size fees too. It might be easier and cheaper to send bike over using the postal service. Good luck!

 

[jayson_mires]

Do they charge tax on bringing a dis-assembled bicycle?

And any idea how much it would cost to get it re-assembled at a local bike store?

 

[canuck78]

One thing you might consider. I shipped an exercise bike back from Korea last year. The moving company listed it as a "Bicycle". When my stuff arrived in Canada and I went to clear customs, the customs officer asked me if I'd had my bike professionally cleaned before I left Korea. I was a little confused. She pointed to the list and said "You're bringing in a bike. They have to be professionally cleaned before we allow them in." She said it had something to do with foreign soil contamination.

I told her it was an indoor exercise bike and that was the end of it, but you might want to be aware of that potential issue

Good point. You should definitely make sure your bikes are clean especially if they are mountain bikes and you've been in the country.

 

[canuck78]

Do they charge tax on bringing a dis-assembled bicycle?

And any idea how much it would cost to get it re-assembled at a local bike store?

Most high end bikes have quick locks and are made to be taken apart somewhat easily. If you have an expensive bike you also usually have a mini shop in your garage where you fine tune and fix up bikes