Flying with a bicycle - tips for the uninitiated

[RiverInTheRoad]

So, I am going to Portugal to visit family, so what a perfect opportunity to take my road bike and explore!

Last night I bought my tickets. When I got to the additional items' menu on Turkish airlines, and to my great dismay I found out they charge R4k, per direction, to transport your bike from CPT to Lisbon and back! I can unfortunately not use another airline as I have to fly with my wife and child, and they already have their tickets....

Do any hubbers have any tips for me to avoid this R8k surcharge? I have a 2 x 23kg baggage allowance, which is double what I need, but the baggage has a dimension limit of 158 cm (l + b + h), and I don't see it being possible to fit the bike into those dimensions.

Am I stuck paying the R8k surcharge?? 

[greenhorn]

Consider renting a bike there, far less hassle and probably cheaper too 

[Dusty]

I have not flown Turkish, but all of the other airlines that I have flown, have allowed one of those 23kg items to be the bike. Worth giving the airline a call. If they agree, get it in writing  

[Zebra]

I agree with Dusty - be sure to CHECK 'Sporting Goods' allowance(s) on their website - you may well find that they do in fact accommodate a bicycle, even if both wheels removed and in a somewhat smaller box, etc? Worth DOUBLE-checking!

[Bub Marley]

Ive also flown with bike before. I also used the extra 23kg included luggage for the bike. You just have to take it to oversize baggage but i never paid extra for it.

[RiverInTheRoad]

56 minutes ago, greenhorn said:

Consider renting a bike there, far less hassle and probably cheaper too 

Yes, this is probably the most practical, but I want my own stuff. 

 

From my research on Turkish Airlines, you cannot substitute your bicycle for a checked bag, but I will call them and try and figure it out.

 

It seems British Airways, and Air France are much better for flying with a bike.

[Duane_Bosch]

I've flown Turkish before and I paid $90 each way for a bike. There is no way to escape it. Speaking sweetly to the check in lady will not work. 

My advice. Rent a bike there.

My wife and I went to Mallorca in 2019 and we rented bikes there. Irrespective of airline I'll NEVER take my own road bike to Europe again. It was such a painless experience. Renting is much much much more convenient. You book the bike online, take your helmet, shoes, gps and saddle if you're picky and it's done.

No hassles with oversize luggage. No stressing about your bike not arriving. No stressing that some over zealous baggage handler is doing to destroy your pride and joy.

My other half and I are flying Turkish to Andalucía in September and we're renting bikes. For the record. We're spending 2 days in Istanbul on the way there because the price differential between doing the stop over and going to Malaga in one hit was 8k. Each.

Edited Tuesday at 09:13 AM by Duane_Bosch

[Duane_Bosch]

19 minutes ago, RiverInTheRoad said:

Yes, this is probably the most practical, but I want my own stuff. 

 

From my research on Turkish Airlines, you cannot substitute your bicycle for a checked bag, but I will call them and try and figure it out.

 

It seems British Airways, and Air France are much better for flying with a bike.

From my experience the sandpit airlines are best to fly with a bike. But like I said renting a roadie in Europe is best.

You should be able to get a 105 equipped carbon bike for around 30 Euro a day depending on where you are and you'll get it cheaper if you book for a longer time. 

Edited Tuesday at 09:26 AM by Duane_Bosch

[NGM]

I can't help you with the surcharge issue but do have some other advice. If you do end up taking your own bike, on return to CT there's a very good chance you will be asked to prove that you bought it in RSA for import tax reasons. So either have some proof of payment or (and I don't know how this works) declare it on the way out. Not difficult, but a PITA if you don't have it.

I've flown twice with a bike and was asked both times on return to CT. On the first occasion customs in CT would not let me leave until I'd found the receipt on my phone, which I luckily still had. On the second occasion I'd actually bought the bike overseas, but it was just a frame and the value was less than R5,000 (minimum allowance) - which again I was required to prove. You might have a bag full of high end electronics and jewelry but they seem pretty keen on bikes. I guess a bike in a box is easier to ID. 

[Scott roy]

There is no way to get away from the cost, I too have burnt my fingers with Turkish and bikes. I’ve done four trips with bikes with them, there is no getting out of the $200 each way. It sucks but it is what it is, fortunately it allows you 32kg as opposed to other airlines where a bike can replace your bag being 23kg. 

[Scott roy]

42 minutes ago, NGM said:

I can't help you with the surcharge issue but do have some other advice. If you do end up taking your own bike, on return to CT there's a very good chance you will be asked to prove that you bought it in RSA for import tax reasons. So either have some proof of payment or (and I don't know how this works) declare it on the way out. Not difficult, but a PITA if you don't have it.

I've flown twice with a bike and was asked both times on return to CT. On the first occasion customs in CT would not let me leave until I'd found the receipt on my phone, which I luckily still had. On the second occasion I'd actually bought the bike overseas, but it was just a frame and the value was less than R5,000 (minimum allowance) - which again I was required to prove. You might have a bag full of high end electronics and jewelry but they seem pretty keen on bikes. I guess a bike in a box is easier to ID. 

All you need is to have the serial number on your phone or something. Proof of purchase is a good addition though. I’ve never once been stopped with the bikes, across multiple flights and airlines with them. 

[capediver]

2 hours ago, NGM said:

I can't help you with the surcharge issue but do have some other advice. If you do end up taking your own bike, on return to CT there's a very good chance you will be asked to prove that you bought it in RSA for import tax reasons. So either have some proof of payment or (and I don't know how this works) declare it on the way out. Not difficult, but a PITA if you don't have it.

I've flown twice with a bike and was asked both times on return to CT. On the first occasion customs in CT would not let me leave until I'd found the receipt on my phone, which I luckily still had. On the second occasion I'd actually bought the bike overseas, but it was just a frame and the value was less than R5,000 (minimum allowance) - which again I was required to prove. You might have a bag full of high end electronics and jewelry but they seem pretty keen on bikes. I guess a bike in a box is easier to ID. 

Flown with bike for years...every now and then I do the declaration thing just to update the document cause once a customs guy on arrival got a bit snotty and thought I may be involved in the resale of really dirty, grimy old second/third/fourth hand bicycles for big profit!

...in CTN airport at departures, turn left when you come in the door as you enter and go to the end, there is a SARS kiosk down there...have a pic of any serial number (usually under bottom bracket) handy, fill in the form, show them the bike, your ticket and passport and a you'll get the form......never once have I been asked for proof of purchase....have the form handy if you come across the same suspicious officer when you come back home.

[capediver]

2 hours ago, Duane_Bosch said:

From my experience the sandpit airlines are best to fly with a bike. But like I said renting a roadie in Europe is best.

You should be able to get a 105 equipped carbon bike for around 30 Euro a day depending on where you are and you'll get it cheaper if you book for a longer time. 

Yip, plus points to sandpit airlines...particularly Qatar...many years of flying 4-6 times a year with them, never been charged once...even flew back with 2 bikes once pasella, when one of our crew was delayed on return...)I still think he could have flown with us but who am I to question the surgeons and their opinions of his broken neck which they insisted on fixing before he could come home...PS, he recovered 1000% and last seen him at a gravel gran fondo not so long ago!)

[Spirog]

Emirates broke my frame coming back from Paris. They messed me around for ages before telling me that they didn't really care about me or my bike.

Fortunately, I was well insured but I'll never fly with my own bike. I'd rent it on the few days I planned to ride. It's a real PITA getting your bike into an Uber or onto the tube when you arrive. It takes up a whole lot of space in your accommodation as well. 

[RiverInTheRoad]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I underestimated what a PITA it would be to take my bike.

I saw that I can buy a Giant city bike brand new for R8k, I am going to do that and leave the bike in Portugal with my Brother in law (he needs the exercise).

 

['Kaze Pete]

Interesting question
I'm planning on flying to Oz to visit family (the excuse), however I plan/hope to do the Gravelista gravel race as well (the reason), so taking my own bicycle is "somewhat" important.

Any suggestions on what bike case/box to use, especially as a total of 6 different flights will be involved. JHB-PER, PER-BNE, as well and BNE-MEL. and then all the way back.

FYI:
For bikehub only: excuse and reason as stated above.
For family: excuse becomes the reason, and reason become an opportunity.