Taking a bike abroad

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

badolki

Über Member
I'm thinking of taking my bike and trailer to Barcelona next year and cycling home to Paisley in the west of Scotland. Given the cost of luggage on planes I was considering putting them in packages and sending them to a friend who lives in Barcelona from where I would start my journey. Has anyone adopted this strategy before and can recommend a carrier or am I wasting my time considering such an option ?
 
D

Deleted member 35268

Guest
Get a bike bag or bike case. Wiggle have bike bags starting at £62

You'll need to book the bike with the airline, or hire a bike when you get there

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-elsted-wheeled-bike-bag/
 

User269

Guest
I'm thinking of taking my bike and trailer to Barcelona next year and cycling home to Paisley in the west of Scotland. Given the cost of luggage on planes I was considering putting them in packages and sending them to a friend who lives in Barcelona from where I would start my journey. Has anyone adopted this strategy before and can recommend a carrier or am I wasting my time considering such an option ?
The bike wouldn't be a problem on a flight, other than extra cost, I'm not so sure about the extra trailer though. I can see why you might want to send them by carrier.
I've seen posts about carriers before, and will be watching this post with interest, as I've often wanted to send a couple of bikes ahead whilst flying. I'm tempted to drive 'em down for you myself. When are you going?
 

MarkF

Guru
Location
Yorkshire
They don't go to Barcelona, which is where the OP wants to start their trip.

But near as dammit, 2 easy days down to BCN, it's a nice trip too.

Tbh I don't think the flight bike/trailer costs are expensive, I use Ryanair or Jet 2 to BCN regularly. I'll watch this thread with interest too, I had to leave a bike there in 2009 and couriers costs were astronomical, was cheaper to fly out, stay over for the weekend and fly it back.
 

steveindenmark

Legendary Member
The bike is easy on a plane but I dont think the,trailer could go as a second bike because of the dimensions.

It may even be cheaper buying another trailer in Spain and just flying the bike down.

Steve
 

User269

Guest
But near as dammit, 2 easy days down to BCN, it's a nice trip too.

Tbh I don't think the flight bike/trailer costs are expensive, I use Ryanair or Jet 2 to BCN regularly. I'll watch this thread with interest too, I had to leave a bike there in 2009 and couriers costs were astronomical, was cheaper to fly out, stay over for the weekend and fly it back.
The OP wants to start from Barcelona, not "2 easy days down to....."
The max weight for hold baggage on easyjet, for example, would be 52kg, which may or may not be sufficient for a bike & trailer once packaged in accordance with flight regulations.
So, as asked by the OP, has anyone used and can recommend a carrier for such purposes?
 

MarkF

Guru
Location
Yorkshire
The OP wants to start from Barcelona, not "2 easy days down to....."

He can get the bus from train + bus to BCN via Figueres then, 3 hours ok? However, I can't see it being viable compared to say Jet2 from Glasgow, £30 per 30kg box and a cheap flight. Be an idea for the OP to look on BCN expat sites for van/removal trips, no way will a courier be cheaper.
 
OP
OP
B

badolki

Über Member
Thanks for all the input in so short a time. I've taken bikes by plane before by packing them in a box from the local bike shop and had no problems. i.e. My wife and I took a couple of boot sale bikes to Toulouse, dumped the boxes in the airport, and did the Canal du Midi, selling the bikes in Agde to cover the train fare back to Toulouse. This current plan is quite ambitious for me as the longest I've done before was a week camping tour in France a few years ago but that time I used the Eurostar and U.K. train services to get to and from France. After reading the posts I'm now thinking I should box the bike and use panniers rather than a trailer for the gear. Maybe take a big cheap and disposable suitcase and buy a trailer there as suggested by member steveindenmark. I'll go online and check out buying a trailer in Barcelona. Opinion seems to be that a courier would be costly and flying with the bike and using panniers would be the best choice at the moment. When my plans are more concrete I will post an update. Thanks again all.
 
+1 for Bike Express. Just done it and very easy way to get in to Europe. No dismantling of bike required. And the cycle from Roses to Barcelona is niceand sstraightforward and easily doable in 2 days.
 

Brains

Legendary Member
Location
Greenwich
I'd also say you first option is to look at bike express. And if you want to start at Barcelona then just catch a train for the last bit
 

mmmmartin

Random geezer
Trailer? it's daft. Front and rear panniers, rack with tent on. Put luggage in one bag in the hold and pay for the bike. Be there in a day, take train for the last section. Everyone does that: ever thought why?
Bike Express is good, usually full - there's a good reason for that.
Nuff said.
 
Top Bottom