Shipping a bicycle to the U.S.

Dear All,

Any recommendations on shipping a bike to the US? I imagine it would be horribly expensive. Or could I pack it in a box and declare it as over-sized checked luggage?

I would hate to leave behind my 20 Euro East German Diamant made in Karl-Marx-Stadt.

Thanks!

Sara

you can take it on the plane as long as its packed in one of those bike boxes. usually you can find more info about that on the website of whatever airline you are using. some require you to inform them prior to the flight that you wish to do that.

I brought my bike over from the US with me, and I found that the price seemed to depend on the person checking your luggage in at the ticket counter. I bought a cheap-o soft sided bike bag for something like $40 in the US. I had to make a reservation on Aer Lingus for it a few weeks before the flight. According to their website, they were supposed to charge me €80, but the ticket agent was cool and only charged me US $50. Guess it all depends on the agent's attitude that day. Still, it was enough of a hassle just lugging it around that probably wouldn't do it again.

We bought two road bikes in the U.S. and had them packed in cardboard bike shipping boxes (how they arrive normally at a bike shop) and checked them in as pieces of luggage. We didn't pay anything extra at all. Even if you do pay extra, it is probably not much and will be a lot less expensive than shipping it.

Because you guys shipped them as luggage, would the airliner have covered them for their total value had they been lost?

When I brought my back over (11 years ago), the box was free and the extra piece of "luggage" didn't cost too much ($25 I think). Not so today. Depending on the Airline, it could get rather expensive quickly these days. Even the amount of free luggage and weight has been drastically reduced.

Max weight per bag (international) is 50lbs. If you have a bike that weighs over 50lbs, then, honestly, you should leave it here.

Update. The cheapest option ended up being boxing the bike and checking it as an additional piece of luggage. 100 Euros. Silly, I know, for a Diamant made in Karl-Marx-Stadt, but I love her!

Kind regards,

Sara