Taking your bike by plane...

[Gio G]

Just got back from the PDS event in France. We flew BA to Geneva, no problems with the bikes, all 6 six packed in brand new EVOC bags. I had a bent disc rotor on the way there, which was minor considering everyone else's was totally fine.

G

[millen]

Mark83 said:

Take out insurance. We landed in Stansted, from Lourdes, on Monday. All three bikes didn't arrive. My Parlee and my mates' two Cannondale Super Sixes.

No direct experience of this, but my understanding from another forum is that bikes mislaid by an airline generally do turn up after a few days. Eg they may have just got left behind in some dark corner of the baggage handling hall, especially if put through the over-sized channel.

I hope yours surface eventually - would be interested to learn one way or the other. I suppose it's not as bad as losing them on the outbound leg.

[Mark83]

millen said:

No direct experience of this, but my understanding from another forum is that bikes mislaid by an airline generally do turn up after a few days. Eg they may have just got left behind in some dark corner of the baggage handling hall, especially if put through the over-sized channel.

I hope yours surface eventually - would be interested to learn one way or the other. I suppose it's not as bad as losing them on the outbound leg.

Fortunately, my colleague who's French, phoned Lourdes airport for me and they've been located. They're being sent to Stansted tonight. I'll continue tracking them tomorrow.

[aaron_2000]

TwistingMyMelon said:

imo id rather just hire if possible and bring my pedals and saddle

Less chance of it go wrong

Even if the the airport don't break it , parts break sometimes when you are reassemble them.

It'd be bars and grips for me.

[Mark83]

Our bikes were delivered to us a week later by a courier. No noticeable damage but my God did it smell when I opened the bike box when a week's worth of sweaty cycling kit hit my nose.

[Pulse]

Quite a bit has changed since I made this original post, but everything people said was very useful. With all of your feedback in mind, I decided not to bother bringing my bike over. It's extra hassle getting to/from the airport, taking it around with me, and the chance it may get damaged.

I also decided not to cycle the Danube, following advice from a chap I met in a bike shop in Vienna. He was right, it'd be a bit boring. Maybe one day, though.

Johnny said:

I brought one of my bikes out to Budapest recently.

Boardman box from Halfords, plenty of bubblewrap, tape and the usual bits off. Arrived in perfect condition.

OP - If you fancy some riding when you reach BP, give me a shout!

I'm booked to come to Budapest now, but won't have a bike! If you're around though, a beer sounds good...

[HardtopManual]

oddman said:

Just checked out cost of bike transport to Geneva with Easyjet

£85 each way - ouch.

If you're flying to Geneva, use Swiss instead. They include sports equipment (including bikes) as part of your standard baggage allowance of 23kg. My R5 in an Evoc bike bag with shoes, helmet, cycling clothes, tools and travel track pump comes in under that weight. Stick your normal clothes in your carry-on.

If you're renting a car, rent from the French side of the airport, much cheaper.