How-to-Avoid-Excess-Baggage-Charges-when-Travelling-with-Your-Bike | Learn | The Col Collective

How to Avoid Excess Baggage Charges when Travelling with Your Bike?

Scicon summarise what each airline charges for European travel.

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When traveling with your bike it’s important to know what the spiel is with excess baggage, but many airlines like to make it as difficult as possible for you to find out what the additional luggage charges are.

Many of you who have travelled with your bike before will know that you’ll often find that the fees can sting quite a bit on something as bulky as a bike. Here’s an easy-to-use guide to European airline bike baggage fees to help you spend less and avoid any nasty surprises.

Who’s the cheapest?

Let’s get stuck right in! British Airways and SAS will carry your bike for free. Yes, you heard us right- free! However, they don’t sell the cheapest tickets, but it might work out as a saving overall. You do need to make sure that your bike fits into their weight and size limits (see the table below). Finnair are also free but have strict dimension restrictions which if exceeded, will cost you a significant amount.
Next up are budget airlines Thomson and Flybe who both only charge €20 one-way. Why even think about renting a bike with prices as low as that?

Who is the most expensive?

Drumroll please… Iberia top the charts of priciest airline with an extortionate €75 per flight! Closely followed by Swiss Air, Ryan Air, Air France and Brussels Airlines who all charge €50 each way.

Some extra tips

Book in advance. Some airlines like Flybe only let bikes on planes on a standby basis if you just rock up on the day. Print out the airline’s policy on bike baggage from their webpage in case the desk clerk is a donut. I travelled with my skis once and had a full-blown argument with the lady behind the desk because she was telling me that I couldn’t have both a checked bag and sports equipment for free despite the fact the airline’s website said that I could. Most importantly, invest if you haven’t already in a protective bike bag or bike case. The last thing anybody wants is a broken bike when you arrive at your destination. We’ve got some top tips for packing your bike bag here. Or alternatively you could watch one of our how-to-pack videos on our youtube channel here

These were correct as of 15th October 2014 for flights within Europe. However, we do recommend double-checking with the airline before you fly

Airline Details

Airline	Incl as Normal Luggage	Extra costs	Max Weight (Kg)	Additional Info
Air France	No	€50 each way	23	More info here.
Brussels Airlines	No	€50 each way	/	Priced each way. More info here.
Easyjet	No	€40 each way if prepaid	32	Must be in a bag or box. More info here.
Flybe	No	€19-61 depending on weight	20	Stand by basis only, only if space on flight after all check-in’s. More info here.
KLM	No	€55 each way	23	Advance booking required. More info here.
Ryanair	No	€50-€60 each way	30	Cheaper if booked in advance. More info here.
Swiss Air	Yes	If over your basic luggage allowance €50-€100	30	Only changed if over normal allowance. More info here.
Aer Lingus	No	€40 each way	15	Max 10 bikes per flight- must prebook. More info here.
British Airways	No	€40 each way if over 23Kg	23	Free if part of main luggage allowance. Max 190cm in length and must be in recognizable bike bag or box. More info here.
Finnair	Yes	Free if witthin dimension restrictions. €75 each way if over 190cm in length	23	Must be in protective case for flight. More info here.
Iberia	No	€75 each way	23	Only take bikes in package containers which can be purchased for €20 at airport for bikes measuring 131x72x21 cm. More info here.
Jet2	No	€39 each way	30	Needs to be pre-booked. Must be wrapped in stiff cardboard with pedals off or in a bike bag or case. Max. weight 32kg. Max. size 182cm x 91cm. More info here.
Monarch	No	€31 each way if under 20kg/€44 if under 32kg	20/32	Max. 32kg. must be packed for protection including pedals and tyres removed. More info here.
Norwegian	No	€37-75 each way depending on route	25	More info here.
SAS	Yes	Free	23	Don’t have to use bike carry case, but have to register in advance if don’t. More info here.
TAP Portugal	Yes	Free	32	If over weight allowance there will be a €35 charge. More info here.
Thomson Fly	No	€20-54 each way depending on route and excess weight is charged per kg.	15-20	Must pre-book at least 2 months in advance and bike must be in a bag or case. More info here.
Lufthansa	Y if under 23kg	Free or €50 each way if exceeds over 23kg and under 32kg.	23/32	Must pre-book at least 48 hours in advance. More info here.
AirBerlin/Belair/Niki	Y if under 23kg	Free or €50 each way if exceeds over 23kg and under 32kg depending on route	23/32	More info here.
Wizzair	No	€40 each way	/	No weight allowance shown on website. More info here.
Turkish Airlines/ Anadolujet	No	€30 each way	32kg	Dimension allowance may vary depending on aircraft. More info here.

Article written by Hollie from Scicon

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