Heathrow or Gatwick?

[Woodtourer]

Hadn't thought about that. I will contact Iceland Air and ask.
Thanks!

[Woodtourer]

I just Messaged Iceland Air. Nope. Only 3 hours before a flight.

[willswitchengage]

Gatwick is far better to the NR network - you can get to Victoria, Thameslink up to Bedford, Reading, Brighton and I think a couple of other south coast destinations like Littlehampton and Bognor direct. Heathrow has a very expensive train into Paddington then various buses to local destinations and of course the National Express. I've found that bus drivers are usually very reluctant to carry my bike boxes - even the Railair (a coach) to where I live in Reading.

If you want to unpack and flytip your box somewhere around the airport the roads around both are very nice.

[Woodtourer]

Spoke with Iceland Air and I can only check bags 3 hours before a flight.

[Sweep]

If you want to unpack and flytip your box somewhere around the airport the roads around both are very nice.

Mm, hardly a great advert for cyclists.

[hufty]

I thought that at first but then I thought no he/she must mean leave the box in the airport, the roads in the environs are nice. I usually get the box open straight away in the luggage claim area, get the bike wheelable at the very least, rideable if some jobsworth isn't in my face, then leave the flattened box somewhere appropriate eg with all the other luggage detritus.

[st599_uk]

If you want to unpack and flytip your box somewhere around the airport the roads around both are very nice.

Mm, hardly a great advert for cyclists.

Indeed. Not sure recommending flytipping on the surrounding roads is a great advert.

Shame there couldn't be a place to leave the boxes, as presumably they're pretty generic and could be of use to another cycle tourist.

[mattheus]

I thought that at first but then I thought no he/she must mean leave the box in the airport, the roads in the environs are nice. I usually get the box open straight away in the luggage claim area, get the bike wheelable at the very least, rideable if some jobsworth isn't in my face, then leave the flattened box somewhere appropriate eg with all the other luggage detritus.

My only return trip avec velo was into Heathrow, bike in CTC clear bag.

I took so long reassembling it (lack of practice mainly. Plus fat fingers.), that the airport wombles took the bag away as rubbish without me noticing. I was £30 down!!!

So I wouldn't feel bad about leaving a complete cardboard (i.e. recyclable) box there.

[willswitchengage]

If you want to unpack and flytip your box somewhere around the airport the roads around both are very nice.

Mm, hardly a great advert for cyclists.

I thought I was suitably sarcastic. Apparently not. I apologise.

For other readers: I've unpacked my bike from boxes before in the arrivals lounge on many occasions and found helpful airport staff members have always offered onward and responsible disposal of my large pieces of cardboard and foam.

[Woodtourer]

Last year when we flew into Helsinki I contacted the airport ahead of time and made sure I could leave our boxes. Got the okay. Just pushed them off in a corner and off we went!