Cycling UK Forum

Hi there,
I am in the process of looking at different routes and flights and wondered what peoples experiences are of the costs of carrying bikes...i have just seen that Ryanair is a whopping 50 euros EACH WAY!! Does anyone have any cheaper suggestions??

50 Euros is not bad to transport your bike to another country surely, is it?

Jet 2 is about half the cost. I use both airlines every year looking for the cheapest deal, in fact, last time I took Jet2 out & Ryanair back.

Easyjet is about £27.00 each way. I've just flown with them and decided against the bike on cost grounds. There are weight complications too (possibly advantageous though). Don't forget that the fixed price makes them very expensive against a cheap flight i.e. more than a flight!

100 euro return journey just for my bike?? in my book that is VERY expensive! Just wanted to see what other airline s charged.

MarkF wrote:50 Euros is not bad to transport your bike to another country surely, is it?

No, but if more expensive than a person, it isn't that good either.

If i'm getting the flights cheap enough paying say £50 for my bike and kit to travel still makes it cheaper than almost all other alternatives. Airlines like Lufthansa / BA often charge 10x the Easyjet / Jet2 prices so i'm still getting a cheap trip.

I have used couriers to get bike and kit to the destination and back - not neccesarily cheaper but less hassle at the airports!

There's a thread with a link to handy table...
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=67410

If on extreme budget, and you want the very cheapest, with a bit of legwork, join avios (formerly airmiles) and look out for promotional offers emails (eg 3000 avios points for joining Shell drivers club last month, no car required), and tesco clubcard points deals too (can be transferred to avios). Avios flights are BA flights, the shorthauls anyway, so their luggage policies apply (see Vorpal's excellent link). £30 plus 9000 avios takes me and loaded bike from Edinburgh to Nice, return. Availability is pretty good so far, even in high season. Prices are pre-set by distance, don't vary with demand. Free wine on the plane, very restful.

horizon wrote:

MarkF wrote:50 Euros is not bad to transport your bike to another country surely, is it?

No, but if more expensive than a person, it isn't that good either.

I think 50 Euros is very reasonable indeed to have my bike flown from Leeds to Spain. Despite Ryanair being the most expensive for bikes, I still use them as the seat+ bike deal is often cheaper than a carrier charging £30 (ish) for just the bike.

MarkF wrote:

horizon wrote:

MarkF wrote:50 Euros is not bad to transport your bike to another country surely, is it?

No, but if more expensive than a person, it isn't that good either.

I think 50 Euros is very reasonable indeed to have my bike flown from Leeds to Spain. Despite Ryanair being the most expensive for bikes, I still use them as the seat+ bike deal is often cheaper than a carrier charging £30 (ish) for just the bike.

Agree . I did check some luggage in as well but still thought it was a bargain to lug me, 4 panniers and all my camping equipment over to the Sun. I know it was cheaper, quicker and more convenient than the bike express and / or a ferry down to Bilbao / Santander.

I like Ryanair... although their website does annoy with all the constant "extras" that you have to pay for. Nevertheless, I consider £107 to get me + luggage + bike to Poland last year an absolute bargain.

gordy wrote:I like Ryanair... although their website does annoy with all the constant "extras" that you have to pay for. Nevertheless, I consider £107 to get me + luggage + bike to Poland last year an absolute bargain.

That's nearly as cheap as the train and ferry method of getting to Prague.

ossie wrote:Agree . I did check some luggage in as well but still thought it was a bargain to lug me, 4 panniers and all my camping equipment over to the Sun. I know it was cheaper, quicker and more convenient than the bike express and / or a ferry down to Bilbao / Santander.

That's a different argument. Of course it's unnaturally and brilliantly cheap simply to fly at all - 35,000 feet up above the clouds etc etc. The last time I took my bike with camping equipment it was still a bargain (much cheaper than it was in 1986, 2001 etc). But when it costs more for the bike than it does for you (my last flight) then I don't think it churlish to be a bit sniffy about it. Otherwise I will insist on having my bike in the seat next to me.

horizon wrote:

ossie wrote:Agree . I did check some luggage in as well but still thought it was a bargain to lug me, 4 panniers and all my camping equipment over to the Sun. I know it was cheaper, quicker and more convenient than the bike express and / or a ferry down to Bilbao / Santander.

That's a different argument. Of course it's unnaturally and brilliantly cheap simply to fly at all - 35,000 feet up above the clouds etc etc. The last time I took my bike with camping equipment it was still a bargain (much cheaper than it was in 1986, 2001 etc). But when it costs more for the bike than it does for you (my last flight) then I don't think it churlish to be a bit sniffy about it. .

I don't understand that, you need to get to the destination, and so does your bike, the total cost is all that matters not the individual price. Paying more for my bike than myself with Ryanair was cheaper than the paying less with another carrier.

But a bike can't load itself and it won't spend any money on the plane...