Bikes on Trains and Planes
16 October 2006 | touring, how-to | No Comments
This seems to be a very important topic to people interested in bike touring, so I put a very short list of what certain airlines and trainlines say about their bicycle accomodation policies. It all seems a bit depressing to me because there are so many RULES, and the rule vary so widely. There’s a lot to read over here, but I think you will find it useful.
Bike boxing rules:
American Airlines
“Item Allowance/Requirements: Bicycles 1 non-motorized touring or racing bike. Handlebars must be fixed sideways and pedals removed. Or pedals and handlebars must be enclosed in plastic foam or similar material.”
- Cost: $80 Exception: If bicycle and container are less than 62 dimensional inches and under 50 lbs., the bike is free in place of one 62 inch bag in the free allowance.
- Maximum Size and Weight: 70 lbs / 115 inches - Acceptance conditional on aircraft size and load conditions -
- Exception: If a bike is less than 62 dimensional inches and 50 lbs., the above conditions do not apply. If this item is in excess of the number of pieces allowed in the free baggage allowance, excess baggage charges apply in addition to the $80 special items fee.
Bicycle Non-motorized bicycle must be prepared for travel by the customer. United does not provide tools. Handlebars must be turned sideways and protruding pedals and accessories removed. Bicycle must be contained in a protective/durable case, bag or box. Within U.S./Canada: $80.00 USD 50 pounds 62 linear inches - Allow an extra 30 minutes at check-in.
- If travel includes United Express, please contact United for information regarding aircraft cargo hold limits.”
Delta
“Item Conditions of Acceptance
Bicycles Non-motorized touring or racing bicycles with single seats for carriage are accepted as checked baggage, with certain limitations. Any bicycle presented in a box with overall dimensions not exceeding 62″ or 157.5cm (length + height + width) and checked in lieu of one bag is accepted. Bicycles exceeding 62″ are subject to charge. A $100 fee applies for each checked bicycle. Your bike must be packaged in a cardboard or canvas container in one of the following ways:
1. Handlebars fixed sideways and pedals removed, or
2. Handlebars and pedals encased in plastic, Styrofoam, or other similar material
Some connection carriers and aircraft may not accept bicycles as checked baggage, and may have different limitations.
Northwest accepts non-motorized touring, racing or tandem bicycles as checked luggage only. A bicycle is not included in a customer’s free luggage allowance. Northwest only accepts bicycles weighing 100 pounds or less. Bicycles over 100 pounds must be sent air freight. The following charges apply for transportation (each way) per bike between the US, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean:
1st Bicycle: $80.00 USD
Additional Bicycles: $180.00 USD
Northwest accepts bicycles only if the handlebars are fixed sideways and the pedals removed or if the handlebars and pedals are wrapped with protective packing material. Northwest recommends bicycles be placed in a bike box.
Northwest only accepts tandem bicycles for travel between the US/Canada/Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands. Tandem bikes are only accepted on 747/D10/757 type aircraft.
Northwest does not accept liability for loss, damage, or delay of bicycles. Excess valuation insurance may not be purchased for transport of bicycles.”
Air France www.airfrance.us
“Bicycles can be checked into the baggage compartment. You may purchase special boxes for them at the check-in counter.” That’s it!!!
Lufthansa www.lufthansa.com
“You may certainly check in more than your free baggage allowance. Pleaseunderstand that we charge a fee for this extra service.
On international routes
• to and from the USA/Canada
• via USA on sectors to and from USA
• between Europe and Mexico
• with a fare origin in West Africa to and from West Africa
• with a fare origin in Brazil between Brazil and Europe/the Middle East
• with Star Alliance Round the World fare
a fixed charge will be made for each additional, larger or heavier piece of baggage. For example, approx. 110 EUR / 127 USD between Germany and San Francisco.”
Amtrak www.amtrak.com
Many Options for Our Bike-Riding Passengers
We offer several options for transporting your bicycle with you on your Amtrak journey. Options include:
Bicycles stored onboard in bike racks.
Bicycles checked as baggage in a box or other secure container.
Bicycles checked as baggage secured by tie-down equipment, not in a box.
Folding bicycles brought onboard as carry-on baggage.
Bicycles Stored Onboard in Bicycle Racks
On some Amtrak trains you can roll your bike up to the train and secure it in a bike rack, unboxed.
Availability: Availability of this service varies widely from train to train, and station to station. Please call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800- 872-7245) to determine whether bicycle rack space is available on a particular train and route.
Please reserve space early: You can reserve space for bicycles when you make a ticket reservation. We charge a fee (generally ranging from $5 to $10 depending on route and distance traveled) for reserving a space in the bike rack. If space is available, you will be issued a ticket for bike rack space. Please be prepared to give this ticket to the conductor when boarding with your bicycle.
If a space on the bicycle rack is unavailable, you may be able to check your bike as carry-on baggage. See below.
Secure your bike: On some trains, bungee cords and locking mechanisms are incorporated into the bicycle rack. You may find it useful to bring your own bungee cords to further secure your bike to the rack.
No unusual bikes allowed: Please note that bicycle racks will not accommodate tandem, recumbent, or other unusual bikes. Such bikes must be transported as checked baggage, in a box. Please see below.
Specially designated spaces only: Bikes may not be transported in the vestibule of any car, except in spaces specially designated on certain limited trains.
Liability: Amtrak disclaims liability for loss of or damage to bicycles carried onboard and stored in bike racks.
Bikes as Checked Baggage
You can bring your bicycle on Amtrak as checked baggage between all cities where checked baggage services are offered. Keep in mind that not all stations or trains have checked baggage service, and that baggage service may not be available every day. For more information, please call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) or your agent.
Tips for successfully packing your bicycle:
Check your bicycle at the station at least an hour before departure.
Bicycles usually must be partially disassembled: Loosen and turn the handlebars sideways, and remove the pedals. Both wheels must remain in the forks. Nothing may protrude from the box or make the box bulge. Nothing except the bicycle may be placed in the box.
Please bring your own tools. It may be helpful to disassemble and reassemble your bike before your trip to avoid any surprises. Some parts, especially pedals, may be especially difficult to remove.
You may bring your own box or purchase one at the station. Bicycle boxes (new or used) are also usually available for purchase at staffed stations that accept checked baggage. The cost of each box is $10. Call ahead for details and to make sure that boxes are available. Local bicycle shops also may be able to provide you with boxes. After your trip, you may keep your box and use it again if it is in good condition.
You may also use a container especially designed for transporting bicycles. Such containers must have handles and must be fully closed and latched, with no portion of the bike exposed.
Attach your name and address to the box.
Tandem bicycles may be checked and require two boxes, telescoped together.
The fee for checking a bike as baggage is $5. This is subject to change without notice.
Bikes as Checked Baggage on Trains with Tie-Down Equipment
Some trains have tie-down equipment in the baggage car or other areas designated for checked baggage. Where such equipment is available, you can check your bike without a box or other container.
This space is limited, and you must reserve it. Typically, there is a reservation charge.
You must accompany your unboxed bike on its journey on the same train. We will not accept unaccompanied bikes.
Bicycles not in containers are more likely to be damaged in transit. Accordingly, we disclaim liability for bikes shipped unboxed.
For assistance, please call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).
Folding Bikes Brought Aboard as Carry-On Baggage
Folding bicycles may be brought aboard certain passenger cars as carry-on baggage. Only true folding bicycles (bicycles specifically designed to fold up into a compact assembly) are acceptable. Generally, these bikes have frame latches allowing the frame to be collapsed, and small wheels. Regular bikes of any size, with or without wheels, are not considered folding bikes, and may not be stored as folding bikes aboard trains.
You must fold up your folding bicycle before boarding the train. You may store the bike only in luggage storage areas at the end of the car (or, in Superliners, on the lower level). You may not store bikes in overhead racks.
Bicycles on Auto Train
We cannot carry automobiles with bicycles loaded on the roof. Please see our Auto Train Vehicle Requirements for details.
Bicycles on Amtrak Express
Regular bicycles, tandem bicycles, and unicycles may be shipped on Amtrak Express. Bikes must be securely packed in a box. Bicycles are generally exempt from Amtrak Express size requirements. More information is available on our Amtrak Express page.”
Trenitalia www.trenitalia.com
“BICYCLE TRANSPORT
Given the availability of places, bicycles may be brought on Surburban, Regional, Direct and Interregional trains, marked in the Timetable by the appropriate pictogram. A supplement of Euro 3.50 must be paid or, alternatively to the supplement ticket, a second class full price ticket having the same characteristics of the ticket in the passenger’s possession.
On some Intercity, Eurocity and Euronight trains, also marked in the Timetable with an appropriate pictogram, a supplement of Euro 5.00 and Euro 12.30 (for international trains) is to be paid for such transport. The supplement is not refundable
Furthermore, on all trains free transport of bicycles are admitted in appropriate sacks, with the following limitations: in the SL (sleeping cars) and carriages with bunks they are allowed only in specifically allocated compartments; they are admitted on board of Eurostar Italia trains provided they are placed in the areas situated in halls of the carriages. If there is no further space, they may be placed elsewhere, provided they do not cause hindrance or inconvenience for other clients or personnel on board.
In any case the sacks are transported at the risk of the client. The insurance policy, foreseen for luggage situated in hallways and in bunk and sleeping car compartments, covers, in case of theft, a maximum of Euro 260.00
It is also possible to deposit, for free, the empty sack in all stations predisposed for such service, for a period of 24 hours following the validating of your ticket.”
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