Best way / courier to get 1x bike to the USA?

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
Magnum
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Joined: 15 Sep 2013, 3:56pm

Best way / courier to get 1x bike to the USA?

Post by Magnum »

Hi.

Anyone taken their bike(s) to the USA for some touring?

Can I turn up at the check-in - assuming the carrier allows this - and simply settle the Excess Baggage at the counter?
TonyR
Posts: 5390
Joined: 31 Aug 2008, 12:51pm

Re: Best way / courier to get 1x bike to the USA?

Post by TonyR »

Go BA or Virgin and the bike flies free. Internal flights in the USA are another matter.
mnichols
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Joined: 22 Apr 2013, 4:29pm

Re: Best way / courier to get 1x bike to the USA?

Post by mnichols »

Just booked my bike with BA - and it was free!
Magnum
Posts: 16
Joined: 15 Sep 2013, 3:56pm

Re: Best way / courier to get 1x bike to the USA?

Post by Magnum »

Thanks
I have seen an SAS flight for under £600
With that sort of price, and even if they don't allow such things on at the check-in (I will of course check in advance) I'd courier through a 3rd party, the bike to keep things on the cheap side!
Magnum
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Joined: 15 Sep 2013, 3:56pm

Re: Best way / courier to get 1x bike to the USA?

Post by Magnum »

BA?
How much was the flight if you don't mind me asking and with whom did you buy your ticket?
How long are you going for?
TonyR
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Joined: 31 Aug 2008, 12:51pm

Re: Best way / courier to get 1x bike to the USA?

Post by TonyR »

Where are you flying from and to & when?
Magnum
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Joined: 15 Sep 2013, 3:56pm

Re: Best way / courier to get 1x bike to the USA?

Post by Magnum »

Looking at San Diego in late January.
I have applied for a visa and am await my interview date.
mnichols
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Joined: 22 Apr 2013, 4:29pm

Re: Best way / courier to get 1x bike to the USA?

Post by mnichols »

Flying into Vancouver and out of San Diego £671 return including the bike in Sept for 4 weeks

Just booked the wife and 2 kids in / out of LA return with Norwegian Air for £1300 ( no bikes). Sept 2 weeks
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MrsHJ
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Joined: 19 Aug 2010, 1:03pm
Location: Dartmouth, Devon.

Re: Best way / courier to get 1x bike to the USA?

Post by MrsHJ »

mnichols wrote:Flying into Vancouver and out of San Diego £671 return including the bike in Sept for 4 weeks

Just booked the wife and 2 kids in / out of LA return with Norwegian Air for £1300 ( no bikes). Sept 2 weeks

That's a good price. Will look out for them - icelandair also have a reputation for being cheap but ive never flown with a bike in to the U.S....yet. Give me four years and I'll be going coast to coast though. Kids will be old enough to manage without me for a couple of months and I will be having a big birthday.
mnichols
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Joined: 22 Apr 2013, 4:29pm

Re: Best way / courier to get 1x bike to the USA?

Post by mnichols »

MrsHJ wrote:
mnichols wrote:Give me four years and I'll be going coast to coast though. Kids will be old enough to manage without me for a couple of months and I will be having a big birthday.


My time is now, kids are old enough, been thinking about this for 5 years
Magnum
Posts: 16
Joined: 15 Sep 2013, 3:56pm

Re: Best way / courier to get 1x bike to the USA?

Post by Magnum »

September 2015 is yonks away, that may be why prices are so good.
I am looking at 6 weeks hence.

My kids simply don't care, so after years of them not-caring, I've learnt to not include them in the equations.
TonyR
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Joined: 31 Aug 2008, 12:51pm

Re: Best way / courier to get 1x bike to the USA?

Post by TonyR »

Magnum wrote:Looking at San Diego in late January.
I have applied for a visa and am await my interview date.


For San Diego you can either fly direct on BA or look at flying into LAX and taking the train down. LAX is a more competitive route so you should find better prices. A quick check shows San Diego on BA around £750 return but £500 to LAX.

Skyscanner is your friend and will tell you the best prices and day to travel.

Not sure why you need a visa unless you're not a UK national. It must be 20 years since I used one for the USA.
Magnum
Posts: 16
Joined: 15 Sep 2013, 3:56pm

Re: Best way / courier to get 1x bike to the USA?

Post by Magnum »

Thanks.

Good idea about LAX.
Not au fait with the US trains, so I have more research to do!

If you require a stay beyond the 90 days, you require a visa for the USA.
simonhill
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Joined: 13 Jan 2007, 11:28am
Location: Essex

Re: Best way / courier to get 1x bike to the USA?

Post by simonhill »

My advice is make sure about the bike BEFORE you book. A cheap flight can become very expensive with what some airline charge for bikes or extra luggage. Seen too many people wingeing about charges after thinkng they got a good cheap deal on the ticket.

Other forms of transporting bike eg courier are usually much more expensive. Do some searches on this forum using a few meaningful words or phrases, lots written about it.

BA and Virgin are good options.
TonyR
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Joined: 31 Aug 2008, 12:51pm

Re: Best way / courier to get 1x bike to the USA?

Post by TonyR »

Magnum wrote:Thanks.

Good idea about LAX.
Not au fait with the US trains, so I have more research to do!

If you require a stay beyond the 90 days, you require a visa for the USA.


Its about 45 mins (15 miles) on the FlyAway shuttle bus from LAX to Union Station and about $8. Buses run every half hour. From there take the Amtrak to San Diego or Disneyland or anywhere else on the route that takes your fancy. The Pacific Surfliner takes a leisurely 6 hrs and has bike racks on board. 12 trains a day. $37 each way. Book your tickets and bike online on the Amtrak website.
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