Taking a bike abroad

Phate · 8 Jun 2015 at 09:01

Hi all,

I'm taking my bicycle with me to Egypt in July (and leaving it there with friends)

According to EasyJet's website it says the weight limit is 32kg. My bike weighs approx 13-14kg so it gives me plenty of room for other stuff in the bike box.

I'm moving to Egypt next year, so obviously this is a good opportunity to get some other stuff in the box to take and leave there in the mean time.

It says on the website that nothing else is allowed in the box, like clothing. But a couple of questions to anyone that's taken a bike abroad...

1) How likely are the to actually open up the box?
2) I was thinking of wrapping things in bubble wrap, and sticking those in the box and claiming them as 'padding' in case they do open it up, do we think this would work?

My main concern about opening up the box is because joking aside from abusing the weight limit, I don't want to spend ages thoroughly taping the box up, just to have it cut open as soon as I get to the airport, it's a waste, I'd rather tape it to keep it closed and re-tape it after inspection.

All help appreciated
Jake

MickeyFinns · 8 Jun 2015 at 09:07

I've flown one from Shanghai to London on Aeroflot. It was in a cardboard bike box that I'd taped up with parcel tape and I'd used clothing as padding between any contact points.

The box wasn't opened (which would've been a major hastle as you say!) but I did bring extra tape to the airport to sort that if needed.

When I went through customs back in the UK they stopped me to chat as the bike box was from a Chinese manufacturer. They wanted to know if I was importing the bike or not but once I explained the bike was from the UK they didn't ask to open it up.

Odds are you'll be fine but bring tape in case.

Phate · 8 Jun 2015 at 09:13

Cool thanks. I'll bring extra tape. I can't see them opening up the box at all, coupled with the suitcase I've booked I've got a total allowance of 52kg + hand luggage, providing I don't go over that, they won't want to see inside them I don't think. Last time I flew I was overweight and they didn't ask to see whats in there (which was handy as one bag was basically full of sausages & bacon!) and she just allowed me to pay the extra.

Must've been my aftershave

It's funny, it says that only the bike can go in the box then it says on the same page that the total weight of 52kg can be distributed between the suitcase and box...riiiiight.

Not going to totally abuse that...nope.

[TW]Fox · 8 Jun 2015 at 09:53

All hold luggage is screened, so they will know if there are other items in the box.

Phate · 8 Jun 2015 at 10:00

[TW]Fox;28144050 said:
All hold luggage is screened, so they will know if there are other items in the box.

They clearly don't have a problem with taking food then. If that's the case.

The website does state about being able to distribute the weight between the case and the box...so that can be left open to interpretation.

Xire · 8 Jun 2015 at 10:04

I wouldnt take the mick if im honest.

If they say nothing should be in the box, then nothing should be in the box.

Phate · 8 Jun 2015 at 11:30

We'll see, I need to add a bike lock, and my other cycling bits to it which will add some up. I won't go overboard either way.

Cosimo · 8 Jun 2015 at 11:41

That's going to quite a move, temporary or permanent?

Amp34 · 8 Jun 2015 at 11:43

[TW]Fox;28144050 said:
All hold luggage is screened, so they will know if there are other items in the box.

That won't be done by the airline though and I doubt the oversize baggage handlers will care if there is clothing in with a bike.

Phate · 8 Jun 2015 at 11:49

Cosimo said:
That's going to quite a move, temporary or permanent?

There is no set end date.

We're going to move to Dahab, once accommodation, work etc and all the rest is good we'll then use that as a base to travel to the far east countries

- finally decided there is too much of the world to see and experience that wont be achieved by sitting behind a desk in an office staring out the window!

Yes there will be a blog, and photos things

Phate · 8 Jun 2015 at 11:49

Amp34 said:
That won't be done by the airline though and I doubt the oversize baggage handlers will care if there is clothing in with a bike.

I'm guessing it's more weight than anything else?

[TW]Fox · 8 Jun 2015 at 12:10

Phate said:
There is no set end date.

How do residence visas etc work with Egypt?

Phate · 8 Jun 2015 at 12:14

[TW]Fox;28144695 said:
How do residence visas etc work with Egypt?

EDIT: Ok just double checked with a friend, there are 2 ways.

Can use a passport delivery service to London to get an initial 3 month visa, costs £15

Or after arriving and purchasing the 1 month visa from the airport I can take myself to the Sharm VOSA office, pay 160LE (about £12) which gets me a years worth, then you have to go back within 5 days later to actually pick it up.

My friend recommended the first then the 2nd purely so if something doesnt work out in the first 3 months and we don't stay then we haven't wasted 2 days in Sharm.