Flying with a bike in China/Asia
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![]() | ![]() Hey all. I'm new here to Beginner Tri. I live in Yunnan and am training for my first tri - the Oly in Chengdu on May 12. Does anyone have experience flying with a bike in these parts? |
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Master ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Not in China but often within Vietnam and to/from Vietnam and Singapore. It's usually no biggie. On some airlines (i.e. Vietnam) the bike can usually fly free if it's within the 20 kg limit (if it's in a box or lightweight bag). I ship it in a packing box, but some people use special cases and pay extra. Most of the budget airlines charge a set fee which should be on their website. If dealing with a Chinese airline, I'd let them know at the time you book the ticket that you are checking a bike--During some of the year on some routes, VN Airlines requires you to book bike transport in advance. At other times, it's been okay just to show up with the bike in its box. Be prepared for a little cluelessness--on a few occasions I've been asked to open the box when checking in to prove that it's a bike (??), that the pedal wrench isn't a weapon, and/or that the tires have been deflated. Bring material to re-seal the box in that event, if you're using a box. I've also had situations where the "bikes fly free" policy held one direction and not the other on the same airline, or even for one person in one check-in lane and not the other, for no clear reason. It may well depend on the whim (or greed) of the clerk checking you in. Arrive with plenty of time and bring some extra cash just in case. Chinese take all manner of things on planes (I've been behind a full-size fridge at check-in) so it will probably not be an insurmountable problem in any case. Where in Yunnan are you? I lived in Beijing for about a decade and Yunnan was kind of a second home. What's it like training there? |
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![]() | ![]() Thanks for the reply! Good call on seeing all kinds of random stuff being taken on flights. So true! Surely, then, a bike won't be that odd (or expensive!). I'll call the airline before to confirm, but I reckon I'll just plan on having it boxed up here at my LBS and taking it with me that way. I live down south of Kunming a few hours, in HongHe. Training is alright. The weather is great; there's a nice outdoor pool not too far from my house that's 20Y per use. I've got some buddies that live in Chengdu; I'm going up there in May for the ITU series Oly. It's my first ever tri. Might also go up to Beijing in Sept for the Oly up there. Originally posted by Hot Runner Not in China but often within Vietnam and to/from Vietnam and Singapore. It's usually no biggie. On some airlines (i.e. Vietnam) the bike can usually fly free if it's within the 20 kg limit (if it's in a box or lightweight bag). I ship it in a packing box, but some people use special cases and pay extra. Most of the budget airlines charge a set fee which should be on their website. If dealing with a Chinese airline, I'd let them know at the time you book the ticket that you are checking a bike--During some of the year on some routes, VN Airlines requires you to book bike transport in advance. At other times, it's been okay just to show up with the bike in its box. Be prepared for a little cluelessness--on a few occasions I've been asked to open the box when checking in to prove that it's a bike (??), that the pedal wrench isn't a weapon, and/or that the tires have been deflated. Bring material to re-seal the box in that event, if you're using a box. I've also had situations where the "bikes fly free" policy held one direction and not the other on the same airline, or even for one person in one check-in lane and not the other, for no clear reason. It may well depend on the whim (or greed) of the clerk checking you in. Arrive with plenty of time and bring some extra cash just in case. Chinese take all manner of things on planes (I've been behind a full-size fridge at check-in) so it will probably not be an insurmountable problem in any case. Where in Yunnan are you? I lived in Beijing for about a decade and Yunnan was kind of a second home. What's it like training there? |
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