crating and flying bikes london to buenos aires
 

we are going to on a trip to south america , very excited, 3 of us and 2 bikes. its my job to sort out the flying of the bikes has anyone got good tips on shippers , building our own crates and paperwork?
thanks from emily

Hi Emily

Have a look in "Getting There" just to the left of this post, you'll find everything that you need to know.

Regards, Mick

Hi,

Best get in contact with Mike at Advance Forwarding, next to East Midlands Airport.

I've just left my bike with them:

www.theadventuresofboz.blogspot.com

Can see it being packed, very good company, helpful and know what there doing.

Cheers

Nik

Our bike goes to Mike for air freighting tomorrow so you should all have some good feedback on these two options from Advanced.
Echo Niks comments, have met Mike once, and spoken often, top bloke. May not be cheapest, but so far brilliant - updates from Nik and us in but a couple of weeks time as to receipt at other end.

thanks guys for info
have been speaking to mike at Advance tooday - very helpful, althouigh costs are coming up higher than quotes of about 6 months ago.still debating shipping vs flying . flying is v expensive , but have heard so many horror stories about seriously delayed ships!
times running out for ships so must make decision- any words of wisdom from anyone?

x emily

Don't know what your budget is but if your considering shipping as well and are worried about delays, etc try Grimaldi. They do a roll-on/roll-off service and you travel on same ship. We have booked with them originally to travel this November but now postponed to September 2006. Two of us plus bike with inside cabin including all meals (and wine! - it's an Italian company!), Tilbury to Buenos Aires £1800. We originally paid 25% deposit which has been carried over to new booking without charge. The journey takes 28 days so if you take off that length of daily living budget then it works out quite good value.
Notice you are worried about time running out. I don't know when you want to travel but our original journey leaves on 10th November. Hope this helps.

[This message has been edited by greynomads (edited 14 October 2005).]

I was going to go with them but the cost was £1600, and didn't leave until November, which was far to long to wait.

I did like the idea of spending some time crossing the Atlantic by ship, feels more like an adventure, and the fact you just ride the bike on and ride it off at the other end!

I managed to get the bike sent by ship with luggage for under £800 and the flight cost £360, bike and me both leaving UK to Buenos Aries - so think that was the cheapest and most convienient way to do it for me.

I'm leaving in a week, and as far as I know the ship is on time, so even if it is delayed it gives me a week in the city to get used to life over there and see some of the city. The Hostel is only £30 for 6 nights and food is very cheap so even if the boat was delayed by a week more it's not going to cost me the earth.

If moneys tight, and lets face it, it always is go for the ship, if not go for the flight - I still can't say what the costs will be at the other end, but have heard it may be a little more to deal with customs at the port than at the airport! I'll let you know...

Cheers

nik



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Life is far too short...so don't waste it!

www.theadventuresofboz.blogspot.com

Excellent and informative topic, especially when you combine it with the origins (Flying bike to South America)!

I'm planning a 2 months trip next year and suddenly realised I might be able to take december of as well. Now I'm really interested in shipping (flying) to SOuth America and storing the bike for a few months in Chile.

particularly interested in how difficult/expensive it is to get your bike back in Bs As. Nik, I guess you are the one in the know, or will be in a couple of weeks.

Please keep this topic going!

cheers and enjoy your trips!

Jens

Hi Jens,

Got your mail, sounds the making of a good trip. I'm flying out tomorrow and once I have the bike
I'll do a full write up on it for everyone!

Fritz will probably do the same but as he's flying the bike in it should give a good overview of both shipping methods.

Cheers till then,

Nik

------------------
Life is far too short...so don't waste it!

www.theadventuresofboz.blogspot.com

See under paperwork section for our experiences in BA today re : costs of clearing bike at BA Airport ;-)

Excellent read!

Highly recommended!