Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Trip Transport
Shipping Yourself and Bike By Ship? Shipping Yourself and Bike By Ship?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Trip Transport Shipping the vehicle and yourself.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Hill Shipping - Motorcycle and car Shipping Experts!

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 25 Oct 2001
Ian Ian is offline
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 443
Shipping Yourself and Bike By Ship?
Anyone know if travelling on the same ship as your bike is possible? The routes I'm interested in are Southern Africa to Australia, Australia to South America and Canada to Iceland.

Thanks in advance
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 27 Oct 2001
Susan Johnson's Avatar
Administrator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,008
Hi Ian

Not necessarily a cheap way to travel ($70-130 per day per Freighter World Cruises), but it has attractions. Their website has a map which you can click on to see routings available. You might find your particular routes are unusual, especially since the focus seems to be on routes originating or finishing in US - e.g. Los Angeles to Sydney.
http://www.freighterworld.com/

P&O Nedlloyd has some details at: http://www.ponl.com/topic/home_page/...assenger_ships


If you want to get into serious research on this topic, see our Book pages for: Travel by Cargo Ship, which has a number of contact details. You can buy it from Amazon.co.uk directly from the Travel Books page.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/boo...-travel2.shtml

------------------
Good luck and safe travels!

Susan Johnson
Share the Dream at www.HorizonsUnlimited.com


[This message has been edited by Susan (edited 26 October 2001).]
__________________
Susan Johnson

Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 6 Nov 2001
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Posts: 71
Hi Ian and Susan,

While on my own mission of trying to find a reasonable deal to ship 3 bikes from Germany to Buenos Aires, I found an interesting alternative with http://www.freighter-voyages.com

They offer the combination of travelling by ship to your destination, with your vehicle. In this it seems that good prices are to be had, but only if you've got plenty of time on your hands, and don't mind paying for a cruise on a freighter.

Example Germany to Buenos Aires, Personal ticket 2,500 DM, Bike cost 1,400 DM

If anyone has a hint on cheap freighting to Buenos Aires, I'd love to hear it !

Cheers

Jeremy
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 6 Nov 2001
mmaarten's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Thailand at the moment
Posts: 593
Hai,

It seems to me that if you want to travel (and ship your bike) cheap... You should fly.

It's strange, but flying is cheaper than sailing.

Maarten
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2 Jan 2002
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,134
Ian:

I agree with Maartin, it costs no more to ship by air than it does by sea, and it is a heck of a lot simpler to ship by air.

The 'base price' by sea might appear to be fractionally cheaper, but once you add in all the port charges, it's the same or more than air.

The trick seems to be to find a charter airline that uses wide body aircraft (e.g. L-1011, DC-10, MD-11, B-747 or similar). The charter carriers ususally fill the main deck with passengers who are limited to two bags each. This often leaves a great deal of cubic space available on the lower deck.

A motorcycle inside a container (typically a LD-6) takes up a lot of space, but does not weigh very much, relative to normal air cargo. For example, a 350 kg motorcycle is equal to the baggage checked by only 6 or 8 passengers. The charter carriers will often carry motorcycles on a 'space available' basis for very attractive rates (e.g. less than US$ 1,000 each way across the Atlantic).

You could shop yourself, or contact a consolidator, or contact a company that specializes in motorcycle shipping. I have used Motorcycle Express (www.motorcycleexpress.com) and was very pleased with their prices and their service.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 5 Jan 2002
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,134
A postscript: I do agree with Maartin that it would most likely be less expensive and less complex (fewer administrative headaches) to ship by air freight, however, as Jeremy has brought up one interesting link to sea freighter travel, here is another one: Freighter Cruise & Travel.

I have no idea whether or not the ships they represent would entertain the prospect of taking a motorcycle along as well. Keep in mind, though, that the air freight business is primarily oriented towards rapid clearance of individual items of high value cargo (e.g. motorcycles), and the sea freight business is primarily oriented towards slow movement of bulk quantities of low value cargo.

In other words, when your motorcycle shows up at an air freight warehouse, no-one in the warehouse or customs office will raise an eyebrow - they probably see one a week. When you need to clear a single used motorcycle through a shipping port that is oriented towards clearing shipments of thousands of new vehicles on one manifest, you might present a 'unique problem'.

[This message has been edited by PanEuropean (edited 05 January 2002).]
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:03.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top