Doug64

Schiphol Airport near Amsterdam also sell bike boxes. They also have a packing area near where the boxes are sold (the lower level). If you are not alone, send one person out to round up a coupe of carts.

DropBarFan

Nice that Schiphol sells boxes, esp considering Netherlands is the #1 cycling country. BTW last time I was at the airport, all the TVs were showing speed-skating so I realized it was true when TV commentators say they love speed skating. & last time I checked, Frankfurt also has locker storage, so even tourists with a full-size hard case can store that.

jefnvk

And if you sweet talk the folks at the citizenM hotel right outside the terminal, they'll give you a conference room to box up and store your bikes in! Not that you really need it, the AMS boxes are massive and really only need the handlebars turned sideways as prep. Sturdy too, I was sad when I had to abandon them at Toronto because they wouldn't fit in my car. They'll last a few trips.

Dark Arrow

What's the general consensus on Bags like this one?? I'm currently thinking of going either cardboard box or a bag like these.

Bear

jefnvk

My buddies that went to Iceland had some soft sided bags like that, albeit theirs required a bit more component removal. Definitely not a bad idea to line the sides with cardboard on a case like that for a little extra protection, but I don't suspect their bags would have lasted more than a handful of trips.

If I were going soft side bag, though, I'd just use clear plastic bags. No real less protection, and roll up for storage much easier. My bike came home from Iceland that way, with less damage than my idiot self forgetting to put some protection between the front hub and downtube in the box on the way there.

RobSN

I agree with Jefnvk - if the bag is entirely soft, then clear plastic may actually be slightly better in that the baggage handlers will know what is in there, and you presumably have a slightly greater likelihood that the bike will be handled as a bike (meaning more carefully, one would hope). I've used an EVOC bag, which is semi-soft, semi-rigid, and it is obvious that there is a bike in there due to the illustrations on the outside. Only two long international legs so far, and so far, so good (although with a slight disc bend on one). However, the EVOC bag is very expensive relative to a clear plastic bag!

GerryinHouston

Mini-van taxis are very common in Norway (they have very strict laws about alcohol limits and drinking and driving, so plenty of customers after a big party...). You just have to ask for a van (and tell them why you want a van).

Taxis in Norway are not cheap. I'd say they are VERY expensive.

If you are flying out of Oslo, you may be able to manhandle the boxes into the train for the airport.

Dark Arrow

We are flying through Oslo but our destination is Tromso. At this point we are leaning to using the bags.. My wife and are concerned about protecting our bikes but they are heavy robust touring bikes and with a 23kg limit it's a bag or a light cardboard box lol.

Bear

GerryinHouston

Have fun! Tromso is called 'Paris of the North'. Norway is a fabulous, beautiful country, with lots of heartbreaking hills!