Originally Posted by lucille

We only did an overseas trip with bikes once, and the getting to from airport was a nightmare.

We took our boxed bikes to the airport in the van taxi, no problem there, but more expensive than regular cab.
On arrival in Paris, we needed to take TGV south. Got our tickets, dragged the bikes and panniers few steps at a time to the station, were told that our seats were at the front of the train, when they were actually in the middle which made us panic that we miss the train. Had to pay oversize luggage fee once on the train and stay with the bikes in the hallway, getting them out of everybody's way at each stop.

On the way back, we put our bikes in bags, then in Paris we paid through the nose for proper bike boxes. Found out that the van taxis are way too small to take two boxed bikes, so up and down the stairs to the RER we went...

As far as riding goes, it was the best trip ever, but we were destroyed and vowed "never again". This is why we ordered Bike Fridays.