Thanks for the replies, everyone. We are flying from Tucson. We wanted to schedule our flight for the best arrival time into Zurich, so we can ride from the airport, so we arrive in the morning. I checked flights into other cities, and the fare was close enough in cost to be negligibly inconsequential. Also, checked airfare to several cities in Germany, France and even Geneva; same story. So we went with Zurich anyway. Not all that many reasonable fares from this part of the country with other airlines.

The closest airport other than Tucson is Phoenix, but due to the hassle of getting there, along with the 120 mile drive there and back along I-10, we nixed that idea. I checked (based on rough guesstimates) with Fed Ex, and it seems like the reasonable alternative is to just fly with the bikes. United allows bikes to fly unboxed, and from reading other threads it seems like a viable option. At least they might stand a better chance of not being crushed under other luggage.

Yes, the cost is high, and it's not like we have unlimited funds. But for a trip like this, as acantor said, it is a surcharge for a wonderful trip.

Besides, I'll get to spend my 60th birthday at the Hofbrauhaus!

Any additional comments are welcome!

Thanks again,

Karl