Traveling on an airplane with a bicycle was a breeze, much easier than with a child or two, at least in 2002.
We flew to Munich Germany for a weeklong bicycle trip along the danube from Passau to Vienna and then a week with my family in Germany. We packed all our stuff in the panniers, as they would be when we ride our bikes. Four panniers per bike and one handle bar bag. The four panniers went into a duffle bag, as that bag will make it one luggage item and the bag can be put in a pannier for the ride. Per person you only have two checked luggages on trans atlantic flights. One will be your bike and the other your duffle bag.
We transported our bikes on the bike rack of the car to the airport. At the airport we purchased bike boxes, removed the pedals and turned the handle bar, and packed the bikes. So don't forget to bring the tools to do this and tape for the box. We found out that while the airport sells these boxes they don't provide you with tape.
Here you see our bikes ready for the flight.
At the Munich airport we assembled our bikes, packed them and rode to the train station which was a couple of kilometers away. We took the train to Passau where the actual bike ride would begin.
The ride along the Danube is very pretty, fairly flat, and a asphalt path nearly exclusive for bicycle. Staying overnight is done in private homes, just be sure to go to the tourist information early that morning or the day before to reserve a room. They have a list of rooms that are availiable and you can book then during your ride but they do fill up, especially in the high season July & early August. Of course its much nicer if you don't ride during that time anyway.
We rented a station wagon to transport our bicycles back to Germany from Vienna and during our remainder of the vacation. We flew out of Paris, where the we were required to let the air out of our bikes. Not sure why, maybe so that we don't hide anything in the tire? That's also where we purchased the bike boxes again. Obviously, you don't want to carry them on the bikes.
Tips:- Call the departing airports to verify that they have bike boxes and that your planes are big enough to carry them.
- Bring packing tape and tools to remove handle bar and pedals.
- Pack stuff in panniers as you would carry them on the bike and place panniers into one duffle bag.
- Bike racks actually help protect your bikes in the boxes.
- Make sure you have lights, spoke reflectors and bell on your bike, they might be required in Europe.
- The Bikeline bicycling guides are great. Go here and select the "multi language cycling guides" for english versions of their books that include detailed maps and more.
- Stay at private homes. These people are very nice, will give you a confortable room at reasonable price and it includes breakfast.