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Whether you just sold your old bike and need to ship it to the buyer or plan a vacation in a remote destination, you are at the right place.
In this article, you learn how much you will pay for shipping a bike using shipping services from and to multiple destinations.
KEY TAKEAWAY
The price of the shipping of a bike depends mainly on the destination, weight, dimensions, and value of the package, and delivery time. However, additional services like premium protection or priority shipping will increase the final price. Less popular destinations also tend to be more expensive than frequent lines. On average, expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $500 for domestic or international shipping.
Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about the costs of shipping a bicycle and one travel hack from a pro-Czech mountain biker.
Or, calculate the shipping costs using the popular service called Bike Flights.
Disclaimer: The actual prices of the shipping may vary.
What Method to Use to Ship a Bike?
I did tons of research and talked with people who ship bikes regularly. Here are the 3 most common methods:
- Use well-known carriers like FedEx, UPS, or DHL (USPS is not very competent for shipping bikes). Generally, I don’t recommend this option because of the high prices and lack of care.
- Use specialized services like BikeFlights, SendMyBag, or MyBaggage. (Recommended)
- (If you want to take your bike with you by plane) check it in as luggage. (Recommended)
Well-known carriers are often more expensive than specialized carriers and also don’t offer additional services. Their insurance is also often limited, so if you have an expensive bike, you put yourself at great risk by not insuring it. The way they handle packages is also questionable. That’s why I don’t recommend this option.
Specialized services often provide extra services (like shipping your bike directly to races) and live chat support. Additionally, you can send the bike a few days prior. They have the best expertise in the business. The most popular and probably the best service is bikeflights.com.
Checking your bike as luggage and your flight ticket can be the most effective way to ship your bike, but it depends on the airline policy and pricing. There is also a risk that your bike won’t arrive on time. You also need a hard shell bike box, or you can try this hack.
How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Bike Domestically?
Domestic shipping of a bike can cost $40 to about $300 (with insurance) on average. The price depends mainly on the weight and dimensions of the package, distance, and shipping method.
The following part is mainly relevant to US citizens or people who want to ship a bike across the US. However, similar principles also apply to other countries. You just have to find a service that serves your region. Skip to international shipping.
NOTE: The following examples are based on the bike calculator at BikeFlights.com.
#1 Example: Shipping a Bike from Miami to Los Angeles
Let’s say you will need to ship your bike (45×12×30 in, 50 lbs – medium-size box) from Miami, FL (33173) to Los Angeles, CA (90025).
The value of the package (or your bike, respectively) influences the price of the insurance (protection). Package pick-up costs an additional $5 fee.
| Bike Value | Shipping Price | Insurance Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1000 | $99.95 | $12.80 | $112.75 |
| $2000 | $99.95 | $28.80 | $128.75 |
| $3000 | $99.95 | $44.80 | $144.75 |
| $4000 | $99.95 | $60.80 | $160.75 |
| $5000 | $99.95 | $76.80 | $176.75 |
| $10000 | $99.95 | $156.80 | $256.75 |
MEDIUM Box dimensions and weight: 45×12×30 in, 50 lbs
*Quotes were calculated on 06/14/2023.
#2 Example: Shipping a Bike from New York to Portland
Here is an example of shipping a bike in a small-size box (43×10×24 in, 45 lbs) from New York, NY (10023) to Portland, OR (97225).
| Bike Value | Shipping Price | Insurance Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1000 | $94.95 | $12.80 | $107.75 |
| $2000 | $94.95 | $28.80 | $123.75 |
| $3000 | $94.95 | $44.80 | $139.75 |
| $4000 | $94.95 | $60.80 | $155.75 |
| $5000 | $94.95 | $76.80 | $171.75 |
| $10000 | $94.95 | $156.80 | $251.75 |
SMALL Box dimensions and weight: 43×10×24 in, 45 lbs
*Quotes were calculated on 06/14/2023.
#3 Example: Shipping a Bike from Washington to Las Vegas
The last example illustrates shipping a large-size box (62×13×33 in, 65 lbs) from Washington, DC (20002) to Las Vegas, NV (89135).
| Bike Value | Shipping Price | Insurance Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1000 | $186.95 | $12.80 | $199.75 |
| $2000 | $186.95 | $28.80 | $215.75 |
| $3000 | $186.95 | $44.80 | $231.75 |
| $4000 | $186.95 | $60.80 | $247.75 |
| $5000 | $186.95 | $76.80 | $263.75 |
| $10000 | $186.95 | $156.80 | $343.75 |
LARGE Box dimensions and weight: 62×13×33 in, 65 lbs
*Quotes were calculated on 06/14/2023.
How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Bike Internationally?
International shipping of a bike costs $100 to about $500 (with insurance) on average. The price depends mainly on the weight and dimensions of the package, distance, and shipping method. Remember that depending on the country you ship to or from, you may be required to pay import fees like duties and taxes.
NOTE: The following examples were calculated using the BikeFlights.com calculator.
#1 Example: Shipping a Bike from London, the UK to Milano, IT
Here is the shipping cost breakdown for a medium-size box (45×12×30 in, 50 lbs) sent from London to Milano.
| Bike Value | Shipping Price | Duties | Insurance Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1000 | $393.95 | $99 | $12.80 | $505.75 |
| $2000 | $393.95 | $99 | $28.80 | $521.75 |
| $3000 | $393.95 | $99 | $44.80 | $537.75 |
| $4000 | $393.95 | $99 | $60.80 | $553.75 |
| $5000 | $393.95 | $99 | $76.80 | $569.75 |
| $10000 | $393.95 | $99 | $156.80 | $649.75 |
MEDIUM Box dimensions and weight: 45×12×30 in, 50 lbs
*Quotes were calculated on 06/15/2023.
#2 Example: Shipping a Bike from New York, US to Mallorca, ES
And what if Americans decide to visit Mallorca? The following shipping costs are again for a medium-sized box (45×12×30 in, 50 lbs).
| Bike Value | Shipping Price | Duties | Insurance Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1000 | $329.95 | $99 | $12.80 | $441.75 |
| $2000 | $329.95 | $99 | $28.80 | $457.75 |
| $3000 | $329.95 | $99 | $44.80 | $473.75 |
| $4000 | $329.95 | $99 | $60.80 | $489.75 |
| $5000 | $329.95 | $99 | $76.80 | $505.75 |
| $10000 | $329.95 | $99 | $156.80 | $585.75 |
MEDIUM Box dimensions and weight: 45×12×30 in, 50 lbs
*Quotes were calculated on 06/14/2023.
#3 Example: Shipping a Bike from Paris, FR to Cape Town, JAR
Here is an example of a non-standard route. You can see that the shipping costs for the 45×12×30 in, 50 lbs box skyrocketed.
| Bike Value | Shipping Price | Duties | Insurance Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1000 | $878.95 | $99 | $12.80 | $990.75 |
| $2000 | $878.95 | $99 | $28.80 | $1,006.75 |
| $3000 | $878.95 | $99 | $44.80 | $1,022.75 |
| $4000 | $878.95 | $99 | $60.80 | $1,038.75 |
| $5000 | $878.95 | $99 | $76.80 | $1,054.75 |
| $10000 | $878.95 | $99 | $156.80 | $1,134.75 |
MEDIUM Box dimensions and weight: 45×12×30 in, 50 lbs
*Quotes were calculated on 06/14/2023.
How to Take Your Bike to an Airplane for Free?
Jakub Vencl is a Czech pro mountain biker who often travels to various destinations worldwide. His hack on how to get your bike to a flight for free is very cool.
You can either watch the following video with English subtitles or here is its summary.
- Step 1: Get a hockey goalie bag.
- Step 2: Pack your clothes in plastic bags and place them on the bottom of the bag to use them as padding.
- Step 3: Disassemble your bike and wrap parts like the headtube, rear derailleur, etc., to protect it against damage.
- Step 4: Deflate your wheels.
- Step 5: Pack everything into the bag and check it in as standard luggage.
The only problem with this method is that you may not fit a large bike into the bag. But otherwise, pretty clever, huh? Well done, Jakub!
Conclusion
Depending on where you ship from and to, what are your package’s dimensions, weight, and value, and if you order additional services, the domestic (US) shipping of a bike will vary from about $40 to $200 (shipping excluded). International shipping starts at around $200 and can exceed $500. Remember that if you want to ship your bike internationally, you may be required to pay additional import fees like customs.
I always recommend using a postage calculator of the service you choose to get a quote. Try bikeflights.com, for example:
Research the other alternatives like checking in the bike as luggage, etc., if the shipping is too expensive.
I hope you find this article helpful. Do you have any tips on how to ship your bike? Let me know in the comments. Let’s make this the best article on shipping a bike!
Additional Resources
Here, I add links to well-known airlines and their rules on shipping sports equipment, including bikes.
US Airlines
International Airlines
