flying Budapest-->ORD... bike box? Mega-cling-wrap?

We're biking down the Danube soon from Passau-->Budapest in the near future. We've been planning to bring our own bikes instead of renting but we've had trouble nailing down bike boxes and a means of transport on the Budapest end. Has anyone here on the CL flown out of BUD with a bike?

We'd feel most comfortable with a box, which we might still be able to find once we arrive in Budapest, but I'm considering my fallback options. Does anyone have personal experience with any of the following packaging methods?

  1. Heavy duty plastic wrapping of a bike like they offer in many international airports. I've read that this is specifically available at BUD.
  2. DIY cling wrap (i.e., Saran Wrap or similar from grocery store) in the airport.
  3. Giant plastic bag or sheet plastic + tape.
  4. "Naked" bike, with just pedals removed, bars turned sideways, and minor accessories removed.

I've read internet arguments for and against all four methods, so it's hard to know what to trust.

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Permalink Reply by Alex Z on August 9, 2017 at 3:29am

I didn't know it was possible to check a bike on a plane without putting it in a box!

Sorry I have no advice--good luck!

Permalink Reply by Cheryl on August 9, 2017 at 6:36am

Most require a box or other packaging - definitely check with your airline if you haven't already.

Permalink Reply by David P. on August 11, 2017 at 4:57am

Many European airlines do allow you to check a fully-assembled bike as luggage - basically you just roll it up to baggage check and they check it. You do have to pay the oversize-luggage fee (typically around US$150) and you have to reserve this in advance when you buy your ticket. I have seen this on, for example, SAS, but I confirmed other European airlines offer it, too. Unfortunately I learned this only *after* my own trip to France last year. My only experience is with a bike packed in a suitcase - I checked it as an ordinary piece of luggage.

Permalink Reply by Brian S on August 15, 2017 at 5:20pm

You should ask this question over on crazyguyonabike.com  The site is devoted to bicycle touring and there are A LOT of people with experience flying with bicycles.

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