Camping in Europe

Mythical

I've decided as a birthday present to myself, I want to book a return flight to Germany so I can take my bike over later in the year, ride it round for a week and come home.

Since I'm planning to find accommodation on the fly, it's likely I'll need at least basic camping equipment. Unfortunately, when I did the maths, even with easyjet, flights + bike fare + 4 panniers + tent + sleeping bag + insurance = alot of dough! Even if I take my bar bag on as hand luggage.

What's likely to happen if I ask for a couple of extra of the heavy duty plastic bags they give you to wrap your bike in, and stuff 35kg of luggage in each one?? or duckt tape all my panniers together??

Are there any other ways of saving money on flights??
Is it worth a visit to a real travel agent?

Ponkle22

Don't know but wouldn't they want you to open your package/bike or xray it? I would think googling for a cycling/bike forum might help, maybe?

Mythical

I'm fairly happy with the rules on carrying bikes on planes for most airlines. Normally, as long as it'll go through the conveyor system, they're fairly happy - most airlines will even let you travel with your bike in a plastic bag. Customs want to open bike boxes as much as any other luggage, and do so in exactly the same way. No, the bike isn't the issue.

It's the rest of the luggage I'm having the problem with - tent, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, clothes etc etc etc.

daveyjp

Have you thought about going on the train? Or couch surfing so you don't have to take camping gear? A colleague did three weeks touring in Europe last year - he only paid for accommodation on one night.