Getting your bike to the Camino

How do I get a bike to the Camino?

1. Rent a bike in Spain

This is by far the simplest way to go logistically, and possibly the most cost effective. Various bike rental companies in Spain specialize in Camino rentals, and will send the bike to your starting point and have a drop off location in Santiago de Compostela. Racks, panniers and other cycling accessories are also available for rent along with the bike, or you are free to bring your own. Save the logistics headache and wear and tear on your own bike. See our list of bicycle rental companies.

Cost: €250-400  ($275-550) – depending on bike model & extra equipment

2. Transport your own bike to Spain

While more logistically complex, you’ll be on the bike you know and trust. Downsides and variables include airline, train and bus bicycle fees, lugging your bike box between transit connections, and the process of partially disassembling, boxing and packing your bicycle as luggage (twice). Don’t be too intimidated though, this has been the most common method for bicycle touring throughout the years. Regulations are always changing, so be sure to check airline policy at the time of booking your flight.

A. Flying with your bike

Flying from your home country to Spain or France requires packing your bike as luggage and checking it on your flight. Airlines vary greatly with regulations and fees, but the general principles for standard bicycle types include:

• Bike must be partially disassembled in a box (cardboard is cheaper, best for flying in and out of separate airports) or bike-specific luggage/suitcase (best for loop trips but you have to purchase the bag)
• Bike will be checked as baggage, often counting for your checked bag within the normal weight limits.
  • Bike shops usually offer used cardboard boxes for free, or box the bike for you at a standard boxing fee ($35-50). If having a shop box your bike, make sure you are comfortable to reassemble everything when you arrive.
  • This process usually involves taking off the front wheel, pedals, deflating the tires (unpressurized cargo areas cause issues to at full tire pressure), lowering/removing the seat post, and it’s a good idea to unscrew your rear derailleur from the frame as it can get bent. Assume the box may gain a hole or two from handling, so zip tie loose parts to the frame or secure them in panniers, stuff sacks, etc.. Add padding and tape to immobilize and secure contents
  • You can still pack luggage and gear within the same box, granted that it is under the weight limit (usually 50 lbs. / 23 kg). As a cardboard box weighs very little, you should still have 15-20 lbs. (6-9 kg) remaining.
  • Make sure transportation to/from the airport has space to fit the bike box.
  • Visit this page for detailed instructions with images on the process of ‘boxing a bike.’
• The airline will charge you a fee for checking a bicycle in each direction (having a transfer on the same ticket will not incur an extra fee). This fee ranges from $50-200 per direction, depending on the airline.
• Consider risks to bicycle damage during the flight. Inspect bicycle immediately after landing as you often have a short time period to make a claim. Check what the airline provides in case of damage, and consider purchasing extra insurance.
• Repeat the boxing process for the return journey (probably in Santiago). See a list of bike shops in Santiago.

Check with each specific airline’s regulations before booking any tickets, and give them a call with any questions you have.

Cost: $220-530 for a round trip flight, local train and bus fees

• Airline fees: $50-200 per direction – depends on airline
• Boxing fee: $0- 50 per direction – depends if you do it yourself or hire a bike shop
• Train bicycle fee (Madrid to Pamplona or Paris to Bayonne): [Renfe in Spain]
• Bus bicycle fee (Madrid to Pamplona, Pamplona to St. Jean)

Special bikes that can avoid airline (also train and bus) fees:

• Folding bicycles: These small-framed bicycles have hinges that fold the bike in half, have smaller wheels and extendable handbags and seat posts. Bike Friday is a popular brand (full bikes start around $900). Folding bikes are not often seen on the Camino.
• Bicycles with S&S Couplers: If you envision many flights with your bike, this is really the way to go. These bicycles have frame couplers that allow dismantling the frame into two halves and packing the bicycle in a bag that is 26 x 26 x 10 inches (66 x 66 x 25 cm), which is the maximum size of a normal checked bag that incurs no additional fees. S&S Couplers are sold on select bicycle frames and usually add $500-600 to the normal frame cost, but can also be retrofitted to any bike frame ($500-750). The Surly World Troller (frameset/fork runs around $1175) is one of the most versatile options for building global touring bike that can take you anywhere. The airline bicycle bag with the specific dimensions costs an additional $250-400, or you can risk making your own cardboard box to this size. Total investment is starts at around $750, which would be paid off after three round trip flights on most airlines.
• Some airlines will still charge a bicycle fee if they know you have a bike inside your bag, so good to check details before closing your airline and booking your flight to avoid this.