Wheels up: How to travel the world with your bicycle

Taking your bike on a flight is surprisingly easy – and it allows you to have unique adventures around the world. Venla Heiskanen, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Finnair, has combined cycling and air travel several times, and knows how you can make the most of your cycling trip.

Meet Venla: A frequent flyer with a bike

Venla’s first cycling trip abroad was from Amsterdam to Zurich. “It felt unbelievable to cross the Dutch-German border. Was it really me who did this, on my very own little feet!” From the border, the journey continued through the fields and cities of Germany and through the vineyards of France, ending in Zurich, from where she flew home.

“Towards the end of the journey, the hills started to get steeper and I started to feel humbled. On the last night at the campsite, I thought to myself that I will be back here – I will train more and then cross those mountains,” Venla recalls.

However, Venla's next bike trip took her to Asia instead of Europe, where she rode an unforgettable journey across the South Korean peninsula from Seoul to Busan and then took a ferry across to Fukuoka, Japan. Before flying home from Osaka, she also cycled the Shimanami Kaido, one of Japan's best-known island-hopping cycle routes.

“I remember a special moment in Japan when I was already awake at five in the morning watching the local village wake up to a new day. Everyone else seemed to be in a hurry, except for me. I rode slowly, paused a couple of times on the way and wondered. I strongly believe that people need those kinds of moments in their lives – I personally experience them particularly deeply on my bike trips.”

Top bike-friendly destinations worth flying for

The same feeling of freedom that initially made Venla fall in love with cycling has taken her and her bicycle around the world. She says: “I don’t know a better way to experience this beautiful planet of ours – wind blowing in your hair, people you can stop to chat with, little back roads you can’t get to by car. A constant adventure where you get fresh air from dawn to dusk, while also getting some exercise.”

For cyclists at different skill levels, Venla recommends the following Finnair destinations: 

• South Korea: “Incredible bike paths – possibly the best ones in Asia, or even the best in the world. Wonderful routes, amazingly beautiful culture and a really safe country – people rarely even lock their bikes. A great choice for beginners.” Finnair flies to Seoul, South Korea, daily.
• Japan: “Beautiful culture and nature, as well as onsens to relax in after a day of cycling. A safe country, although the left-sided traffic takes a while to get used to, plus lots of hills. At least the hilly areas are not suitable for beginners.” Finnair flies to Tokyo (Haneda and Narita airports) and Osaka year-round, with seasonal flights to Nagoya.

• The Netherlands (Amsterdam): “Very good cycling routes, which are easy to pedal as the roads are very flat. A perfect destination for beginners.” Finnair flies to Amsterdam daily.
• Switzerland: “Great bike paths and well-marked routes, stunning scenery, lots of hills and strong winds. An excellent choice for experienced cyclists.” Finnair flies to Zurich and Geneva in Switzerland.
• France: “Mountains, vineyards and the French Riviera. Your appetite is guaranteed, and after a long day you can eat as much as you want – maybe you’ll enjoy the French delicacies on a bike? Perfect destinations for gourmands.” Finnair flies to Nice daily in the summer and a couple of times per week in the winter.

Next, Venla returns to the Alps, where the Chamonix landscape has stayed with her ever since. In the future, Venla dreams of cycling through New Zealand, as she’s fascinated by the island’s beautiful nature. “And if life allows it at some point, my biggest dream is to take a really long trip to explore the different corners of the world,” Venla sums.

Booking your flight with a bicycle: What you need to know

When you want to fly for an adventure with your bike, you need to add a bike to your flight booking. You can do this right away while purchasing your flight ticket, or at a later phase, either in the Manage Booking service or in the Finnair app.

It’s good to note that bicycles count as special baggage. Anni Kelonen, Process Owner, Baggage at Finnair advises: “I recommend booking transportation and paying the additional baggage fee when booking your flights or well in advance before your trip, as our smaller aircraft types have limited space for special baggage.”

The price of transporting a bicycle varies depending on the route and time of purchase. You can see the price for Finnair's direct flights in the Manage Booking service or on our website in the Bicycles section. Please note that you must pay for the bike transportation in advance.

“To get the best price, it’s worth booking a spot for your bicycle as early as possible, at least a week before your flight. And did you know that you can also pay for the transport with Avios?” says Krista Karttunen, Business Manager, Product Offering at Finnair.

Finally, it’s worth noting that the maximum weight for a bicycle is 23 kilograms (50 lb), including its packaging. If your bicycle weighs more than 23 kilograms, you will be charged an additional heavy baggage fee at the airport. At most, your bike with its package can weigh 32 kilograms (70 lb).

How to pack your bike for the flight

For the flight, you must pack the bicycle carefully in a protective case intended for bicycles. Before that, please remove the pedals and reduce the air pressure in the tires to a minimum. The maximum dimensions of the protective case depend on the type of aircraft your flight is operated on. You can check the allowed maximum dimensions in the Bicycles section.

“At Helsinki Airport, you will need to leave your bicycle at the special baggage counter, so please arrive well in advance at the airport. Before that, don’t forget to print a bag tag for your bike from the self-service kiosk,” Anni says. If you wish, you can also bring your bicycle and baggage to Helsinki Airport already the evening before your departure between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

“You can also bring an electric bike with you. Remove the battery and the bike travels in the hold, and a battery of 100 to 160 watt-hours can come into the cabin once we’ve approved it in advance. Just get in touch with us before your flight,” Anni says.

And what else to pack with you besides your bicycle?

Venla prefers to avoid hotels and stay at campsites instead, so she travels with a tent and all her camping gear. On her bike, she carries her camping gear in high-quality, colourful panniers that are highly visible in traffic. Venla also advises distributing the weight equally on the bike so that it’s more pleasant to pedal.

“After cycling on the edge of a typhoon front in a shocking downpour and experiencing the summer thunderstorms of Southern Europe – I was also grateful that I packed my clothes and belongings inside the bike bag in waterproof bags,” Venla recalls. “Sunscreen, a good mood and a cheerful attitude rarely go amiss either!”

Looking for even more inspiration? You can follow Venla’s adventures on Instagram at @namaxtreadventures.

Frequently asked questions about flying with a bicycle

Can you take a bicycle on a Finnair flight? Yes. A bicycle travels as special baggage, so you add it to your booking either when you buy your ticket, or later in Manage booking or the Finnair app.

How much does it cost to fly with a bicycle? The price depends on the route and when you book. You can check the price in Manage booking or in the Special baggage section on our website, and you can pay with Avios. Booking at least a week before your flight gets you the best price.

What is the maximum weight for a bicycle? A bicycle can weigh up to 23 kilograms (50 lb), including its case. Above that, a heavy baggage fee applies at the airport, and the absolute maximum is 32 kilograms (70 lb).

Can you bring an electric bike on a Finnair flight? Yes. You can take an electric bike in the hold once you remove the battery. A battery of 100 to 160 watt-hours can travel in the cabin if we approve it in advance, so contact our customer service before your flight.

How do you pack a bicycle for a flight? Pack it in a protective bike case, remove the pedals, and let the air out of the tyres. The allowed case dimensions depend on the aircraft, and you can check them in the Special baggage section on our website.

Where do you drop off your bicycle at Helsinki Airport? Print a bag tag at a self-service kiosk first, then leave your bike at the special baggage counter. You can also drop it off the evening before, between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.