Weird MN question no: 3 million and 43 - cheapest way to transport a bike from Sweden to UK?

[KatyMac]

I have asked some very odd questions on mumsnet but this one takes the biscuit

I'm getting a new bike from my brother in Sweden for Christmas

So is it cheaper for him to organise transport over there or for me to organise a collection from here or should one of us fly with it?

Looks like your best bet is to fly over and bring it back as personal belongings, making sure you ride it around prior to the flight so the tyres look worn.

Or if not fly, as an e-bike, then by train?

If you have time to kill, maybe book in as a passenger on a cargo ship? You could probably take your bike with you on there.

cargoholidays.com/sweden-cargo-ship-travel

I have flown with bikes a lot, albeit pedal bikes.
If you're going to do this, and go under the customs radar, then you really need to take an old bike out with you and leave it there. Only bringing it back will raise awareness that you've just gone to Sweden to get a new bike.

I would definitely travel with it. I'd be worried about it getting lost.

What about flights just after Christmas? They might be cheaper? You can also see your brother that way x

Guys I'm not trying to smuggle it! I'm not Mrs Harris and it's not a Dior gown!!

Love the idea of a cargo ship, just love it! Love the train ides too but can't do 5 or 6 changes with a bike, sorry im not well enough!

Worried about meeting my food allergies whichever way I come

Tbh posting it is probably the way to go or 'my baggage'

I've contacted movebike & baggage to see if they do bikes without the battery

Baggage says its too big

Movebike haven't got back to me

Go in person and collect it, I suspect.

I have done this, back in the prebrexit days when easyjet charged £10 extra for the bike. Absolutely no issue collecting from oddsize at Stansted. You can buy special bike bags but i got a box from the local bike shop.

Not an e-bike though, so tbc what is allowed with the battery.

I think Id need a travel agent for the whole train/ferry debarkle

So sendbike looks best if expensive

I am going to suggest he buys you a pair of socks instead. Its a nice thought but not really practical in our post Brexit world

This is the only affordable way i believe

What power rating is the battery? Unless it's a very small one, you can't fly with it as lithium batteries are dangerous goods that aren't allowed on passenger planes.

Could you fly there to collect the bike without the battery and then he sends the battery only by courier as the small parcel might be a more reasonable price?

It could be worth checking alternative ferry routes out of Sweden... Check Finnlines which do Malmo-Travemunde, for example

The airlines are saying no ebikes with or without batteries so no flying

I've been trying to work out trains and ferry's but it's very hard

If you end up having to go for it, is there maybe somewhere in the middle where you could meet your brother for a short break, to save you having to travel all the way to Sweden? You could maybe fly out and come back by train/ferry to make it a bit less arduous a journey? And perhaps leaving it until the Spring would make it an easier trip? It's a big ask in the middle of winter when you have health challenges.

Enjoy your biking holiday then @KatyMac

My bike has died so it's become urgent otherwise waiting until spring would be fab

I reckon MoveBike is my only option

Note when I started this post!!!

The bike is ready! I am not going to sweden, so we are looking at couriers....who haven't arrived at their desks yet apparently! Impatient? Me? Possibly 😊

Bit excited it's finished, even if I can't actually get it here!

It's on its way!

You might have to pay import duty and vat to bring it in to the uk

Cheapest? Cycle it.

@PickledPurplePickle I know - nightmare!

@Overloadimplode might get wet!!