Cape Town Cycle Tour Flights & Bicycle Transport | JNB - CPT
The world's largest individually timed cycle race is back! After a failed attempt at the 40th Cape Town Cycle Tour last year, take two will take place on the 11th of March 2018! With over 35 000 participants from around the globe each year, flight prices can be steep. You've trained for months on end to prepare for the 109 km race, getting your bicycle (and you!) to Cape Town doesn't have to be an uphill battle. We have all the information you need right here!
As a large number of travellers are flying with their bicycles, airlines usually make special arrangements for the weekend and it is worth keeping a few general rules in mind. For starters, you should budget somewhere between R250 to R400 to fly your bicycle per way and take note of the special packaging requirements for bicycles.
The required boxes can usually be obtained from your local bicycle shop. Bicycle bags are also becoming increasingly popular, but can be an expensive once-off purchase. Extra tires are not allowed as hand baggage but you can take up to two cylinders, containing carbon dioxide with your (most airlines require you to take this in your hand luggage).
When collecting and dropping off your bicycle you need proof of identity, your flight booking reference, proof of payment for the bicycle transport and you limited release tag or waybill (when collecting). Some airlines also require you to sign a 'limited release tag' which indemnifies them of any damage, but as no airline will take responsibility for damage incurred it is always advisable to cover the bicycle under your personal insurance. Please also check which
airline rules apply if you are travelling on a code share flight.
Flights listed below depart on Friday, the 9th of March 2018. It is advisable to fly your bike down a few days before you fly to Cape Town to ensure that you can collect it at the airport when you arrive.
Travel Prices from Johannesburg to Cape Town
The following survey shows one-way flights from JNB - CPT (For more information on the airlines that operate on this route click here) on the 9th of March 2018. These airfares were checked on Wednesday, the 28th of Feb 2018, but all prices are subject to change and there is very limited availability.
Flights from Johannesburg (JNB) to Cape Town (CPT)
These charges and procedures are applicable on bicycles transported to Cape Town between 5 - 10 March and from Cape Town between 11-16 March 2018.
Price: R300* for a bicycle and R350* for a tandem bicycle paid through call centre or on their website.
R385* for a bicycle and R400* for a tandem bicycle at the Airport Guest Services desk. Remember to confirm your bicycle with their call centre at the time of making your booking.
SAA Codeshare passengers: Payment can only be made through the Mango call centre or at a PnP store.
You need: Proof of payment for transportation of your bike, a booking confirmation and valid proof of identity. For collection of your bicycle you need all of the above including your original air waybill and the limited release tag if travelling from Lanseria.
Drop-off at OR Tambo & Lanseria: You can drop your bicycle off at OR Tambo Airport at the BidAir Cargo Warehouse. At Lanseria you can drop your bicycle off at the Check-in Desk.
Collection in Cape Town: From the 5th of March you can collect your bicycle from the Mango/BidAir area in the multi-storey car park no 1 (the first car park as you enter the airport). Prior to this bikes should be collected from the BidAir Cargo Warehouse. Allow up to four days for your bicycle to reach Cape Town.
Drop-off in Cape Town: Bicycles need to be dropped off at the specially designated Mango/BidAir area in the multi-storey car park no. 1 from the 11th of March until the 16th of March 2018.
Collecting at OR Tambo: Bikes must be collected from the BidAir Cargo Warehouse between 12 and 16 March 2018. Thereafter passengers will be charged R500 per day for storage. Bikes can take up to 4 days to be shipped, so keep and eye out for the SMS notification. You can also track your bicycle on the BidAir Cargo website.
These charges and procedures are applicable on bicycles transported to Cape Town from 6 - 11 March and from Cape Town from 11-18 March 2018.
Price: R350* per bicycle per way payable at the airport or at Pick n Pay stores (remember to keep vouchers generated as proof of payment). There is limited space availble on each aircraft, so ensure that your bicycle is confirmed in the flight booking.
You need: A bike-handling fee receipt to drop-off your bicycle as well as confirmation of your flight booking and valid proof of identity. To collect you bicycle you need the limited-release tag in addition to the rest.
Drop-off at OR Tambo: Passengers should drop their bicycle off at OR Tambo counter B42 and B43 at least 90-45 minutes prior to departure.
Collection in Cape Town: As SAA is trying to ensure that all bicycles travel with the passenger on the same flight, you need to collect your bicycle at the baggage collection area.
Drop-off at Cape Town: Check in your bicycle at the check-in counter at least 90-45 minutes before your flight departs.
Collecting at OR Tambo: As SAA is trying to ensure that all bicycles travel with the passenger on the same flight, you need to collect your bicycle at the baggage collection area.
Their regular bicycle policy applies to all bicycles transported before, during and after the Cape Town Cycle Tour.
Price: R280* for bicycles as sports equipment.
Drop-off: Bicycles can be checked in 3 hours prior, but should be checked in at least 90 minutes prior to departure at the check-in desk.
Collection in Cape Town: Bicycles will be treated as regular luggage and should thus be collected from the baggage collection area.
Returning with your bicycle: Be sure to check your bicycle in at least 90 minutes prior to departure at the check-in desk and collect your bicycle from the baggage collection area.
As there are a limited number of bicycles that can be accommodated on each flight, it is advisable to contact their call centre and check for availability on your flight before you book. Be sure to then secure your bicycle by paying the additional fees as soon as possible to ensure that it doesn't stay behind.
These charges and procedures are applicable on bicycles transported to Cape Town for the Cape Town Cycle Tour on the 11th of March 2018.
Price: R350* per bicycle per way booked through their call centre by credit card only. Only 20 bikes will be accepted per flight, so book sooner rather than later.
You need: A bike-handling fee receipt to drop-off your bicycle as well as a flight booking confirmation or reference number and proof of identity. You will also need to sign a limited release tag stating that Comair doesn't take any responsibility for loss or damage to your bicycle.
Drop-off: All bicycles will be processed at the airport check-in desk and then handed in at a demarcated area which will be pointed out to you.
Collection in Cape Town: Allowing 15-45 minutes, bikes must be collected at the Oversized Baggage / “Out-of-Gauge” (OOG) next to Carousel 6 of the arrivals hall.
Alternative arrangements can also be made with BidAir Cargo, but they set their own fees.
British Airways operated by Comair :
We weren't able to get up-to-date information regarding this year's arrangements in time for this newsletter. If we do receive the necessary information before the race, we will update this newsletter.
Last year their bicycle transport started from R350* and had to be arranged with BidAir. We suggest you contact the airline for up-to-date information.
*Prices are for one-way flights and are subject to change. We have done our best to ensure that all the information above is up to date and correct, relying on airline documents and communication from the airline where
necessary. We however refer you to the relevant pages where possible to get all the details and advise you confirm the above with the airline at the time of making your booking.
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Prices subject to change, perhaps even by the time you read this. Errors & omissions occur from time to time
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Karen, Rob & the rest of the SouthAfrica.TO team
