(Last updated on April 14th, 2023)
A few friends recently went on a train trip in the Arizona mountains. They all had to ship their bikes from home to their destination. So, naturally, there was a flurry of discussion over how to ship their bikes, pack them, and where to get a bike box. And, of course, everyone wanted to know, “How much does it cost to ship a bike?”
Shipping a bike will vary between $50 and $1250. It will cost less to ship your bike if it is smaller, lighter, going a short distance, or you pack it yourself. It will cost more if you are shipping it a long distance, with faster shipping, and if you have it professionally packed.
I will share how much it can cost to ship a bike in this article. I’ll talk about what factors affect the cost to ship a bike, how you can pack your bike to save money, where to get bike boxes, and where to ship your bike. Let’s get started.
Bike Shipping Options
As it turns out, there are many ways to ship your bike. You can even take it on the plane with you (for a fee). The shipping price depends on the bike’s size and weight, the speed of shipping, and how much help you need (such as disassembling and packing the bike).
Unless your bike is oversized, it won’t really matter if it is a gravel bike, mountain bike, or hybrid since the type of bike doesn’t really affect the cost of shipping the bike.
To Ship Your Bike, You Can:
- Use a Bike shipping service such as ShipBikes, BikeFlights, and Sports Express. These are the most common shipping companies.
- Send it via FedEx or UPS.
- UPS and FedEx can also ship your bike for a fee. If you use these companies, you must pack the bike and provide your box.
- Carry it on an airplane.
- Some people bring their bikes on the plane as luggage or a carry-on. You’ll want a bike case for this, which will cost an extra fee.
Boxing Your Bike
If you ship your bike, you’ll need to pack it safely in a box. Shipping boxes cost anywhere from $15 to $40. For example, the price for a FedEx Bike bike box without packaging is $16. It is size 54” by 8” by 28” with a weight limit of 95 pounds. If this is too small, you can purchase a specialty box.
If you want to purchase packing materials, the price jumps to $25.49 for standard packing materials and $31.99 for fragile packing materials.
Sometimes, bike shops will have extra boxes saved for just this purpose. I personally have saved a couple of boxes from my new bikes in case I need one for shipping or transporting later. You can break them down flat to store them (just keep them in a cool, dry place).
You can purchase bike shipping boxes on Amazon, but they come in a pack of 5 for around $120.
You’ll most likely need to partially disassemble the bike to fit it in the box. You may need to remove the handlebars, pedals, and racks/water bottle cages. You’ll need to pack the bike carefully so that it doesn’t shift, rub, or cause damage inside the box. FedEx gives you easy directions on how to do this yourself.
If you are unsure how to box up your bike, you can have your local bike shop do it. My LBS charges $75 to box up a bike. If you need help reassembling your bike at your destination, you can have it shipped to a bike shop, which will put it back together for another fee, like $85.
Packing Your Bike for Shipping
One of the most critical aspects of shipping your bike is packing it well. First of all, you must ensure it is packed according to the guidelines required by your shipper. They may be different depending on who you are shipping your bike to. But doing it yourself will reduce the cost of shipping.
First, find a box that meets the required size and fit dimensions.
Second, you need to pack the bike so it doesn’t get damaged. Any movement inside the box, if the parts aren’t secured well, can lead to damage. Also, if the bike is sticking out of the box or not fitted correctly can lead to damage.
You need to find a sturdy box, as we mentioned before. There are many places to find them: FedEx, Amazon, BikeFlights, or even your local bike shop.
Next, you need to disassemble the bike. Ryan Van Duzer is known for his bikepacking
adventures and has plenty of experience packing his bike.
- Typically, you’ll need to remove all accessories, such as bike bags, computer mounts, etc.
- Take off the front wheel and handlebars.
- Remove the pedals.
- Wrap everything and secure it with padding, bubble wrap, and zip ties so things can’t shake, bang, or scrape.
Insure your bike
If you choose to insure your bike, it will cost you extra. For example, you get $900 worth of protection from Bikeflights for $11.20. It’s worth it if you have an expensive bike.
Ship your bike
So how much to ship the bike? Shipping rates vary depending on the size and weight of the package, the distance it is traveling, and the shipping speed.
For example, to ship a 40-pound boxed-up bike from Philadelphia, Pa, to Arizona using Bikeflights, it could cost:
- $82.95 via UPS Ground shipping
- $220.95 via UPS air
- $291.95 for the fastest air service
Thru Bike
Thru will ship your bike for you using FedEx. You’ll need to pack your bike yourself.
For $6, they’ll pick up the bike from your location. To ship the same size and weight bike from Philadelphia to Arizona, it will cost roughly:
- $80.74 for FedEx ground
- $425.73 for 2-Day Service
- $461.23 for Standard Overnight Service
If you were to ship a bike via UPS, you would have to pack the box and drop it off yourself. The costs would be roughly:
- $169.77 for UPS ground
- $646.19 for 2nd Day Air
- $851.13 for Next Day Air
Shipping a Bike Via USPS
If it meets their criteria, you can ship your bike through the United States Postal service. You’ll have to use USPS Ground shipping, which will ship packages up to 70 pounds. The price is based on distance:
For example:
USPS Shipping Charges by Distance
| Distance in Miles | Shipping Cost |
| 150 miles or less | $84 |
| 151 – 300 | $106.80 |
| 301 – 600 | $129.60 |
| 601- 1000 | $152.15 |
To ship a bike from Philadelphia to Arizona via USPS ground service will probably cost about $220.00.
How Much Does it Cost to Fly with Your Bike
If you don’t want to ship your bike through a delivery service, you may be able to bring it on an airplane with you as checked luggage. The policies vary greatly by airline, although some will allow you to use your bike as a piece of checked baggage if you adhere to their policies.
Some airlines will charge an extra fee to bring your bike on the plane, ranging from $40 to $350, depending on the flight.
You’ll also want to ensure your bike is packaged so it won’t get damaged or damage other people’s luggage.
Some airlines will allow you to pack your bike in a cardboard bike box or wrapped in plastic. Other airlines may require a soft or hard bike case.
Cases can cost:
- Hard cases: $165 to $1190
- Soft bags: $160 to $900
Reassembling the Bike
Of course, once you reach your destination, you’ll need to reassemble your bike. You’ll need some tools to do this, or you can have a bike shop put your bike back together. My local bike shop charges about $85 to do this.
Bike Shipping Mistakes
Not Packing the Bike Properly
One of the biggest mistakes people make when shipping their bikes is not packing them properly. Remember that any movement inside the box can cause damage, and any parts that don’t fit completely inside the box can cause damage. This will cost you extra money and may make your bike unrideable.
Shipping too Late
The faster you need to ship your bike, the more expensive it will be. So to save money (and stress), plan ahead, so you have plenty of time to ship your bike, receive it, and reassemble it. It would be terrible to miss a race or an event because you didn’t have your bike in time.
Not Insuring Your Bike
On his return trip from Arizona, one of my friend’s bikes was damaged in transit. Thankfully, he had purchased extra insurance for his bike, so the damages were covered. Although it took a little while, he could replace his bike because he purchased the extra insurance.
Final Thoughts on How Much it Costs to Ship a Bike
Shipping a bike can be a complicated and expensive process. It must be well packed, shipped by a reputable company, and reassembled at your destination.
The overall cost will be anywhere from $80 for a short distance, where you do all of the packing yourself, to over $1000 if you have to ship your bike overnight a long distance.
Remember that the final cost of bike shipping depends on the cost of the box or case, the distance you need to travel, and the size and weight of your bike. In any case, you’ll want to plan in advance and get plenty of estimates to get the best price for shipping your bike.
If you liked this article, you might also like the following:
- How To Hang Bikes in Garage: Space-Saving Solutions (2023)
- How To Measure Bike Wheel Size: An Ultimate Guide (2023)
- How To Repair A Bike Yourself: A Step-By-Step Guide
Frequently Asked Questions on Bike Shipping
The cheapest way to ship your bike is probably through UPS Ground. It will cost you around $85 to ship your DIY-boxed bike across the United States.
That really depends. In some cases, e-bikes are too heavy, or the lithium batteries will prevent you from being able to ship them.
If your bike is damaged, you’ll need to file a claim. You may need to prove that your bike was damaged due to shipping rather than how it was boxed. In addition, you may want to purchase extra insurance to cover your bike, especially if it is very expensive.
You can have your bike shipped to a bike shop to be reassembled for you for a small fee. You’ll need to make arrangements with the bike shop in advance to ensure someone can receive the bike and schedule putting it together in time.
The cheapest bike boxes are probably from FedEx. However, your local bike shop may give them away if they have too many.
Bikes from online bike retailers typically ship to you for around $150. However, you’ll probably need to assemble the bike yourself or take it to a bike shop for assembly. However, some bike sellers will work with a company such as Kitzuma, which will deliver your bike fully assembled and ready to ride for around $300.
Amanda Whittington is an expert writer, impassioned cyclist, and musician. Coming from a diverse educational background, Amanda discovered a deep-rooted passion for encouraging others through her love of all things cycling, writing, and inspiring hope.
You’ll likely find Amanda pouring over bike specs, comparing the hottest cycling tech, and sporting the latest jerseys while juggling the demands of her editorial calendar, training schedule, tiny homestead, and 6 busy kids.
She spends her free time absorbed in her own gardening and fitness, cycling, and reading, all while encouraging adoption and foster care, championing the underdog, and of course, working with her chickens and goats.
