BY:TANA MALINGA
As thousands of cyclists prepare for the Cape Town Cycle Tour on 8 March, many are planning how to travel safely with their bicycles to Cape Town. FlySafair, South Africa’s most on-time airline, has released a simple and practical guide to help riders transport their bikes with confidence.
Whether you are a first-time participant or a seasoned rider, flying with a bicycle does not have to be stressful. With proper preparation and packaging, your bike can arrive at Cape Town International Airport in perfect riding condition, allowing you to focus on the race ahead.
“FlySafair fully supports cyclists and sports enthusiasts travelling with their equipment throughout the year,” says Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer at FlySafair. “The Cape Town Cycle Tour is one of the world’s great cycling events, and we want every rider travelling with us to enjoy complete peace of mind. Good preparation makes all the difference, and our guide helps ensure the process is smooth from start to finish.”
HOW TO FLY WITH YOUR BIKE ON FLYSAFAIR
Packaging Your Bike
Proper packaging is essential. FlySafair does not package bicycles for customers, so riders must arrive with bikes securely packed. Use a hard case, padded soft-shell case, or sturdy cardboard bike box. Bikes must be fully packed, fit within sports equipment dimensions of 190 x 75 x 65 cm, and weigh no more than 32kg.Wrapped bicycles are not accepted.
Remove both wheels, partially deflate tyres, and insert spacers in the fork. Shift gears into the highest position and protect the derailleur and gearing. Wrap the frame in bubble wrap and align the handlebars with the frame. Where possible, remove the rear derailleur from the hanger to prevent damage. Only bike components may be placed inside the case, with no protruding items, and all water bottles must be emptied before packing.
Items to Keep Out of Your Bike Box
To prevent loss or damage, do not pack GPS devices, power meters, or other electronics with your bicycle. Helmets, cleats, and pedals should travel in hand luggage or checked baggage instead.
CO₂ Cartridges
Cyclists may travel with up to four CO₂ cartridges of 28g each per bike. These must be declared at check-in.
Weight Limits
Sports equipment is limited to 32kg. Equipment exceeding this weight cannot be checked in and must be sent via cargo at the rider’s cost. Cargo items may travel on a different flight, so riders should plan accordingly.
Optional Sports Equipment Cover
For added peace of mind, FlySafair offers optional sports equipment cover for R13, providing up to R10,000 cover in the unlikely event of loss or damage.
“For many cyclists, a bicycle is far more than just equipment, it is a meaningful investment and often tailored to personal preference,” adds Gordon. “We understand that, and our aim is to ensure every bike arrives exactly as it was packed. With careful handling and the option of sports equipment cover, we are committed to giving riders full confidence when they fly with us.”
FlySafair has also produced a step-by-step video guide demonstrating how to pack and check in your bike, and cyclists can access the full bike travel guide and FAQs online.
Book your flight early, prepare your bike properly, and arrive in Cape Town ready, confident, and focused on the ride ahead.
About FlySafair
FlySafair, Southern Africa’s leading low-cost carrier and proud Trusted Domestic Carrier for the Springboks and Proteas, offers budget-friendly flights starting at R570* for domestic travel between ten destinations. FlySafair also operates five international routes, connecting South Africa with our African neighbours from Johannesburg starting from R1 400*, as well as Cape Town to Windhoek, starting at just R1 800*.
Since operations began in 2014, the airline has been ranked the top on-time low-cost airline in the world by Cirium. In 2025, FlySafair received five awards at the SACAA Civil Aviation Industry Awards, including Aircraft Operator, Aviation Innovation, People Development, Aviation Professional presented to Blacky Komani, and Best Airline by Public Vote. FlySafair was also awarded the Skytrax Best Low-Cost Airline in Africa award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025.
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