If you are thinking of going on a sporting holiday abroad, such as Golf Holidays in France, or skiing in Austria, it is important to make sure that any equipment that you take with you arrives safely, and at a minimal extra cost.
In terms of cost, this can sometimes be a bit of a hidden factor. Some airlines, such as the low cost companies, will charge an extortionate additional fee for any extra baggage, and another fee for sporting goods. In short, the fact that these companies are called 'cheap' is rarely the case and they are often more expensive than national flag carriers, when you add all their arbitrary fees up. Before booking any flight, it may be worthwhile keeping this in mind.
With the flight booked, and any extra charges paid for sporting equipment, the next step is to ensure that they will be protected whilst in transit. Taking bicycles as an example, it is better to put them into a cardboard bike box. If you have seen the luggage handlers at work in an airport, you will soon agree that this is the best method!
Another thing to think about, is insurance for your goods. Some people do not insure specialist sports equipment, as it may be covered by home insurance, however, when travelling with it abroad, this may not be the case.
In fact, even your regular travel insurance may not cover sporting equipment, and so it is important to check this. The last piece of advice, is to arrive as early as possible at the check in if carrying large and bulky sports goods. The airline staff are far happier and more accommodating at the start of a shift than at the end of booking two hundred people onto a plane!
