Can I Take My Folding Electric Bike on a Plane?
Written by: Rémy Rossi | January 17, 2024 | Time to read 3 min
Flying with a bike is nearly always a hassle, expensive, or both. But traveling with an electric bike is practically impossible because of restrictions on carrying batteries on flights.
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
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Are bikes allowed on a plane?
People fly all the time with bicycles and have mastered the art a bit better than I have. You can pack your bike up in a protective bag or box and send it as checked baggage. Those are mostly standard bikes, though— it’s much more difficult to travel by plane with an electric bike. E-Bikes are larger and heavier than traditional bikes, but the main problem is the battery.
A traditional folding bike can make it easier to travel the skies (some can even be carry-ons), but a folding e-Bike still has the battery problem. While a compact e-Bike can be easier to lug around, your options are still quite limited.
In this article, I’ll explain why it’s virtually impossible to travel with your electric bike (even if it folds!) and some easy alternatives that might save your trip.
E-Bike batteries are too big
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Even super-small batteries aren’t worth it
There are other e-Bike options for your trip
- Rent a battery: This service is not available everywhere, but you can probably sort something out if you’re headed to a popular cycling destination with a lot of bike shops. Make sure the airline lets you travel with your battery-less e-Bike and you can coordinate with a bike shop to rent a compatible battery. This plan is a little more fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, though.
- Rent an electric bike: I recommend just renting an electric bike after you arrive. It’s actually super fun to rent bikes because you can try out new models and ride even fancier ones than you’re used to. The price is likely comparable to the cash you’d have to drop on buying a protective bike box and related airline fees— plus, no lugging a huge box around through the airport.
If you’re still interested in folding e-Bikes, learn how to choose a folding electric bike or browse my top 5 bikes for 2025!
Key Takeaways
E-Bike Travel Is Tricky: You might be able to fly with a battery-less e-Bike and rent a compatible battery at your destination, but it requires planning and isn’t always an option.
Renting an E-Bike Is the Best Solution: Renting an e-Bike at your destination is hassle-free, lets you try new models, and often costs less than airline bike fees.
