Shipping bike - Sydney to Alaska
 

My partner and I are having a little trouble getting our bikes to Alaska from Australia. The closest we seem to be able to get them is Vancouver. Have already sussed out the ferry (Prince Rupert to Valdez) but this option is extremely expensive. Any advice on freight from Vancouver to Anchorage would be greatly appreciated...

Why not just ride upto Alaska from there. From what I understand it is supposed to be a pretty ride up from there into Alaska. Unless you are really pressed for time I'd think you'd be better off just riding.

Last June 2001, we rode in the opposite direction.

To ride from Vancouver to Prince Rupert, then a day and night on the ferry to Skagway, and then ride from there to Anchorage.

It would take about five days and is a wonderful ride. The ferry trip is short enough, smooth, and not too expensive. Two people, one cabin and bike transport was around $A1000.

I did the booking myself from Australia, no problems at all.

cheers
Peter

Half the fun of doing Alaska is the road there from Vancouver, easily one of the best roads/routes in the world. There's an all pavement route and a part gravel road route, both spectacular, especially the gravel road.

Ride it. Cheaper too.

See ya when you get here!

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

I should've explained that we want to start our adventure in Alaska, then ride south through the West coast of Canada and the US . What we are trying to avoid doing is riding from Vancouver to Anchorage and back. I don't doubt that it is a beautiful ride - we are going to do it, we just don't have time to do it twice. I've sussed out the ferry option and am shocked at how expensive it is (US$1191 - translated into Aussie $ is VERY expensive!). I am currently corresponding with freight companies in Vancouver - we'll see how that goes. Other than that, we wont be too upset if we end up riding up and back.....

Hi Gidget,
As mentioned above, riding from Vancouver to Alaska would take five days, but you could do it by going from Vancouver to Lake Louise/ Banff via the Coqihalla highway ($10 toll),(1 day) then head up the Icefield Parkway to Jasper, then west to Mount Robson and onto Prince George (2nd day)then up to Dawson Creek and the start of the Alaska Highway.All excellent paved roads. On the way down from Alaska you could turn south at Watson lake and go via Dease lake, Smithers,Prince George,100 mile House, then the Fraser Canyon to Vancouver.
Both of these routes are spectacular and well worth five extra days. I have travelled these routes several times and can supply more info.if you would like.
Good Luck, Cameron

Hi,
I shipped my Africa Twin last may from Darwin to Anchorage by air.
Here the facts:
Gross weight: 305kg; dimensions: 227*85*130 = 419kg chargable weight; costs: 5.65A$/kg = 2367A$ plus dangerous goods fee etc = total cost of 2522A$; No crate needed; Freight forwarder: Hellmann Worldwide Logistics PTY LTD Brisbane;
Compare to the airfare of 1890A$, the shipping was not that expencive.....
The bike went by air to Los Angeles, then by truck up to Seattle and then by a fright plane to Anchorage.
Just an additional information: For Alaska you dont need insurance, but if you go south trough Canada there is the chance that somebody ask for incurance. If you dont have a american drivers licence, there is just one company who insures you. The Insurance broker InsuranceMart at 700W 6th Ave no208 in Anchorage can provide you an insurance for abouth 580 U$ / Year. If you contact PROGRESSIVE (1-800-888-7764) you will save around 100U$
In the four month I was travelling trough North America, nobody asked for my insurance.....so, its up to you!
G'day mate
Markus

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