Australia to Spain / Turkey - Ship bike or buy there?
 

Hello
I'm planning a trip from Spain to Turkey (or the reverse) in early 2010. I would be keen to see if it’s cheaper to purchase a bike in either Spain or Turkey than shipping mine over and back from Australia (approx $2500 Euro). I had heard that you can't purchase a bike in Spain unless you are a local. Any advice would be greatly appreciated - thanks!

Aus/Spain
 

Hi Adastra,

I live in Brisbane and have a trip planned next May starting in London. I don't know about Spain, but I had no probs buying in England and found it to be substantially cheaper to buy and kit out there, compared to buying here. What you'll pay in freight is close to the cost of a decent bike. Also, the UK is far easier to obtain carnets (if you need one).

The only drawback with my strategy is bike storage in England (I've already purchased a bike) and the hassle of selling once the trip is over, although I'm seriously considering importing the bike into Aus.

Have you considered renting a bike?

Also, Turkey can get very cold if you're thinking of travelling Jan/Feb/Mar.

Hi

Thanks for your thoughts - much appreciated!
I think the problem I have is that I'm going one way. I thought it might be worthwhile purchasing a bike in England...but not sure what I do with it in Turkey?? Shipping it back might be an option. I have about 3 months (starting in May too) so hopefully not so cold in Turkey by the time I get there. It may be a little expensive to rent for 3 months...and not sure how I would get the bike back to England :-)

Adastra
It's a really nice ride fromTurkey into Greece, across to Igoumenitsa then FastFerries overnight to Ancona, Italy-
Italian Alps then UK!

Thanks for the advice - I appreciate the help!

Hi, if you travel from Spain into Turkey it may not be possible to sell a bike there and then leave the country (i am not exactly clear on the rules). It should though be easy to go back into greece ( both EU members) and sell it there.
I spent a month touring Turkey this summer and loved the place; petrol is expensive but everything else is cheap.
I would recommend travelling through the Balkans rather than down Italy.

Andy

Thanks Andy!
Good to know you enjoyed Turkey. Did you find 1 month long enough? I was keen to see if I can travel the Kemaliye Stone Road, but not sure if I can fit it in.
I'll check about selling the bike in Greece. I was not sure about the Balkans...silly really I'm sure it would be completely safe for a woman :-)

Hi, Turkey is a large country and we did not travel to the SE something I would like to do someday. We did travel the 'Road of Stones' which was excellent and Kemaliye is a very friendly place to stay. The road (dirt) from Bayburt to Caykara was also worthwhile.
With the exception of Albania i found the Balkans very safe.
Your trip sounds great, cheers Andy