Arriving by plane, need to pick up the hired car - when do I retrieve the bike from luggage service?

[Paschulke]

Hi all,

I am arriving at Málaga by plane and will have my bicycle with me as special luggage. I have to pick up a car from car rentals, since we're "really" starting from Sevilla.

Now, how do I do this logistically, since I wanted to keep my bike in the box for not staining the car with grease etc, can I leave the bike at the airport's luggage service, get the car and THEN the bike? Or do I have to pick up my bike immediately after landing?

Thanks in advance,
Daniel

 

[Jonas]

I don't know Malaga airport, but I have travelled a lot with bike.
My advice is to pick up the bike, keep it in its box, and then go to the rental car.
(Hope your car has a big trunk... )

 

[dougfitz]

If you are arriving as a domestic passenger, it might be possible. International passengers that are subject to customs normally need to collect all their baggage before leaving the international zone.

Have you checked with the airline or airport? Not recently, but I have passed through at least one airport that had no special luggage handling area, and all luggage is placed on the carousels. On one occasion, a bike box jammed, and was crushed by all the baggage that then collected behind it. You can imagine that the owners were devastated when they arrived to collect it.

 

[Paschulke]

Yes, I forgot about customs. Well, I guess I'll get the bike right away, surely the safest way as well Thanks.

 

[Whalleyranger]

This may have changed since the last time I was in Malaga but you might have trouble. You'll have to collect your baggage and go through customs. The car hire desks are all in the basement and there are x-ray scanners which your luggage (including bike) will need to go through before you can enter the basement.
Are you travelling alone? If you're in a group could one person stay outside with the cases while you go inside to arrange the car?
Alternatively some car hire companies will meet you in the arrivals hall and escort you to their off-airport office but you might have to pay a premium for this.
Let us know how you get on.

 

[Paschulke]

I contacted the car-rental office (Goldcar), I'll let you know about this when/if I got an answer.

(We're two to do the trip, but the other guy is arriving later so I wanted to use the time and arrange with the car beforehand.)

Edit: It seems that their office is in the parking area, outside the terminal building.

 

[Paschulke]

So, I'm going to get the bike box and carry it to the rental office, apparently there are two, one behind security and one outside. Thanks guys for your help!

(Here is the car rental's answer:
Our office is inside security area, but we have another office outside that area –for non passengers customers-, which you could use as well in case of need. Thanks and regards.)

 

[hecate105]

Get a trolley for the box! Also if the bike box won't fit in the car, get the bike out, leave wheel off, and use the box to protect the car from scratches etc. We managed to get a taxi at Lisbon to go to Sintra (our start point) but it was hard to find one roomy enough for two bike boxes and all our panniers etc - had to tip the guy well! Then on another trip that was curtailed due to a plethora of bee stings (don't ask...) we had to fit both bikes, all our gear, including tent, and a trailer and a large dog into the only vehicle available to hire - an estate car - glad the rental folk were not there to see the result!
Good luck with your journey - don't forget to pack your sense of humour - it will be invaluable! Bon Camino.

 

[Paschulke]

Thanks for the hint! I have reserved a somewhat bigger car which should hold our two bikes in their packing - but you never know what you end up with in the end.