Some Tips on Flying with your Bicycle to Madagascar
If you are contemplating cycling across Madagascar with us, you may have wondered about getting to the start point, and returning back at the end. Magical Madagascar starts May 17, 2017 in Ifaty — a small fishing town blessed with gorgeous beaches and ends June 25, 2017 in Antsiranana at the far northern end of the island.
Madagascar may seem like a far off place, but you might be surprised to learn that Turkish Airlines, South African Airlines, Air France, Air Madagascar all have direct flights from either Paris or Johannesburg to Antananarivo — Madagascar’s capital city (not to be confused with Antsiranana where our tour finishes). Below we detail how to get to Ifaty and back from Antsiranana with you bike.
Getting You (and Your Bicycle) to Ifaty
From Antananarivo you will need to fly to Toliara Airport (TLE). Our hotel in Ifaty is a one hour taxi ride from there. You can book the flight to Toliara directly on Air Madagascar’s website.
Flying with your bicycle should be possible, but it is best to try and confirm this at the time of booking. If you run into issues with securing a place for your bicycle on the flight, we can bring your bicycle with our tour support vehicles from the capital to the start line. In order to do this you would need to arrive in the capital at least 3 days before the tour starts, to allow enough time for the vehicles to reach Ifaty in time.
Getting You (and Your Bicycle) Back Home from Antsiranana
At the end of the tour there are two options:
International flights depart from Fascene Airport (NOS) on Nosy Be Island — a relaxing beach destination where you may want to rest your tired legs. You can reach Nosy Be from Antsiranana by local bus, or arrange to hire a private taxi. You can book a flight leaving from Nosy Be directly through Air Madagascar.
The other option is to fly back to the capital from Arrachart Airport (DIE) in Antsiranana, and then fly home from there. But it is important to note that your bicycle will likely not fit on these small planes, so you would need to book your flight out of the capital at least 2 days after the tour finishes, to allow enough time for the vehicles to reach the capital with your bicycle.
Still Need Help?
If you are struggling with booking the flights through Air Madagascar’s website, please feel free to contact Jennifer Patterson. She is a travel agent at Merit Travel based in Toronto who we have known for many years and will be able to assist you.
Originally published at tdaglobalcycling.com on November 18, 2016.
