Packing for the trip ...
One thing to consider when buying your airline ticket is how much baggage allowance you are allowed. Some airlines allow as little as one checked 20kg (44lbs) bag and others up to two 45kg (99lbs) checked bags along with your standard carry on. Also be aware, and prepared, to pay the airlines bike handling fee. Check the fine print of the airlines website for details regarding your bike. Sometimes that cheap airline ticket becomes a lot more expensive when you have to pay 150 USD each way for your bike.
As far as your bike goes, a hard shell case is best for insuring it will arrive in shape, but can add a lot of weight toward your baggage allowance. Your best options are either a specially built and padded canvas style bike case or your standard cardboard bike box. The key is on how you pack you bike to insure it will arrive at your destination without problems. When I travel for extended-stays this is the method I use:
I have “4” bags with me.
-- One laptop bag as my personal carry on item
-- One larger hiking backpack
-- One rolling check-in bag (sized to the largest limit allowed by the airline)
-- One soft canvas bike bag with specific padding added.
In my laptop bag I have naturally my laptop, but then also books, paperwork (tickets, important information, etc). My large hiking backpack contains heavier clothing, my cycling shoes and pedals, and some snacks for the flight. In the large checked bag I actually don’t carry much clothing, but instead put my handlebars, cranks, tools, saddle, stem and other hard items. I do this because it will lighten the bike bag and then frees up space to use your clothing as “padding” for the bike and wheels. Be sure to wrap the greasy parts of the bike to keep them from staining the clothes. Using this technique I have been able to have almost no damage (less a few small scratches) to my bike in well over 20 international flights.
The following is a list of clothing you might want to consider bringing with you:
Regular clothing:
Three Pairs of Jeans
Three T-shirts
Two Long Sleeve Shirts
Two Pairs of Shorts
One Light Jacket
One Heavy Jacket
Two pairs of shoes
7 pairs of underwear
7 pairs of socks
One Mutt (ski cap)
Cycling Clothing:
4 pairs of shorts
3 short sleeve jerseys
2 long sleeve jerseys
Cycling Vest
Winter Jacket
Arm Warmers
Leg Warmers
7 pairs of cycling socks
Cycling Gloves (both summer and winter)
Rain Jacket
Winter Booties (shoe covers)
Summer Shoe Covers
Cycling Shoes
Helmet
Sun Glasses
Undershirts (summer and winter)