Travel by bike with no burden — Asiana offers free bike checked baggage

Text/Compiled and reported by Lee Hsin-yi, MOOK Travel Life Network

Bike tourism is becoming increasingly popular. Originally, passengers traveling with bikes on Asiana Airlines had to pay a checked baggage fee of NT$167 per kilogram. Starting from September 1, Asiana Airlines has introduced a policy allowing bikes to be checked for free, offering up to 10 free bike check-ins per flight, so travelers who want to take their bikes abroad no longer have to worry about extra fees. Taking Asiana’s special promotion ticket for September at NT$3,999 as an example, with fuel surcharges and airport taxes included, the total comes to NT$6,754. Just call Asiana Airlines 24 hours before departure to reserve round-trip bike check-in, and you can travel with your bike for under NT$7,000!

Busan has an extensive network of bike lanes. To make cycling more convenient for residents, seven free bike rental stations have been set up in places such as Samnak Riverside Sports Park in Saha District. Foreign tourists can also rent bikes for free by simply showing their passport. Asiana Airlines General Manager Lee Kyung-min also recommends two of the most popular local cycling routes: one that follows along Haeundae/Yeongdo River, Gwangalli Beach, and the Nanjeon-dong Seaside Mural Street, ending at Ihwajang Two-Priestess Platform Park; and another that starts at the Seonyu 2 Bridge, passing through Seonyu Bridge, APEC Naru Park, left Seonyu Bridge, Seonyu 4 Bridge/Gwajeong Bridge, Won-dong Bridge, and Dongcheon Bridge—a round trip of 16 kilometers taking about 50 minutes.

Busan is a port city located at the southern tip of South Korea and is the country’s second-largest city after Seoul. The nearby areas of Haeundae and Gwangalli are well-known resort destinations, with beautiful beaches lined with luxury hotels. By taking the subway, visitors can also reach the Dongnae Hot Springs area to enjoy onsen experiences close at hand. Traditionalists can visit local markets to explore a wide variety of Korean street food and taste freshly caught sashimi. Events such as the annual Busan International Film Festival and the Busan Fireworks Festival always draw large crowds of tourists, with the next editions coming up in October.

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