Camino Luggage Transport - The What, How and Why...

[@robscamino]

Have you used a luggage transfer service? Did it work well? What made you think of using it? (my reference to carrying a fairly heavy backpack might be misleading. Mine weighs only 6.5 kgs) My meaning was merely, carry a very light pack and transfer stuff daily, or carry a heavier pack (6-7 kgs) and no need to use luggage transfer.

[@fishnmick9570]

Hi Rob. Yep have used luggage transfer the 4 times we’ve been on the Camino. I couldn’t do the Camino without it. Two back surgeries means that I’m not carrying anything but a day pack. Many online hikers do indeed look down on those of us that use the transfer service. At one albergue/ hotel on the Meseta the reception area was full of BACK PACKS in the morning , waiting to be picked up. We go in to tour around after the Camino. You could hardly turn up to nice restaurants in hiker clothes ;) The Camino is a huge business as is the luggage services. Like I said with out them I couldn’t go. Cheers

[@robscamino]

Glad to hear it worked well for you. If touring after the Camino, we usually send a small suitcase to Santiago from the start.

[@sandgroper-ig9nk]

I'm sure there must have been lords walk the Camino with their serfs I'm not a purist. If you want to use the service go for it the other good thing is it's giving someone a income . I wonder are they only for the walking season.

[@robscamino]

They seem to be fairly much geared to supporting Pilgrims.

[@stephenreid_66]

I personally haven't used it but my wife used it on the portugués because of a hip injury and it was great, so easy to use. I prefer to carry my pack but it's good to know that you can use it if needed

[@wowzieee]

My sister and i walked 70 days Le Put an Delay to Santiago. We started with a huge duffle bag that we shuffled along on the French side. Every night we had to book rooms for a couple of nights, then phone the bag transport to organize that. The luggage transport took credits cards, so they charged it weekly. It was good. Once we got to the Spanish side, we mailed home or donated things we didn t need and carried our pack. It was much less stressful. But heavier, but we could now walk and stay where we wanted and not have to go on to get to our destination where our bag was waiting for us. Either way, is fine, you do you. Keep inspiring.

[@robscamino]

Interesting that you tried both luggage transfer and carrying your own stuff. I much prefer to carry my stuff as it cuts down the logistics, and increases the flexibility and freedom. It also make me carry less stuff! 6-7 kg is an easy load.

[@martink8080]

We used Pilbeo when we walked the Portugues from Tui to Santigo and then Muxia to Finistree in May 2023. Their website lists all the accommodations they deliver to so you can use that as a guide when choosing the next place to stay. For extra security we attached Tracki tags to be able to see where the bags were at any time. In the end it wasn't necessary since the bags were always waiting for us at the next destination. For us it was mainly the convenience. We live in the 21st century so no need to do like the they did in the olden days, plus being of a certain age and not the greatest of athletes, carrying a minimal load in our day packs made the journey that much more enjoyable.

[@robscamino]

Glad to hear it worked well for you.

[@stinaolsen6909]

On the Portuguese Coastal Camino in September this they said they paid online when they reserved.

[@robscamino]

That makes it easier!

[@rossnairn6488]

We used Tuetrans on the 2nd half of the Portuguese Central route and it worked well but beware that they wont transfer to self catering apartments and public auberges are sometimes not allowed as well. Also beware that public auberges wont allow you to stay if you have suitcases transferred instead of backpacks

[@rowanmulvey8632]

Wow! These are very important details, thank you for sharing this.

[@robscamino]

Yes you do need to make sure they accept luggage transfer. Gronze is a good source for that as it gives these details for most accommodation along the way. Private accommodation, hotels etc, will not generally be a problem.

[@matthewkeyser8999]

Thinking of starting pilgrimage in Lourdes, France - Anyone used a service in France from Lourdes to SJDP?

[@robscamino]

Not sure about that one. Might need a google serach

[@julianlord5366]

It's less a "looking down the nose" than that unpaid Albergue volunteers have been "expected" to provide a free luggage management service that has in recent years become very burdensome. You may not have properly realised this last year, given the short amount of time you spent on the Francès last time. Having said that, a "parallel" delivery service has developed to and from bars along the Way, safer because of less risk of theft (and some people started an activity of stealing the €5 payment from the little envelopes, plus just stealing the packs or luggage itself -- yes, this is a real thing and a major reason why many Albergues no longer accept luggage/pack transport), and it means everyone handling the luggage gets paid instead of unpaid volunteers doing their part of the work for free. Not to mention no more masses of packs and luggage piled up in the Albergue entrances. Also, the sheer mass of luggage as opposed to pack transport had become so huge that suitcase transport has been banned in many places locally. Though if you're on an organised Camino tour, there are not these sorts of problems. And pilgrims with serious health transport needs will always be given slack in this regard. Pack transport on the Portugues is patchy, and varies from one route or section to the next. Often it's a local taxi service providing it.

[@robscamino]

Ah, that makes sense then.

[@sandgroper-ig9nk]

Cheers Julian. I understand why it's a issue with albergues never really thought about those points cheers,,👍

[@13milesfromsantiago]

I know people nowadays are terrified or offending or upsetting someone so this subject is almost taboo, but for me it sits alongside the booking of albergues or catching buses along the route. It’s a real spoiler. The Camino isn’t a luxury holiday. It’s a pilgrimage. If you can’t carry your own bag your are simply carrying too much gear. You need so little equipment for the Frances. I saw two ladies who had brought 6 weeks worth of food from their own country and it filled 3 large suitcases…..this is not what the Camino is. You should not be tied to wherever you stay each night, it really spoils the experience. If you can’t carry it you don’t need it!!!! Medical equipment is the exception.

[@robscamino]

I try not to judge. There are those who 'need' to use luggage transfer for whatever reason be it health, age or injury. And there are those who use it just to make the journey 'easier' and because it's available. I tend to think that A) a pilgrimage should not be 'easy' and B) a Camino requires so little gear anyway (maybe 6kg) for most people it is easy to carry and C) along with booking accomodation days and weeks ahead, it can become a constraint that detracts from the journey. But.....all the their own....