We have a trip coming up in May-June with a family of 4 adults, 1 child. We will be in England for a full week, then on a cruise for 9 days. I am worried that we will have too much luggage to lug on and off trains (definitely), or for a rental car, or even a mini-van (possibly). I looked at larger vans, but they want $1600 to rent one for a week!!! So anyone know of a way to transfer luggage from Heathrow to Southampton where we can pick it up in a week? I checked out Excess Luggage but they seem to deal with international shipping. My only other idea was to leave it in Left Luggage at Heathrow and come back to pick it up a week later, but hate to do that as we were not planning travels in that area. (Except to return to Heathrow after the cruise.)
I would like to store/ship 2-3 medium suitcases. Is there a good solution to this problem?
Many thanks to anyone who has an idea!
Posted by
Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1175 posts
You won't like this idea !
We traveled last summer for 6 weeks, visiting the Amalfi Coast, doing a river cruise through Eastern Europe, hiking and kayaking through Croatia and Slovenia, and attending an elegant wedding in Florence.
I took my 22" suitcase......
Posted by
Boulder, Colorado, USA
437 posts
Is the cruise company able to receive and store your bags? If so, you can send the bags using sendmybag.com either from home for about $99 a bag or from Heathrow for much less.
But you need someone to receive, sign for and store your bags.
Posted by
OP
Michigan
11 posts
Thanks for the replies, folks. Beth, I'm checking out your suggestion. BTW, my husband and I travel by train with a carry-on each and an RS day bag when it is just us. We've learned over the years to pack light. But last year we traveled to Ireland with this same group - including our grandson who was 3 - and had trouble getting 5 people and all their "stuff" into a mini-van. It was crowded. So forgive me if I am a bit worried :>
(Also, the cruise is to Norway and we will be carrying a few extra bits of clothing, especially so we can visit a glacier.)
Again, thanks, and I welcome any more ideas.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
One of the golden rules of travel is that every able person must be able to manage carrying their own luggage.
It's best to use a medium suitcase so when it's completely full it is still manageable to lift and will be within airline weight restrictions (20-23kg).
But a rental car for five (with a case each) at a reasonable cost is a dilemma. Do your UK plans include driving? Or is it more for the convenience?
What are your plans for the week in U.K? It's hard to advise re transport without knowing. If places like Bath, Cotswolds, Oxford, Stonehenge are in your plans then a thought I had ...
Train from London to Salisbury for a night.
Store major luggage at your hotel on checkout and pick up a hire car.
Make a loop with your road trip (how many days) returning to Salisbury.
Drop your car back. Pick up your luggage and take a train to Southampton to join your cruise.
Posted by
59 posts
I think the quote of 1600USD is extortionate. When I checked with Enterprise, they quoted about £500 for a large MPV for a week in summer. Note that the word 'van' in most English-speaking countries designates a two-seat covered load-carrying vehicle (like a pickup with a roof).
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17564 posts
Assuming you cannot find an affordable transport and storage option. . .
You are creating a major headache for yourselves by planning to take three extra pieces of luggage just for the cruise, in addition to the equipment you need for the child (carseat and maybe a stroller). Storage costs for the luggage at a left luggage facility somewhere (Heathrow or a train station) will range from £42 to £46 per bag, and you still have to transport them from airport to storage and storage facility to the ship. Or store them at the airport, which means retrieving them there, and still transporting them to Southampton.
You would be much better off planning your packing in one piece each (not counting child equipment), even if it means sizing up to a 24"or even 26" bag. Then it should fit in a regular full-size rental car, if you wish to travel that way. You can include the child car seat in the rental.
But where are you planning on going during that week? Surely not London, with a rental car.
Posted by
OP
Michigan
11 posts
Hi again, folks. The car is, first of all, because we have found it less stressful traveling with a group. It's easier to adjust the schedule, make unplanned stops, or just chill for a day if we get tired. (Yes, we have driven in the UK twice before.) Also, I love trains, but with 5, it was cheaper to rent a car since we would need more than just a London+ pass. We are staying in Duxford (north of London) for 2 nights, Wiltshire for 3 nights and Southampton for 2 nights (using the day to see the ships in Portsmouth before the cruise).
But I may have the solution to my problem. I sent several emails and finally found out that Excess Baggage at Heathrow can send bags to Southampton. It's not cheap (about $116 for 2 med. bags - a little too big to carry on.), but definitely cheaper than renting a big vehicle. Right now I have a Skoda station wagon reserved for less than $430 (all insurance, VAT, child seat, extra driver, drop-off fee, included.) and even adding the cost of sending the extra bags to Southampton, it's not bad for the 5 of us for a week.
I still have to solve the problem of a delivery point in Southampton, but I hope the hotel will accept them. I'll report back when I have details. This might be useful information for some others.
Thanks everyone!
Posted by
OP
Michigan
11 posts
I forgot to add a thank you to David in Brisbane. Not a bad plan at all if we didn't have to go to Duxford. No way to get out of it. :>(