Hello Travellers! Have any of you used a luggage service that you would recommend for someone walking the Camino de Santiago? As in a service that takes your luggage to the next overnight location for you? We know someone beginning the traditional path that begins in France and that might be useful information. If you walked that path, please how did you engage their services and what was your cost to use them for the entire walk to Santiago? How did you decide how far ahead to have them drop off your luggage? Did you use a lock on your luggage to secure it? And please offer any other information that you think would be helpful. Thanks so much!
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2501 posts
this is the well know one that advertises in the various hostals - well established
never used them myself as I carried my own stuff
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
8938 posts
Every Albergue or hotel has this information for you with envelopes, etc. As the previous poster already gave you the name and link, I won't repeat it. Plan on spending 5€ per day.
Have you spent any time on the Camino forum or over on Facebook? There are so many FB pages to choose from, for slow walkers, American Pilgrims, women only - Camigas, etc. Reading these will give you a better idea about how far you want to walk each day. Some people may just walk 10km, others as much as 40km.
Personally, I like to carry my own back-pack and not rely on a transfer service. The key is to reduce what you are carrying to a minimum of approximately 10% of your weight or less. Did almost half the Camino in 2015, the Portuguese Camino in April this year and am heading to SJPDP 16 days from today to walk the whole 800km. Message me if you want more info. No locks. This is just extra weight.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/
https://www.americanpilgrims.org/about-us
https://www.facebook.com/groups/CaminoBuddySystemForWomen/
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3391 posts
I just walked the Camino from St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago in June/July of this year. I used Jacotrans for 75% of my walk due to knee issues. It's very easy! In the evening you call or text and tell the driver where to pick up the backpack and where to deliver it. You put 5 euros (sometimes a little less or more depending on distance) into their envelope that you get at the reception of your lodging, attach it to your backpack in the morning, and leave it by the door or where the owner of the lodging indicates you should put it. All of the luggage transport companies work pretty much the same way. It works like a charm! There is no need to lock your luggage. I always keep my cash, cards, passport, etc., on me and just send my clothes/toiletries in my pack.
We usually decided how far we would walk the next day the night before, depending on how we were feeling. I met some people who would send their backpack on to a municipal albergue 10 - 15 km ahead or so and then, if they felt like walking further, they would simply pick up their bag and keep going. That way you don't have to tie yourself to a specific destination, you don't have to carry your backpack the entire way, and you can choose where you want to stay.
There is so much advice I could give! Walk at your own pace regardless of the people you are walking with...you can always meet up at the end of the day or a day or two later. Pay attention to your feet - once they go it's all over. When you feel a "hot spot" cover it with Compeed or moleskin right away. Don't do much planning. The Camino truly does provide. You will meet amazing people, your "Camino family", and make lifelong friends. Your first Camino will probably not be your last - it's addictive and it's something you think about every day when you are not there. Drink more water than you think you need. My Camino took 32 days but there are many people who take quite a bit longer. Next time I will take more time, see more, and go with the wind a bit more! It's the hardest thing I've ever done but THE BEST thing I've ever done.
If you have questions please ask!