We are planning to pack very lightly for our 3 weeks in Italy (one backpack each). We know that we'll want to buy things along the way - any suggestions for the best/least expensive way to ship things back to the US? Thanks!
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1127 posts
It is very expensive to ship to the US. There are Fed Ex and Mailboxes Etc locations in the big city but it will cost you a lot of money.
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Sam is correct - It's VERY expensive to ship from Italy. We would NEVER ship a package through Italian mail - too many friends are STILL waiting for things they shipped. Vatican mail is an alternative - as you enter the square on your RIGHT there is a post office near the bathrooms that handles more shipping than the more visible (and more popular) post office on the left side of the square when facing St. Peters. Of course, this only works when you're shipping from Rome!
If not this option, then you must send it DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc. All these folks are prevalent in larger cities. Based on my experience DHL has the best prices. To mail an overnight letter FedEx is about 38 euro. To mail a 10 lb package on ANY of these vendors will cost between $150 - $190. Yes, we do NOT mail home things often.
The best alternative.... BUY a cheap suitcase here in Italy and CHECK that bag when you return. Yes, you will no longer have carry-on... but that's 50 lbs. of FREE shipping! When we have friends headed back to the States for visas, visits, etc... everyone asks, "Do you have room for...?"
So that would be the cheapest alternative. You can buy an inexpensive suitcase from a street vendor for 15-20 euro.
Good luck!
Ciao,
Ron
Posted by
Northborough, MA
636 posts
Another alternative to purchasing a suitcase in Italy is to take a very compact, lightweight duffel bag that you can pack in your suitcase.
If you have more fragile stuff to bring home, just fill the duffel with dirty (or clean) laundry and pack the more delicate stuff in a more structured suitcase.