Shipping a bag from Porto to Santiago

[terfos]

Hello, I am thinking of walking part of the Portuguese Camino from Porto to Santiago, I am going to travel for a while after and would like to ship a bag from Porto to Santiago that would be stored for about 2.5 weeks until I arrive...does anyone know if that is possible and if so input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[gracethepilgrim]

Hi @tefos, it’s easy - go to the top of this site (not sure if same place on mobile) and find the link for ‘services in Santiago by Ivar’ where you’ll find luggage storage details. Simply go to the Post Office in Porto and post to Ivar - he’ll take care of it until you arrive.
I’ve used this service and it’s awesome - plus you’ll likely get to say hi to Ivar.

 

[John Richard]

I think it is great to use Ivar
From what I read from within Spain post is economical but from SJDP to Santiago it goes through 2 countries and can be expensive depending on weight.
I used the 'lovely Caroline' from SJPP to Santiago to avoid high postage
Is it the same sending from Portugal to Spain in that postage fees are high for weighty packs?

 

[t2andreo]

The post within Spain (Correos) is very reasonable. The post in Portugal (CTT) is nearly as inexpensive. It is FAST and reliable. In April 2015, I shipped several packages from Porto and elsewhere in Portugal to Ivar in Santiago. It all went smoothly and without drama.

Go to a CTT Portugal post office in Porto and ask to mail your bag to Santiago. They will tell you if you need to box it, wrap it, or whatever. Also, I bring a small, partially used roll of 3M shipping tape that I buy in the supermarket to help seal the post office box. They usually need a little more tape.

My personal choice is to use a soft duffel bag to get things to my starting point, then place everything in post-office supplied (or purchased) boxes, along with the folded duffle bag. Everything winds up in Santiago, and I have my duffel bag too. I do this to avoid the postal official telling me they do not ship luggage.

ALWAYS have a Plan B!

I hope this helps.

 

[KariC]

I'm also toying with shipping a small bag from Porto to Santiago - that might give me the option of bringing my hiking poles by checking my pack inside a backpack shipping bag (though not sure on the Caminho Portugues I'd need them) and shipping more "city" shoes and maybe slightly dressier top or two ahead, because I'm going to Paris after Santiago. I've read it's more expensive to ship internationally than w/i Spain, but how much more expensive? Concretely, what would it cost to mail something weighing about 5-6 lbs from Porto to Ivar? And importantly, since I only have about 10 days to hike, if I mailed a small package from Porto to Ivar in Santiago, would it arrive by the time I got there 10-11 days later? Finally, could I mail a small duffel bag, or can one not mail something whose exterior is cloth? Would I have to get a box to put it in?
Muita obrigada!!
Kari