Bag transport in November

[Teez]

We are currently walking and are in Santo Domingo. We originally planned to carry our backpacks, but my husband is almost 83, has become a bit stooped and he finds carrying his pack painful and difficult. (We carried our packs three years ago but three years makes a difference at our ages.)

We are using NCES and they have been good, but will finish on 31 October for this area. Evidently a partner does Sarria to Santiago in November. We will have a gap from 1 November to 11 November and need a carrier for these days. Evidently Caminofacil will quote me a ‘special rate’ but they haven’t got back to me.

I tried to communicate with Jacotrans but just got a ‘No English’ reply. I think they will still function in November, but how do people communicate with them without Spanish?

At the moment we are looking at these options - getting local taxis to take our bags, but my husband is very unwilling to do this. Trying to use Jacotrans and using Google translate to try to frame messages on their WhatsApp site each day.

Advice please….

 

[mspath]

Teez,
Are you in Santo Domingo de la Calzada? Have you tried the Spanish postal service Correos. They cover Spain and transport bags. Use the info in their link to ask them any questions. They will respond quickly.

 

[trecile]

Have you checked with Correos? They provide luggage transport year round from Sarria.

Rucksack transfer on the Camino de Santiago

Correos transfers your rucksack, suitcase or luggage along the Camino de Santiago stage by stage

www.elcaminoconcorreos.com

 

[Vacajoe]

Can I just say that you are an inspiration to us “young” folks (55+) and that if I were anywhere near you I would personally show up and carry your pack for you everyday as tribute to the fact that at 83 you are still walking the Camino?!?!!!

I don’t have an answer, but you rock!!! Hopefully you know that and the world responds in kind to you

 

[Teez]

Can I just say that you are an inspiration to us “young” folks (55+) and that if I were anywhere near you I would personally show up and carry your pack for you everyday as tribute to the fact that at 83 you are still walking the Camino?!?!!!

I don’t have an answer, but you rock!!! Hopefully you know that and the world responds in kind to you

Thank you. Your response delights and encourages us!

 

[J Willhaus]

Probably much more expensive, but you can usually arrange bag transport by taxi as your last resort. I recall that most bag transport services stop in winter except Sarria to Santiago.

 

[Teez]

Correos also stops on October 31 so they are not an option although they still function from Sarria in November.

It looks like Jacotrans still operates in November but charges more then. I need some wisdom from those who have used them either just day by day or with an email booking covering several stages. Did you ring the night before or use WhatsApp? Were you able to do it in English?

 

[mspath]

Teez,
To see other relevant recent posts type Jacotrans in the blue search box at the top left of the forum home page.

 

[trecile]

We are using NCES and they have been good, but will finish on 31 October for this area.

I'm not familiar with NCES. Do they have a website?

 

[K. Buckley]

The easiest way is to take a picture of the envelop that you had already filled out the information, and then send it to the transport company by WhatsApp. They will text you back “ok”.

 

[Teez]

I'm not familiar with NCES. Do they have a website?

NCS - www.ncsequipajes.com
(I put NCES - seniors’ moment!)

 

[TMak]

Correos also stops on October 31 so they are not an option although they still function from Sarria in November.

It looks like Jacotrans still operates in November but charges more then. I need some wisdom from those who have used them either just day by day or with an email booking covering several stages. Did you ring the night before or use WhatsApp? Were you able to do it in English?

In May 2018 we used Jacotrans for a few days to assist my husband through a health issue. We were nervous doing this but they were very reliable. We used Whats App and would send them a message the night before. We did it in Spanish (copy attached), just changing pickup and delivery place and date. They acknowledged as Ok and no issues. Just love bag with envelope/money in lobby morning you leave.

Correos also stops on October 31 so they are not an option although they still function from Sarria in November.

It looks like Jacotrans still operates in November but charges more then. I need some wisdom from those who have used them either just day by day or with an email booking covering several stages. Did you ring the night before or use WhatsApp? Were you able to do it in English?

We used Jacotrans in May 2018 for few days to help my husband overcome medical issue. We used WhatsApp and sent message evening before in Spanish. See below. We would use same template next day just changing pickup, drop off and date. They generally acknowledged with OK. Left bag with envelope/tag and money in lobby morning of departure and bag was delivered to place we designated. No issues. Highly recommend, and would use again.

Me gustaria solicitar transporte una mochilla
Fecha: 14 de Mayo (manana)
Recognida: Ribadiso- Pension Ribadiso
Entrega: O Pedrouzo - Pension Maribel
Nombre: (insert your name)
Telefono: (insert your cell number)

 

[Excursionista]

Just wanted to add that if you encounter anyone with passable English at any of your accomodations or meal stops, you should explain your situation and ask their advice. It may take a few tries, but you'll likely soon meet someone who will make it their mission to get your bag transfer sorted. "No English" may work on you, but it won't work on an argumentative Spaniard calling on your behalf.

 

[sebastian606]

Correos also stops on October 31 so they are not an option although they still function from Sarria in November.

It looks like Jacotrans still operates in November but charges more then. I need some wisdom from those who have used them either just day by day or with an email booking covering several stages. Did you ring the night before or use WhatsApp? Were you able to do it in English?

I used JacoTrans in September 2022 (from Sarria to Santiago). I paid for all my stages at once and entered my hotels/pensions on the envelope. I had great service. I communicated with them via the WhatsApp chat. I received my replies in English. We left our bag in the hotel lobby by 8 AM each day. They pick up shortly after 8 AM so if you are late getting the bag to the lobby, your bag may not get transported to the next location.

 

[Alex M]

Teez,
Are you in Santo Domingo de la Calzada? Have you tried the Spanish postal service Correos. They cover Spain and transport bags. Use the info in their link to ask them any questions. They will respond quickly.

I tried Correos out of season and they said they could not help.

 

[Madeleine Jacobs]

I have tried Jacotrans (in Spanish, translate) with a mail on my walking schedule out of Ponferrada from November 5, but I have not heard back. All others transporters appear to be closed. Because of my rusty knees, I have decided to bring my pack (which was always already ligther than 4 kg) further down. Not sleeping in albergue’s in the fall season (no sleeping bag), and buying a daypack of just 270 grams/25 liter, I aim to bring the weight of my carried pack down to less 2 kg excl water. That means only one change of cloths, all toileteries in mini-pots and every item and gram in the pack considered for its weight . This is the Exped 25 Cloudburst pack (also watertight, no need for cover):

Exped Cloudburst 25 - Dagrugzak online kopen | Bergfreunde.nl

Exped - Cloudburst 25 - Dagrugzak ➽ Gratis verzending vanaf €50 - koop nu voordelig online! ✓ Verzending binnen 24u ✓ 100 dagen retourrecht ✓ Veilig betalen ✓ Vakkundig advies

www.bergfreunde.nl

 

[pilgrimpleterski]

I am on the Frances right now, and using Camino Facil. Their web site/online booking ended October 27, but I have been emailing reservations each day (contacto@caminofacil.net). They need the origin and destino albergue (with address and phone number). I ask them to email me back a confirmation. Sometimes I had to make a makeshift envelope out if a paper placemats, and write all the information on it. So far they have been charging 7 euros (cash in envelope). I use Google translate, and so far, all has worked well! We wanted to carry our packs, but my husband has not been up to it and this has allowed him to enjoy the walking.

Buen Camino! And agreed, you rock, and are a total inspiration!!